The shape of the skate wheels
We have 2 kinds of shapes of skate wheels which are round and square. Rounded wheels are more common as they have tapered edges which provide more stable and controllable rides. Square wheels work very well on uneven terrain. They offer maximum contact patch and grip, but this also makes the board stop quickly and we will have to push more.
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Wheel core
Core positioning can affect the ride. The core position is divided into 3 sets: center set, offset, and side set.
Center-set wheels have a core located in the center to help spread force evenly around the contact points. Therefore, the wheel will wear out evenly. The advantage of this type of wheel is that it has a good grip and its characteristics are good for sliding.
Off-set wheels have the core placed off-center, closer to the inner side of the wheel. These wheels offer a nice balance of grip and slip.
Side-set wheels have the core placement very close to the inner lip of the wheel. They have very good traction thanks to the minimal urethane on the inner lip of the wheel.
The core can be large or small.
Larger core wheels have higher roll speed and less grip. Smaller cores, on the other hand, have the most grip, slower in roll speeds.
Durometer
Durometer is used to measure the hardness of a skateboard wheel. Most skateboard companies measure wheel hardness on the A scale. Durometer is not an absolute metric, but it does give you a general idea. Hardness may vary between manufacturers. For example, manufacturer A produces wheels with a hardness of 70a, which can be harder or softer than 70a wheels from other companies. The hardness can also be changed using 2 different formulas.
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Depending on the purpose and type of riding terrain, you need to choose the right hardness. 70a-85a is suitable for cruising, 80a-90a is good for sliding, and for riding at the skatepark and doing tricks, choose 90a-101a+.
Diameter
Diameter is used to measure the diameter of the wheel. It is the distance between the two outer edges of the wheel.
The larger the wheel, the easier it is to hold the speed longer and provide more stability to the rider. If your wheels are larger than 80mm, they can roll over larger stones easily without hard turbulence.
Smaller wheels have more advantages when it comes to tricks because they are light and quick to accelerate and handle the situation. Depending on your riding purpose, the wheel diameter can vary.
- < 65mm: cruising, skatepark, and other trick disciplines
65-75mm: downhill, and pumping
75mm +: cruising, long-distance, and Esk8
Again, this is just a general rule, it doesn't apply to all situations.
Normally, the wheel and contact patch do not have the same width. For example, your wheel is 40mm wide, the contact patch only takes up about 35mm. The contact patch is the area where the wheel will be in contact with the ground. For the square wheel, the width and the contact patch have the same measurement.
The contact patch size determines whether the wheel is easy to slide or not. A full-size contact patch provides maximum grip making the wheel move slower but steady. In contrast, a small contact patch provides less grip, so it is easier and faster to move.
Material
Urethane wheels are made from Urethane - a material in the category of materials called rubber. It is also not entirely rubber but features a combination of rubber and plastic. It's complicated, isn't it?
Advantages of Urethane wheels
- Amazing noise reduction
Durable, long service life, resistant to abrasion, chemicals, and solvents.
Offer Better Grab And High Traction
Various color designs
Can handle extreme weather
Can soften or harden depending on the formula.
Yes, absolutely. With all the advantages and information above, urethane wheels are completely ideal for your esk8. In fact, they are widely used in both conventional and electric skateboards. If you want to DIY your e-board, choosing urethane wheels should be the first choice.
But be aware that considering the riding purpose as well as the structure of the board, you will need to choose the most suitable wheel for the board to function properly.
So, there is a lot of information about Urethane skate wheels that I have provided for you. Hope you enjoyed this article. Don't forget to like and share this post with your friends. Have fun! Oh, there is one last thing, if you have some time right now, then go to eSkateBuddy - a website to explore new things about esk8.
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