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An Introduction to Longboard Wheels

Longboards are usually fitted with polyurethane wheels presumably between 60mm and 120mm, that are available in various durometers. The durometer is the hardness rating fo the wheel. Generally, softer wheels or a lower rating will offer more grip, a higher number or rating will be harder and are often used for sliding.  A larger wheel provides a higher top speed compared to a smaller wheel, while the latter accelerates more quickly. A larger wheel will also be able to ride better on rougher surfaces. The durometer is typically in the 75a to 95a range. Typical skateboard wheels are much harder, about 98a. Some softer wheels will have inserts called "cores," made of a harder material to retain the bearings' position relative to the wheel and axle.

Longboard Wheel Cores

Longboard wheel cores are usually made of hard plastic, and because of this, they are prone to cracking. Soft wheels are more likely to have a good grip with the ground, whereas hard wheels will slide easier. Soft wheels will transmit less vibration from the road, but will be slower than a harder wheel. It is important to note that the use of soft wheels on hills may lead to your wheels chunking and cracking. This is due to the accumulation of heat due to friction that causes the urethane integrity to fail.

Longboard Wheel Shapes

Longboard wheels also come in many different shapes to suit the different disciplines. Wheel size may be a concern due to the type of deck and hardware installed on the longboard. As the longboard is turned, the deck may touch the wheels if the trucks are not far enough from the deck. This is known as wheel bite and can stop the longboard abruptly, causing the rider to be thrown off the board. Many riders who have made there own deck have come across this problem. This problem usually occurs with larger wheels, as they are more likely to hit the deck. There are several ways of solving this problem, wheel wells can be belt sanded into the bottom of the board where the wheels would normally contact, giving the wheels around a centimeter of extra clearance. In more needy cases wheel cut-outs are used, this simply removes sections of the deck so they are no longer there to hit the wheels. Increasing the distance from the trucks to the deck using riser pads or lifters can also stop this problem, as the deck no longer gets low enough to touch the wheels.

Most companies manufacture their own wheels, and they generally are standard in their shape, size, and quality. There are a few wheel companies that set themselves apart from others. Abec 11 longboard wheels and Retro wheels are widely known as the best. Abec 11 and Retro offer a wide range of wheels at prices between $29-$99.