It’s important to find the best skateboard wheels for your style of riding, because it can effect your performance and balance on the board.
The best skateboard wheels for street are the Spitfire Skateboard Wheels. which have the perfect diameter & durometer ratings for any level of skater, without a high price.
In this article we will review different skateboard wheels for street use. Skateboard wheels can have important features such as their durometer, diameter and weight. Check these features to make sure they are suitable for your riding style.
Table of Contents
- Best Skateboard Wheels For Street
- Spitfire Formula Four Classic Skateboard Wheels
- Powell Peralta Rat Bones Re-Issue Skateboard Wheels
- Shark Wheel California Roll Skateboard Wheels
- Spitfire Classic Series Skateboard Wheels
- Bones Wheels Rough Riders Skateboard Wheels
- Ricta Wheels Clouds 92a Skateboard wheels
- Super Blanks Pro Skateboard Wheels
- Ricta Clouds 78a Skateboard Wheels
- Spitfire Bighead Skateboard Wheels
- Santa Cruz Slime Squirt Balls Skateboard Wheels
- Skateboard Wheels For Street Buying Guide
- Conclusion
Best Skateboard Wheels For Street
Skateboard Wheels | Durometer | Diameter (MM) |
---|---|---|
Spitfire Formula Four | 99a | 56 & 58 |
Powell Peralta Rat Bones | 85a | 60 |
Shark Wheel | 78a | 60 |
Spitfire Classic Series | 99a | 52 & 54 |
Bones Wheels Rough Riders | 80a | 56 & 59 |
Ricta Wheels Clouds 92a | 92a | 52 - 57 & 60 |
Super Blanks Pro | 101a | 50, 51, 56 & 58 |
Ricta Clouds 78a | 78a | 54 |
Spitfire Bighead | 99a | 48 - 59 & 63 |
Santa Cruz Slime | 78a | 54 |
The most important thing when searching for the best skateboard wheels for street is the durometer rating. Durometer is a gauge that’s used to check the hardness of plastics and rubber. Lower numbers indicate softer, more flexible materials, while higher numbers indicate harder and typically more durable materials.
Additionally, consider checking that the wheels are a large diameter. This is because they’re ideal for picking up speed on the streets as you may need the extra acceleration boost!
Below is a list of the best skateboard wheels for street for any level of skater.
Spitfire Formula Four Classic Skateboard Wheels
- Unmatched flatspot resistance
- More speed and control on all surfaces
- Smooth anti-stick slide
- Spitfire is a wheel company found in 1987 by Jim Thiebaud. the company also produces bearings, skateboard tools, griptape, soft goods,...
The Spitfire Formula Four Classic Skateboard wheels are a great set of beginner wheels. They have a durometer rating of 99a, which is the recommended level for a beginner who is starting with park and ramps skating.
Other features of the Spitfire Formula Four Classic Skateboard Wheels include:
- Timeless design style form Spitfire
- Weight – 260g
- Diameters: 52mm
- Width: 32.5mm
- Reliable brand
Lastly, they feature anti-stick slide to ensure grip in slippery conditions. Additionally they are constructed from Urethane which ensures maximum shock absorption.
Powell Peralta Rat Bones Re-Issue Skateboard Wheels
- Wheel Diameter = 60mm
- Wheel Width = 44mm
- Durometer/Hardness = 85A
- Wheel Shape = RAT BONE
The best retro designed skateboard wheels for street skaters are the Powell Peralta Rat Bones Re-Issue wheels. This is because of their rich history of build quality and impressive features such as 85a durometer, which makes them one of the best set of skateboard wheels for rough roads.
Other features of the Powell Peralta Rat Bones Re-Issue wheels include:
- Classic design style
- Perfect for cruising
- Weight – 256g
- Diameters: 60mm
- Width: 44mm
- Suitable for skateboards & long boards
Overall if you’re looking for proven and efficient skateboard wheels for street, then the Powell Peralta Rat Bones are perfect for you. They have had the same flawless design for over 30 years featuring wide diameter, making them perfect for cruising and sliding, as well as having a 85a durometer which would allow you to take on any surface.
Shark Wheel California Roll Skateboard Wheels
- HIGH-PERFORMANCE WHEELS: Our long boards skateboard wheels helps you build and maintain speed on rough terrain or skate ramp. The unique...
- LONG-LASTING SKATE TOOL - Built with quality and functionality in mind, these long board wheels will let you cruise with confidence. Gear up...
- IMPROVED SKATING EXPERIENCE: Shark Wheels offers a variety of skateboard wheels that provide a number of benefits, including reduced...
- MADE IN USA: All of our wheels are made right here in the United States. Using the best local materials to give the skating community the...
If you’re a skater that’s looking to be futuristic and innovative, take a look at these Shark Wheel California Roll wheels. They’re smartly engineered in a hybrid round shape. This makes them remarkably unique and three times faster than conventional wheels, as well as much more smoother.
Other features of the Shark Wheel California Roll wheels include:
- Innovative & Futuristic design for smooth street skating
- Construction supports with better slide control & grip
- Weight – 560G
- Diameters: 60 MM
- Seven different color-ways
- Durometer : 78a
Moreover, the innovative grooved design has its benefits as it helps skating in the rain. Additionally, it is very eye-catching and will make you stand out from the crowd.
Spitfire Classic Series Skateboard Wheels
- True 99 durometer
- Hand poured & shaped
- 100% made in USA
- Guaranteed against all defects
The best all-rounder skateboard wheels for those who are casual riders and don’t want to break the bank, are the Spitfire Classic Series wheels. This is because they have a unique sense of build quality as they’re hand poured & shaped, which is why they’re some of the best long lasting wheels you’ll find online.
Other features of the Spitfire Classic Series wheels include:
- Modern design for street and park riding
- Perfect for beginners or commuter skaters
- Weight – 63G
- Diameters: 52 MM & 54 MM
- Two different color-ways
- Durometer : 99a
Overall if you’re a casual or new skater, then this is the perfect wheel that meets the equilibrium of price and quality to meet all your needs. Such high quality standards include its durometer rating of 99a, which ensure its purpose of having nice speed and grip for an all-around good wheel.
Bones Wheels Rough Riders Skateboard Wheels
- Wheel Diameter = 56mm / Wheel Width = 40mm
- Hardness/Durometer = 80A
- Wheel Shape = Naturally Bonded CORE / Wide Contact Patch for Stability and Smoother Overall Ride
- Wheel Formula = ATF (All Terrain Formula)
The best premium skateboard wheels for rough surfaced streets are the Bones Wheels Rough Riders. This is because it features their exclusive All-Terrain Formula™, which is excellent for rougher terrain so makes the road quality a non existent issue to the rider.
Other features of the Bones Wheels Rough Riders wheels include:
- Perfect for cruising on rough streets/roads
- Weight – 1 LBs
- Suitable for cruisers & long boards
- Diameters: 56 mm
- Width: 40mm
- All skate one Corporation products come with a warranty
- Durometer : 80a
In conclusion this is a skateboard wheel that can take abuse and maintain it’s resilience. It has incredible durability and resistance to flat spots. Additionally the Bones Wheels Rough Riders have a durometer rating of 80a, this further backs the fact that the wheels are good for rough surfaces.
Ricta Wheels Clouds 92a Skateboard wheels
- 52mm Clouds Black 92a Ricta
- NRG Hi-Energy urethane formula
- Perfect cruzer/ditch wheels
The Ricta Clouds 92a’s are undoubtedly a creative and comfortable set of wheels that are in the premium side of the market. This is because they offer riders NRG Hi-Energy urethane formula, which makes them perfect for road cruising and comfortable.
Other features of the Ricta Clouds 92a wheels include:
- Timeless design style form Spitfire
- Hi-Energy urethane construction
- Weight – 221g
- Diameters: 52mm
- Width: 34.5mm
- Popular brand
- Durometer : 92a
Overall if you’re looking for a set of wheels that offer you a smoother rider and skate rough spots, without compromising performance then these are perfect for you.
Super Blanks Pro Skateboard Wheels
- 101a hard pro skateboard wheels in all sizes
If you’re looking at a cheap set of replacement skateboard wheels for street, then the Super Blanks are an ideal set for you. This is because they come in at a minimum cost far lower than any other wheel available on the market with a surprisingly high level of quality.
Other features of the Super Blanks Pro wheels include:
- Simple design
- Perfect for cruising and street skating
- Weight – 270g
- Diameters: 50MM, 51MM, 54 MM, 56 MM & 58 MM
- Width: 44mm
- Durometer : 101a
Overall the Super Blanks Pro wheels are a great replacement wheel set for a complete deck or for any beginner who is looking to spend not a large amount on wheels. Moreover they come in a standard rating of 101a durometer with over five different size options.
Ricta Clouds 78a Skateboard Wheels
- Smooth-rolling and fast 78A soft urethane with a solid, 78D core. Clouds make even the roughest of surfaces feel like smooth warehouse...
The Ricta Clouds are probably the most comfortable street skateboard wheels out there for any street skater. This is because they come with a smooth, yet fast 78a soft urethane which makes the roughest of surfaces feel like you’re riding in a skate-park.
Other features of the Ricta Clouds wheels include:
- Solid 78D core
- Modern design style
- Perfect for filming or cruising
- Weight – 256g
- Diameters: 52, 54, 56, 57, 60mm
- Width: 34mm
- Durometer : 78a
In conclusion if you’re in the market for exceptionally comfortable wheels that make skating less hard wearing on your feet, or are looking to be a filmier with less bumpy clips, then these wheels are 100% suitable for you.
Spitfire Bighead Skateboard Wheels
- High quality polyurethane
- Color: White / Red
- Live to Burn Bighead Edition
- Available in Different Sizes and Colors
The best skateboard wheels for beginner street skaters today are the Spitfire Bighead wheels. This is because they’re renowned amongst the skating community for their rolling efficiency on smooth surfaces as its durometer is 99a which is the hardest type available which enables sufficient grip.
Other features of the Spitfire Bighead wheels include:
- Diameters: 48mm, 50mm, 51mm, 52mm, 53mm, 54mm, 57mm, 59mm & 63mm
- 6 color-ways
- Weight – 240g
- 100% guaranteed authentic with manufacturers guarantee
- Reputable brand with great history
- Durometer : 99a
Overall if you’re new to street skating then these may be perfect for you as their durometer rating of 99a allows you to maintain large amount of ‘hugging’ grip that is soft for rolling and is produced by a well-known brand that has historic record of durability.
Santa Cruz Slime Squirt Balls Skateboard Wheels
- Get ready to roll in style with Slime Ball's signature line of skateboard wheels and apparel!
The penultimate skateboard wheels which are the Santa Cruz Slime Balls skateboard wheels are probably the most eye-catching set you’ll find online today. Moreover they are probably in the top tier for quality as they’re produced by the reputable and long running brand, Santa Cruz which many riders still stand by today.
Other features of the Santa Cruz Slime Balls wheels include:
- Creative & Futuristic eye-catching design
- Brand is reputable and has a long running history in the skating community
- Weight – 257G
- Diameters: 54.5 MM
- Two different neon color-ways
- Durometer : 78a
Overall these wheels are a more than suitable option for any experienced rider as they’re extremely long lasting and have impressive quality such as its lightweight construction and durometer rating of 97a which is perfect for park and street.
Skateboard Wheels For Street Buying Guide
Skateboard wheels are an important part of your board setup. Having a proper set of wheels that are suited to your style will go a long way in allowing you to have better grip, balance and speed.
The best skateboard wheels are produced by reputable brands that have top polyurethane construction. Additional factors to look out for are variable diameter sizes and durometer ratings to suit your style of riding.
Diameter
A very important factor you must take into account is the diameter of the skateboard wheel you are looking to get. Typically you’ll find that they’re measured in millimeters(MM) and the range of sizes can be between 50MM-75MM.
A rule of thumb with diameter’s on skateboard wheels is that the smaller the diameter, the slower speed you’ll get, whereas the larger sized ones will enable you to have more speed and agility.
Here is a short overview of different ranges of diameter of a skateboard wheel and how they’ll effect your performance:
- 50-53MM : These are the smallest size of skateboard wheels, which makes them ideal for beginners as they offer great stability.
- 54-59MM : These are the average sized wheels that are most commonly found in shops and perfect for intermediate/casual skaters.
- 60MM+ : These are best suited for experienced/professional skaters. They are designed to roll across any terrain as well as reach high speeds.
Durometer
Durometer is a term that is thrown around a lot in the skateboard wheel industry. Durometer refers to the measurement of a skateboard wheel’s hardness: the higher the durometer, the harder your wheels would be.
The durometer is measured on an ‘A’ 100 point scale. Additionally there is a ‘B’ scale measuring on a 20 point scale which measures 20 points lower, meaning it has an additional 20 points for harder skateboard wheels. For instance a 80b wheel could have the same durometer hardness as a 100a which is on a different scale.
A common rule to follow about the durometer of a wheel is that the harder a wheel is the faster you’ll be able to ride. Where as the softer the wheel, the slower it’ll be. However, it’ll absorb impacts betters as well while providing a smoother ride on street surfaces.
Here is a basic durometer scale and how it will influence your riding performance:
- 78a-87a : These are probably the softest wheels you’ll find that are perfect for rough surfaces, longboards, cruisers and street boards that require lots of grip to comfortably roll over cracks.
- 88a-95a : Soft wheels that are good for street and rough surfaces, although a bit harder for speed and suitable grip
- 96a-99a : This level of wheel has the perfect balance of speed and grip which makes it an all-around good wheel. Ideal for complete skateboards for beginners who rider skate parks, ramps and smooth surfaces.
- 101a+ : These will tend to be the harder wheels, which means that they’re the fastest with the least grip. Tend to be bad for slick/rough surfaces(pro wheels)
- 83b-84b : Typically ‘B’ scale wheels tend to be much harder, measuring 20 points less than the ‘A’ scale so that the overall scale can extend a further 20 points for the hardest wheels.
Contact Patch
A contact patch is an important part of your skateboard wheel that you should consider looking at as it can make a massive difference for your performance.
The contact patch is the surface area of your wheel that has contact with the ground while skating. If you have a longboard or a cruiser board, you’ll want to steer towards (no pun intended) a larger contact patch as it’ll allow you to have better control.
A small contact patch means that your body weight will be distributed over a small area, which in turn will increase the compression of urethane in the wheel and decrease rolling resistance. This means faster acceleration.
Which Shape To Choose?
To get the most optimum cruising wheels for your style, you must consider shape as an important factor. Down below are the types of wheel to consider.
Sharp-lip Shape
If you are looking for wheels that will enable you to cruise and carve efficiently, look no further than the sharp-lip wheels. They offer superior grip, especially during hard turns.
Round-lip Shape
The best wheel type for someone whose riding style involves a lot of carving and sliding is round-lip shaped wheels. This is because the round-lip profile will offer the best finish for anyone learning to power-slide.
Why are Skateboard Wheels Made of Polyurethane?
Polyurethane(also known as PU) is a heat-resistant and tough plastic. With these two strengths, Polyurethane construction makes it extremely competitive and affordable up against other materials of its class. This is the reason why Polyurethane is used in many different variations of products world wide.
Another benefit of PU is its wide availability. It is easy and cheap to work with while being recyclable as an added bonus.
The reason why Polyurethane is used in skateboard wheels boils down to a few reasons such as its ability to flex, which allows it to absorb shock and impact. Other similar type materials which have the same use may crack or break under these forces.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a new set of street skateboard wheels, there are a few factors you need to consider. These factors include the durometer rating, which is important for your comfort and ability to ride on rough roads. There is also the diameter of your wheel which can effect your ability to reach higher speed.
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