Science Behind Longboard Wheels: What You Need to Know
Have you ever wondered why longboard wheels make such a big difference in how you ride?
Before I started longboarding, I didn’t know how much effort went into making these simple things. But now, I can tell you that the right wheels can make your ride much smoother.
Understanding how they work can make you a better rider and help you stay safe.
The famous skateboarder Tony Hawk once said, I think of skateboarding as an art, a way of life, and a sport.
So, when it comes to longboarding, the wheels are the paintbrushes of our skateboarding art.
Are you ready to discover the fascinating world of longboarding? Let’s learn about the science behind the gear that keeps you riding smoothly toward adventure!
Anatomy of a Longboard Wheel
The anatomy of a longboard wheel is like the parts of your body that make you move and work. Let’s take a look at each part and what it does:
- Core: The core is the backbone of the wheel. It keeps the wheel strong and steady. Without a good core, the wheel would wobble and not roll smoothly.
- Lip: The lip is the outside edge of the wheel. It helps the wheel grip the ground or slide smoothly. Different lips are good for different things. For example, sharp lips are good for gripping, and round lips are for sliding.
- Contact Patch: The contact patch is the flat part of the wheel that touches the ground. It’s like the bottom of your shoe. A bigger contact patch gives more grip, while a smaller one makes it easier to slide.
- Durometer: This is how hard or soft the wheel is. It’s measured using a scale called the A scale. A lower number means a softer wheel and a higher number means a harder wheel.
- Shape: The shape of the wheel can be square, rounded, or pointed. The shape affects how the wheel rolls and grips the ground.
- Size: The size of the wheel affects how fast it goes and how easy it is to turn. Bigger wheels can go faster but are harder to turn, while smaller wheels are easier to turn but don’t go as fast.
- Materials: Most wheels are made of urethane, a strong and bouncy material. But sometimes, other materials like rubber or plastic are mixed in to change how the wheel feels.
Different Types of Longboard Wheels
There are different kinds of wheels, and each type is good for different things. Here are the main types:
Cruising Wheels
These wheels are good for just cruising around. They are soft and have a lot of grip, which makes them good for going over bumps and cracks in the road.
They’re not great for going super fast or doing tricks, but they’re perfect for a smooth, relaxing ride.
Downhill Wheels
These wheels are made for going fast down hills. They are big and hard, which makes them good for going fast and keeping stable.
They don’t have a lot of grip, though, so they’re not great for going slow or doing tricks.
Freeride Wheels
According to Motion Bordership, longboarders prefer freeride wheels to perform well in various conditions.
These wheels are good for doing tricks and sliding. They are softer than downhill wheels, so they have more grip. But they’re still hard enough to slide around easily.
All-Around Wheels
These wheels are a good mix of all the other types. They’re not too soft or too hard, and they have a good amount of grip. They’re good for cruising, downhill, and freeriding.
Electric Skateboard Wheels
These wheels are made for electric skateboards. They’re usually big and soft, which makes them good for going over bumps and cracks in the road.
They’re also usually a little bit wider than regular wheels, which helps with stability.
What Materials Are Used in a Longboard Wheel?
Here’s a simplified guide to the materials used in wheels:
- Urethane: This is the most common material used for wheels. It’s a type of plastic that is strong, bouncy, and grips the road well. Urethane wheels are good for all kinds of longboarding.
- Plastic: Some longboard wheels are made of plastic. Plastic wheels are usually cheaper than urethane wheels, but they’re not as strong or grippy. They’re good for beginners who are just learning to ride.
- Rubber: Some wheels are made of rubber. Rubber wheels are usually softer and grippier than urethane or plastic wheels. They’re good for riding on rough roads or going over bumps and cracks.
- Polyurethane (PU): This is a type of plastic that is used in some wheels. PU wheels are usually cheaper than urethane wheels, but they’re not much stronger. They’re good for beginners who are just learning to ride.
- Other materials: Sometimes, longboard wheels are made of metal or wood. These materials can make the wheels stronger or lighter, but they’re usually more expensive.
Know About Wheel Diameter and Its Role in Performance
The size of the wheel isn’t the only thing that affects how your longboard performs. The shape, material, and hardness of the wheel are also important.
So, when you’re choosing wheels for your longboard, consider these factors:
Understanding Wheel Size
Have you ever noticed that longboard wheels come in different sizes? The size of a wheel is called its diameter. It means the distance across the middle of the wheel from one side to the other.
This is measured in millimeters (mm). The bigger the wheel, the larger the diameter becomes.
The Need for Speed
Bigger wheels have a larger diameter. For this, they can go faster. This is because they cover more ground with each rotation, which means they can move more quickly.
So, if you want to go really fast when you’re longboarding, you should use bigger wheels.
The Ease of Turning
Bigger wheels might be faster, but they’re also harder to turn. This is because they’re farther away from the ground, which makes it more difficult to steer them.
On the other hand, smaller wheels are closer to the ground, so they’re easier to turn. But because they cover less ground with each rotation, they don’t go as fast.
Finding the Right Balance
The key is to find the right balance between speed and maneuverability. If you want to go really fast, you might be willing to sacrifice some maneuverability.
But if you’re more interested in doing tricks, you might prefer smaller wheels that are easier to turn.
Importance of the Wheel Contact Patch
A study by Lush Longboards shows that longboarders who use wheels with a larger contact patch have greater stability and control.
So, understanding the importance of the contact patch can help you choose the right wheels for your longboard. I always consider these things when choosing wheels for my longboard:
- Contact Patch: The contact patch is the flat part of the wheel. It touches the ground when you’re riding your longboard. It’s like the bottom of your shoe when you’re walking or running. So, the contact patch size can affect how your longboard performs.
- Grip vs. Slide: A bigger contact patch means more grip. This is because there’s more surface area touching the ground. This makes it harder for the wheel to slide. So, if you want more grip when you’re riding your longboard, you should use wheels with a bigger contact patch.
- Speed and Stability: A smaller contact patch means less grip. This can make it easier for the wheel to slide. That can be good if you want to do tricks or ride on smooth surfaces. But it can also make your longboard less stable and harder to control.
- Balance: The key is to find the right balance between grip and slide. If you’re a beginner, you need to use wheels with a bigger contact patch for more grip. But as you get more experienced, you can use wheels with a smaller contact patch for more slides.
So, think about what kind of riding you want to do and what kind of terrain you’ll be riding on. Then, you can choose the wheels that are best for you.
Know About Wheel Core and Its Influence on Performance
If you understand the influence of the wheel core on your performance, it can help you choose the right wheels for your longboard. So, you can consider these things for the best outcome:
- The Wheel Core: The wheel core is the backbone of the wheel. It’s the part that keeps everything in place and gives the wheel its strength and shape. It’s usually made of plastic or metal.
- Weight Distribution: The core helps to distribute the weight of the rider and the board evenly across the wheel. This makes the wheel more stable and helps it roll smoothly.
- Impact on Speed and Control: The size and shape of the core can affect how the wheel performs. A bigger core can make the wheel roll faster as it reduces the friction between the wheel and the ground. But it can also make the wheel harder to control.
- Choosing the Right Core: The key is to find the right balance between speed and control. If you want to go super fast, you might be willing to sacrifice some control. But if you’re more interested in doing tricks, you can look for a smaller core that gives you more control.
What Is the Future of Longboard Wheels?
The future of wheels is bright and full of possibilities. Let’s explore this upcoming adventure together:
New Materials
Scientists are always looking for new materials. They want to make wheels stronger, lighter, and faster.
They are trying out materials like graphene and carbon fiber, which are both strong and lightweight.
Smart Wheels
Some companies are working on wheels that can connect to your phone. They can give you information about your ride, like your speed and distance. This can help you track your progress and improve your skills.
Eco-Friendly Wheels
Now, more people are aware of the impact of plastic on the environment. So, there’s a growing demand for eco-friendly longboard wheels.
Some companies are working on wheels made from recycled materials or biodegradable materials.
Customizable Wheels
As longboarding becomes more popular, people are looking for ways to make their boards stand out.
So, some companies are offering customizable wheels that you can design yourself. You can add different colors, patterns, and shapes to your wheels according to your choice.
3D-Printed Wheels
3D printing technology is getting better and cheaper. It means more companies are starting to use it to make wheels.
This allows you more customization and experimentation with different shapes and materials.
Electric Wheels
As electric longboards become more popular, more companies are working on wheels that can work with electric motors.
These wheels need to be strong and durable to handle an electric motor’s extra weight and power.
Conclusion
In conclusion, longboard wheels are super important. They help you ride smoothly and quickly.
By understanding the different parts of a wheel, you can choose the right wheels for your riding style.
Whether you want to go fast, do tricks, or just cruise around, there’s a set of wheels that’s perfect for you.
So, if you’re a longboarder, take good care of your wheels. Pick the right ones for your style, and most importantly, have fun riding!
FAQs
These are usually made of urethane. It is strong, bouncy, and grips the road well. Sometimes, they're made of other materials, like rubber or plastic.
Soft wheels are good for riding on rough roads or going over bumps and cracks. They have more grip, so they're good for beginners. Hard wheels are good for going fast and doing tricks. They don't have as much grip, so they're good for experienced riders.
It depends on how often you ride and what kind of riding you do. But it's better to replace your wheels every 3-6 months.
The wheels of longboards are usually bigger and softer than skateboard wheels. So, they're not as good at doing tricks. But you can use them if you want to go fast or ride on rough roads.
