Skateboard Wheels
All About Skateboard Wheels
Executive summary about skateboard wheels by Ilse Hagen, Dean Novosat, Johan Friedman
As you know skateboard is made up of three main parts: the deck, the trucks, and the wheels. Skateboard wheels are very important for support, agile movement, and the ultimate riding experience. Skateboard wheels are attached to the trucks by hex head axle bolts and ABEC (or another company’s) ball bearings to provide the free-spinning movement of the wheels.
Skateboard wheels are designed in many different sizes and hardnesses. Skateboard wheels are made of a rubber-like material called urethane. Skateboard wheels are normally 52 mm to 60 mm and have their own ball bearings built in. Most skateboard wheels have a hardness rating stamped on the wheel.
Skateboard Wheel
Durometer
Wheel hardness is measured in the durometer, a rating from 75a to 99a (always with “a” after the number). But you may see skateboards marked 100a or higher, don’t be fooled the “a” scale only goes up to 99a. The higher number, the harder the wheel. For example 100a or 101a is a good choice for street riding which allows them to slow down quickly and store energy as you move along. This makes it suitable for tricks and jumps. A 95a would do well on ramps and in a skateboard park. Softer wheels provide better maneuvering and speed control, making them ideal for slalom racing and longboards.
Size matters
A rule of thumb, your wheels should be appropriate for your body size. For teens and children, the recommended wheel size is 52 to 55 mm. The size for adults should be 56 to 60 mm. The smallest wheels are usually the street wheel type, which measure from 48 to 55 mm.
Here’s a guide to help you pick the right wheels.
Street: Street skateboard wheels measure between 48 to 55 millimeters and are considered to be the smallest in the bunch. They are relatively hard useful for skating tricks like ollies and flips.
Vert: Vert skateboard wheels are specialized for vert skating, includes landing and jumping on ramps. Sized at 55 to 65 millimeters, considered use hard wheel.
Slalom: Slalom skateboard wheels are bigger than vert wheels at 60 to 75 millimeters, with their size allowing them to sustain maximum speeds for a longer period of time. However, they are softer to provide better grips on turns, very important in slalom racing.
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