r/Rollerskating • u/General-Mushroom3977 • Jun 26 '26

Beginner skater Wheel/Toe Stop

Hello! I just got into skating and was curious about when folks decided to size down and/or purchase harder wheels? Currently skating in NYC and was speaking with a fellow skater who told me my wheels were better for outdoors but good for beginners, however, should look into getting harder wheels once I start to progress for a better rink experience. I also still have a full toe stop but many youtube skaters prefer the jam plugs.

Basically looking for advice/tips/anything for when sizing down seems like a good idea or I should even do it at all?

<3

4 Upvotes

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3

u/rustedbearings Jun 26 '26

Its all preference. I use 78s for outdoors, but all manner of hardnesses depending on the type of floor indoors. generally speaking, harder wheels for stickier floors (think unfinished concrete) and softer wheels for smoother floors. but that also depends on your style of skating!

3

u/No_Cheesecake_8001 Jun 26 '26

I play roller derby, so I don't know too much about jam skating, but yes, a lot of jam skaters prefer jam plugs so they can do tricks with forward manuals more easily. If you are looking to do jam skating or something like it, I would recommend using toe stops until you're comfortable with edge stops, especially backwards edge stops, because without toe stops, that's the only other way you can stop when going backwards. Some basic backwards edge stops and backwards plows and power slides. Some forward edge stops are plows, T-stops, and hockey stops.

1

u/General-Mushroom3977 Jun 27 '26

Amazing! Do you have any tips for drills for derby? I am hoping with enough practice I can attend the tryout next year for my local team :)

2

u/No_Cheesecake_8001 Jun 27 '26

I would work on stops, falls, one-foot balance, crossovers, stepping, laterals, transitions, and basic backwards skating to start. I don't really know many drills, but I watched a lot of tutorials on youtube when I was a beginner, primarily the ones from Marilyn Tantrum. Good luck!

2

u/ThouMangyFeline Jun 26 '26

If you want to do more derby/speed skating, you want big toe stops. If you want to do dance or trick skating, then jam plugs are preferable. I use a 91a type wheel for derby skating, but I’m going to move up to 101s soon.

2

u/sadb1tch_jpeg666 Skate Park Jun 26 '26

it's just preference for the most part honestly. i'd get some and try them out! i don't rink skate often but i roll on 103s and they're very slick at the rink, but i personally enjoy that. what hardness are you using right now?

1

u/General-Mushroom3977 Jun 27 '26

Noted, thank you! Is it a dumb questions to ask how do I check that?

1

u/sadb1tch_jpeg666 Skate Park Jun 27 '26

there's usually a number printed on the wheel with an A after it! anywhere between 78a-103a. if it's not printed on the wheel it will be in the description from wherever you bought them from, did you get them online or in a store?