About the Different Types of Skate Wheels

It's important to choose the correct type of skate wheels for your needs.  People who are skating on ramps or in pools will have different requirements than people who are using their skateboard on the street.  The size and hardness of skateboard wheels can affect how a skateboarder skates.

1. Choose the correct size for your skateboarding wheels.  The size of the skateboarding wheel is measured in millimeters.  The diameter of the skateboarding wheel tells you how tall the wheel stands off the ground.  Skateboarding wheels generally fall between 50 to 75 mm tall.  As a rule of thumb, the larger the wheel, the faster and smoother the ride will be.  People who opt for wheels that are 75 mm in diameter are looking for fast speeds as well as control.  For skateboard owners who want to do tricks, a wheel with a smaller diameter (usually between 50 to 54 mm) is more ideal.  A smaller diameter wheel will put the skater closer to the ground, and better able to maneuver the board while doing tricks.


2. Decide on how hard you want your skateboarding wheels to be.  As a general rule, harder wheels give the skater better stability and control, while a softer skateboarding wheel will grip the ground better.  Softer wheels are better for people looking to do tricks.


3. Choose bearings to go along with your wheels.  The bearings are what make the actual wheel spin.  Bearings are graded on a scale from 1 to 9, with the higher numbers mean that a pairing has more precision but is less durable.  Because most skateboarders want their bearings to last, they choose ones with a rating usually within the range of three to five