Inline wheels and bearings?

[paulypaul14]

I'm new to competive inline hockey. I've skated ice hockey my whole life and feel that I'm a good hockey player. But I just started an inline league and feel a little slow. I'm not sure if I have the right wheels and bearings.

The surface we play on is indoors and is cemente surface. I'm just looking to get an edge.

What is a good wheel (harder or softer) and good bearings (Abec?)?

Thanks for your help.......

[DannyG]

in the past we have had several technical discussions on this, so I am giving you the synoptic version:

1. wheels...harder will wear better and 'slide' more on smooth concrete...really, the softer the better, for more grip, but it depends on what you can put up with in terms of the wheels constantly wearing out. also, if your concrete paying surface is smooth or rough will make a difference to you...you can even experiement with different hardness wheels in different positions on the chassis...have fun, find the combo that works for you.

2. bearings...human beings cannot tell the difference between ABEC 1's and ABEC 9's...the differences in Annular Bearing Engineering Council (ABEC)ratings/tolerances is not capable of being felt in action within human performance levels. the ABEC rating is largely used by manufacturers as a marketing ploy...so...the tolerance rating is not really important, but the manufacture/material is...ABEC 9's made out of inferior materials are useless, for example. Note that 95% of all the equipment on the Apollo space program had an ABEC rating of 3 or less...

Boss Swiss bearings are the best, and you will notice they don't even put an abec rating on them.

[InlineMBA]

Big guys on soft wheels is a bad idea. All depends on weight.

I agree on the Swiss Bearings. Take care of them (cleaning) and they last the longest.

Steve Inge

[rback]

Don't kno where you live but:

Buffalo In-Line Hockey Group is proud to announce that Michael Hunt the worldwide sales manager for Rink Rat Wheels will be at our rink (EPIC Center, Wherle Dr.-Lancaster, NY) on April 21, 2007. Michael will run a clinic starting at 10 AM in which he will discuss the proper selection of wheels, wheel sizing, the maintenance and cleaning of wheels and everything you ever wanted to know about in-line wheels.
Buffalo In-Line Hockey Group also announces that Rink Rat has assumed partial sponsorship of B.I.H.G. tournament teams. Those teams participate in regional, national and international tournaments commencing with the TORHS Nationals in Taylor, Michigan in July.
For more information about Buffalo In-Line Hockey Group please call Rich at 716-773-1188 or 716-689-4090

[galactus]

i have been looking at the bones swiss labyrinth bearings, are theses any good, or are the boss swiss better?

I play outside rink, so their is alot of grim