four wheels versus three

Question
Hi:
I just bought a new pair of roller blades.  The new pair has four wheels on each boot and replaces a twenty-year-old pair that had three on each foot.  Today I was on my new blades.  Even though they are newer, I just felt like I wasn't going that fast for the amount of effort I was putting in.  I've heard that boots with three wheels are faster than boots with four.

Is this the reason my new roller blades feel slower?  If so, would it be a good thing to remove one of the wheels on the boots of the new pair?

David

Answer
Hi David,
My guess why your speed is compromised, is your bearings. I'd be willing to bet the farm that if you changed your bearings for a set of high quality bearings, like Powell Bones 8mm Swiss or even Boss Swiss bearings, you will have much better results.
The notion that 3 wheels will go faster than 4 is completely erroneous - the longer the wheel base the faster the skate & the more stable you will be at high speeds. That is why you will see racers on 5 wheel blades. If you ever watch the ski races - the Giant Slolom skiers are on super long skis because the same principle applies - longer base = more speed - more stability. Shorter base - more maneuverability, quicker turning - a more agile performance.
DO NOT REMOVE A WHEEL FROM YOUR NEW 4 WHEELERS!! If you remove the front or back wheel you'll upset the balance of the skate drastically - if you remove one of the middle wheels, you sacrifice stability & accomplish nothing. Notice on your 3 wheelers where the front & back wheel sit in relation to your foot  you'll see that removing a wheel on your 4 wheelers would not create a corresponding relationship to your 3 wheelers. Removing the front wheel you'll see - the second wheel would then be too far back - remove the 4th wheel - the 3rd would be too far forward for maintaining proper balance. There is nothing to be gained by removing the 2nd or 3rd wheel.   
Check those bearings - remember, not all ABEC 7 or ABEC 9 bearings are equal.
Roll on!!!.......................Lezly (Lezly Skate School - NYC - estab. 1979)