After your own technique and fitness, nothing changes how an inline speed skate rolls more than the wheels under it. Two dials do most of the work. The first is size, the diameter of the wheel in millimetres, and the second is hardness, how firm or grippy the compound is. Get both right for your body, your surface and your event and the skate feels fast and planted. Get them wrong and you fight the skate all day. This guide walks through every common size from 90mm to 125mm, explains hardness in plain terms, and finishes with the best wheels for speed skating by purpose, using only wheels we actually stock at LiveLica.
We will keep it practical and skater to skater. No hype, no invented numbers, just what each size does, who it suits and how to match it to your frame. If you are building a first race setup or refreshing an old one, this is the map.
Why wheel size matters
Wheel diameter is a balance between two good things you cannot fully have at once. A bigger wheel carries more speed and rolls further for each push, because it covers more ground per turn and holds momentum well. A smaller wheel accelerates faster, sits lower and feels more agile, because there is less wheel to spin up and a lower centre of balance. Neither is better in the abstract. The right size depends on how long your race is, how smooth your surface is and how much control you want underfoot.
The bigger the wheel, the more it rolls and holds speed. The smaller the wheel, the quicker it spins up and turns.
The sizes explained
90mm wheels
Ninety millimetre wheels are the classic small race size. They sit low, spin up quickly and feel nimble and controllable, which makes them a favourite on tight tracks and for skaters who want stability and quick feet over outright top speed. A four wheel 90mm frame is compact and easy to handle, so it suits younger racers, indoor and track sessions, and anyone who values control while their technique settles. Both the JUNK Voodoo and the MPC Black Magic are offered in 90mm, so you can run a proven race wheel at this size.
100mm wheels
One hundred millimetre wheels are the sensible middle ground and probably the most broadly useful size for a developing speed skater. They roll noticeably better than 90mm while still accelerating well and staying manageable, so they work across training, fitness skating and racing without asking too much of your technique. If you are not sure where to start, a 100mm setup is rarely the wrong answer. Voodoo and Black Magic both come in 100mm alongside the smaller and larger options.
110mm wheels
One hundred and ten millimetre wheels are the standard full size race wheel, and for good reason. They carry serious speed and roll beautifully on the open road, which is why most competitive four wheel setups run 110mm. They take a little more strength and better technique to spin up and control, so they reward skaters who have put in the miles. This is also the size where our most decorated wheels live. The JUNK Road Reaper 110 is one of the most decorated wheels in inline speed skating, and the Killer JUNK 110 is JUNK's evolution of a legendary race wheel, both built for skaters chasing the top of the podium.
125mm wheels
One hundred and twenty five millimetre wheels are the largest diameter in common use, run three to a frame in a triskate setup. Three big wheels give the longest roll and the highest sustained speed on smooth road, which is why marathon and long distance road skaters love them, while the taller ride height asks for confident technique. The biggest race wheels we currently stock in JUNK and MPC top out at 110mm, so to run 125mm you would pair a frame such as the LiveLica Aerolite 3x125 with 125mm wheels, and we are happy to advise on the right choice for your event.
Speed skating wheel hardness explained
Size decides how the wheel rolls. Hardness decides how it grips. Skate wheel hardness is measured on the durometer A scale, where a higher number means a harder compound. The rule of thumb is simple. A softer wheel grips more, absorbs rough tarmac and feels planted, but it wears faster and can feel a touch slower. A harder wheel rolls and slides more freely and lasts longer, but it can feel skittish on cold, dusty or polished surfaces. The best choice depends on your weight, the temperature and how smooth and grippy your surface is.
Our race wheels come in two compounds. XFirm is the grippier option and XXFirm is the harder one that slides more freely.
You do not need to memorise numbers. In our range the choice is between two compounds. XFirm is the grippier middle compound, a safe pick when you want hold and confidence, especially on rougher or warmer roads. XXFirm is the hardest compound, which rolls and slides more freely and lasts longer, and it comes into its own on smooth surfaces and for heavier or stronger skaters. When in doubt, XFirm is the more forgiving starting point.
Best wheels for speed skating
The best wheel is the one that fits your event, your surface and your level. Here is how the wheels we stock line up by purpose, so you can match a proven option to what you actually skate.
Start from what you skate, then pick a size, then choose your compound.
Best all round race wheel
For most racers the JUNK Voodoo is the wheel to beat. It is a pure performance race wheel available in 90mm, 100mm and 110mm, so you can run the same trusted wheel whatever size your frame takes, from 17,500 rupees a set. The MPC Black Magic is the other proven all rounder, one of the most successful wheels in inline speed skating, also in 90mm, 100mm and 110mm and starting from 17,000 rupees.
Best for the road and marathon
When the road opens up and the distance grows, the 110mm specialists come into their own. The JUNK Road Reaper 110 is one of the most decorated road wheels in the sport and a superb choice for long, fast road skating. If you want the newest evolution, the Killer JUNK 110 takes a legendary race wheel forward. For the very longest smooth road efforts, a 125mm triskate setup rolls further still.
Best value
You do not have to spend the most to skate well. The Voodoo and Black Magic sets give you race proven performance at the friendly end of the range, and because they come in every common size you can keep the same wheel as you move up. Browse the full JUNK wheels collection to compare compounds and sizes side by side.
Matching wheels to your frame
One rule keeps people out of trouble. Your frame decides the largest wheel you can fit, so choose the frame and wheel size together. A compact four wheel 90mm or 100mm frame suits track and control, a full length 4x110 frame suits open road racing, and a 3x125 triskate frame suits marathon distance on smooth tarmac. If you buy a wheel size your frame cannot take, it simply will not fit, so always confirm the size your frame is built for before you order. If you are unsure, send us your frame details and we will point you to the right wheels.
How to choose: a quick method
Work through it in order. First, decide what you skate most, track, road or marathon. Second, pick the size that fits that use and your current level, leaning to 100mm if you are still developing and 110mm once you have the miles. Third, choose your compound, XFirm for grip and forgiveness or XXFirm for roll and longevity. Fourth, confirm the size matches your frame. Do that and you will have a setup that flatters your skating instead of fighting it, and you can always refine from there as you get stronger.
Frequently asked questions
What size inline wheels should a beginner use?
Most developing skaters are best on 100mm. It rolls well, still accelerates and turns easily, and stays manageable while your technique settles. Move to 110mm once you have built strength and miles.
Are bigger wheels always faster?
Bigger wheels carry more speed and roll further, but they take more strength and better technique to spin up and control. On tight tracks or for newer skaters, a smaller wheel can be faster in practice because it is easier to handle.
What is the difference between XFirm and XXFirm?
XFirm is the grippier middle compound with more hold, which suits rougher or warmer roads. XXFirm is the hardest compound, rolling and sliding more freely and lasting longer, which suits smooth surfaces and stronger or heavier skaters.
Can I fit 125mm wheels to any skate?
No. Your frame sets the largest wheel it can take. To run 125mm you need a frame built for it, such as the Aerolite 3x125 triskate. Always match wheel size to frame before buying.
Which wheels are best for road racing?
For fast road and marathon skating, 110mm race wheels such as the JUNK Road Reaper or Killer JUNK are excellent, and a 125mm triskate rolls further still on smooth tarmac. Pick the compound to suit your surface and temperature.
