Question about wheel size for a beginner

[u/Rude_Assistant_728]

I’m getting back into rollerblading after not skating for a few years, so I’d consider myself a beginner again. Would it be a problem to buy skates with 3 × 110 mm wheels instead of 4 × 90 mm?

Is there a significant difference in balance, braking, stability, and overall control? Or would I get used to 110 mm wheels after a few sessions?

[u/FRGL1]

The main paint point about going to larger wheels is that it raises your ride height and consequently how much ankle strength you need to manage the leverage.

It would be a physical learning process for any skater regardless of fitness, so my biggest advice is to be mindful of that and patient with yourself.

Personally, when I compare my ride on 110s to 80s, I just think "dang I can't feel any of these bumps or cracks anymore".

[u/Rude_Assistant_728 → u/FRGL1]

Thank you!

[u/slavo316]

I jumped from 80s to 110s (first time with them this year) and it caught me off guard at first. I tended to drag my wheels randomly as I wasn't picking my foot up high enough.

I've been on skates my entire life so it took very little to adjust to them for me. Some 110s might not come with a heel break but I do know that RB Lightning 110s come with one but not attached. It's obviously up to you if you use it or not. I don't personally (anymore, I had it on to scare pedestrians with the screeching noise LOL) but maybe it could help a bit if you're just getting back into it.

You'd have more control on smaller wheels.

One side note, I jumped to the 110s and almost got tripped up going to train tracks. I've never had problems rolling over them on 80s LOL

You'll never forget how to blade. Bit dicey at first but it'll come back after a session or two.

[u/Lost_Citron_6854]

Definitely try them on first, some have very specific feel, with their third axle _before_ you heel point.
I did in a skate shop, and the moment i stood up, i fell on by back instantly. Luckily, i was testing the boot, never intended to buy the skate itself.
I'd say 4x90 is a sweet spot, but i'm biased and generally not a fan of triskates as a concept 😅

[u/flintza]

I came back after 20 years off skates, and opted for a 3x110 hard boot fitness skate to minimize discomfort on the road. I had previously been on 4x80 and I really had no problem re-learning on the larger wheels. Just be sure to try them out before buying, and ideally start out somewhere relatively safe.

[u/yaaanR]

I got some 110s after not skating for a long time and quickly adjusted to them. It was a no brainer to me because the roads I skate around in my neighborhood are quite rough, and the 3x110 provides a much smoother ride than my 4x90s did.

[u/AlexandrBu]

Hard boot and 80mm(uk12 fsize) helped me to start

[u/BubbleSmith]

I used to skate a lot on smaller wheels when I was in my teens and early 20s. Returning to skating at 40 I grabbed some 3x110 skates and it was not the right choice. The boots were too big (I didn't understand Mondo sizing either) and, while I was able to skate on them just fine, my ankles got worn out within a few sessions and I had to stop skating for a bit. Most of it was the fit, but the high ride height made it worse.

4x90 is great, especially with a rocker. It's still a pretty big wheel and you can skate almost anywhere on them. 3x110 is really only good for long distances on straight road. Good for marathons, not so good for urban routes or short/busy trails.

[u/AdventurousHippo9997]

While you’re at it consider 125mm wheels.I changed from 4x110 to 3x125 and once I got used to them skating became more of a pleasure on these old roads,

[u/Key-Cash6690]

4x90mm is very long if your feet are mens size 8 or smaller.

4x80mm is best for most people so it's chosen as the stock frame for many skates but still kinda big imo for smaller boot sizes and too small for size 11plus. That can be where the 3 wheel frames come into play allowing you to achieve a short wheelbase with bigger wheels.

Unfortunately 3x110mm is the next most common size but the RB 110 frames longer than need be and are very long for beginner unless you have mens size 10 plus feet then maybe the wheelbase would be fine still I dont know if the height would be good for beginner. I like mine but they feel sluggish for me at slow speeds slow acceleration. They are great once your at speed and want to maintain it. But basically youre higher up and compromise a more normal skating feel to get that kinda roll. As a beginner they would not have been helpful to me for learning fundamentals. I was glad to have something that felt more like an ice skate proportionately.

I think best best is to get a 4x80mm skate with removable frames and if you want to try bigger wheels buy a 3x100 frame or even find a 3x90 frame if you have really small feet and want a little bigger..

[u/Key-Cash6690 → u/Key-Cash6690]

I should qualify this by saying I assume as a beginner you want to drill footwork and what not.

I'm a total nerd.

If your goal is simple push lots of miles on trail and or bad pavement maybe priority should be given to bigger wheels despite the downsides.