What Skateboard Wheels Are Best For Street Skating

Skateboarding is an activity for people of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds. The wheels are one of the most critical aspects of an Expert skater or beginner. The wheels connect you to the surface you’re skating on and how you move across it. Skateboarding is an activity that requires speed, balance, and agility – all of which are enhanced through the right set of wheels.

The perfect wheels for street skating will help your board grip the road better and give you more speed. Especially when you ollie or roll past a crack in the pavement. All levels of Skateboarders need great wheels to go faster and stay safer while skating. 

What to Look for in the Best Skateboard Wheels for Street Skating

Skateboarding is a high-speed sport; the right wheels can help you go faster. They can also help you stay in control of your board at higher speeds. There are a few things to remember when you are shopping for skateboard wheels.

Hardness Wheels: Street skaters skate on a wide range of surfaces, from asphalt to concrete and everything in between. The hardness of a wheel determines its ability to grip those surfaces. Harder wheels (around 90A or higher) are better for outdoor surfaces.

Soft Wheels: Softer wheels are better for indoor surfacesOpens in a new tab..

Size: Choosing the right size wheels is the most important of a skateboard. The right size wheels will help you get the best performance out of your board as well as give you a safer ride.

For example, a too-small wheel for your board will make it too unsafe and could cause you to lose control during your skating session. On the other hand, a too-large wheel will make your skateboard unstable and harder to turn and control.

Silicone Skateboard Wheels

Silicone wheels are best for fast, technical skating where you want more speed. The wheels are among the best choices for providing a smooth ride experience and the hardest wheels.

These wheels are well on the road for a firm grip and have great traction. Also, it works well on asphalt and can even last a long time on concrete. Silicone wheels have a moderate price point and are a good choice for all skill levels of skaters.

Skateboard Silicone Wheels
Skateboard Silicone Wheels

Urethane Wheels

Urethane wheels are another great choice for skateboarders who want to go fast outdoors. These wheels are very hard, which makes them good for outdoor surfaces. Even the wheels are a little faster than silicone wheels. 

Also, Urethane wheels are best for fast, aggressive skating where you want maximum speed and grip. The hardness of these wheels offers great grip and great stability on the smooth surface. The wheel also has a moderate price point and is a good choice for beginners and pro skaters. 

Urethane-Skateboard-Wheels
Urethane Skateboard Wheels

Polyurethane Wheels

Polyurethane wheels are also one of the most popular types of wheels out there. The specialty of this wheel is that it performs well on rough surfaces. Also, The wheels are great for aggressive skating with maximum speed and grip. Even though this wheel is very hard, with top-notch stability and speed, that becomes a good choice for street skaters.

Polyurethane-Skateboard-Wheels
Polyurethane-Skateboard-Wheels

Choosing the Right Size of Wheels for Street Skating

Wheels come in various sizes, from as small as 59 millimeters to as large as 101 millimeters (or larger). The general rule of thumb is that the wheel size should correspond with the length of your skateboard. If you have an inch-long skateboard deck, you’ll need to use a wheel around 59 millimeters in diameter. For the 9-inch long skateboard deck, you’ll require a wheel around 64 millimeters in diameter. And 12-inch long skateboard deck needs to use a wheel around 70 millimeters in diameter. 

Keep in mind that this is just a rule of thumb. The perfect wheel size will depend on the other factors discussed in another article. You can read through this article What Skateboard Size Should I get | Size Chart for Beginners.Opens in a new tab. The primary thing is you want to find a wheel that is hard enough to grip the road but not so hard that it wears out too quickly. And don’t choose large wheels; they won’t provide enough stability for riding on streets.

Conclusion

Street skaters have specific wheel needs in terms of hardness and durability that differ from other types of skateboarding. When shopping for skateboard wheels, make sure to keep these considerations in mind. Silicone, urethane, and polyurethane are all great options for skaters who want to go fast and stay safe. The best skateboard wheels for street skating will have a hardness and durability that makes them suitable for outdoor skating and allow last for many skating sessions before needing replacement.

Lisa

I'm Lisa, the owner and creative behind the scenes at Skateboard Ride. I've been skateboarding for over 30 years and LOVE teaching and helping others to get involved in skateboarding, longboarding & longboard paddling.

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