Wheel set ups
For which wheels to buy check out the wheels section on the 'wheels page' which explains which durometer to use when and for who.
Ok, the standard wheel set up is 8 of the same wheels.
The next few set ups that are frequently seen use 4 wheels of different types. Wheels in combos that are grippier are referred to as pushers. As in most things in derby it will be trial and error to know what suits you in order to work out your skating style.
Ok, the standard wheel set up is 8 of the same wheels.
The next few set ups that are frequently seen use 4 wheels of different types. Wheels in combos that are grippier are referred to as pushers. As in most things in derby it will be trial and error to know what suits you in order to work out your skating style.
This is the 'The Jerry' where there are 2 sets of 4 with the pushers on the outside of the left skate and the inside of the right skate (the pushers are placed on the side of each skate which is closest to the outside of the track when skating in derby direction).
Why you'd do this:
This is quite a grippy combo, so is good for lighter skaters and skaters who evenly spread their weight out when they skate.
Why you'd do this:
This is quite a grippy combo, so is good for lighter skaters and skaters who evenly spread their weight out when they skate.
Next there is the diagonal set up coined 'The Morty', which is what I have.
With this one the wheels are alternated format, so if the inside front left wheel is a 1 then the wheel on the outside front of that skate should be a 2, as should the inside back wheel on that skate. This leaves the rear outside of that skate as a 1. In my set up the 2's are the pushers, but this can be reversed, with the pushers and the non-pushers swapped around.
Either way though this should result in your left skate and your right skate matching one another.
Why you'd do this:
This is less grippy than 'The Jerry' so this one will be good if that one was too grippy for you. This set up gives you the best of both in many ways, as there is some grip and some slide across the whole of each skate. This tends to be good for heavier skaters - having said that I'm pretty light and do sometimes use this set up myself.
With this one the wheels are alternated format, so if the inside front left wheel is a 1 then the wheel on the outside front of that skate should be a 2, as should the inside back wheel on that skate. This leaves the rear outside of that skate as a 1. In my set up the 2's are the pushers, but this can be reversed, with the pushers and the non-pushers swapped around.
Either way though this should result in your left skate and your right skate matching one another.
Why you'd do this:
This is less grippy than 'The Jerry' so this one will be good if that one was too grippy for you. This set up gives you the best of both in many ways, as there is some grip and some slide across the whole of each skate. This tends to be good for heavier skaters - having said that I'm pretty light and do sometimes use this set up myself.
Another 4 on 4 set up that is out there is 'The George'. This one requires both sets of pushers on the outside of your skates.
Why you'd do this:
This one is more for people who don't spread their weight as evenly when they skate. So if someone leans out on the apex then this set up may be useful here.
Why you'd do this:
This one is more for people who don't spread their weight as evenly when they skate. So if someone leans out on the apex then this set up may be useful here.
This last one is similar to 'The Kramer' so one pusher is on the front inside of the left skate, whereas the other pusher is on the back inside of the right skate to make 'The Newman'.
Why you'd do this:
If you place too much of your weight forward when you skate this can help more of the weight to sit further back when you skate. relieving any pressure on the balls of your feet or toes.
Why you'd do this:
If you place too much of your weight forward when you skate this can help more of the weight to sit further back when you skate. relieving any pressure on the balls of your feet or toes.
Things to not do in combos:
- Combine wheels of different heights (this may sound obvious, but just in case).
- Combine wheels of different widths, I mean this isn't always problematic, it just isn't usually advised. As there are various durometers of wheels out there now this shouldn't really need to be done.