The BEST Wheel

[JMUDukes26]

I was reading a review on wheels on another site, and I was thinking, wouldn't it be interesting to conduct a completly blind test of wheels from top manufacturers? I've heard that many people have major loyalties in buying wheels, it'd be very interesting if we could get a hold of unmarked wheels from as many companies as possible, and test them for performance.

It would be awfully interesting, but I fear some manufacturers would not be willing to do it, as it could (potentially) show that brand loyalty is more important than wheel quality. It could also potentially show that some less expensive wheels are better than their high priced cousins...

Just a thought, anyone work for a wheel company and want to comment? Other comments?

Gary

[DannyG]

I think that's a very good idea...frankly, the company whose wheel really was different in terms of design, construct, or material composition would really stand out...perhaps we should put in a request to JD Powers or some such..we are not testing perfomrance, we are measuring customer opinion...

While we're at it, I seemed to remember having suggested such a blind test of different levels of ABEC rated bearings, with my contention that you really cannot tell a 3 from a 9...

Hey, college engineering guys, doesn't anybody out there need to do a paper or something?



<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[MDE3]

It would be pretty difficult to do a &quot;blind&quot; test - as the wheels would have to be made on a special run so that you could not tell the wheel make by it's cosmetics. Once that happens - who knows what you would actually be testing. The wheels would have to be &quot;off the shelf&quot; for the test not to be suspect.

I believe the ABEC(annular bearing egineering commitee) rating given only governs the dimension tolerances which affect lateral and radial runout. From what I have read, it does not govern materials used or the micron finish of the metal surfaces although typically the higher the finish polish of the races and balls, the tighter the tolerances you could run. See www.seskate.com/ABEC.html

Cleanliness and lubricants have much more effect, as well as the fit of your axles and wheel bores.

PS anyone ever notice that "Boss Swiss" carry no ABEC rating on their wheel packages - I believe they are ABEC 1's. However I believe the surface finish polish may be finer, as well as the metal used in these bearings less subject to corrosion or wear.

[RichardGraham]

Hi MD,

I obviously can't fairly comment on wheels, but I do have to show my bias about bearings...

Can anyone HONESTLY tell me that their bearings have made a difference in their success as a forward, defenseman, or goalie? Come on.

I've played enough outdoor and indoor inline hockey to know that genetics, training, athleticism, and skill count for something, and I've played with the cheapest bearings and the most expensive bearings, and the only difference I was able to tell was when I hadn't oiled my bearings enough and they squeaked.

Gimme a break. I didn't just fall of the bearing truck. What difference on earth could bearings make, unless the ones you used were greased with glue?

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[missionhockey21]

I think that bearings make a very small impact. If you have a great player, in skates with cheap bearings he will still skate great. But if he was in some high quality bearings I am sure his speed would be increased, not by much, but it would still give him an edge.

[missionhockey21]

That would be a great idea, because I know that I get "loyal" to a certain companie and do not try other brands then.

[-venom-]

As for the wheels, I used to be EXTREMELY loyal to Labeda... not anymore

And 'well maintenanced' bearings make a lot more difference than ones with a higher ABEC rating...



http://www.phatwhippincrx.20m.com/images/dumbass.jpg

[rlrhky13]

I read an inline article just recently about bearings and there are no real differences inperformance between the ABEC's. Once a bearing has been used 1 time, unless you clean them after every use, they are all going to perform about the same. I will look back for the magazine I had read it in and post the entire article as to back up my post.

[rinkrat15]

How long did you think it would be before I commented, Listen its pretty simple, Get 10 "Independent"unbiased people. Have the wheel companies supply the wheels and get honest opinions.. We will supply our wheels whenever this happens. I will drive them to whoevers doing the test...

Listen as more and more people get on Rink Rat wheels its becoming more apparent that everything we said is true, Best performing, best gripping longest lasting wheel in the world. Hands down....

Richard I need you to call me i regards to advertising with IHC I have a few Ideas...Mike

National Inline manager for Rink Rat wheels.

[rlrhky13]

Does ABEC affect the speed of your skates?
No. Not unless you are skating at 330 mph. That's based on a 608 bearing limiting speed of 32,000 rpm. Only in extremely high speed applications like ultra high speed motors and precision measuring instruments can bearings above ABEC 1 affect performance. Regardless of how fast you plan to go, speed is affected first and foremost by the choice of lubricant.

If we're going to talk about tolerances, the fit of your wheels and axles have a much greater effect on performance than ABEC rating. Wheels and axles for inline skates have extremely loose fits that allow you to press the bearings into the wheel by hand. This masks the benefits of a higher precision bearing by allowing it to slip on the axle or in the wheel. Slippage between the mating parts results in energy loss. Lost energy is lost speed.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Mike,

E-mail me your phone number, will ya? I'll call you this weekend.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

PS Richard - I wrote that post in the very early am so maybe it was too cryptic. If you read the reference post I gave - also subsequently quoted by "rlrhky13" you would see we are on the same page.

If your lube is very poor and your bearings are squeaking or growling, then there would be a slight cumulative effect over time. This is where all the bearing technology came from - long distance speed skating - where a cumulative energy loss - however slight - might make a difference at the end of say a 15 k race. Remember the difference at the finish in terms of time may be only .5 seconds over say a 30 minute (not exact time) race or .ooo28 % . Such a slight differential could conceivably be created by a difference in bearing drag if two skaters were equal.

Is it relevant to hockey players - well........... I think you made your point.

[MDE3]

PS - just bought another set of Trinities although I would have purchased a set of Rink Rats to try them if they were on the shelf. It was a spur of the moment buy because we had the wrong wheels on for the floor and the good ones were sitting at home. I was told Rink Rats were on back order at Marple.

[gpersch]

I was at the sportsplex in feasterville on saturday and they had them. Try there.

[JMUDukes26]

I think this is the way to pitch it to the testers.

We (a major wheel producer who has elected to remain anonymous) are testing some potential new variations on current products, as well as testing new designs for products. We are asking you to try our several varieties of wheels, rank them, and offer feedback.

If you constructed the survey like this, than an company could maintain the same pours and use the same look, as long as they didn't have their name on the wheels (like some blems you can buy).

I think if offers a more level playing field, but obviously, the best solution would be to get wheels that are all white and look basically the same except for materials they are made of, and the design of the wheel.

Gary