A coaster wheelis a critical component of a roller coaster track. They must meet the highest safety standards while allowing the train to complete its circuit of complex maneuvers and dynamic inversions at high speeds and low loads.

Rolling Resistance Requirements

A roller coaster wheel must have a very low rolling resistance coefficient to minimize energy losses during the ride. The typical value is 0.010 to 0.017 of the load supported.

Load Wheels

The wheels on a roller coaster must be capable of carrying the weight of the vehicle and the occupants (in 5-g maneuvers) as well as the entire structure, including the tracks. This can be in excess of 5000 pounds of force per wheel.

Polyurethane is the most common material used for load wheels. It provides the desired strength and durability while also reducing vibration to give the coaster a smoother ride.

Coasting into Convenience: The Advantages of Coaster Wheels for Furniture and Equipment

Guide Wheel Wear Requirements

The guide wheels on a coaster should last longer than the load wheels. This is particularly true on rides with large track, large radius curves and low loads and speeds.

Sudden impacts or very sharp turns at high speeds may cause accelerated guide wheel wear. This can lead to lines that form around the guide wheel that can deepen into the material over time.

Pedaling Backward on a Kid’s Bike

If you remember pedaling backward on your childhood bike, chances are that you learned to ride with a coaster hub. These are found on most kid’s bikes across the country and they do a pretty good job at slowing down your bicycle.