I receive calls on a regular basis from parents wondering what kind of inline skates to purchase for their children. One of the biggest questions relates to the wheels. What size wheel should they look for and how do you take care of the skate wheels after you have purchased them?
First of all, there is no best size wheel for a child; however if your child is young or just learning to skate, you should definitely pick a smaller wheel. I would recommend a size 72 to 74mm would be appropriate. Wheel sizes can go all the way up to over 100mm. Wheels that size are for very experienced skaters. Once a child has learned how to skate, picking a size 80mm would be in order. In general, the larger the size give a faster skating experience. The larger wheels also last longer. The smaller wheels will give a young or new skater a lot more control and stability.
You can always change them to a larger size depending upon your skate. Some inline skates can accommodate any size, but others will not hold the larger sizes. Check before you buy your skates. [...]
So you have decided that you want to learn to inline skate. Perhaps you have never been on an inline skate before, but you have decided to venture out and try this great sport. There are so many different kinds of inline skates. Where do you begin and what do you look for? Here are a few simple guidelines to follow in selecting a good inline skate.