Are you giving quick maintenance on your skateboard? Take a free spin on your wheels; learning how long skateboard wheels should spin, such information will let you know the condition of your wheels. And, your wheels being too tight or loose will undoubtedly influence your speed and maneuverability on skateboarding.
When it comes to your skateboard wheels, they should allow for unrestricted movement. But how long should skateboard wheels spin? Read on as we tackle it further.
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How Long Skateboard Wheels Spin Freely
Give your skateboard wheels a free spin to see if it works as intended. Remember to aim for 10 to 30 seconds to spin the skateboard wheels.
In other words, your skateboard wheels should spin freely for at least 10 seconds without stopping.
- If it stops spinning before 10 seconds, your wheels are tightly placed.
- If it exceeds the 30 seconds mark, it is a bit loose.
In such cases, you need to change your settings, such as:
- Cleaning your wheels and bearings
- Lubricating the wheels
- Using your skateboard wrench to loosen or tighten your wheels
- Fixing squeaking or unsteadiness by tightening the nuts on each of the wheels.
As a newbie, you might not find out about the issue right away. So, maybe keep experimenting until you discover something that works for you.
Ways to Maintain the Skateboard Wheel’s Standard Spinning
Making sure your skateboard wheels are installed correctly will allow you to move around freely. Furthermore, appropriate spinning time indicates that your wheels are in good condition, thus allowing you to skate smoothly and safely. In truth, if you want to move a bit faster or make a sudden stop, the wheels are an important part of ensuring a smooth transition.
But how?
Fret not; here listed below are the possible ways to maintain your wheels in 20-30 seconds of spinning freely.
1. Rotate the skateboard wheels
If your skateboard wheels are too tight, try rotating them counterclockwise to loosen them up a little.
When it’s too loose, reverse the process.
Then spin the wheels freely with your hand to determine if it’s appropriate for your choice until it can spin freely in the standard spinning time.
Washers are installed to prevent the wheel and bearings from being pinched in place. So, fixing the washers is also recommended when you finetune your skateboard. Hence, make sure to put washers to give a gap with the wheels and axle to reduce friction.
Finally, to see how much the wheel shakes, spin the wheels many times to test them. As they spin and the wiggles cease or are scarcely detectable, then you are ready to go.
2. Routinely Clean Skateboard Bearings
In order to clean well, you just need to put in a few minutes of work. By cleaning the wheels of your skateboard, you’ll reduce the risk of squeaking and the bumpy effects of worn skateboard bearings.
Here’s what you need:
- Towel for wiping up spills
- Degreaser/solvent
- Cup or Jar for soaking the bearings
Here’re the steps to follow:
- If the bearings are filthy, start disassembling your skateboard bearings by removing the axle nut.
- Then remove the bearing shields using a razor blade, paperclip, or any other thin tool that may be used to pry them off.
- The second step is to put them in a jar and sit in the solvent solution for 2 – 5 minutes. Bring the bearings out and use the soft towels to remove any dirt on them.
- Then, you can use a hairdryer or lint-free towel to dry the bearings.
- Finally, you relubricate the bearings to ensure they are working well.
3. Consider Skateboard Wheels Replacement
In many cases, your skateboard wheels are no longer redeemable, as they are worn out and lose their functions. Therefore, the replacement of skateboard wheels is necessary when:
- The wheels have visible cracks.
- They have rust as they are exposed to moisture.
- If you look closely, there are pitting and rips forming on hard wheels when they wear down.
- The diameter reduces more rapidly with softer wheels, which often separate or rip.
- Also, friction reduces the diameter of the wheels over time, causing them to lose their integrity.
In such cases, consider well-known brands if you’re replacing your wheels. More importantly, choosing the appropriate size of wheels, especially for your terrain of choice, will ensure your maximum skating capability.
The 72a (52mm) is very common for a smooth ride, usually used in casual skating. In contrast, rigid wheels are recommended for doing various tricks that cause tension on your wheels.
Conclusion
Wheels affect your speed, as they contribute to your speed and maneuverability as a skater.
So, how long should skateboard wheels spin? Spin, observe, and determine. Remember the standard time of spinning, which is 20-30 seconds.
If your skateboard wheels don’t meet those marks, there’s something off on your skateboard. So, take our friendly advice on how you will maintain your skateboard wheels to reach the maximum capability of your board!
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Hi, I am Charles Harris. I opened this site to write as much as I can about my biggest passion – skateboarding!
I started as a clumsy yet passionate rookie 10 years ago to now a still passionate yet much better skateboarder! But I have to tell you, the whole journey has always been fun and rewarding, indeed not without hardship.