Tripping on rocks and sticks

Question
Thanks for your answer.  I am skating on rollerblades...spirtblade is the name of them.  I looked in the book and it doesn't say the ABEC rating or the type of wheels.  I will try and find a store that knows what my skates can take.  I was confused because the book says I can take one size wheel for a 25 skate and another for a 22 skate. How do I knwo which one I have?  I know if I go to Modell's or stores like that they don't know anything.  If you know of any stores in Brooklyn or LI please let me know.  I don't really want to go to Manhattan.  I will bring my skates to the store so I get a proper fit of bearings.

I have asked other skaters but they don't really seem to know the answers.  I think they just buy skates and go.

My concern is if I do go faster which I have noticed makes you trip less, if I do fall oh my I will really get injuried.

My other queston in the first post was will I be doing less work by getting the new bearings since I don't have to push as hard?  Will I have to double the amount I skate?

I appriciate your answer.  Thanks,

Michelle
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Followup To

Question -
I started skating last year and I believe I have beginner skates.  I work really hard to get around the track which is ok since I do it for exercise.  Other people go a lot faster then me even though there legs are moving at the same speed.  So here
are my questions:  Do I need different wheels?  I believe my wheels are hard.  Do I want different wheels?  I saw on your other answer you suggest bearings.  Will this make me work less if I have a higher rated bearing?  My real problem is I trip on sticks and rocks and even fell over one last week for the first time.  I see others skating and they go over the rocks and sticks and it doesn't seem like it effects them.  This is why I ask about the wheels, does this make the difference?  I have good balance and that is why I fell for the first time but I do trip a lot and was wondering if new wheels will help me not trip.

Thanks,
Michelle

Answer -
Hi Michelle,
   Since I'm not sure if you're talking about roller blades or outdoor roller skates I'll try to give you answers to both.

   I'm guessing that you have roller blades?  I think your wheels are fine but I would recommend that you get a better bearing.  Chances are that the rocks & sticks don't effect the other people because they're going faster and breeze right over them.  The slower you go the more likely you are to get stuck on them.  

   The better bearing will allow you to go faster and maintain a good roll and you'll still get a good workout.

   If you have outdoor roller skates, I would recommend a softer wheel.  The harder wheels get stuck on just about everything.  An upgrade in bearing would always be a plus especially if you switch to a sofer wheel.  Softer wheels tend to roll slower but they also cushion you when you hit a rock or stick.  So if you have roller skates, I would switch to a softer outdoor wheel and upgrade your bearings.

   If you ever feel comfortable talking to any of the other skaters, ask them what they use.  Ask what ABEC rating of bearing they use and if their wheels are hard, medium or soft.  

   If you like the way someone skates it never hurts to ask what they're skating on.  Then you know for sure what you want to invest in.

   Good Luck....I hope my answers helped you a little.  If you need anything else, please feel free to write me again.

Pat

Answer
I did a little checking and found that your Spiritblade has a decent bearing with the ABEC rating of 5.  So it's not the bearing that's slowing you down.  

But what I did read is that your skate is made for beginner skaters and the wheels that came with the skates are specifically meant to keep the speed down.  So, there's your answer.  

Here's the specs for your wheels.  
   Wheel base is 76-mm  (this is the size of the wheel)
   Hardness of the wheel is 80A

So, keep the bearings that you have, they are fine.

From comparing other blades I see that the more expensive skates have a larger wheel and the hardness number goes up.  

Your skates may or many not be able to take a larger wheel (you'll have to do some research) but you can certainly get a wheel that rolls better by going up to a 84A hardness.

The one web site I looked at said you could upgrade to a larger wheel, either an 80mm or 84mm wheel.  If possible go with the larger 84mm. Take one skate with you and look for either 80mm-84A  or 84mm-84A wheels.  Then you be able to keep up with the other skaters.

Yes, it's true that the faster you go the harder you will fall.  Make sure you wear protective gear.  Wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads.  

You also asked if you go faster from buying new bearing/wheels will you have to skate further to get a good workout.  

Of course the more you have to work the better the workout.  You will still get a great cardio workout but your legs won't have to work quite as hard.  What you lose in a hard pushing workout you will gain in a long stride workout.

Once you feel the ease of a larger wheel you may want to skate further because it won't be as tiring.  

Either way you will get a great workout.  It just depends on what you want to do.  I personally would invest in the other wheels we talked about above.  But it's your personal preference.  At least now you know the difference and know it's not your bearing.


If you need me to check further, just let me know
Pat