Wheels are a key element of surfskate, significantly affecting grip, smoothness, and carving ability. Choosing the right wheels depends on several factors, including riding style, terrain type, and personal preference. In this guide, we will look in detail at all aspects of surfskate wheels to help you find the best setup for your needs.
Diameter of surfskate wheels
The diameter of surfskate wheels generally varies between 58 mm and 75 mm. Smaller wheels, between 58 mm and 65 mm, provide greater agility and acceleration. They are the ideal choice for those who practice tricks and use surfskates in bowls, where responsiveness; è is essential.
Medium-sized wheels, ranging from 66 mm to 70 mm, are an excellent versatile solution, perfect for those who use surfskates both in pumptracks and for everyday cruising.
Finally, the larger wheels, ranging from 70 mm to 75 mm, offer greater speed and smoothness, making them particularly suitable for those who enjoy deep carves and want to tackle more uneven terrain with greater confidence.
Defects in different wheel diameters
Each wheel size has advantages but also some disadvantages that è important to consider.
Wheels that are too large in diameter, especially over 70 mm, can increase the risk of wheelbite, or contact between the wheel and the deck, causing sudden board lockups and possible falls. To reduce this problem, è the use of riser pads or a deck with molded wheel wells is recommended.
On the other hand, wheels that are too small, under 60 mm, can make the surfskate less stable and not very smooth on uneven surfaces, limiting smoothness and reducing the ability to maintain speed in turns.
Hardness of surfskate wheels
Wheel hardness is measured in Shore A and usually ranges between 75A and 85A.
The softer wheels, between 75A and 78A, offer more grip, being optimal for those seeking stability and control in turns. They are perfect for carving and for those who ride on bumpy or unevenly paved surfaces.
The wheels with medium hardness, between 79A and 82A, represent the best compromise between grip and smoothness, proving suitable for mixed use.
Finally, the hardest wheels, ranging from 83A to 85A, provide greater smoothness and responsiveness.
This makes them particularly suitable for those who want to perform slides with greater ease or practice surfskate on smooth surfaces, such as skateparks or pumptrack.
Surfskate wheel finishing
. Another element to consider è the finish of the wheel. Smooth wheels, also known as stone ground, offer reduced grip from the first use, making it easier to perform slides and technical maneuvers. In contrast, glossy wheels, or virgin wheels, exhibit greater initial grip. However, with time and wear, these wheels also tend to lose some grip and become more slidey. The choice between these two types depends mainly on driving style and the need for more or less grip in turns and maneuvers.
Surface contact with the ground.
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The contact surface, also known as contact patch, è the area of the wheel that actually touches the ground while riding. This directly affects the stability and grip of the board.
Wheels with a narrow contact patch, generally between 30 mm and 40 mm, offer less friction, making it easier to perform slides and technical maneuvers.
In contrast, wheels with a wider contact surface, ranging between 45 mm and 60 mm, provide more grip and control in turns, making them perfect for those seeking stability and wanting to tackle descents or trails with many turns.
Concave RoundHouse Wheels
Carver has expanded the choice of wheels by creating a line of all-purpose wheels, forò it continues to offer for most of its skateboards, concave wheels, with moreù precision the Roundhouse Concave 69mm 78A. The main feature of these wheels è the innovative concave profile, these wheels increase the contact surface with the ground during turns, offering more grip without compromising the smoothnessà of the ride. The soft 78A compound ensures a smooth ride on uneven surfaces. The main flaw è in park use, which tend to have a sucker effect with smooth pavement.
Wheel lip: chamfered vs. squared off
. The profile of the wheel lip directly affects grip and the way grip is released.
Beveled lip wheels: They have a rounded edge that allows a gradual release of grip, making them optimal for those who want to perform controlled slides. They are ideal for a smoother style and for those who prefer progressive turns without sudden grip.
Squared-lip wheels: They offer greater grip since the sharp edge maintains greater adherence to the surface. They are perfect for those looking for maximum stability in tight turns and deep wheelways.
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The choice between these two types depends on the riding style: those who like aggressive carving and want maximum grip will optà for square-lip wheels, while those who want more fluidityà in movements and greater easeà in slides will choose; blunt-lip wheels.
Which wheels to choose according to driving style?
The choice of wheels depends a lot on your riding style and the type of experience you want to achieve. For those who enjoy carving and cruising, the most suitable wheels are those with a large diameter, between 68 mm and 75 mm, with a low hardness between 75A and 78A and a wide contact surface, so as to ensure more grip and stability.
On the other hand, those who use surfskates to tackle pumptracks and bowls will find more benefit with medium-sized wheels, between 66 mm and 70 mm, with a medium hardness between 78A and 82A, which offer the perfect balance of grip and smoothness. Finally, for slide and freeride enthusiasts, the best choice falls on wheels with a higher hardness, between 80A and 85A, with a narrow contact surface and stone ground finish, which allow you to perform slides with ease.
Conclusion
Choosing the right wheels for your surfskate è a key step in improving your performance and getting the most out of your board. Every parameter, from diameter to hardness, from finish to contact surface, has a major influence on riding feel and ability to perform maneuvers. Analyzing your riding style and the surfaces on which you surfskate will help you find the perfect setup, ensuring a smooth, safe, and fun experience.
