Heeling Sports Limited facts:
Heelys were invented by Dallas-based Roger Adams and were introduced to
retailer shelves in late 2000.
Heelys are now available online, in retailers across the U.S. and in more than 60
countries.
Since its inception Heeling Sports Limited (HSL) has sold about 4.5 million pairs
of Heelys worldwide which equates to more than $130 million in sales.
As background, Heelys are best described as the sneakers with a single stealth wheel in
each heel that allow “heelers” to walk, roll and grind their way across streets, school
campuses and skate parks. Inventor Roger Adam’s story is as interesting as his
invention:
In 1998 Roger Adams was on retreat from his psychology practice and a recent divorce.
He was burnt out and bankrupt. Watching kids whiz by in California on Rollerblades and
skateboards Adams thought: “There must be something new.” Much tinkering and less
than one year later, he secured $2.4 million from Dallas-based venture capital firm
Capital Southwest Corp.
The new form of transportation quickly became a popular sport. Heelys hit retailers at
Christmas 2000 and sold out within days. The shoes went from limited domestic sales to
international distribution in two years and became a part of pop culture.
Today, Heelys are distributed in more than 60 countries. Heelys have been featured on
everything from “CSI: Miami”, CNN,
Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal
and
many more and have fans in celebrities like Shaquille O’Neal (size 22), Daryl Sabara
(Juni of “Spy Kids II”), Alexander Gould (the voice of Nemo in “Finding Nemo”) and
R&B sensation Usher.Facts from www.heelys.com
What sizes do Heelys come in?
Men’s Sizing: Children’s 13, Adult 1-12; “D” Width, whole sizes only.
Women’s Sizing: Adult 1-9; “B” Width, whole sizes only.
Two-Wheels: Children’s 13, Men's 1-8, whole sizes only.
How do Heelys sizes run?
Heelys run about a half size smaller, and they only come in whole sizes. We recommend you buy them two sizes bigger to keep up with growing children. Women’s styles are sized “B” width, which corresponds with normal women’s sizing.
How do I clean my shoes?
You can clean your shoes with soap and warm water. Do not wash your shoes in the washing machine as this may damage the shoes and will void your warranty.
How do I remove the axles and bearings from the wheels?
This is only for experienced users. Disassembled wheels that the owner cannot put back together are not defective product.
If your wheels have the coin axle system, meaning two slits on each side of the axles, you can unscrew the axle by twisting it counterclockwise on each end. If you can’t do this by hand, you can also use two quarters on each side of the axle to unscrew it.
If your wheels have the C-clip system, meaning that on one side of the wheel, there is a C-shaped clip that secures the axle to the wheel, you will need C-clip pliers, which can be found at your local hardware store, to remove the axle. However, keep in mind that the C-clip will become loose if tampered with frequently.
After removing the axles, use a small screwdriver to remove the bearings. Bearings are the colored portion inside the wheels. Place the screwdriver in the space between the outside and the inside of the bearing. Push outward and the bearing should pop out. However, this step is difficult to perform on some wheels. If your bearings won’t come out, you can clean the inside with a cotton swab.
How do I clean the bearings?
You can purchase bearing solution at your local automotive store. You can also use WD-40 but note that it is a water displacer and degreaser, so there will be little to no lubricant residual once bearings have been cleaned. Most machine lubricants, grease or oil based, will work well. Allow the bearings to soak in the bearing solution to remove rust and debris. Once the bearings have been soaked and lubricated, put them back in the wheels.
What do I do if my wheels are squeaky?
Cleaning your wheels with some WD-40 or bearing lubricant will usually solve the problem.
What happens if my wheel bracket wears out?
The wheel bracket embraces the wheel and is recessed 3 to 5 mm from the outsole. It is made with high-density polyurethane for stiffness and durability. However, it does not resist abrasion. Even though the outsole is made with highly abrasion resistant rubber, which wears up to 10 times longer than regular outsole rubber, the shoes are no longer safe for heeling once the heel bracket wears out and the axles have no proper room for seating.