The skateboard wheel comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate the various riding styles of avid skaters. Most skateboard wheels are constructed of heat-molded urethane. Top-rated wheels feature a hollow core that helps decrease the overall weight. While large skateboard wheels may feature a bulky design, they can actually increase your speed capabilities on a downhill terrain.
Street Wheels
Street skaters prefer a compact wheel when performing high-speed tricks. The lightweight design of the street wheel allows you to grind down handrails and ledges. Street skateboarders prefer a hard wheel that has the ability to slide across an asphalt riding terrain. Professional street skater Jerry Hsu recommends wheels that have a diameter of 52 mm. Novice street skaters often prefer a set of 50-mm wheels as they provide increased board control during aerial maneuvers.
Ramp Wheels
If you prefer to ride the transitions of a skateboard ramp, upgrade the size of your wheels. According to Warehouse Skateboards, wheels designed for inclined ramps often have a diameter that ranges between 54 and 60 mm. The heavier construction of the ramp wheels help prevent the skateboard from sliding off your feet as you soar above the coping. Ramp wheels also have a slightly larger width than the street-skating wheel.
Cruiser Wheels
Cruiser wheels are designed for a special model of skateboard known as the cruiser board. As opposed to street wheels that are designed for sliding across the pavement, cruiser wheels provide increased grip on a smoothly paved terrain. The cruiser wheel generally fluctuates in size between 60 and 65 mm. Avid riders equip their setup with cruiser wheels when utilizing their skateboard as a form of transportation. The cruiser wheels can roll easily over cracks in the sidewalk as well as small rocks and debris.
Longboard Wheels
Longboarding is an offshoot of skateboarding that often centers around surf-inspired tricks and maneuvers. The diameter of the longboarding wheel ranges between 65 and 72 mm. While the conventional skateboard wheel has a width of 1 to 1.5 inches, the longboarding wheel has a width of 2 to 3 inches. The wide construction of the longboarding wheel allows you to grip the hairpin turns of a downhill racing course. While longboard wheels have the ability to hit breakneck speeds, they can decrease your initial acceleration.
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