How to reshape wheels
Short Answer:
Reshaping wheels with a grinder can enhance your skating experience by adjusting the profile, size, and smoothness of your wheels. Whether you’re looking to customize your setup for better grinds or tweak wheel diameters for specific performance, using a grinder allows you to fine-tune your wheels for more control and comfort on the streets or skate park.
When it comes to inline skating, the wheels play a significant role in how your skates perform. From wheel diameter to profile shape, small tweaks can make a big difference in control, speed, and durability. This article dives into how you can reshape and customize your wheels using a grinder to get the most out of your skates. If you’re looking to fine-tune your setup and push your skating to the next level, this guide is for you.
Why reshape your wheels?
There are a few reasons why you might want to reshape your wheels. For aggressive skaters, wheel bite (when the wheel catches during a grind) can cause serious falls. By adjusting the wheel’s profile, you can make it less likely to catch, allowing for smoother grinds. For others, changing the diameter or surface of the wheel can help improve control, especially when sliding or performing advanced maneuvers.
Changing the profile
The profile of your wheel refers to its shape—round, bullet, or flat. Each profile affects how your wheels behave:
- Round profile: Offers better grip but might catch during grinds.
- Bullet profile: Reduces friction during slides and grinds but can be trickier for control on turns.
- Flat profile: Provides stability, making it popular for casual skaters but less ideal for grinds.
If you want to tweak your setup, you can grind your wheels to change their profile. This is particularly useful if you're an aggressive skater looking to avoid wheel bite or if you prefer a more slippery, speed-focused profile. To learn more about different profiles, check out our profile video for an in-depth look.
Reshape wheels, adjusting the diameter
Sometimes, you might want to reduce the diameter of your wheels. While bigger wheels offer more speed and smoother rides, smaller wheels can improve maneuverability, especially on long frames. With a grinder, you can shave off a millimeter or two, giving you the perfect balance for your setup. This is especially handy if you’re trying to mimic a rockered setup without having to buy new frames.
Grinding off newness
One thing many skaters don’t like about new wheels is the "freshness." New wheels can feel unpredictable because the surface hasn’t worn in yet. By using a grinder, you can rough up the surface of a new wheel, removing that glossy layer and making it feel more broken-in from the start. This makes slides more predictable, giving you a smoother experience right away.
How to reshape wheels using a grinder
Here’s how to reshape your wheels safely and effectively using a grinder:
- Secure your skates: Use a screw bench to lock your skates in place.
- Set the angle: Hold the grinder at a slight angle to the wheel. This helps shave material off evenly.
- Start the wheel spinning: Before grinding, manually spin the wheel. This avoids creating flat spots.
- Grind in small increments: Don’t rush—grind off small amounts of material and test the wheel until you get the desired shape.
Removing logos and graphics
Some skaters like to customize their wheels by removing any unwanted logos or graphics. You can use a grinder to lightly sand off decals or even use nail polish remover to clear off prints without damaging the wheel itself.
Customizing your setup
Reshaping your wheels opens up a world of possibilities for customizing your setup. Whether you want a specific grind profile, smoother slides, or a rocker feel, a grinder can help you fine-tune your skates to match your preferences.
Conclusion
Reshaping wheels with a grinder is a great way to fine-tune your inline skate setup. From adjusting profiles to tweaking diameters, this process allows you to enhance control, prevent wheel bite, and make new wheels feel broken-in. Whether you’re an aggressive skater or just want to tweak your ride, this is a simple yet effective way to customize your skates.
For more tips on customizing your skates, check out our YouTube channel where we release videos every week on topics like this. Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on the latest content!