Abstract: In general, in-line roller skates include a plurality of rollers or wheels mounted in a support on the bottom of a pair of boots. Because of friction between the wheels and the ground, such roller skates do not operate as smoothly as ice skates. The difference is quite noticeable during turning. The problem of smooth turning on in-line skates is solved by a wheel assembly including a pair of end wheels with tapered peripheries, and a pair of intermediate wheels at least the rearmost of which defines a pivot wheel. The pivot wheel is less tapered than the end wheels, i.e. in cross section the outer periphery of the pivot wheel defines a semicircle. When the wheel assembly is used on a pair of skates, during turning, only the pivot wheel and possibly the other intermediate wheel contacts the ground. Thus, friction is reduced, and the result more closely resembles the feel of ice skates.