When I first started skateboarding, the graphics on a set of wheels was the most influential factor in my purchasing decision. I didn’t understand how different materials, sizes, intended use, and hardness affected my wheel’s performance. This guide outlines how to choose the best wheel for your board.
Diameter
Diameter is used to measure the height of a skateboard wheel. Most wheels have a diameter between 50 and 60+ millimeters (mm). A basic rule-of-thumb: the bigger the wheels, the faster you will travel (Duncan, 2011).
Small wheels (50-54mm) are preferred by street skaters because they are lightweight and have a low center of gravity, enabling the board to flip faster (Cave, n.d.).
Medium sized wheels (54-60mm) are great for beginners and those riding on a bit more rugged terrain.
Large wheels (60+mm) are generally used by specialty skaters and speedsters. Skaters riding vert ramps prefer large wheels because they offer greater stability. The largest wheels (64-75mm) are used on longboards.
Durometer
Skateboard wheels are made of a plastic called Polyurethane that varies in hardness (“Choosing Skateboard Wheels,” n.d.). Measuring a wheel’s hardness, or durometer, is done using the Shore® Test. The Shore® Test will “measure the resistance of plastics towards indentation and provide an empirical hardness value” (“Shore Durometer Hardness,” n.d.).
Most skateboard wheels are rated between 1 and 100 on the “A-scale.” The higher value a wheel scores on the A-scale, the harder the wheel is. Some manufacturers measure durometer with the “B-scale”. The B-scale measures hardness 20 points lower than the A-scale so wheels harder than 100A can be classified (Duncan, 2011). A wheel rated 100a is equal to 80b.
Like size, a wheel’s durometer affects how the board rides. Soft wheels are slower, and will grip the ground better and provide a more comfortable ride (Fry, n.d.). Hard wheels are faster, and last longer than softer wheels (Cave, n.d.).
Soft wheels (75a-85a), found on longboards and cruisers, perform well on rough surfaces because they absorb road vibrations (“Choosing Skateboard Wheels,” n.d).
Harder wheels (85a-95a) are the perfect all around wheel that performs best on smooth surfaces. These median hardness wheels are great for beginners, and for street, ramp, and pool skaters (Duncan, 2011).
The hardest wheels (95a-100a+) are the fastest and most slippery; great for power slides. These wheels are used by skateboarders with a high skill level and usually skating street.
Duncan, M. (2011, November 23). Warehouse Skateboards Blog.Skateboards - Warehouse Skateboards offers Complete Skateboards, Skateboard Decks, Trucks, Wheels & Much More!. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.warehouseskateboards.com/blog
Cave, S. (n.d.). Choosing Your Skateboard - Part 3: Wheels.Skateboarding | Skateboard trick tips, pro skaters, skateboard reviews, skateboard help and more about skateboarding!. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://skateboard.about.com/od/boardmaintenance/ss/ChoosingSkBoard_3.htm
Choosing Skateboard Wheels. (n.d.).Tactics Board Shop - Snowboard Shop, Skate Shop, Surf Shop, Clothing Store. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.tactics.com/info/choosing-skateboard-wheels
Shore Durometer Hardness Testing of Rubber and Plastics. Online Materials Information Resource – MatWeb. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. <http://www.matweb.com/reference/shore-hardness.aspx>.
Fry, K. (n.d.). Skate Wheel Durometer - aka Skate Wheel Hardness. Skating Articles and News - Inline Skating - Quad Roller Skating. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://www.skatelog.com/wheels/durometer.htm
Cave, S. (n.d.). A (wheel hardness / durometer) - Skateboarding Dictionary. Skateboarding | Skateboard trick tips, pro skaters, skateboard reviews, skateboard help and more about skateboarding!. Retrieved November 27, 2011, from http://skateboard.about.com/od/skateboardingdictionary/g/GlossA.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment