Are you hunting for the right skateboard wheels?
Wait! Before you choose any wheels, you must know there are different types of skateboard wheels available in the market.
Because of increasing demand, many new brands come up in the market and design wheels with various specifications.
That’s great for skateboarders, but as a beginner, it creates many queries like how to choose the right wheels for skateboards that suit your riding style.
Let me explain all this stuff that must be considered in choosing the right wheels out of all types of skateboard wheels.
Different Types Of Skateboard Wheels
There are mainly 3 different types of skateboard wheels, including Park and street wheels, Cruiser wheels, and Longboard wheels.
When you start hunting for wheels, you’ll encounter all these skateboard wheels that confuse you.
Hence, let’s learn about each of these wheels in detail.
Also, note these three skateboard wheels cover almost all types of riding.
Park And Street Wheels
The harder wheels are most suitable for park and street skating. The recommended durometer (hardness scale) is 95-101A and a diameter of 50-60mm.
With these features, the wheels become lightweight, slide casually, and roll faster on a smooth surface.
Furthermore, make it easy to do Flip tricks, Ollies, power slides, ledges, bowls, and many other technical tricks. Check out the best skateboard wheels for powerslides.
Cruiser Wheels
Cruiser wheels are softer and somewhat more prominent than park and street wheels but smaller than longboard wheels.
The durometer is 78-90A and a diameter of 54-60mm.
It rolls faster on any surface and acceptable for every skateboard deck size is.
You can also do downhill or carving as a beginner on these wheels. It’s utilized more for everyday commutes like school, college, and traveling.
It provides more stability compared to any other wheels and requires less effort to push. Great for beginners also. You can find here the best skateboard wheels for cruising.
Longboard Wheels
Longboard wheels are softer and more extensive than any other skateboard wheels.
The durometer is 75-85A, and the diameter of 60-75mm.
Always check whether that wheels suitable for my skateboard or not; otherwise, it creates a wheel bite.
Now you know about different kinds of skateboard wheels and their uses for diverse skateboarding. Well, let’s study deeper about it.
If you like cruising you can look for the best longboard wheels for cruising on rough roads.
How To Choose The Right Wheels For A Skateboard
As a beginner, you may don’t know that every wheel has a different specification, considered by its hardness and size.
The diameter of the skateboard wheels is measured in millimeters that range from 50-75mm.
50-54mm: Small and slow. But lightweight and easy for tricks.
54-60mm: Used more at a skatepark, bowls, and vert ramps. Great for beginners.
60mm+: High speed and best for rough roads. They are mostly used in the old school, dirt, and downhill board.
Furthermore, the wheel’s hardness is measured in a durometer that ranges from 1A-100A, while the 100A is the hardest one.
88A-95A: Wheels between 88A to 95A are known as soft wheels. Most desirable for rough surfaces, but not suitable for street skating.
95A-100A: Wheels Between 95A to 100A are known as hard wheels. Best for street skating, and faster than the soft wheels
Note: If you’re still in the learning phase, I would recommend going with medium size wheels, which is 52-54mm in diameter and 90-99A durometer. On these wheels, you can try all types of skateboard riding styles as a beginner.
Skateboard Wheel Shape
Skateboard wheels vary not only in hardness and size but also in shape. Contact patch determines how the wheels are shaped.
Contact patch refers to the areas of the wheels that actually touch the ground, i.e., the outer surfaces of the wheels. Skateboard wheels have a smaller contact patch than longboard wheels because longboard wheels are larger in size.
If the contact patch on your wheels is rounded, they will have less contact with the ground, while the square contact patch wheels will have more contact with the pavement.
When it comes to cruising, carving, or slalom, square shape wheels are best because they provide better grip and easier turning. However, round shape wheels are better for tricks and even powerslides.
Different types of skateboard bearings?
There are mainly two types of skateboard bearings: ceramic and steel. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks, so choosing the right type for your skating needs is essential.
Ceramic bearings are typically more expensive than steel bearings, but they offer a smoother ride and better durability. Steel bearings are more affordable and offer a faster ride, but they may not last as long as ceramic bearings.
In most of today’s skateboard wheels, steel bearings are used in the innermost layer, while ceramic bearings are used in the outer layers. This provides the best of both worlds, a fast ride with good durability.
FAQ’s
When wheels come in contact with the skateboard deck during a turning and stopping, the forward movement creates a wheel bite. To prevent this, you can use riser pads.
Choose according to your riding style. If you’re a park or street skater, prefer hard wheels about 95 to 101A durometer with 50 to 60mm diameter. For cruising, soft wheels about 78 to 90A with a diameter of 54-60mm will perform better. If you’re a longboard user, go with 75 to 85A durometer wheels with 60-75mm diameter.
Yes, skateboard wheels make a difference. It also makes your riding hassle if you don’t own the correct wheels. Always go with wheels that are made for your suited riding. If you try to ride the same wheels for every riding, it breaks quickly and won’t give you a satisfactory performance.
The main difference between skateboard wheels is that they are available in two types: soft and hard. The soft wheels are suitable for rough surfaces and streets, while the hard wheels are suitable for smooth surfaces, such as skateparks, because they have less grip.
Roundup
Finally, after reading this article, you’ve armed yourself with the understanding of different types of skateboard wheels, including how to choose the right wheels for a skateboard.
According to your riding style, choose the most suitable wheels for yourself by utilizing the above data, and enjoy your skateboarding.
I am James Buckridge, the founder of skateboardidea.com. Skateboarding is my passion, and I have years of teaching experience in this field. Our vision and mission is to provide you with accurate information on everything related to skateboarding. Catch me on Twitter & Pinterest.