Finding the Best Wheels for Your Electric Skateboard

Skateboard wheels come in all different shapes and sizes. The kind you want depends on the terrain you travel on, as well as how fast you prefer to go. There are basic wheels that are excellent for riding on smooth surfaces, all-terrain wheels that will get you through uneven conditions, and everything in between. The larger the wheel, the faster you’ll end up going, but the slower your acceleration will be.

Let’s look at a few of the best options on the market.

Orangatang Kegel 80mm Downhill Cruising Wheels

The Orangatang Kegel Downhill Cruising Wheels are designed for both speed and grip – although, not the same grip you’d achieve with an all-terrain wheel. Boasting of an 80 mm diameter, the Kegels will get you where you want to go quickly, but it’ll take some time to build up your speed. They come in three different colors and can be purchased with the bearings or without.

MBS All-Terrain Longboard Wheels

The MBS All-Terrain Wheels do exactly what they say in the name. They ensure you glide over almost any kind of terrain. They come in at 100 mm in diameter, ensuring they’ll go plenty fast – but it may require some time to achieve full speed. The treads on the wheels make it easy for you to ride over uneven ground. They come in four different colors, so you can match them to your board.

What to Look For in Skateboard Wheels

If the wheels you buy aren’t up to snuff, there can be dire consequences. At best, they could break and leave you unable to ride the board for a while; at worst, they cause an accident that sees you injured.

When looking for wheels, you should evaluate their size first. With a longboard, the wheels start at 54 mm and go up from there. The smaller the diameter, the slower you’ll go, but the easier it will be to accelerate. A larger wheel will allow you to go fast, but the acceleration will be much slower. If you’re a beginner, anything from a 54 to 59 mm is perfect for you. They’ll allow you to easily skate through the street, as well as learn the ropes of the skateboard. Anything 60 mm and up is designed for uneven terrain, making it perfect for downhill boards.

Next, you should look at the shape of the wheel. Ensuring you have the right shape for your board can be crucial. It’s the difference between gliding smoothly through a turn or wiping out. There are three different shapes: the square edge, beveled edge, and round edge. The square edge have great grip and are made for downhill riders. The beveled edge wheel shape is right between the square and round; it gives you a point of contact at the edge of the wheel, making them great for turning. Finally, the rounded edge wheels are great for carving and sliding, and provide less friction with the ground.