If I could choose only one wheel, it would be the Moxi Fundae wheel. I've been skating on and off on these wheels since they arrived into the marketplace, and they are a game changer!
Technical specifications 57mm diameter by 34mm depth. The Fundae wheels do not have a traditional durometer rating, but instead are described by Moxi as "hybrid street and skatepark wheels. They are a combination of what we do in most everyday skating. Classic outdoor wheels are much too blubbery for the skate parks and harder park wheels are difficult to do much else with. Fundae formula is fast and resilient on asphalt and sidewalk commuting. It holds its shape for transitioning floors at skate parks. The shape of the wheel is narrow enough to pivot safely out of bails and carved in a way to avoid getting caught up on the coping."
The Fundae wheels by Moxi roller skates have become my favourite wheel for most skating types.
The curved edge gives a nice flowing motion for some roller dance or skate park, and they are okay to street skate in (providing you know the route pretty well, or feel confident on your wheels as they're not that soft!)
They are fairly small, so you feel connected to the ground and in control of finer movements. Smaller wheels accelerate more slowly than large diameter wheels, however it is still perfectly possible to skate fast - you just need to push harder! The small size also means they fit pretty much all plates.
They feel rubbery, which helps look after my knees! Wheels that are really hard have no 'rebound' . You need your body to do the rebounding (aka bend your knees).
I know that wherever I go, I will be able to do some skating with them. I don't need to worry about what the floor will be like too much, in the way a harder more technical wheel may worry me. I know with Fundae wheels, I won't be slipping on smooth floors. At the skate park, I don't need to think, wood or concrete? I can just skate.
I like to skate at rinks too, and other indoor halls and spaces. Again, I'm not worrying about the floor and if I will be able to hold the corner without sliding out or not. I know I'll be just fine.
Ultimately, it's what Moxi said - more time on your wheels - less time spent changing your gear.
If you're still working out what you want to do and are working your way up to harder wheels, it can be worth stepping up gradually, as moving in hard wheels feel very different. I'm just going from my own experience here, where super hard wheels are quite a shock, as you need to move in a very different way! Don't believe me? If you're local to Leeds, come and try the FO-MAC wheels in the wheel library.
What are the cons?
Well, they are not the fastest ever compound. So, maybe I will sacrifice a few spins or won't carve quite as high compared to a harder wheel. They don't light up, (which is always fun), and I've never been sure about the decal on the front. It just doesn't really go with the lovely pastel colour scheme does it?! BUT the decal always rubs off fairly quickly anyway, I'm not skating anywhere to win competitions or prove anything, I'm just there to have a great time. And if I can have a great time, because I know I can skate and I feel confident to move, then I'm going to choose that wheel.
This isn't the smoothest floor, but I think I managed this dance
There are no magic wheels. No wheels that will make you suddenly be able to give you powers to do *that* trick you want to be able to pull off. If we re-frame the magic as inner glow or self-confidence though, the Moxi Fundae wheel comes pretty darn close for me.
These are not cheap wheels! At £49.95 for a pack of 4, so nearly £100 for a set of wheels - and that is without bearings - they are definitely an investment. However, in the many bails, trail skates, exploration during lockdown and more, I haven't worn them down. They look a bit dirty, and that decal finally wore off, but the shape has remained unchanged. I'm still using my original set of Fundae wheels. Buy quality, look after it and you'll have something great for years to come.
Have you tried the Moxi Fundae wheels? What do you think?