Short Wheels

Short wheels are wheels with a smaller diameter, and tend to be favored by skaters that prefer faster acceleration. Diameter is the measurement of how tall your wheels are from the ground up.  Generally, smaller diameter (shorter) shapes are capable of faster acceleration because it takes less effort to get going; that means more “quickness” for faster 0 to 60 snap speeds.  Smaller diameter wheels are the ¼ mile drag racers of derby (relative to taller speed wheels).

Standard indoor speed wheels tend to be 62mm in diameter, which works great for skaters moving at a relatively constant speed and direction.  But short diameter wheels are often better suited for players that are changing speed or whose gameplay requires a lot more stalls, braking and quick moves forward, backward and laterally – so snap speed has more payoff for skaters that love short wheels than the constant lap speed that taller wheels can offer.