Caliper: Pretty useful for skating!

If you are a skating geek, buying a caliper must have crossed your mind already: Wheel diameter, ground clearance of your frames... That little tool can prove to be pretty useful!

Par alfathor
Publié le 31 janvier 2015 - Mis à jour le 3 novembre 2020 - 19984 Lectures - 0 commentaire(s)

The uses of a caliper in skating

Objectively measuring the wear of your wheels

A caliper may enable you to keep an eye on the wear of your wheels and make the best choice when it comes to turning them. In measuring their diameters, you can determine which wheels are the most worn. Most of the time, it is better to place the wheels the most worn in the middle in order to rebalance the diameters.

Warning: Don’t forget to make a visual check of the inside and outside parts of your wheels, in addition to the diameters.

Choosing the right spacers

How exasperating is it to mount brand-new wheels and bearings and then realize that they stop turning after several seconds?

Most of the time, spacers are to blame, because they are probably too short. A caliper will help you sort out the uncountable number of varieties of spacers that you have accumulated throughout the years. Opt for the longest ones. If the rotation doesn’t get better after the adjustment, try a little smaller.

Finding the right axle

According to your skating practice or the model of your skates, axles may have a diameter of 6, 7 or 8 mm. A caliper will enable you not to make a mistake before going to the skate shop. Most of the time, 6 and 7 mm diameters belong to aggressive skating, and 8 mm axles are everywhere in speed and fitness skating.

Estimating the height of the bridges on your frame

The lower the frame, the more stable the frame… And the less stress on your ankles. In order to compare several frames, a caliper is of obvious interest. It can also enable you to measure the width of the bridges, the thickness of the sides, the space between the axles…

Choosing your caliper

Forget about the entry-level plastic calipers that lack precision. They are often too flexible. Better opt for a digital metal caliper. Models that are good enough for skating can be found for about 25 to 30€. Make sure that they are at least 200 mm, or you may have a hard time measuring wheels of big diameter (like the 125 mm).