Skateboard wheels come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. Small or big wheel size or hardness may significantly impact how you feel while riding your skateboard.
Are you interested to know how to measure skateboard wheels? If yes, you’re reading the best source of information.
Wheels are one of the most critical pieces of your skateboard, as well as one of the most worn out. Find out which wheels are best for you and your board.
Table of Contents
Which Tools Will You Need?
In this section, below are the tools you’ll need to measure the skateboard wheels and determine the applicable size for your skateboard.
Option 1
Ruler – You can use a regular ruler with millimeter measurements.
Option 2
Caliper – This is a piece of measuring equipment with two moveable jaws or legs. In addition to measuring the diameter and thickness of objects, you may also use calipers to measure the distances across surfaces and the lengths between holes.
For this tutorial, you should get familiarized with some of the caliper’s essential components.
Large Jaws – These are used to determine the size of an object from the outside.
Ruler / Main Scale – Like a traditional ruler, this part measures an object in inches (Imperial) or millimeters (Metric).
Step by Step to Measure Skateboard Wheels
In measuring the skateboard, there are a variety of tools that you can choose. We’re going to use the ruler and caliper. You can select either of them.
Using a ruler
In measuring your wheels with a ruler, the first thing that you need to do is identify the wheel’s center part. When you have already identified it, place your ruler there and determine the size of your wheels.
Using a caliper
The calipers are appropriate to determine the skateboard wheels dimensions; a caliper is more accurate than a standard ruler when we work with round objects.
Pick one side of the item that you regard to be its length. This will be the first side we measure.
- Step 1: Remove your wheels from the skateboard.
- Step 2: Spread apart the big jaws of the caliper and then gently place them onto the skateboard wheels. When measuring the skateboard wheels width, you only need to measure one dimension to discover its diameter since the diameter will always be the same no matter where you measure from.
- Step 3: You can interpret the length measurement by comparing the distance between the markers on the main scale.
What Are the Common Sizes of Wheels?
The standard skateboard wheel size is 48mm to 60mm; however, other sizes are available to suit specific terrains or styles of skating.
Skateboarding equipment and hardware selections may change over time, but here are some general guidelines:
(48mm – 51mm): Small Wheels
On a level surface, skateboarding wheels with smaller diameters are ideal for flat surfaces. Wheels smaller than 50mm were popular in the 1990s, but nowadays, most wheel manufacturers’ normal skateboard wheel size starts at 50mm.
Skateboards with small wheels are more likely to become trapped in pebbles or cracks, but wheel bite is less of a problem since there is more space between the wheel and the board.
(52-54mm): Medium Wheels
For street and transition skateboarding, these wheels are ideal. For your first complete skateboard set, we suggest beginning with a 52mm wheel from any wheel manufacturer you can choose. These medium wheels come in various durometers and designs.
(55mm-60mm): Large Wheels
Wheels with a larger surface area give a more steady platform for the user to ride on. For this reason, ramp and vert skateboarders tend to choose larger wheels, which allow them to sustain speed more quickly.
Larger wheels are less prone to get trapped in cracks or tiny objects, but their weight.
What’s the Right Size of Skateboard Wheels for You?
The wheels on your skateboard are what move you around and help you reach your maximum speed while skating. Skateboard wheels are typically composed of polyurethane and are available in various sizes, colors, and degrees of durability.
The wheel’s diameter is measured in millimeters, while its durometer is measured on an A scale or B scale. If you’re a beginner, the recommended size is 52-54mm, as it can grip more on the surface and for better stabilization while moving. Big durometers (80A and up) are good for tricks, while low durometers (around 75A) are recommended for cruising.
Personal preference and what you want to perform on your skateboard also play a role in your choice.
Conclusion
Having a clear idea of how to measure skateboard wheels is a must for beginners and skilled skaters. It is not just aesthetics that are important in picking your skateboard wheels. In choosing skating gear, quality is what matters most.
You may choose from a wide range of options in terms of both size and design. It’s up to you to decide which option is best for yourself. As a result of reading this article, we hope that you have a better understanding of how to precisely measure your skateboard’s wheels.
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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.