How to choose your wheels?
You won't go very far without wheels on your skate. The wheels and the bearings associated with them are an essential part of your skateboard. They define, amongst other things, the conduct, speed and style of the ride you're planning on using your skate for.
Choosing the right wheels is therefore essential. There are wheels of different diameters, widths and hardnesses.
Nature-Ride is here to advise and guide you in your choice.
1. Hardness
Skateboard wheels are made of a material called urethane. The hardness of the wheel varies according to the formula of urethane used in its manufacture. The scale for measuring the hardness of wheels is called shore, the unit of which is "a", but units of hardness expressed in "b" are also appearing. The latter is more precise for harder wheels and lowers the "a" scale by 20 points. Ex: wheel 80b = 100a. You follow?
Basicallythe softer a wheel is, the better it grips the surface you are going to ride on. Your ride will be more comfortable because soft wheels will absorb more shock.
But the harder wheels will be faster and more reactive. They slide more easily and are therefore ideal for slides.
- Soft = -90a : Ideal for cruising and skateboarding on rather rough terrain.
- Medium = 90 to 99a: Multi-purpose. Fast and grippy on most surfaces.
- Hard = + of 99a: Use more advisable for experienced riders, especially on the street, as it is fast and offers very little grip.
2. The diameter
Wheel diameters are measured in millimetres. Sizes generally vary from 48 to 60 mm.
A small wheel accelerates quickly but its maximum speed is limited.
A larger wheel has a lower acceleration speed but its maximum speed will be higher.
Here are the sizes we recommend according to your practice:
- Street: from 48 to 53 mm
- All Round/polyvalent: from 53 to 59 mm
- Bowl/ramp/cruiser: 59 mm and over
Attention: When choosing larger wheels, remember that this will also have an impact on the choice of your trucks, as you will have to take them higher too. To help you choose your trucks, don't hesitate to consult our page -How to choose your trucks?
3. The width
A thin wheel will be more agile and will slide more easily. They are recommended for more experienced riders.
The wider wheels provide more stability and grip. They will also wear out less quickly.
4. The core
Skateboard wheels are either solid, i.e. made of a single block of urethane, or hollow, i.e. with a PVC or composite core.
- Solid = more solid and durable but also heavier
- Hollow = lighter and therefore faster, but they wear out more quickly
5. Bearings
Each wheel needs two bearings, which is why they are always sold in packs of 8. Choosing them is easier because they are all the same size, 8 mm. No matter how much you skate, the bearings you choose will always fit your wheels and therefore your board.
Composition:
Most bearings are made of steel and consist of 8 balls. It is important to maintain them properly with oil or
suitable grease to expand its lifespan. You can also find ceramic bearings. These are stronger, but also more expensive. The use of ceramic avoids the oxidation that can be found in steel bearings.
Abec :
This is the last point to pay attention to when you want to buy your bearings. This is a standard that classifies the level of finish of the
bearing. Basically, the higher the Abec level, the higher the "quality" of the bearing. But here quality does not necessarily mean robust. It means
that the part will allow for ultra rolling but with concerns of fragility nonetheless.
It's a bit complex and the Abec standards also vary from brand to brand...
To summarise and make your life a little easier, we recommend an Abec 3 or 5 bearing for a good compromise between bearing quality and strength.
