Indoor Wheels

[DevilsJim89 0]

Hello everyone,

Quick question regarding indoor wheels - I have a set of 8 wheels (72-76-76-80) that I haven't used since early 2010. Once since then, they were used on an outdoor surface (thanks to my brother) so I was wondering if they can still be used on an indoor surface. The wheels are in pretty good condition so he didn't run them into the bearings or anything but I figured I'd ask because its been so long since I've played indoors and I'm playing this weekend and I'd like to use the same wheels.

If you use indoor wheels outdoors - does it ruin the wheel? I know I forgot to change my wheels from outdoor to indoor wheels and I was sliding all over the rink and falling down but since these wheels were used once outdoors, can they be used again indoors?

Is the old trick to use rubbing alcohol? I thought I heard that before.

Thank you.

[Tyler Roy 86]

Indoors cant be used outdoors for the exact reason you said, you will slip and have no grip...and outdoors will chew the wheel up. Roads/Tarmac rip softer indoors up, I used a set of Rink Rats from my T10s outdoor for 1 day and they looked more like a ufo than a wheel, and all the grip was gone. I think you, or your brother, should get a new set for indoors and keep these for outdoors.

[poppinwaterbottles 0]

If you uses the indoor wheels out doors (a few times) you should be fine. when the wheels have a little bit of wear & tear in them they grip better. Outdoor wheels are usually too hard for indoor, that's the reason you slip. It also depends on the hardness of the wheels. I use soft wheels for indoor.

[Tyler Roy 86]

If they were brand new wheels and on a smooth concrete I might agree. But using an older indoor wheel outdoors you rip and wear them down uneven.

If you uses the indoor wheels out doors (a few times) you should be fine. when the wheels have a little bit of wear & tear in them they grip better. Outdoor wheels are usually too hard for indoor, that's the reason you slip. It also depends on the hardness of the wheels. I use soft wheels for indoor.

Like he said, hes already slipping and cant get grip. Sounds like its time for a new set. Id also clean the bearings as dirt and moisture from outside can seize them up.

[DevilsJim89 0]

Ah - I totally didn't explain the last part of my post well.

When I said " I know I forgot to change my wheels from outdoor to indoor wheels and I was sliding all over the rink and falling down....."

That was from another pair of wheels that were indeed outdoor wheels. I meant that I had forgotten that you couldn't use outdoor wheels on an inside surface.

But yes, the pair of indoor wheels I have that my brother used once have a little wear on them. Before I went out and looked for new wheels, I wanted to ask if a one-time use of indoor wheels on an outdoor surface would make much of a difference.

As far as the bearings are concerned, I'm going to buy new ones. I have lower-end model CCM skates that are ABEC-3 and I totally feel the "flat tire" feeling. I know this is a side topic but what would you guys prefer? I'm thinking of ABEC 7s but might make the jump to ABEC 9s.

Thanks for the response so far though - very helpful.

[wickedslappah 6]

Indoors cant be used outdoors for the exact reason you said, you will slip and have no grip...and outdoors will chew the wheel up. Roads/Tarmac rip softer indoors up, I used a set of Rink Rats from my T10s outdoor for 1 day and they looked more like a ufo than a wheel, and all the grip was gone. I think you, or your brother, should get a new set for indoors and keep these for outdoors.

I think you have it backwards....Indoor wheels are softer...if you use them on an outdoor/asphalt surface you wuldnt slip...you just get a lot of friction slowing you down and eating up the wheels real quick...

using Outdoor wheels on an indoor surface is what will cause you to slip as Outdoor wheels are harder and you will have less surface area of wheel making contact with surface causing u to slip....

As far as the bearings are concerned, I'm going to buy new ones. I have lower-end model CCM skates that are ABEC-3 and I totally feel the "flat tire" feeling. I know this is a side topic but what would you guys prefer? I'm thinking of ABEC 7s but might make the jump to ABEC 9s.

ABEC rating almost means NOTHING at least regarding skate speed and skating performance. I have heard Bones Reds are really good. Those are my next purchase. They have an easily removeable rubber gasket shield which you can remove to clean and relube. They are cheap too (at least on Amazon).

http://www.amazon.com/Bones-Reds-Precision-Skate-Bearings/dp/B000FDRQ1S

But yes, the pair of indoor wheels I have that my brother used once have a little wear on them. Before I went out and looked for new wheels, I wanted to ask if a one-time use of indoor wheels on an outdoor surface would make much of a difference.

You should be fine. Do the wheels still spin good? Try them on the indoor surface or similar surface and make sure they still grip well and spin good.

[Tyler Roy 86]

Wicked-I didn't mean that the indoors would slip outdoors. I was meaning that the indoors that you wear down outdoors would no longer grip indoors. My bad on the confusion but hope this clears it up.

[DevilsJim89 0]

I know I'm late here but I just want to say - thank you for your help guys. I ended up buying a new pair of Lebeda Grippers extra soft and they were amazing. I just didnt want to risk the chance of using an older pair of wheels.

I didn't get a new pair of bearings though, the ones I have did the job.

Thanks again!

[Tyler Roy 86]

Labeda makes a good product. You will like them...

I know I'm late here but I just want to say - thank you for your help guys. I ended up buying a new pair of Lebeda Grippers extra soft and they were amazing. I just didnt want to risk the chance of using an older pair of wheels.

I didn't get a new pair of bearings though, the ones I have did the job.

Thanks again!

[hardflip177 1]

+1 for labeda grippers. Good wheels at a good price