Longboard wheels

So that you can really "surf" around on your longboard, you will of course also need the right wheels. As with decks and trucks, there are a few things to consider here too. Clearly, not all wheels are the same and if you want to find the perfect model for you and your longboard, you need to know what to look out for. Here you can find out everything you need to know to find the ideal wheel for your riding style

They see me rollin - the perfect wheels for your longboard

The wheels of the longboard, which are all made of urethane, are usually simply called "wheels" in colloquial jargon. This term is not at all wrong, because just like a car or bicycle, the wheels or castors ensure that you can move around on your longboard. 

If you want to customize your longboard, you also need to consider a few things when choosing the wheels. In summary, the following factors are decisive for your decision:

• Diameter
• Hardness
• Edges
• Stroke (ball bearing seat)

As you can probably imagine, there are different options for all points, so there are an almost infinite number of different combinations. If you are looking for your ideal wheels, you have to be prepared to make compromises. The perfect reel that is 100% tailored to your requirements will probably not exist.

The choice of diameter

A simple but important principle applies to the diameter of the reel: the larger the reel, the faster its top speed. Although small wheels accelerate faster, they will never reach the speed of a large wheel. 

For this reason, downhill riders in particular prefer to use large wheels with a diameter of around 80 mm in order to really enjoy the rush of speed. Carvers and cruisers, on the other hand, swear by wheels with an average diameter of around 70 mm. In this case, we are talking about the classic size for longboard wheels. If the wheels are even smaller (up to a diameter of 65 mm), they are referred to as special models for mini and children's longboards.

Hard or soft?

The next criterion you need to pay attention to when making your choice is the hardness of the wheels. This is specified in the unit durometer type a and ranges from 75 a to 100 a, whereby the lower the number, the softer the wheel. Wheels with a very high a-value are already moving in the direction of skateboard wheels.

The different degrees of hardness are noticeable in the handling of the wheels. While soft wheels absorb road bumps better and are suitable for long rides, they slide worse, later and more uncontrollably, harder wheels are faster and slide better. On the other hand, they absorb impacts less well. Specifically applied to the different styles, this means the following:

• Cruising and carving - soft wheels
• Freeride and sliding - hard wheels
• Downhill - intermediate model

A question of the edges

In contrast to skateboard wheels, longboard wheels also differ in terms of their edges, also known as "lips". Generally speaking, a distinction is made here between rounded and square edges:

• Rounded edges give you easy, comfortable sliding and smooth transitions to normal riding. They are perfect for sliders and freeriders.
• Angular edges, on the other hand, provide more grip and have a larger contact surface. This means that they can slide less easily and are perfect for downhill riding. 

The seat of the ball bearing

The seat of the ball bearing, i.e. the core of every longboard wheel, is referred to as the "hub" in technical jargon. It also has a major impact on the riding behavior of your wheel and should therefore be chosen carefully. There are three different types of hubs:

• Centerset stroke: The ball bearing is located in the middle of the reel. This ensures that the wheel has plenty of grip and wears evenly rather than in a cone shape.
• Sideset hub: The ball bearing is located at the edge. This has the effect that these wheels are perfect for sliding. The disadvantage: over time, they wear on one side and take on a conical shape.
• Offset hub: This is a compromise between a centerset and sideset hub. The ball bearing is not in the center but also not on the side. This makes the offset hub an all-round talent that can be used for both sliding and riding with a lot of grip. Most wheels from manufacturers such as Bustin, Orangatang and Sector 9 are equipped with an offset hub.

There is relatively little to say about bearings. If you already have experience with skateboards, you can use the bearings you like best for your longboard. Special ceramic ball bearings are particularly heat-resistant, durable and long-lasting and are therefore particularly suitable for downhill riding. However, these models are also more expensive than conventional bearings. 

In our longboard store, you will find many different wheels with different diameters, degrees of hardness, edges and hubs. We are sure that we have the right model for you and your requirements - and if you get stuck, just send us an email or call us directly.