How to Choose Skateboard Wheels | Best Guide Size & Materials 2023

There are many things about how to choose skateboard wheels. The size and durometer (the hardness or softness of the wheel) you choose are vital because they have a huge impact on how the board feels when you first start skating.

In this article, we will inform you about how to choose skateboard wheels.

Size of Skateboard Wheels

The sizes of skateboard wheels range from 50 to 75mm, and there are several significant distinctions between small and large ones.

Smaller wheels are lighter and more responsive as a result. Bigger wheels are heavier, but they roll more quickly and let you go quicker.

The skateboarding style you choose will largely determine the wheels you choose for your skateboard.

Also, the correct wheel size depends upon your height and weight:

50-53mm

Smaller, slower wheels that are stable for small riders for trick riding in skate parks and bowls.

54-59 mm

The typical wheel size for larger riders and beginners skating streets, skate parks, bowls, and vert ramps is 54-59mm.

60mm and Up Wheels

Longboards, old-school boards, downhill, and dirt boards designed for speed and tougher terrain are skated by special riders with 60mm and up wheels.

Also Read: How to Clean Skateboard Wheels

Skateboarding in Street

A street skateboard wheels range of 52-56 mm will be most beneficial for street skaters, this combination of speed and less weight is great for doing technical tricks.

Skate Park and Bowl

55-60 mm wheels are perfect for sustaining speed in parks and bowls and locking onto grinds on coping because they have a larg+er surface area.

For improved traction in concrete parks, these normally have the same durometer as street wheels or a softer one.

Height Ramp

Similar to parks and bowls, vert skaters on ramps are best done with 55-60 mm wheels. Increased surface contact area also aids in ramp stability.

Cruising

60mm and larger provide a comfortable ride on uneven terrain, making them ideal for cruising and longboarding.

Soft durometers, usually between 75 and 90 a, or 88a-95a skateboard wheels provide better grip and shock absorption.

Longboarding

Longboard and skateboard wheels softness of 75a-90a for greater grip and shock absorption is recommended for wheels 60mm and larger.

For Beginners

52-54mm wheels are excellent for beginners, especially for young children. This range is fantastic since it’s a perfect size and weight sweet spot.

Durometer for Skateboarding Wheels

A skateboard wheel’s durometer, which measures its skateboard wheel hardness, can assist decide whether it is more suitable for skateboarding or longboarding.

Durometer Scale	Skateboard Wheel Purpose
77A to 80A	For smooth and comfortable cruising
81A to 83A	More focus on cruising, also work in dusty bowls
85A to 90A	Cruising and tricks
92A to 96A	Wheels for rough roads, tricks, and a smooth ride
97A to 99A	Wheels for tricks with grip and park/bowl skating
100A to 104A	Technical street and park skateboarding

A Scale vs. B Scale Durometer Difference

Typically, softer rubbers are measured with an A scale durometer. The majority of wheels for skateboard lie in the 75A to 104A range; the lower the number, the softer the rubber.

The B scale durometer, on the other hand, is 20 points lower than the A scale and is typically used to measure tougher rubbers. A wheel with 75B, for instance, has the same hardness as one with 95A.

Skateboard Shapes and Skateboard Wheel Size

Although there are many various skate wheel types and sizes to pick from, all skateboard wheels have the same clear purpose. At Black Sheep, we always advise seeing a product in person where our staff is more than willing to assist and provide advice, but here is a list of the many wheel shapes we carry:

Normal/Standard

Skateboard wheels with a “normal” shape have beveled edges that are slightly curled and a narrow contact area (where the wheel hits any surface). Every wheel brand we carry offers this type, and some only utilize one form for their whole line.

Conical

skateboard wheels have sidewalls that very slightly cone inwards and a larger contact surface. 

Radial

The opposite of conical skateboard wheels are radial wheels. In addition to having a larger contact surface than normally shaped wheels, they have more strongly beveled edges. This increases the surface area between wheels and surfaces, resulting in a smoother ride even in the durometers with the highest hardness.

Core

A distinct inner section, typically composed of plastic, is present in skateboard wheels with a “core” to house bearings. Sometimes the core will resemble the spokes on a bicycle wheel, while other times it might be less obvious. They can be lighter than other skateboard wheels and are made to provide a wheel with a softer durometer without affecting the stability of the bearing.

Cruiser

The exceptionally low durometer of these wheels makes for a comfortable ride. 

Conclusion

For both beginners and experienced skaters, having a firm understanding of how to choose skateboard wheels is essential. When choosing your skateboard wheels, considerations other than appearances are crucial. When selecting skating equipment, quality is extremely important.

There are numerous variations available for both size and design. You must determine which choice is best for you. We hope that after reading this post, you have a clearer idea of how to accurately measure the wheels on your skateboard.

Please think about telling your friends about how to choose skateboard wheels if you find it interesting share the wheel of picking with friends, and follow our skate wheels guide.

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