What Size Skateboard Wheels Should I Get

Skateboarding Wheels Buying Guide

Skateboard wheels come in sets of four and require eight bearings (sold separately) to properly function. Two bearings are embedded into each wheel which and so allows it spin freely on the axle of a truck.

Skateboard cycle size is e'er measured in diameter by millimetres and the density of a cycle is measured in durometer on an 'A Scale' or 'B Scale' reflecting the hardness of a wheel.

We believe 52mm wheels are a perfect starting point aslope an eight" board and 139, or equivalent, sized trucks. All the same, wheels come in many shapes, sizes and colours and like everything else in skateboarding - personal preference is primal.

What size wheels should I ride?

Skateboarding cycle sizes mostly range from 48mm to 60mm and different sizes are better suited to sure types of skateboarding or terrain.

Your choices in skateboarding equipment and hardware will develop over time but hither'southward a rough idea of how unlike sized wheels are best suited:

Small [48mm – 51mm wheels]

Smaller skateboarding wheels are suitable for skating flatground. Wheels under 50mm were pop throughout the 1990s simply now almost wheel companies brainstorm sizing at 50mm.

Small skateboard wheels are more than decumbent to getting stuck in cracks or rocks still equally they provide more space between the bike and board the likelihood of getting bicycle bite is reduced.

Medium [52ml – 54ml wheels]

Wheels of this size are suitable for any type of street and transition skateboarding. All of the wheel brands that we comport make wheels within this size range in a diverseness of durometers of and styles and we recommend starting with a 52ml bike when building your starting time complete skateboard.

Large [55ml – 60ml wheels]

Bigger wheels have a greater surface surface area which provides a more stable set up aslope. More contact with the ground also makes it easier to maintain speed and for these reasons ramp and vert skateboarders usually favour bigger wheels.

Although they can affect the weight of a skateboard, and risers may be required to reduce the take a chance of wheel bite, larger wheels are less likely to be caught in cracks or small objects.

Cruiser, Longboard & 60ml + wheels

Wheels to a higher place 60ml are commonly of a very low durometer assuasive for a shine ride on fifty-fifty the roughest of surfaces. This style of wheel isn't suitable for performing tricks which is why they are usually found on cruisers, longboards and other non-popsicle shaped skateboards.

What does 'durometer' mean?

Durometer is used to determine the hardness of skateboard wheels. They are traditionally measured on an 'A Scale'. This 100 point gauge is used by most manufacturers nevertheless also use the B Calibration of durometer which measures 20 points lower than the A Scale. For case, wheels that are 100a friction match the hardness of a 80b wheel.

Low durometer wheels are softer, grip more and provide a smoother ride while loftier durometer wheels are harder with less traction and allow for a more than natural sense of speed when riding.

Near skateboard wheel companies provide a range of durometers and formulas that are clearly aimed towards certain types of skateboarding. For example, Bones STF and Spitfire Formula Four 101D are hard wheels geared towards street skating whereas Basic SPF and Spitfire Formulas Four 99D model wheels are improve advisable for transition and ramp skating.

Shapes and types and of skateboarding wheels.

All skateboard wheels serve the aforementioned obvious purpose simply there are many unlike shapes and sizes available to choose from. At Black Sheep, nosotros always recommend checking out a product in store where our staff are e'er happy to assist and offer advice, but here'due south an overview of the multifariousness of wheel shapes we stock:

Normal/Standard

A 'normal' shaped skateboard cycle features a slim contact area (where the bicycle meets whatsoever surface) alongside slightly curved bevelled edges. This style is offered by every bike brand that we deport and some wheel brands use i shape across their entire range.

Conical

Conical skateboard wheels have a wider contact area and sidewalls that cone inwards very slightly. This tin exist useful for skating ramps as they let skateboarders to lock into coping easier.

Radial

Radial skateboard wheels are the reverse of conical. They have more robustly bevelled edges than standard shaped wheels alongside a greater contact area. This provides more surface between wheels and surfaces providing a smoother ride even in the hardest of durometers.

Core

Skateboard wheels with a 'core' feature a separate inner expanse, usually fabricated of plastic, to host bearings. Sometimes the cadre will resemble spokes within a bicycle wheel whereas others may exist a more subtle. They are designed to provide a softer durometer wheel without compromising the bearing's stability and can exist lighter than other skateboard wheels.

Cruiser

These wheels accept a very depression durometer to provide a smooth ride. They are not usually intended for skateboarding that involves tricks and can be found on vinyl cruisers, old school setups and longboards.

What are skateboard wheels made from?

Skateboarding wheels are made from polyurethane. Until the development of urethane wheels in the late 1960s skateboarders relied on using roller-derby or clay wheels to continue them rolling. After the introduction of urethane it apace became the industry standard fabric for manufacturing skateboard wheels and the remainder is history!

What are flatspots?

Flatspots are literal flat areas of a bike that develop through use. Some can be noticeable and some tin exist about invisible but with over 50 years of history and cognition to draw on, skateboarding bicycle manufacturers constantly work to develop flatspot resistant formulas and provide better quality wheels.

Flatspots practice not mean that your wheels are faulty and are a natural part of skateboard article of clothing and tear which occur with full general use, when getting caught on something that causes a skateboard to move without the cycle turning and by performing powerslides.