Here is a quick guide to wheels for those that are still new to the longboarding scene. When it comes to any discipline of skate, wheels have a monumental impact on how your board will react to the road. It definitely helps to have some knowledge of what makes a certain set of wheels right for you, so here is a breakdown of what you should know.
Diameter
Diameter of the wheel affects your acceleration, roll speed, responsiveness, and stability at higher speeds.
Smaller wheels (70mm or under) accelerate quicker, and are more responsive and widely used for freeride.
Larger wheels (75mm and above) maintain momentum better, have higher roll speeds and are much more stable at higher speeds. Larger wheels also roll over rough surfaces better.
Width/Contact Patch
The Contact patch is the surface of the wheel that makes contact with the ground.
Thin wheels (65mm or below) are more responsive for technical maneuvers such as street skating and freestyle.
Wide wheels (above 65mm) are grippier and more stable at higher speeds which is why they excel in downhill and race.
Shape
The shape of the wheel or lip influences how the wheel will transition from grip to slide.
A rounded lip makes it easier to push out into a slide. Squared lips tend to grip more out of the box but after breaking them in a bit, they can slide nicely depending on the wheel.
Durometer
This is the measurement of how hard the wheel is. Softer wheels grip better, and roll over obstacles better. Harder Wheels roll faster on smoother surfaces.
When it comes to your slide, softer wheels grip more but once they break in they provide a progressive, and smooth slide. Harder wheels release sooner however the slide is icy in comparison to softer wheels before they are broken in.
Core
The core affects your slide. Wheels with a bigger core release easier as there is less urethane that must be compressed. Smaller cores are ideal for grip.
The actual placement of the core also affects slide. Side set cores such as the cores in Cult Classics are easier to push out into a slide.
Center set wheels evenly disperse pressure evenly from the core. Center set wheels wear evenly and can be flipped to even out the wear.
Offset cores are cores set between the side set and center set mark.
When it comes to…
Freeride, you should look for a wheel that is smaller (below 75mm), round lipped, and a bigger core. Examples of wheels like this are; Mini-Zombie Hawgs, Cloud Ride Ozones, Cult Classics, Bustin Five-O Snipers.
Downhill, you should look for a wheel that is larger (75+ mm), square lipped, smaller core, and a wider contact patch. Examples of wheels like this are; Biggie Hawgs, Bustin Premiers, Abec 11 Centrax, Atobe Bonnevilles.
Wheels come in all shapes and sizes that all offer they’re own sets of characteristics for different riders. Best thing to do is experiment, have fun, and use guides like this to help you decide on the right wheel.