Longboard rollers

So that you can really "surf" through the area with the longboard, you of course also need the right wheels. As with the decks and axles, there is also a lot to consider here. 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 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 designation is also not so wrong, because as with the car or bicycle, the wheels or rollers ensure that you can move with the longboard. 

If you want to customize your longboard, you also have 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 might imagine, there are different options to all points, so there are almost infinite different combinations. When you're looking for your ideal reels, you absolutely have to be prepared to make compromises as well. The perfect reel that is 100% tailored to your needs probably won't exist.

Choosing the diameter

When it comes to the diameter of the reel, a simple but important principle applies: the larger the reel, the faster it will be in its final speed. Small rollers accelerate faster, but will never reach the speed of a large roller. 

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

Hard or soft?

The next criterion that you must pay attention to when making your choice is the degree of hardness of the wheels. This is indicated in the unit durometer type a and ranges approximately from 75 a to 100 a, whereby the smaller the number, the softer the roller. Rollers with a very high a value are already moving in the direction of skateboard rollers.

The different degrees of hardness are noticeable in the driving behavior of the rollers. While soft rollers dampen road irregularities better and are suitable for long journeys, but slide worse, later and more uncontrolled, harder rollers are faster and slide better. On the other hand, they absorb shocks more poorly. Applied concretely to the different styles, this means the following:

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

A question of edges

Unlike skateboard wheels, those of longboards also differ in terms of their edges, also called "lips". Here, quite generally speaking, a distinction is made between rounded and angular edges:

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

The seat of the ball bearing

The seat of the ball bearing, i.e. the core of each longboard roller, is called "hub" in short and crisp in the technical jargon. It also has a great impact on the performance of your wheel and should therefore be chosen carefully. There are three different hubs:

• Centerset Hub: The ball bearing is located in the center of the reel. This ensures that the wheel has plenty of grip and does not wear conically, but evenly.
• Sideset Hub: The ball bearing is located at the edge. This has the effect that these reels are perfect for sliding. The disadvantage: they wear very one-sided over time and take on a conical shape.
• Offset Hub: This is a compromise between 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-rounder with which you can both slide and ride with a lot of grip. Most reels from manufacturers such as Bustin, Orangatang and Sector 9 are equipped with an offset stroke.

There is relatively little to say about ball bearings. If you have already made experiences in the skateboard area, you can use the ball bearings that you liked best there, also for your longboard. Special ball bearings made of ceramic are particularly heat-resistant, resistant and durable and are therefore particularly suitable for use in downhill riding. However, these models are also correspondingly more expensive than conventional ball bearings. 

In our longboard store you will find many different rollers with different diameters, hardness, edges and hubs. We are sure that there is the right model for you and your needs - and if you ever get stuck, just send us an email or call us directly.