Choosing the Right Skateboard Wheels: A Guide for Every Surface

Introduction

Selecting the right skateboard wheels is crucial for optimizing your skating experience. Skateboard wheels vary significantly in size, hardness, and material, each designed for specific surfaces and styles of skating. 

This guide will help you understand these variations and choose the best skateboard wheels for your needs, whether you're cruising city streets, shredding at the skatepark, or hitting the ramps.

Understanding Skateboard Wheel Size

• Diameter: Wheel size is measured in millimeters (mm). Smaller wheels (around 50-54mm) are great for street skating as they offer quick acceleration and less weight, making flip tricks easier. 

Larger wheels (55-60mm and above) are better for vert ramps, cruising, or rough surfaces as they provide more speed and a smoother ride.

Wheel Hardness (Durometer)

• Soft Wheels: Soft wheels (78A-87A) are ideal for street cruising, as they can absorb shocks from rough surfaces, providing a smoother ride.

• They are great for skateboards used for transportation on rougher, uneven surfaces.

• Medium Hardness Wheels: Medium hardness (88A-95A) provides a good balance between grip and speed, suitable for beginners and versatile enough for street skating and some park skating.

• Hard Wheels: Hard wheels (96A-101A and above) are the choice for professional street and park skaters.

• They offer less grip but are excellent for smooth surfaces like skateparks and ramps, providing more speed and easier sliding.

Wheel Shape

• Narrow Wheels: Narrower wheels are lighter and provide less friction, making them suitable for technical street skating.

• Wide Wheels: Wider wheels offer more stability and are ideal for vert skating, bowl skating, and cruising.

Choosing Wheels Based on Skating Style

• Street Skating: Look for smaller, harder wheels for technical tricks and maneuverability.

• Park and Vert Skating: Choose larger, harder wheels for stability at high speeds and smoother surfaces.

• Cruising and Transportation: Opt for larger, softer wheels for a comfortable ride on rougher surfaces.

Materials and Quality

• Urethane Quality: Most quality skateboard wheels are made of urethane, and the quality can vary. Higher quality urethane means better performance and durability.

• Core Material: Some wheels have a plastic core, which can affect the weight and feel of the wheel. Experiment with different core materials to see what suits your style.

Tips for Buying Skateboard Wheels

• Brand Reputation: Consider buying wheels from reputable brands known for quality.

• Read Reviews: Look at reviews to gauge the performance and durability of the wheels.

• Match with Bearings: Ensure your bearings are compatible with your wheels for optimal performance.

Conclusion

Choosing the right skateboard wheels is a crucial decision that can greatly affect your skating experience.

Consider the surface you’ll be skating on, your skating style, wheel size, hardness, shape, and material. 

Whether you’re into street skating, park skating, or just cruising around, there’s a perfect set of wheels out there for you.

By understanding these aspects and choosing wisely, you can enhance your performance and enjoy a smoother, more effective ride.