Power Kite Forum

20" Wheels

phreephallin - 13-4-2006 at 10:41 AM

I saw on one of your posts where you said that your next pair of skates would have bigger wheels. What do you think about 20" bicycle wheels? I've been looking at the Dirtsurfer, http://www.dirtsurf.com and it looks very fast. I initially discounted 20" wheels for my doomwheels as 1) I want to keep the cost low 2) it seemed like they would be too cumbersome. I ordered 12" wheels from Northern tool and will be using those, but I still wanted to see what you thought about 20" wheels for skates. I think they would be extremely fast and stable at speed, but I just wonder if they would be too hard to turn...

I'm just getting into traction sports though I have rollerbladed/skiied/skateboarded/snowboarded extensively. I eventually would like to Dirtsurfer and learn how to kitesurf, but Doomwheels seemed like a good way to get rolling. Great info on this site and on yours Doom, cheers!

Chip - 13-4-2006 at 11:19 AM

You know, the wings they have on the dirtsurfer website look like fun!

http://www.dirtsurfer.tv/images/_wingpics/wing001.jpg
http://www.dirtsurfer.tv/images/_wingpics/wing011.jpg

doomwheels - 14-4-2006 at 01:24 AM

Hi phreephallin,
12 inch wheels/tires is the most versatile set-up. I'll be building a 16 inch set later this spring, but I think 20 inch is likely too large to be comfortable (sounds perfect for one-way speed runs though). If you want to go big, try 16" and try to stay away from wire-spoked wheels. But start with 12" as you will get most use from them.

phreephallin - 14-4-2006 at 04:42 PM

Thanks, I'm stoked to get rolling.