What type of wheels are best for longboard?
Soft wheels are grippy and absorb vibrations for a smooth ride. They are and are slower and harder to slide. Most Longboard wheels hardness tend to be 70A-85A while short board wheels are usually 90A-101A. The most popular durometer for longboard wheels is 78A, which is fairly soft.
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Are longboard wheels universal?
The first decision you need to make when choosing longboard wheels is what size you want. Most longboard wheels are between 64-80mm in diameter with 70mm being the most common size. The most important thing to consider is whether the wheels will fit on your setup without causing wheelbite.

Can you replace longboard wheels?
Changing skateboard or longboard wheels is a simple task that can drastically change the way your board rides. Wheels eventually wear out after a while and it’s important to know when wheels can be fixed with DIY tricks or when it’s time for a fresh four.
Do wheels matter on a longboard?
The profile of a longboard wheel’s edge makes a massive difference to how it will skate. Overall grip, smoothness and predictability of the slide, feel over rougher road surfaces and how the wheel wears are all affected.

Are 78a wheels too soft?
The lower the number, the softer the wheel. Most manufacturers use the Durometer A Scale. For example, a skateboard wheel with a hardness of 78a would be considered very soft, while one labeled 100a would be hard.
Are Harder longboard wheels faster?
Generally speaking, harder wheels are faster, and softer wheels are slower but have better grip. Because of deck length and width, longboards require larger, softer wheels to provide the rider with stability, as opposed to shortboards, which use smaller, tougher wheels.
What does 78a mean on longboard wheels?
What does 78a mean on longboard wheels? The durometer refers to the hardness of the wheel, the higher the durometer the harder the wheel. The most common durometers for longboard wheels will be on the softer side when compared to standard skateboard wheels and fall in the 75a-90a range.
How long should longboard wheels last?
How Long Do Skateboard/Longboard Wheels Last. In general, the average lifespan of ordinary skateboard wheels is about 3 months.
How often should you change your longboard wheels?
You can swap your wheels around about every 2 or 3 months, depending on how often you ride your skateboard. Rotating or swapping your wheels will increase prolong lifespan and your wheels will wear out more evenly. What is this? Place your left rear on your right front.
Are 86a wheels too soft?
The Cloud wheels from Ricta are super bouncy and fast, making even the roughest of surfaces feel like smooth warehouse floors. Modern shaped and not too heavy or bulky. Perfect for filming and cruising around town.
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Ricta Cloud Cruiser Skateboard Wheels.
Durometer | |
---|---|
white/red chrome (86a) | 78a |
What are 78a wheels good for?
78a to 87a are soft wheels appropriate for rough surfaces like sidewalks, roads and other surfaces with pebbles, rocks, and cracks because they provide a smoother ride and grip better. Longboards or street boards typically have soft wheels.
Can you slide with 86a wheels?
Excellent for ditches and rough street spots, 86a Ricta Clouds are a bit harder than our softer 78a Clouds. They still handle like a street/park wheel and even slide well.
Can you slide with 78a wheels?
If your wheel of choice has a large core, 74a-78a will be ok. If not, then go for a wheel between 78a-80a. I suggest this hardness because they will provide a smooth slide with good braking power. For beginners, look to the slightly harder formulas for easier sliding.
How can I make my longboard wheels last longer?
Rotating your wheels is one of the best ways to increase the life of your wheels. If you tend to do one type of slide a lot consecutively (ex. heelside stand up slides), you may notice that some of your wheels are much smaller than others.
Should you flip skateboard wheels?
Rotating Wheels Regularly
Coning happens when you do power slides or when your skateboarding prefers a certain turn. Eventually, it leads to a smaller riding surface which can impact traction. It’s best to rotate them by using an x pattern.
How long do bearings last on a longboard?
The average lifespan of skateboard bearings is 1 to 2 years if given proper care and maintenance. Bearings get tired too, and remember that too much of anything isn’t good at all. Too much wetness, sliding, and fast jumping will cause your skateboard bearings to wear out faster.
How do you know if your longboard bearings are bad?
Squeaky noises, wheels that don’t spin for longer than a few seconds and pushing like a madman in your local skatepark. These are all signs that our skateboard bearings are on their last legs. So when should you replace your bearings? Replace your bearings when they still don’t spin after cleaning and relubing.
Are 78A wheels good for cruising?
Hardness ー the best wheels you can use for cruising are those with around 78a-87a softness. This type of wheel has enough grip to roll over cracks and bumps on the road. That way, you can ensure a smooth and stable ride even on hills and rough surfaces.
Are 78A wheels too soft?
Are 86A wheels too soft?
Are Bigger wheels better for longboarding?
Choosing longboard diameter
Smaller wheels result in a slower ride, and larger wheels result in a faster one. If you want to commute quickly and smoothly, a big wheel longboard or cruiser is a good choice. Wheel diameter also affects how quickly you accelerate and how tightly you can turn.
How often should you change longboard wheels?
Your board wheels start shaping after the way you take a turn, after a while, they get cone-shaped. It’s pretty common they wear down unevenly as you probably favor one side more than the other. You can swap your wheels around about every 2 or 3 months, depending on how often you ride your skateboard.
Is it OK to use WD40 on skateboard bearings?
There was a downside to this, eventually deteriorating my bearings over time. You should never use WD40 to clean skateboard bearings . This is a product designed specifically made for removing rust and grime, not as a lubricant or cleaner for bearings.
How often should I clean my longboard bearings?
Remember, bearings only need to be cleaned about once every two to three months depending on the environment you are skating in.