Find the right balance: Choosing the right longboard wheels
First things first: There’s no such thing as a perfect all-around wheel; you always have to make a compromise because many conflicting characteristics come into play, such as grip and slide performance. Here are the most important things you should know about wheels.
Size, Hardness, and Travel of Longboard Wheels
There are several characteristics of a wheel that affect its performance. First is the wheel’s size. The larger the wheel’s diameter, the higher the top speed. However, in this case, it doesn’t accelerate as quickly, and you have to watch out for wheelbites.
Another important characteristic is the hardness of the wheel. The softer the wheel, the more it grips the asphalt and can deform. This provides more traction and causes it to lose grip much later. Additionally, a soft wheel feels more comfortable on rough asphalt but rolls slower overall. The hardness of longboard wheels typically ranges between 78A and 90A.
The hub—the position of the core within the wheel—is also important. There are wheels with a centerset core [> Fig. 01] (core positioned in the center), an offset core [> Fig. 02] (core slightly offset inward), and a sideset core [> Fig. 03] (core positioned directly on the inside of the axle).
The material: Polyurethan
The next, often overlooked factor in a wheel’s properties is the polyurethane. Due to differences in polyurethane, two wheels with exactly the same shape, core, and hardness may have different properties. Variations in the polyurethane’s composition can influence a wide range of characteristics, such as sliding behavior or the rate of wear.
The lip
The final factor influencing ride performance is the lip [> Fig. 06 + 07]. There are basically two types of lips: square and round. Square lips grip the asphalt more firmly, giving the wheel better traction. This ensures that the wheel maintains its grip for a long time even during sharp turns or carves and does not slip away. A round lip has less grip on the asphalt, so it breaks away more easily and is thus easier to slide.
As you can see, there are many ways to adjust your wheels to suit your riding style. Here are a few practical examples:
Grip-wheels (Cruising, Carving & Racing)
Grip wheels are characterized by their angular lip. They come in a wide variety of designs, tailored to their intended use. For carving and cruising boards, we recommend grip wheels with a small offset core [> Fig. 05], a diameter of about 70 mm, and a hardness of 78A to 80A. The small core and low hardness provide strong shock absorption on uneven surfaces, and the angular lip [> Fig. 06] ensures you don’t slip even in tight carves. The offset core gives you a pleasant balance of grip and slide without having to worry about wheelbites.
However, if you want a true race wheel—one with maximum grip and good sliding performance—you should choose a wheel that is 70–75 mm in diameter and has a large, hard core [> Fig. 04]. This provides stability at high speeds and predictable sliding behavior, as it limits the wheel’s deformation. Of course, for race wheels, you should choose a square lip and a hardness in the range of 78 to 80A to build more grip during slides and turns.
Freeride- & slide-wheels
Freeride, slide, and freestyle wheels are characterized by their excellent sliding properties. Since freeriding isn’t about going extremely fast, you can safely do without maximum grip here. Riders often prefer wheels with rounded lips [> Fig. 07], as these allow for a smoother, more seamless transition into the slide. Depending on personal preference, most riders prefer a sideset or centerset core when it comes to sliding or freeriding. Wheels with a sideset core are often easier to initiate into a slide. Unfortunately, sideset wheels tend to “cone” quickly—that’s the term for the conical wear caused by sliding. Centerset wheels have the major advantage that they hardly become conical when sliding. Plus, you can easily flip centerset wheels over and remount them to eliminate uneven wear. In terms of hardness, wheels with a hardness of 78 to 86A are very popular. The softer the wheel, the more counterpressure it builds up. Depending on your preference, you can therefore increase the hardness of your wheels, which means you’ll need to use less speed and force when sliding.
