So, today I got this crazy idea to mess around with some sports gear, specifically, some wheels – “rodas” in Portuguese, which I thought was a cool name. I wanted to see how different wheels perform on my skateboard, just for kicks. I’ve always been into skating, but I’ve never really experimented with different gear.
Getting Started
First, I gathered all the wheels I could find. I had a few sets lying around from old setups, and I borrowed a couple more from my skater friends. I ended up with a mix of sizes and hardness – some soft, some hard, and a few in between. I laid them all out on my garage floor, and they looked pretty sweet, all colorful and different.
The Experiment
I started by putting on the softest set of wheels. These were supposed to be good for rough surfaces, so I took my board to the street outside my house. The road here is pretty messed up, lots of cracks and bumps. Riding on these wheels was super smooth. It felt like I was gliding over everything. I did a few laps around the block, and I was really feeling it.
- Tried hard wheels next.
- Skated on the smooth concrete at the park.
- Felt way faster and more responsive.
- Pulled off some tricks I hadn’t done in a while.
After that, I switched to a medium-hard set. These were kind of the best of both worlds. They handled the rough spots okay but were also pretty fast on smooth surfaces. I spent a good hour just cruising around, testing out different spots in my neighborhood.
Collecting Data
While I was skating, I made sure to note down how each set of wheels felt. I used my phone to jot down some quick thoughts after each session. Stuff like how they handled speed, grip, and different terrains. It wasn’t super scientific, but it gave me a good idea of what each set was good for.
Final Thoughts
By the end of the day, I was pretty beat, but it was totally worth it. I learned a lot about how different wheels can change the feel of skating. Soft wheels are great for cruising on rough streets, hard wheels are perfect for smooth parks and doing tricks, and medium ones are a good all-around choice.
This little experiment really opened my eyes to how much gear can affect your performance. It’s not just about the board; the wheels play a huge role too. I’m definitely going to keep experimenting with different setups to see what works best for me. It’s all about finding that perfect balance, you know? Plus, it’s just a ton of fun to try new things and push your limits.
It might not be as detailed as those expert gear testers or as technical as video analysis, but hey, it is all about enjoying the process and sharing the stoke. Next time you are out skating, maybe think about swapping out your wheels and seeing how it changes your ride. You might be surprised at what you discover!
