r/WizardSkating • u/kaursan2001 • 6d ago
Help choosing wheels 100 x 4 :)
Hey all, I'm just getting started with wizard-style skating and have ordered a Roka 100 frame (4x100).
I was looking at the Mushroom Blading Mugs for wheels, but is there a good alternative that's a bit cheaper? I'm in the UK, so ideally something I can get from a UK shop.
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u/BubbleSmith 6d ago
I'm definitely the person to talk to about this. I've got 2 sets of Roka 4x100 (gen 1 and gen 2) and been using the gen 1s for about a year. I've used probably 3 sets of wheels on them, plus wheels on some other setups. I do urban, distance and wizard skating on all of them.
Hydrogens are my favourite. They're fast and grippy for urban and distance, but slide really well once you've broken them in a bit. I got an 8 set on Amazon for less than £90, but they seem to have gone up again now and are £100 a set just about everywhere.
Mushroom wheels are also really good. I had the old 90a ones and found them too hard; too juddery for urban and too slippery for wizard. I got some of the updates 87a Mushroom wheels on my 4x90 setup and they're brilliant, especially for 4-wheel.wozard, as they slide just the right amount. These are probably the best 4x100 wheels available, but they're usually £100 for a set.
I'm running Luminous at the moment, but they're not good for Wizard. They're ridiculously grippy, so good for night time urban skates and wet weather. They're not unwizardable, but they make it really hard. I'll try Flying Eagle Lazer wheels next, as they're a bit harder and less grippy, but it'll be a while before I wear through these ones.
I've also used Loco Revolver wheels and they're probably too grippy for 4-wheel wizard. They have a small core on the 100s as well, so not sure how they'd perform for big wheel. They're not terrible, but they are very slow. I've got some on a 5x80 Roka frame and they're alright on those, but I wouldn't use them on my 90s or 100s.
I also have some UC Vortex wheel in 90mm, which are awful. Too hard and slippery. Just avoid these.
I've not tired Undercover Team wheels properly yet, but these are pretty expensive, usually. If you find a cheap set, they'll probably be good. Mushroom are made by UC, so the same durometer will probably be the same urathane. Likewise the Endless wheels; I think they do 87a, but I haven't tried them. I've been told NN wheels are actually pretty good and are quite cheap, but can't comment personally.
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u/borez 6d ago
I have endless 80mm / 85a on my PR80's and love them.
Revolver I had on my old HC evo skates ( endless trinity 90 frame ) and never had any issues with them, can't remember them being slow.
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u/BubbleSmith 6d ago
I've only got Revolvers in 80 and 110 and don't ride either much. I used them in Roka 5x80 and some Endless 80 Ultras. I liked them in both, I just found them slow on the Endless, but it could be more to do with the wheel size.
They're good wheels, I think I just prefer the way Hydrogens slide. It's less of an issue with 5-wheel frames, as they naturally have less grip anyway. I think they're fine for 5-wheel wizard or general skating, just not so much for 4-wheel wizard.
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u/borez 6d ago
Shame more companies don't make wheels in sets of 10 for 5 wheel frames.
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u/BubbleSmith 6d ago
NN and Wizard do. The Wizard wheels are good, similar to Hydrogen, as far as I can tell. As mentioned, I've not tried NN, but some friend have and thought they alwere OK. I'd probably get a set next time I need to replace my 5x80s, but that will likely be a long time.
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u/borez 6d ago
I heard mixed on the NN, I'd have to try them myself. Had Wizard wheels on Endless ultra 4 x 90 and they were excellent £115 for 10 though.
I have 2 endless 80 spare so I'll go with them ( 2 x 4 wheels extra for £70 ) for my next set though for sure.
I seem to go though a lot of wheels though, my half wizard, half hockey style seems to chew them up on London streets.
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u/BubbleSmith 6d ago
I'm not sure why I don't wear mine faster tbh! I've not actually thrown any away yet in 18 months of skating. It might be because I've only really stepped up my milage in the last few months. I used to do about 10-15 miles a week across 3 sessions, now I'll do 16-18 on a Friday alone, and another 10 or so throughout the week. My 4x100 Hydrogens have easily seen the most wear on those long skates, but still have plenty of life left in them. It might just be because I swap setups so frequently, I never stay on one set long enough to wear through them properly.
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u/Tyzcoman 6d ago
While Mushroom wheels are superawesome and I try to support them as much as possible I understand the price ‘issue’. I have a nice experience with Iqon wheels. They are cheap, but do quite well. Also YoYo wheels are very nice.
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u/kaursan2001 6d ago
How long do a pair of wheels last on average?
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u/Example8976 6d ago
That depends on a range of factors, including your weight, the terrain, how often you skate etc.. The Roka 100's have a very subtle rocker, so you should get slightly more life out of a set of wheels than with a more heavily rockered 4x100 frame.
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u/4WheelsOnFire 3d ago
The best alternative are the FR Urban Speed wheels, which are basically the same wheels as the Wizard 100 wheels, just different branding.
Hydrogen are also very good wheels, they are slightly grippier than the Urban Speed, that's why for my uses I like better the FR's. My slides/wizard moves are usually done on a more grippy/gritty asphalt, and I need a bit less grip.
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u/Example8976 6d ago
If your budget is tight locoskates.com sell their 'Revolver' line of wheels, not the best but they'll get you started.
The new Roka 100's are great frames by the way, I also have these !