1. What is the diameter of a wheel?

The diameter is the measurement of the width of the wheel. For inline skates this measurement is generally given in millimeters. Typical sizes for recreational skaters are 72mm and 76mm, however sizes can range from as large as 80mm to as small as 45 mm.

2. What does durometer mean?

Durometer is a measure of how hard or soft the polyurethane of the wheel is. Typical inline skate wheels run from 74 (very soft) to 88 (very hard). A soft wheel will provide a smoother ride on rough surfaces, and offer more bite for sharp maneuvering. The down side is the wheel is soft and will wear out faster. On the other hand, a hard wheel offers less rolling resistance and therefore can be very fast on a smooth surface. In most cases the extremes are for special individuals. Speed skaters will typically use a very hard wheel (85 or higher), while roller hockey players want the bite and maneuverability offered by a softer wheel 78 or lower). The typical recreational skater should probably stay in the 80 to 85 range.

3. What kind of wheel should I use?

It depends on how you like to skate. If you want to really maneuver well, then a smaller wheel is better. If you want to skate fast, then a bigger wheel is better. Remember– besides durometer, size can affect the longevity of the wheel. The bigger they are, the longer they last.