How to choose wheels
Prime Shintaro.
The wheels on a skateboard are called "wheels." When it comes to wheels, there are many different types, sizes, and brands. It is a part that skaters are very particular about, and it is also a difficult item for beginners to get into.
We will explain it to you in detail, so please join us.
Types of wheels
There are two main types of wheels: hard wheels and cruiser wheels. First of all, it can be divided into two main categories depending on what you want to do . Let's take a look at these two wheels.
・Hard wheels
Roughly speaking, it's for tricks. This is what you would imagine on a typical skateboard. There is a gurgling sound, and it is small, light, and hard.
Always use hard wheels to practice tricks. Skating tricks require a movement that causes the wheels to slide sideways. Remember that hard wheels have less grip, so they are for tricks.
・Cruiser wheels
A wheel that specializes in "running comfortably." If you want to experience the fun of riding a skateboard, this is it.
Soft and fast like a super ball. And it's silent. Cruiser wheels have become very popular in recent years due to their wide variety of colors. It is large, heavy, and has a strong grip, making it unsuitable for practicing tricks.
What is the hardness of the wheel?
Now that we understand the types of wheels, let's take a look at their hardness. If you look closely at the wheel, you will see that it is written as ◯◯A, such as 99A or 78A. This is the number that represents the hardness, and the larger the number in front of A, the harder it becomes.
Cruiser wheels are generally around 80 or 78A. Softer tires are quieter and absorb roughness on the road, making them faster.
Hard wheels (regular hard wheels) are hard and make a loud sliding sound. For tricks, it is common to use a hardness of about 99A to 101A.
Now, which one should I choose?
Basically, 99A is recommended when skiing on city roads such as asphalt. It is slightly soft and absorbs road shock. And since the grip is not too strong, you can perform tricks smoothly.
Hard wheels such as 101A are mainly effective in the park.
Nothing beats hard wheels on a clean road surface. It can run at overwhelming speed. Instead, when the road surface is rough, the impact is transmitted directly to your feet.
This was a bit difficult, but it's best to choose one that suits your skating environment. If in doubt, just choose 99A and you'll be fine.
How to choose wheel size
Once you have decided which type of wheel you want, the final consideration is size. The size is divided into 1mm increments, but it is not the most important issue. What size should I choose first?
I will explain each type.
・Hard wheel size selection
First of all, regarding hard wheels (for tricks), I think the size that many street skaters choose is 50-54mm. Wheel size refers to caliber.
The larger the diameter, the more you can ride faster without losing to the roughness of the road. Legendary street skater RICKY OYOLA used large wheels of 54 and 55mm.
If the diameter is small, the speed will be slightly inferior, but the vehicle height will be lowered, so it will be advantageous for fine movements. Therefore, I think the sizes 51, 52, and 53mm are most commonly used . I use a 51mm and the track setting is HI.
・Cruiser wheel size selection
The standard diameter of cruiser wheels is between 54mm and 64mm. So which one should you choose?
・54-56mm (for intermediate and advanced users)
The small caliber doesn't give you too much speed, and it's light so you can practice small tricks. The size allows you to easily do an ollie while cruising .
However, because it is small, it is easy to get caught on pebbles and small steps. Since you need to be careful, this wheel is actually a bit for experts.
・56mm~60mm (for beginners and intermediate users)
This is the most popular size for cruisers. If you want to experience the fun of running, this size is the best. It doesn't bother me much even on rough roads, and I rarely get caught on pebbles or bumps. You can run without stress and it is the most popular size in Prime .
・60~64mm (for intermediate and advanced users)
Recommended for speed freaks. It's a monster that can move on almost any road surface. To install it, you need to raise the vehicle height with a space pad etc. I used to wear a 62mm bike, and it was moving faster than a typical bike (such as a mamachari).
They are truly "legs for movement."
When it comes to cruiser wheels, simply bigger means faster. As the aperture gets larger, it becomes thicker, so you won't feel it even on rough roads. I use 60mm wheels and can basically skate anywhere.
If you use wheels with a slightly smaller diameter of about 55mm, you can create a setting that allows you to play ollie while cruising. Even 55mm is fast enough.
Cruiser wheels are for enjoying the fun of running, so why not try using around 60mm?
*Please note that when using large diameter wheels, it is essential to insert a space pad. If the deck and wheels get too tight, it can be dangerous and cause the machine to suddenly stop.
Settings are a matter of individual skater's preference. If you have any questions, please check the Q&A first.
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