Both novice and skilled skateboarders need to understand skateboard wheel varieties because they determine the overall performance of your ride. The type of wheels you choose determines your traction abilities, together with your velocity control and maneuverability and the quality of your air trick execution. This detailed text encompasses all aspects regarding materials and sizes and several wheel types alongside their specific purposes. After finishing this piece, you will have all the knowledge necessary to select the right skateboard wheels for your riding preferences.
What Are Skateboard Wheels Made Of?
The materials that form the basis of skateboard wheel production should be investigated.
Skateboard wheels today feature polyurethane (PU) as their main composition because this material provides excellent strength and grip control. The quality of PU impacts both speed and traction. The initial generations of skateboard wheels were implemented with clay but lacked essential grip together with control.
Metal skateboard wheels, along with chrome wheels skateboard, exist but are unsuitable for typical skating activities. Safety standards, as well as control requirements, make PU wheels the standard choice for the market.
Materials Breakdown:
| Material | Durability | Grip | Recommended Use |
| Polyurethane (PU) | High | High | All-around use |
| Clay | Low | Low | Historical use only |
| Metal | Very High | Low | Specialty stunts or artistic use |
| Rubber-Blend | Medium | High | Cruiser setups or quads |
Understanding Skateboard Wheel Size & Durometer
A board’s behaviour depends on wheel diameter measurements in mm and the evaluation of durometer hardness. Wheels with a big skateboard wheel size provide greater speed along with crack-rolling capabilities; however, smaller wheels let you perform better control for tricks.
Skateboard Wheel Size Guide:
| Size (mm) | Best For |
| 50–54 | Street skating & tricks |
| 55–59 | Park, bowls, vert |
| 60+ | Cruisers, longboards, quads |
Skateboard Wheel Hardness (Durometer):
Most common durometers have values from 78A to 101A that exist on the A scale measurement system. Lower is softer.
| Durometer | Hardness | Best For |
| 78A-87A | Soft | Cruising, rough surfaces |
| 88A-95A | Semi-soft | Street, less smooth spots |
| 96A-99A | Medium-hard | All-around use |
| 100A+ | Very hard | Smooth skateparks, technical tricks |
(Refer to the graph above for a visual representation.)
Common Types of Skateboard Wheels
A deep look at the most chosen skateboard wheel categories exists below. The process helps users select appropriate skateboard wheels and rims for their needs.
-
Street Wheels
- Diameter: 50–54mm
- Durometer: 95A–101A
- These wheels provide perfect functionality for technical tricks alongside grinding and flip tricks.
- Great hard wheels for skateboard lovers.
-
Cruiser Wheels
- Diameter: 55mm–65mm
- Durometer: 78A–87A
- Softer for smoother rides. City commuting benefits from these wheels, which make up the best category of cruiser wheels.
-
Park & Vert Wheels
- Diameter: 54mm–60mm
- Durometer: 96A–101A
- This wheel design reaches maximum speed and enables air and transition maneuvers.
-
Longboard Wheels
- Diameter: 60mm–75mm
- Durometer: 75A–85A
- These wheels feature excellent grip power and shock protection but designers did not intend them for performing tricks.
-
Donut Skate Wheels
- Round and soft, good for quads or fun styles.
Choosing Wheels Based on Riding Style
The intended skating goals help you select appropriate wheels for your skateboard. Here’s how to decide.
Best Wheels for Street Skating
The wheels you need for stairs, rails, and ledges should be small and possess hardness in their properties.
Recommended Setup:
- 52mm, 99A wheels
- PU composition
- Flat profile or conical shape
Best Skateboard Wheels for Beginners
Beginners can benefit most from wheels that combine softness and slightly bigger width for enhanced control in learning.
Setup:
• 54mm, 92A
Wheels made for beginner skateboarders feature superior traction features.
Good Skateboard Wheels for Cruising
To achieve smooth trips without bumps, you need wheels designed for this purpose. Choose soft, wide wheels.
Setup:
- 60mm+, 78A
- Soft PU wheels for comfort
Unique & Specialized Wheels
Chrome and Metal Skateboard Wheels
The eye-catching appearance of chrome wheels skateboards and skateboards with metal wheels serves display functions in addition to performing certain tricks. Still, they are not designed for typical skateboarding activities.
Skateboard Wide Wheels
Wide contact areas create better grip and stability, which benefits riders who bowl and participate in downhill activities.
Wheels for Quads
Size 62mm+ wide wheels with recreational and roller derby applications are common for roller skates and quad skating.
Penny Board Wheels on a Skateboard?
The wheels function perfectly with standard skateboards to convert them into cruisers.
Shapes and Rims of Skateboard Wheels
You cannot determine skateboard performance by wheel measurements alone since different shapes and rims modify the designs of wheels for various results.
- Radial: Symmetric contact patch for speed.
- Conical: Wide riding surface for control.
- Sharp Lip: Better grip (downhill).
- Round Lip: Better trick performance along with easier sliding abilities.
Maintenance & Safety Tips
These steps will help maintain the proper condition of your skateboard wheels set:
- Regular rotation of your wheels will prevent uneven wear patterns between them.
- Dirt accumulation requires cleaning the wheels with warm water.
- An immediate wheel replacement must happen whenever damage or chipping occurs.
Common Questions About Skateboard Wheels
- What does wheel hardness mean in skateboard wheels?
The measurement scale for skateboard wheel firmness is what wheel hardness means.
Wheel hardness is measured on the durometer A scale to determine the softness or hardness of skateboard wheels. The optimal wheels for rough terrain should have a 78A durometer rating because these provide smoother movement. Skatepark moves together with technical tricks require wheels of 99A–101A hardness. The article features a skateboard wheel durometer chart that includes complete information about wheel hardness.
- Which skateboard wheels are best for rough roads and uneven terrain?
The best wheels for rough roads come with the soft features of 78A–87A rating and big size at 60mm plus size, which skateboarders often refer to as cruiser board wheels. The wheels successfully deflect shocks caused by rocks and cracks to become perfect for risky surfaces, including rough skateboard zones and urban environments.
- Are soft skateboard wheels better for beginners?
Yes. Beginner skateboard skaters should select soft wheels ranging from 78A to 90A because these provide optimal grip and control for their development. Soft wheels between 78A and 90A are recognized as excellent choices for beginner skateboarders to handle different surface types since they provide smooth, reliable rides.
- What size and width should I look for in beginner skateboard wheels?
The optimal diameter of beginner skateboard wheels should be 52–54mm with medium width for maintaining stability when skating. Wheels with medium contact surfaces deliver sufficient grip but enable smooth movements on different types of terrain during skating.
- How does skateboard wheel width affect performance?
The relation between skateboard wheel width and performance measures remains unknown.
Wider wheels provide an increased contact surface that boosts both traction and stability, thus making the board better for downhill and cruising activities. Skateboard wheels should stay narrow because they minimize resistance to advanced tricks. Make your selection for the type of skating surface you prefer.
- When it comes to street skating, which wheels perform best?
Street skating requires wheels with dimensions of 50–52mm and hardness between 99A–101A for performing tricks as well as riding ledges and rails. For street skating, Spitfire, together with Bones and Ricta, are trusted brands that deliver exceptional performance to skaters performing numerous tricks.
- Users who perform skatepark rides need what type of wheels?
Skatepark wheels come in a medium size (54–56mm) alongside high durability (98A–101A) to achieve smooth movement on polished concrete surfaces along with ramps. The reduced wheel rigidity enables better sliding ability and better control in bowls as well as on transitions.
- What purpose does the skateboard wheel durometer chart serve? Explain its practical use.
A skateboard wheel durometer chart enables users to evaluate wheel hardness levels because soft cruiser wheels are 78A while hard trick wheels measure at 101A. Caring skateboarders must consult this chart because it enables precise wheel selection for specific skating conditions.
- What wheels are best for downhill skateboarding?
The selection of wheels that work best for downhill skateboard riding depends on specific factors. Choose wheels between 65mm to 75mm if you practice downhill skateboarding with a durometer ranging from 75A to 85A alongside wide profiles. The wheel features enable better grip and enhanced control, thus providing stability during racing on steep or irregular terrain.
- What are the most recommended skateboard wheel brands today?
The top wheel choices in the market include Spitfire wheels for technical tricks along with Bones wheels for their durability and OJ Wheels and Ricta wheels suitable for cruising and all-around use, respectively. The brands provide optimally suited wheels that function in different skating conditions, as well as skateboard flooring types and durometers.
Expert Tips: What Pros Look For
The selection preferences of pros consist of two factors including terrain considerations together with board type and competitive style.
Professionals select wheels according to the conditions of the terrain and board type and the chosen competition style. Here’s what they focus on:
- Street skaters: 50–52mm, 99A wheels for technical precision.
- Park skaters: 54–56mm wheels with 97A durometer for smooth transitions.
- Cruisers: 60mm+, 78A wheels for a soft, easy roll.
Final Thoughts
The wheels you select for your skateboard exceed fashion preferences because they impact how you perform while guaranteeing safe rides. Choosing wheels appropriate for your skateboard determines how well you perform during bowl riding, hill bombing and downtown cruising.
Select skateboard wheels according to your needs and consider the PU wheels skateboard variety before facing hesitations. Following this guide you are prepared to select your wheels skateboard with full knowledge about all factors.
