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How To Choose The Best Skateboard Wheels

By: Brian Neese

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Learning how to choose the best skateboard wheels is not difficult. There are a few differences that are involved in this process. Take the following considerations into account to learn how to choose the best skateboarding wheels.

  1. Take into account what type of skater you are. If you are a beginning skater, basic guidelines call for wheels of 52 to 54 mm. A hardness of 99a is deemed normal for most skaters. However, if you specialize in a certain type of skateboarding, you will want to use the forthcoming guidelines. All terrain skaters can use 52 to 60 mm sized wheels with a 95 to 100a hardness.
  2. Larger wheels for cruising and transition/vert skaters. Cruising wheels are normally larger, in the mid 60s to 70s mm range. Cruising wheels need to be softer for the tough terrain, in the high 70s to mid 80s in the a-scale. Transition/vert skaters need mid 50s to mid 60s mm, or even larger for ramp skaters. A 95 to 100a hardness is fine for transition/vert skaters.
  3. Smaller wheels for street/technical skaters. Street/technical skaters need smaller wheels that are closer to the ground and lighter. Low to mid 50s mm wheels should be fine with a hardness of 95 to 100a.
  4. Stick to well-known brands. After the aforementioned guidelines, you are free to choose from what is available according to your type of skating. You might want to stick to the main brands until you get a feel of what is best for your skating.
Posted on: Aug. 18, 2010