Which wheel is the most fun for longboarding?
Which longboard wheel is the most fun to skate? It depends on your personal preferences and what you want to skate! We’ll go over some of the most important info for choosing the best longboard wheels for you. From sizes to hardnesses and more, keep reading to discover what’s best for you and be sure to check out our big selection of longboard wheels from top brands in the Titus online skateshop.
Longboard wheel sizes
Longboard wheels come in a pretty wide array of sizes. Generally speaking, they are usually between 58mm and 85mm in diameter. The right wheel size for you depends largely on how you like to ride your longboard.
If you’re looking for longboard wheels that will offer a high top speed, a larger diameter is ideal for you. The larger the wheel, the higher the top speed that you can reach is. In addition, larger wheels tend to be more comfortable for those who like to skate long distances. If you like to cruise around in the city or if you usually just skate shorter distances, you may prefer a smaller diameter wheel. The smaller a wheel is, the lighter and more agile its performance is. This can allow you to get up to speed quicker and maneuver more quickly.
Want to combine longboard wheels with a standard skateboard or cruiser deck? Be sure that you consider the short distance between the wheel and the bottom of the deck. Too large of wheels will rub on the board causing them to stop (known as wheelbite). Consider a board that has wheel wells or consider adding riser pads under your trucks. Longboards that have wheel cutouts eliminate the risk of wheelbite.
What wheel hardness/durometer is best for longboarding?
The hardness of longboard wheels is measured on a durometer scale. Durometer ratings for longboard wheels are often between 78A (very soft) and 90A (medium-soft). Longboard wheels with a 78a durometer are generally the most common. When choosing a wheel hardness, consider how it affects the comfort, speed, and grip of your longboard.
The softer a longboard wheel is, the more comfortable and grippy it will be on the pavement. Small cracks or rough pavement will be less noticable when riding softer wheels. For reasons such as these, soft longboard wheels are generally used for carving and cruising. Harder longboard wheels are faster and easier to slide. Because of these characteristics, many downhill and freeride-style longboarders prefer a slightly harder wheel, generally with a medium-soft durometer rating.
The width of your longboard wheels will play a big part in determining how much grip they have. However, grip is also greatly influenced by the wheel hardness (durometer) and the lip of the wheels. Generally, wider wheels offer more grip on the asphalt and narrower wheels are easier to slide. Wide wheels are ideal for downhill longboarding, where maximum grip is important to keep your board under control even at high speeds.
Rounded vs. Angular Lip Wheels
The “edge” of your longboard wheels that transitions from the riding surface to the side of the wheel is called the lip. Wheels with an angular lip offer more grip than wheels with a rounded/radiused lip. This usually makes them the first choice for downhill riders who want fast, tight turns. Wheels with a rounded/radiused lip offer advantages when you want to slide your board. The rounded wheel edge makes it easier to turn the board into the slide and control it during slides.
Centerset or Offset Wheel Core?
Longboard wheels are manufactured with a hard center core due to their soft urethane. This center core is made of hard plastic which the wheel bearings go into to keep them securely in place. There are different positions for this core, either centered or offset inside the wheel.
In wheels with a centerset core, the bearings sit centrally in the wheel. Centerset wheels generally offer a bit more grip when skating and you have the option to rotate your wheels to wear them more evenly. However, they’re not so ideal for slide maneuvers. Wheels with an offset core often bring the most balanced ride to the road. They’re a good compromise between slideability and grip. The bearings are placed directly on the inner side of the wheel. You can’t rotate offset wheels like centerset wheels, but they offer a different performance that many skaters are looking for.
The Right Longboard Bearings
Need some bearings for your new longboard wheels? Skateboard and longboard bearings are universal in size for all skate and longboard wheels. No matter which skate bearings you choose in the Titus Online Skateshop, you can be sure they’ll fit perfectly in your new wheels!
