Need advice on wheels. Seriously, they confuse me.

[xcntracer 2]

Okay, I have no clue about wheels at all so please bear with the long post. I skate 3 times a week on asphalt thus I've decided to get the Labeda Asphalt. No problem there.

Then once a week on indoor sport court (futsal court, no hockey tiles here), currently using the Variant Plus. Now, I heard that some wheels actually give you a boost of speed or something. I'm curious to find out since I'll have a tournament on March.

So I decided to go with the Labeda Addictions, which fortunately were out of stock on IW when I ordered them. Fortunate because I borrowed my buddy's Addictions today and honestly I feel no difference. In fact, they feel less grippy than the Variant Plus (same 76A durometer).

I guess I'm looking for wheels that feel harder than my Variants (doesn't necessarily mean harder durometer but I'd go up if necessary) but still grippy and most importantly: DURABLE.

I'm 160lbs, 5'6. Been skating for 12 years, play for the Indonesian ice national team and recently inline for the last 1 year. If that helps.

Thanks

[Vet88 674]

You are asking for the holy grail, a grippy wheel that is super fast and ultra durable :)

You have already tried 2 of the best wheels out there. The other one you may want to try is the Rink Rat splits. Given your weight and size I'd say try a 76a. I've used them on a urethane and tiled court for 6 months and they were still going strong, swapped to Variant Plus to try something else (and because I got them at a really good price).

Outside of those 3 there isn't much else I'd recommend given what you are after and the level you want to be skating at.

[xcntracer 2]

Oh, so it's a known issue in inline. Noted :)

Yeah, I got a deal on some Rinkrat splits. Hope that works. Is there a big difference between the 76A and 78A?

[Souldriver 64]

Your size go with the 76a or you may be slipping with the 78a. Difference is the wheels hardness, harder = less grip and less roll resistance. Softer = more grip more rolling resistance. Since you're a lighter player you're not squishing the softer wheels much so you should be rolling free. Unless you're really aggressive on your wheels with stops and your wheels were breaking a lot then stick with the 76a.

For the rink rats many ice players say they make online feel a little more like ice so you may like that.

[xcntracer 2]

Got it, thanks for the advice, guys.

[default user 3]

Go with 76a for sure. I'm 180lbs and use 76a on sport court. I've tried 78a's and I had noticeably less grip then 76's. I use the rink rats at the moment and from my experience and what I've seen from others, they trend to breakdown and chunk fairly quickly. Labeda Grippers are really good and not to expensive. Addictions are supposedly one of the best wheels out there, but I've tried them.

[xcntracer 2]

Will start skating on the RR Splits after the holiday ends. I'll post my thoughts about it.