How to Choose the Best Wheels for Your Skateboard Decks

Wheels are one of the most important aspects of your complete skateboard. The wheels on any moving object are important, if you think about it. You wouldn't put cheaply made, unreliable tires on your car. And if you do, you can't expect it to perform at its highest level. And the same goes for skateboard decks--you can't expect to get maximum performance out of a board with terrible wheels or the wrong kind of wheels. Well if you're new to skateboarding and looking to build a complete board, choosing the right wheels might be a little overwhelming. In order to help you choose the perfect wheels for your skateboard decks, here's a few tips:

Tip 1: If you're more into street skating, you're going to want to look into smaller wheels for your skateboard decks. Some of the most common sizes for skateboard decks are 52mm and 60 mm.

Tip 2: If you have a longboard, you're going to want wheels that can help you cruise. That means you'll need large, wide wheels. The bigger and wider a wheel is the faster it goes. Wheels that are 60 mm and up are usually exclusively for a longboard.

Tip 3: If you're a smaller person, you might find that smaller wheels are more accommodating. Often times, smaller riders feel that the smaller the wheel, the easier the board is to control. On the contrary, skaters of a larger stature may find that larger wheels make the board a smoother ride. All in all, it's up to you and what you feel is the most comfortable.

Tip 4: Generally speaking, 52mm to 55 mm skateboard wheels are well-suited for those smaller skaters who are more into street skating, park skating, and for dropping in bowls and verts.

Tip 5: If you're a larger person who street skates, then you might want to look into 56 mm to 60 mm wheels.

Tip 6: After you've narrowed down your size, you need to look into skateboard wheel hardness. All wheel hardness is rated on a scale called durometer. Any wheel rated higher than a 90a is considered hard. The harder the wheel, the better is for street skating. Hard wheels generally give you more pop when you try tricks and you land easier also.

Tip 7: The softer wheels are better for longboards. They are typically rated lower than a 90a. They provide more traction and a smoother ride.

Tip 8: 97a rated skateboard wheels are a good wheel all-around for street skating, park skating, ramp and bowl skating. It works great for smoother surfaces.

Tip 9: 100a is the hardest wheel available and is a popular choice among pro skateboarders. It has little traction and it's hardness makes it ideal for landing tricks.

Best of luck choosing the right wheels for your skateboard decks. As stated earlier, the best way to get a feel for what you need is trial and error. Eventually, you'll find the perfect wheel type for the level of skating.