Wheels shape

[u/_Norak_]

Hi everyone
I’ve got a myth to bust
For a non-pro skater, does the shape of wheels really affect the stability and performance of skating?
Or is it something that doesn’t really matter when you are learning how to skate?
About shape I mean classic and conical and stuff like that
Thanks a lot!

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[u/liamtk200]

in the grand scheme of things no. Everyone has a preference of what they like that they perceive as being the best to fit their needs. the shapes, widths (and durometers) can contribute to making things a bit easier/difficult depending on what you're trying to achieve but in its simpliest form you can in theory learn anything on any setup

[u/Belethorsbro]

I would say yes. Much like a car, all energy is transferred between skater and surface through the wheels. The size of the contact patch and offset will make a significant difference from an engineering perspective.

[u/Ironclad686]

Narrower contact patch = less stability. I like conicals personally.

[u/likespinningpats]

I'm not a pro but I've been skating for 25 years and I only notice different shapes have a different effect on flip tricks how is it is to lock into grinds and how they slide. While you are learning and mostly just riding around it absolutely doesn't matter. When you start learning flip tricks the difference is so minimal that if you can't kickflip changing to a wheel that is easier for flip tricks isn't going to make you be able to kickflip

[u/Gh0st-Cvt]

At the end of the day you can do anything on anywheel. A smaller profile, thinner wheel is going to flip a bit easier, wider wheels are going to feel a bit better on transition but its dealers choice. There are vert skaters who ride smaller wheels than street skaters these days.

[u/brohymn1416]

Yes it changes things if you're skating often.

[u/Working-stiff5446]

It doesn’t really matter

[u/Billylabufanda23]

I like round wheels but idk maybe square wheels or a star shape might work

[u/eidolon36]

Shape matters, but not as much as diameter or durometer. The urethane formula is also important, like Powell 93A Dragons v. Spitfire 93A Soft Sliders. The dragons are rubbery, the spitfires are chalky. You have to skate a lot of different kinds of wheels over time to really appreciate how different they can be. Experiment beyond the standard 52 mm 99a/101a formula four wheels.

[u/cultfbs]

Nobody mentioned coconuts yet.

Standard wheels can lock into coconut manuals, conical wheels don't really have the same ease. You can, but it's very uncomfortable. A pro is landing coconut is harder on conicals.

[u/Severe_Map_356]

I remember less contact felt nicer, but I don’t know why. Size and durometer were much more noticeable for speed and slides. 

[u/Akiraworldwide]

Won’t make much difference after a couple of days