Skateboard Wheels Guide

Skateboard Wheels Guide

Skateboard wheels have different sizes, ranges of durometer or hardness, and colors for you to choose from. Generally speaking, they are made of polyurethane (PU), which is a special type of plastic that has good elastic properties and makes the wheels bounce. This means that, compared with ordinary plastic wheels, wheels can better respond to the energy delivered to the wheels by the user. Therefore, it is very important to choose your skateboard wheels with the correct hardness tester and size, because this will affect the rotation of the wheels and thus your skateboarding style.

Wheel size

The size of a wheel is measured by its diameter. It affects how fast the wheel can go, how fast it can accelerate, that is, how fast you can gain speed. Generally speaking, the following conditions apply:

Bigger wheels are fast but have poor maneuverability.

Smaller wheels are slower but have better maneuverability.

50-53 mm: Small wheels with these measures are usually used on streets and parks affected by streets, as well as small riders and skateboards. Wheel speed in these sizes is not the goal, but being able to get close to the ground and grind edges to make it easier to popular tricks.

54-60 mm: These sizes of wheels are the most common wheel sizes, used by both beginners and experienced skaters. They allow you to skate on slopes and vertical-affected parks, where you need speed to slide high on the slopes. The wheels also provide you with a more versatile ride, making them a good all-around size.

Wheel durometer

The durometer or hardness of wheels is indicated accordingly to the A-scale with a number followed by the letter A. There is also another durometer, such as the D scale. For everyone, a higher rating equals a harder wheel. This means that a wheel equipped with a 100A hardness tester is harder than a wheel equipped with a 90A hardness tester. Generally speaking, the following conditions apply:

Harder wheels provide higher speed and longer life, but less grip and less shock absorption.

Softer wheels provide more shock absorption and grip, but the lower speed and shorter life.

95-100A: This durometer range is usually very popular with skaters, whether on the streets, parks, or ramps. So choosing wheels and this durometer can be a safe choice.

For transportation: If your skateboard is mainly used for transportation, softer wheels with a larger diameter are the best, because your riding will be more comfortable.

For tricks: If you mainly use a skateboard for tricks, then harder wheels are a better choice because they react faster, which means you can control the skateboard better.

Choosing a wheel durometer is basically a matter of personal preference. Therefore, if you like soft wheels, you should choose a lower durometer, if you like hard wheels, you should choose a higher durometer.

Tips: White wheels last longer than colored wheels

Colored skateboard wheels contain dyes and wear out faster than PU skateboard wheels. The white wheels do not contain any dyes, so you get the purest PU level, making the white wheels more durable than the colored skateboard wheels.