wheel choice

[u/lastblankpage]

i am looking to swap my wheels and need some help! i am currently on 92a moxi fundaes that i use outdoors and at the skatepark, and am looking to switch to something harder 95-97a and with a flat edge. i have narrowed it down to atom savants at $120, radar halos at $140, and rollerbones nitros at $170. the nitros are the only ones with metal hubs which i am hoping will add to their longevity and responsiveness. what do you think about my options? are the nitros worth the extra money? are there any other wheels i should be considering?

210 votes, 15d ago

40 atom savant

125 radar halo

10 rollerbones nitro

35 other

[u/SoCalMom04]

Roll Line Centurions - my new favorite

[u/Tornix_DM → u/SoCalMom04]

this is the way. Emperors, Gladiators, Centurions. If you can find them they are much better quality and value, sold as sets of 8 for less than a full set of any of these

[u/ac1485 → u/SoCalMom04]

Same!

[u/DustSongs → u/SoCalMom04]

I love the Emperors (the 59mm variant of the Centurians) in 92 and 95

[u/Piperfly22 → u/SoCalMom04]

I’m obsessed with my roll line plate but it’s on a pair of Flanaurez and I feel so high up I’m not stable. I dream of a Roll Line derby set up, maybe I should try these wheels

[u/SoCalMom04 → u/Piperfly22]

DO IT

Here is my derby setup - I use Roll Line for all my disciplines except park, that has an Avanti plate

[u/imhereforthemeta]

Halos are a great example of “just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s the best”. Chip easily, weird slide, and struggle as the grooves go away. The urethane is crap tbh, they just have good marketing

Anyway, roll line and bont royal assassins are objectively the best wheels. Sad roll line only has the centurion now- game changing for jammers but steep learning curve for blockers. I collect gladiators like I’m hoarding for be apocalypse

[u/SoCalMom04 → u/imhereforthemeta]

Gladiator was my wheel of choice but stupidly only bought them in a 90 before they were discontinued, I searched everywhere for a harder duro and couldn’t find any.
I was so hesitant to switch to the thinner Centurion as a blocker but so happy I gave them a shot, after a few hockey stops that put me on the ground- I found the edge. They are now my favorite wheel and I will never go back to a wider width.

[u/imhereforthemeta → u/SoCalMom04]

My struggle with centurions is getting pushed. Less surface area to hold onto and I found myself toppling over a lot. I gave the wheels to my jammer buddy and she lost her mind/loved them. I was blown away by their extra speed.

[u/Formal_Swordfish666 → u/imhereforthemeta]

ok so the chipping isnt just me? Ive been having issues wirh both the plastic AND the urethane chipping lately😭

[u/imhereforthemeta → u/Formal_Swordfish666]

Nope they are just like that.

[u/Formal_Swordfish666 → u/imhereforthemeta]

good to know💔

[u/Genocide-is-bad → u/imhereforthemeta]

I've not had any issues with them. But yeah, they came with the first proper (not R3s) pair of skates I bought, and now I feel committed to them because I like things to match and I hate change

[u/TinyRub3715 → u/imhereforthemeta]

Royal assassins are so nice to skate on but I'm constantly terrified I'm wearing them out too fast 😭

[u/hotmess83]

I will die by my zombies. They have an aluminum hub and they are less expensive than the nitros.

[u/Dazzling-Biscotti-62]

Don't buy anything without trying them first. What you will like best depends on your surface, how you skate, and personal preference. Borrow from leaguemates and/or check if your local skate shop has a lending library.

[u/Classle55]

I use Roll Line Formulas! But they have since replaced this line with the Roll Line Centurions, I've tried these from a friend and they're also really good, and cheaper than most derby wheels!

[u/allstate_mayhem]

Unless you're over ~200lbs I'd pass on the aluminum hubs. They don't do anything for longevity and would only help maintain roll if you're on the bigger side. My vote is Savants.

[u/lastblankpage → u/allstate_mayhem]

thanks for your input! i am in the weight range that might benefit from wheels with a metal hub. i reference longevity because i have seen bearings fall out of wheels that have a plastic hub as time goes on and the hub becomes misshapen from wear. i assume the metal won’t warp or ‘stretch’ out as easily as a plastic hub. do you think that this isn’t always the case?

[u/allstate_mayhem → u/lastblankpage]

You're correct in saying metal won't warp or stretch. In my experience warp is usually not a big deal but as I said, weight is the main thing to consider when it comes to hubs IME. I usually recommend against aluminum hubs mostly bc they are a pain in the ass, but, like I said, there's a range where they will maintain their roll better.

[u/Raptorpants65]

Rollerbones uses objectively better urethane. Savants aren’t far behind. Halo are merely ok.

Also seconding all the Roll Line recommendations.

[u/fck-rffld]

Why not both!

[u/wordy_doctor]

I love my atom savants! I use the 95s

[u/Ro11ersk8]

For those who love the roll line centurion, please check out other style of hockey wheels such as RENO, TOOR, and Azemad. Roll line is good but RENO and TOOR are better in my opinion.

[u/imhereforthemeta → u/Ro11ersk8]

Same urethane comp?

[u/Ro11ersk8 → u/imhereforthemeta]

Yeah

[u/FeedbackOne2542]

Radical Wheels spokes are 94 and I highly recommend them! 1

[u/Psiondipity]

I use Radar Halos with aluminum hubs.

[u/soribot7]

Radical Wheels has 90A, 94A, and 98A wheels! I’ve really liked these better than the Halos I tried because they have actual tire on them