By Johan Friedman
When choosing a skateboard, most people focus on the size, length, traction, and overall design. While these are all important factors, other details are often overlooked, such as the skateboard wheels. Wheels don't just keep your board rolling -- they are also responsible for keeping you on your feet as you tackle different terrains.
Most skateboard wheels are made of polyurethane, a type of hard rubber. They are designed to withstand high friction and contact with rough surfaces, such as dirt and concrete. They come in different sizes and hardness levels, and choosing the right wheel can greatly improve your performance.
Durometer
Wheel hardness is measured in the durometer A scale, from 75a to 99a. You may see skateboards marked 100a or higher, but don't be fooled – the A scale only goes up to 99. Street skateboard wheels are usually very hard, which allows them to slow down quickly and store energy as you move along. This makes it suitable for tricks and jumps. The same is true with vert wheels, which are mostly used on ramps, uphill, and upward curves. Softer wheels provide better maneuvering and speed control, making them ideal for slalom racing and longboards.
Size matters
Size is also an important factor when choosing skateboard wheels. As a rule of thumb, your wheels should be appropriate for your body size. For teens and children, the recommended wheel size is 52 to 55 mm. The size for adults should be 56 to 60 mm. The smallest wheels are usually the street wheel type,which measure from 48 to 55 mm. Vert and slalom skateboard wheels range from 56 to 75 mm.
Buying tips
Picky Guide has a complete guide to skateboard wheels. Picky Guide is one of the fastest growing online magazines giving free consumer advice and product information.
Showing posts with label skateboard wheels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skateboard wheels. Show all posts
All About Skateboard Wheels And Skateboard Trucks
By Dean Novosat
Skateboard wheels are designed in many different sizes and hardnesses. Skateboard wheels are made of a rubber-like material called urethane. The size and hardness of the wheels affect the smoothness of the ride on a skateboard, how well it handles, and its speed. Skateboard wheels are normally 52 mm to 60 mm and have their own ball bearings built in. Street skateboard wheels are usually very hard, which allows them to slow down quickly and store energy as you move along. Park wheels are usually made of a softer urethane for better bite and handling.
Modern skateboard wheels are bidirectional, meaning that they can be attached in either direction unlike the wheels on a car or the back wheel of a bicycle. This means that if the edges start to wear, you can flip the wheels and use them on the other side. Skateboard wheels are attached to the trucks by hex head axle bolts and ABEC (or another company's) ball bearings to provide the free-spinning movement of the wheels.
Skateboard Trucks
Trucks are axles attached to a baseplate. Most trucks are made from an aluminum alloy and they are very strong. Trucks come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Trucks are made from cast metal and allow the skater to turn the board. Depending how tightly the nut on the kingpin is secured, the trucks can be loose or tight just like the suspension on a car. The main purpose of having trucks that are not fixed is to enable you to turn or "carve" without lifting your front wheels off the ground. The looser your trucks are, the further you will be able to lean in one direction or the other.
Skateboard Wheels
Wheels don't just keep your skateboard rolling -- they are also responsible for keeping you on your feet as you tackle different terrain. Wheels attach to the axles of the trucks with a hex bolt and there are 8 bearings, two inserted into each wheel with a spacer between. The wheels come in a variety of shapes, from 50 to 55 mm, and different hardnesses. Most skateboard wheels, like mentioned above, are made from urethane, and have a hardness rating stamped on the wheel (for example: 95a, or 100a - always with an "a" after the number). The higher the number, the harder the wheel. For example, a 101a wheel is harder than a 95a. So a good choice for street riding might be a 100a or 101a. A 95a would do well on ramps and in a skateboard park.
So, a skateboard is made up of three main parts: the deck, the trucks, and the wheels. The deck is the flat part on top (or mostly flat) where you plant your feet. The trucks are bolted to the bottom of the deck. This is your suspension and axles for the deck and wheels. The wheels bolt onto the ends of the trucks and include wheel bearings so the wheels can spin. Wheels come in different sizes and hardnesses to help you custom tailor your ride.
Dean Novosat owns and operates http://www.1skates.com/
Ger free reviews, opinions, and reports on all things skateboard! Shoes, Decks, Wheels, and more on http://www.1skates.com/ and 1Skates.com
Skateboard wheels are designed in many different sizes and hardnesses. Skateboard wheels are made of a rubber-like material called urethane. The size and hardness of the wheels affect the smoothness of the ride on a skateboard, how well it handles, and its speed. Skateboard wheels are normally 52 mm to 60 mm and have their own ball bearings built in. Street skateboard wheels are usually very hard, which allows them to slow down quickly and store energy as you move along. Park wheels are usually made of a softer urethane for better bite and handling.
Modern skateboard wheels are bidirectional, meaning that they can be attached in either direction unlike the wheels on a car or the back wheel of a bicycle. This means that if the edges start to wear, you can flip the wheels and use them on the other side. Skateboard wheels are attached to the trucks by hex head axle bolts and ABEC (or another company's) ball bearings to provide the free-spinning movement of the wheels.
Skateboard Trucks
Trucks are axles attached to a baseplate. Most trucks are made from an aluminum alloy and they are very strong. Trucks come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. Trucks are made from cast metal and allow the skater to turn the board. Depending how tightly the nut on the kingpin is secured, the trucks can be loose or tight just like the suspension on a car. The main purpose of having trucks that are not fixed is to enable you to turn or "carve" without lifting your front wheels off the ground. The looser your trucks are, the further you will be able to lean in one direction or the other.
Skateboard Wheels
Wheels don't just keep your skateboard rolling -- they are also responsible for keeping you on your feet as you tackle different terrain. Wheels attach to the axles of the trucks with a hex bolt and there are 8 bearings, two inserted into each wheel with a spacer between. The wheels come in a variety of shapes, from 50 to 55 mm, and different hardnesses. Most skateboard wheels, like mentioned above, are made from urethane, and have a hardness rating stamped on the wheel (for example: 95a, or 100a - always with an "a" after the number). The higher the number, the harder the wheel. For example, a 101a wheel is harder than a 95a. So a good choice for street riding might be a 100a or 101a. A 95a would do well on ramps and in a skateboard park.
So, a skateboard is made up of three main parts: the deck, the trucks, and the wheels. The deck is the flat part on top (or mostly flat) where you plant your feet. The trucks are bolted to the bottom of the deck. This is your suspension and axles for the deck and wheels. The wheels bolt onto the ends of the trucks and include wheel bearings so the wheels can spin. Wheels come in different sizes and hardnesses to help you custom tailor your ride.
Dean Novosat owns and operates http://www.1skates.com/
Ger free reviews, opinions, and reports on all things skateboard! Shoes, Decks, Wheels, and more on http://www.1skates.com/ and 1Skates.com
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