Skateboarding is all about freedom, speed, and style. Regardless of whether you’re a pro or just starting out, one of the most critical components of your skateboard is the wheel. Especially if you’re cruising through concrete jungle environments, you need high-quality wheels that can take on the challenges of city streets. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 8 best skateboard wheels for city streets – a comprehensive buying guide to help you make better, more informed decisions when it comes to selecting the best fit for your skateboard. Whether you’re into tricks or simply cruising, this article on the best skateboard wheels for city streets will help you find the perfect fit for your adventure.
Get ready for our reviews on the best skateboard wheels for city streets, but first, here are some related Amazon products to check out:
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Best Skateboard Wheels For City Streets
Understanding Skateboard Wheels For City Streets: An Overview
Skateboard wheels for city streets are specifically designed to withstand the harsh terrain, rough surfaces, and difficult obstacles found in urban environments. Made from high-quality materials such as urethane, these wheels come in various sizes, shapes, and durometers to cater to individual skating styles and preferences. They are ideal for commuters and street skaters who need a reliable, smooth, and fast ride.
One of the key features of skateboard wheels for city streets is their high rebound. This means that they are able to bounce back quickly after coming into contact with rough surfaces, making them ideal for maintaining speed and control. Additionally, their hardness or durometer rating is designed to absorb impact, providing riders with a smoother and more comfortable ride. With their durable construction and versatile capabilities, skateboard wheels for city streets are an essential part of any urban skater’s setup.
How Does Buying Skateboard Wheels For City Streets benefit you?
Skateboarding is a thrilling sport that offers a unique experience to people. For skateboarders who are into cruising around the city streets, choosing the right wheels can make all the difference. Here are some reasons why skateboard wheels for city streets are an excellent investment.
Better maneuverability on rough surfaces
City streets are notorious for being rough and uneven. Regular skateboard wheels might be great for smooth surfaces like skateparks, but they may not be able to handle the wear and tear of city streets. This is where skateboard wheels designed for city streets come in.
These wheels are designed with a larger size and a softer durometer (measurement of hardness) which allows them to absorb more shock and provide a smoother ride on rough surfaces. This added cushioning helps to reduce the impact on the rider’s legs and feet, making it easier to navigate through the city. The larger size also provides better stability and control, allowing the rider to easily maneuver around obstacles and maintain balance on bumpy terrain. Therefore, investing in skateboard wheels specifically designed for city streets can greatly improve your overall riding experience and make it easier to navigate through the urban environment.
Increased speed and control
Skateboarding through city streets demands a certain level of speed and control. When skating through busy streets and crowded areas, skateboarders need to be able to manoeuvre quickly and efficiently to avoid obstacles and potential collisions. This is where the right kind of skateboard wheels can make a huge difference.
City streets are typically rougher than skate parks or smooth pavements, which can make it challenging to gain enough speed on a skateboard. With the right set of wheels, skaters can achieve higher speeds with less effort. Additionally, specialized wheels designed for city streets offer greater control, which is essential for navigating tricky and unpredictable terrain. They provide better grip and traction, allowing skateboarders to make sharp turns and sudden stops as needed. So, investing in skateboard wheels designed for city streets can significantly improve a skater’s experience and safety on the road.
Enhanced overall performance
Skateboarding on city streets can be challenging and taxing on the wheels due to the rough and uneven terrain. Ordinary wheels may not have the capability to handle the surface and could get worn out easily, leading to poor performance. This is where skateboard wheels designed specifically for city streets come into play.
Such wheels are crafted with high-quality materials that make them sturdier and more durable. They have a unique design that allows for smoother riding on uneven surfaces as well as improved speed and control. This enhanced overall performance can help the skateboarder navigate through city streets with greater ease and efficiency, ultimately leading to a better skating experience. City street skateboarding enthusiasts should invest in high-quality skateboard wheels to enjoy a more fulfilling and exciting experience on the streets.
Increased durability on urban terrain
Skateboarding in the city is significantly different than skating in a skate park or on smooth pavement. City streets are often filled with cracks, bumps, and debris, which can cause excessive wear and tear on skateboard wheels. The constant grinding and sliding on rough surfaces can quickly wear down softer wheels, making them ineffective and unstable.
That’s why choosing skateboard wheels for city streets that prioritize durability is crucial. The wheels need to be able to withstand the harsh conditions of urban terrain and maintain their shape, grip, and performance for longer. By investing in high-quality, durable wheels specifically designed for city streets, skateboarders can skate with greater control, speed, and confidence, and avoid having to replace their wheels frequently. Overall, choosing the right wheels for the terrain can significantly impact the skateboarder’s performance and safety, making it an essential consideration for anyone who frequently skates in the city.
Buying Guide – How to Choose the Best Skateboard Wheels For City Streets?
To find the best skateboard wheels for cruising city streets, it’s important to keep in mind a few crucial factors.
Size
When selecting skateboard wheels for city streets, size is an important consideration. Smaller wheels are ideal for tricks and stunts, but may not be suitable for navigating uneven surfaces and cracks on pavement. Larger wheels are better for cruising and commuting, as they offer more stability, smoother rides, and better shock absorption.
The size of skateboard wheels also affects the speed, acceleration, and maneuverability of the board. Larger wheels have a higher top speed and faster acceleration, but are more difficult to control and maneuver. Smaller wheels provide more agility and control, but do not achieve high speeds as quickly. Considering the type of riding you will be doing and the conditions of the city streets you will be riding on will help determine the best size of skateboard wheels for your needs.
Hardness
When it comes to skateboard wheels for city streets, hardness plays a crucial role in determining the smoothness and efficiency of your ride. Hardness refers to the degree of resistance a wheel offers when rolling on a surface. Softer wheels flex more and provide a smoother ride while harder wheels offer greater speed and durability.
City streets are typically made up of a diverse range of surfaces, including smooth concrete, rough pavements, and uneven cobblestones. Therefore, it is important to choose skateboard wheels with the appropriate hardness level to match the type of terrain you will most commonly encounter. Wheels with a softer durometer rating, between 75A to 87A, are ideal for cruising on rougher surfaces as they absorb more shocks and vibrations. On the other hand, wheels with higher durometer ratings, from 88A to 101A, are better suited for smoother surfaces, providing fast and consistent performance with less grip and stability.
Shape
Shape is an important factor to consider when buying skateboard wheels for city streets because it affects the way your skateboard performs. A wheel’s shape determines how well it grips the pavement, how smooth your ride will be, and how easily you can turn. Wheels with a rounder shape tend to have better grip and a more stable ride, making them a good choice for cruising through city streets. On the other hand, wheels with a square shape are better for tricks and maneuverability.
Another reason to consider shape when buying skateboard wheels for city streets is that it affects the size of the contact patch between the wheel and the pavement. This, in turn, affects how much friction the wheels create, which can impact your speed and control. Generally, wider wheels with a larger contact patch will have better grip but may also decrease your speed. Narrower wheels with a smaller contact patch may be faster but may not hold your line as well on rough city streets. Finding the right balance between shape and contact patch size is crucial to ensuring a safe and enjoyable ride.
Material
Choosing the right skateboard wheels is crucial, particularly if you’re riding in the city streets. The material of the wheels can hugely impact how the board handles bumps, cracks, and rough terrain. There are various materials used for skateboard wheels, each offering different levels of grip, speed, and durability. Some are better suited for cruising while others are specifically designed for tricks or commuting.
When buying skateboard wheels for city streets, you should consider their hardness, size, and shape. Harder wheels are more durable but less grippy, while softer wheels offer better traction but wear out more quickly. Bigger wheels can roll over rough terrain more smoothly, while smaller wheels are better for tricks and quick turns. The shape of the wheels can also affect how they handle, with rounded edges providing more grip and square edges better for sliding. By considering the material of the skateboard wheels, you can choose the right ones for your needs and ride smoothly and comfortably through the city streets.
Brand
The brand of skateboard wheels you choose can greatly impact your skating experience on city streets. Reputable brands usually carry quality products that are designed specifically for street skating, with durable materials and suitable sizing for maneuvering around obstacles and rough surfaces. Going for a trusted brand ensures that you will have a set of wheels that will last longer, offer better control and stability, and provide a smoother ride, compared to cheaper, off-brand options.
Additionally, choosing a well-known brand means that you have access to a wider variety of options to suit your personal style and preference, from different sizes and colors to special features like high-performance bearings or anti-flat spots. By considering brand before buying skateboard wheels for city streets, you get the assurance that you are investing in quality gear that will enhance your skating experience and provide better value for your money in the long term.
Price
Price is an important factor to consider before buying skateboard wheels for city streets because buying the wrong wheels can result in a waste of money that does not provide the desired experience. One should look for wheels that are durable and can withstand daily wear and tear, as well as the rough city terrain. Good quality wheels often come at a higher price, but they also provide better performance, longer lifespan, and more satisfaction to the rider. One should also consider the price of accessories such as bearings, riser pads, and spacers that might add to the overall cost of the skateboard wheel setup.
Another reason to consider the price is that it can affect the type of wheels that one can buy. Some materials, designs, and sizes are more expensive than others. For example, larger wheels are often pricier than smaller ones due to the amount of material used. Similarly, wheels made of premium materials such as Urethane can be more expensive but provide better grip, smoother rides, and longer lifespan. Overall, one should look for a balance between price and quality when buying skateboard wheels for city streets to ensure they get the best value for their investment.
FAQ
What size skateboard wheels are best for city streets?
The best size skateboard wheels for city streets are those that range between 52mm and 60mm in diameter. Wheels with a diameter of 52mm to 55mm are perfect for street skating as they help achieve maximum control over the board, and riders can easily perform flip tricks and technical maneuvers. They are also lightweight and compact, which makes them more suitable for urban riding since their size does not impede movement or slow down the rider.
For riders who prioritize speed or prefer cruising on rough pavement and uneven sidewalks, larger wheels with a diameter that falls between 56mm to 60mm are ideal. These wheels have better grip and roll over cracks and bumps smoothly, enabling riders to navigate through the city with ease. The larger the wheel size, the faster the skateboard travels, making them a better option for those who need to cover more considerable distances.
Do skateboard wheels with a higher durometer perform better on city streets?
Skateboard wheels with a higher durometer rating (90A or above) are generally better suited for smooth surfaces like skate parks and indoor surfaces. On the other hand, skateboard wheels with a lower durometer rating (below 90A) are better suited for cruising on rough and uneven surfaces like city streets. These wheels provide better grip, smoother ride and absorb impact better.
It is important to note that different factors like wheel size, shape, and hardness affect the performance of skateboard wheels. For city streets, skateboarders should look for wheels that have a lower durometer rating and are larger in size. The larger size helps to absorb impacts better while the lower durometer rating offers better grip, making it easier to navigate around obstacles on the uneven surface.
Are wider skateboard wheels better for street riding in the city?
Yes, there are specific maintenance requirements for e-mountain bikes. These bikes have electronic components, such as batteries, motors, and control units, which require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. It is important to keep the bike clean and dry, particularly the electrical components, to avoid corrosion and damage.
Additionally, the battery should be charged and discharged regularly to maintain its capacity and avoid premature failure. The suspension system should be checked and adjusted regularly to ensure smooth and safe riding. Finally, it is important to periodically check and tighten all bolts and nuts on the bike, as the extra weight and power of e-mountain bikes can cause extra stress on these components. Regular maintenance will help keep e-mountain bikes performing at their best and ensure a safe and enjoyable riding experience.
Can you use longboard wheels on a skateboard for city riding?
Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced world, having the right skateboard wheels is essential for cruising around the city streets. Our list of the top 8 best skateboard wheels for city streets provides a comprehensive guide to help riders make the best choice for their needs.
Whether you’re looking for speed, durability, or a smooth ride, these city street skateboard wheels have got you covered. So, get ready to hit the streets with confidence and style, knowing that you have the best skateboard wheels for city streets at your feet.