No matter what board you are riding or how good you are, all skaters agree that the right set of street skate wheels will make your skateboard run better.
Skateboarding has always been an exciting sport for kids and teens to engage in. It is cheaper than joining the gym, and you get to build up your body muscles while having fun at it.
But with so many skateboard wheels available on the market today, it can be somewhat of a challenge for one to decide which wheel will work best for their own personal skateboarding stunts.
1. Spitfire Bighead Wheels
The Bighead Skateboard Wheels by Spitfire are made with a super high rebound formula. The wheels sit securely to the skateboard with two cylindrical non-concave ABEC 7 rated bearings that are able to withstand rough rides, giving the rider a powerful roll.
Spitfire claims that Bighead Skateboard Wheels are perfect for tearing up bowls and street spots. The Spitfire Bighead Skateboard Wheels are a great all-around wheel for those who want to skate any type of terrain from the street, ditches, parks and bowls.
Since they have a larger surface area than standard wheels these can be used as cruising/carving or freeride/downhill depending on the board you have. The Bighead’s feature a round profile so they can be used as either a freeride wheel or as a freestyle wheel.
They come in three different durometers: 78a, 83a, and 86a each with the lowest amount of roll away for grinding tricks and more control at high speeds. They’re also available in various colors so you can mix and match different colors to your board.
The Bighead Skateboard Wheels come pre-packaged with two bearings and a standard 1/8″ hexagon key to tighten or loosen the axles.
The Spitfire Bighead Skateboard Wheels are well worth it for any skater who wants something that will handle anything they throw at them. The Bigheads are sure to be a favorite in your quiver for years to come.
2. Powell Peralta G-Bones
The Powell Peralta G-Bones are some pretty decent wheels, especially since they’re on the affordable side. That does not mean that you should expect anything less than amazing performance out of these wheels though!
These wheels will slide easily and they don’t break down as quickly as other wheels might. These can be used for cruising. You won’t have a problem with speed on these, even though it might be slower than other wheels.
In terms of maneuverability, these will never fail you! These wheels are great for beginners since they’re so easy to control and handle.
These wheels are great for using on a variety of terrains too. Don’t shy away from the sidewalk or the street with this product! You can even use it indoors, depending on your preference and what you’re comfortable with.
3. Orangatang Stimulus Freeride
Wanna feel some serious speed? Orangatang Stimulus 70mm 80a Freeride Skateboard Wheels are the premier choice for downhill skateboarding.
This wheel is designed with a new urethane recipe that allows for increased rebound and buttery slides. These wheels are great for high-speed cruising, carving, and long-distance pushing.
At 70mm, this wheel is a versatile longboard wheel that can adapt to any rider’s needs. If you are just starting out skateboarding, then these wheels are perfect for cruising around the neighborhood or campus. However, Even more advanced riders will also find these wheels great for downhill routes!
With it’s larger contact patch, this wheel gains more traction on turns and slides. Two rows of offset, angled lips on the sides of the wheel result in a release similar to that of smaller wheels while maintaining grip through corners.
To top it all off, this Freeride Skateboard Wheels comes with some serious speed. These wheels are compatible with any longboard or cruiser board. Plus, these wheels are backed by Orangatang’s one-year warranty against defects.
With all of this in mind, are you looking to complement your street skating with some serious downhill? If so then Orangatang Stimulus 70mm Freeride Skateboard Wheels are the perfect choice for you!
4. Spitfire Classic Series Wheel
The Spitfire Classic Series Skateboard Wheel is a very high-quality piece of equipment. Whether you are new to skateboarding or you have been skating for years, the design and technology that goes into these wheels make them worth trying out.
The first thing you will notice about this wheel is how aesthetically pleasing it is. The design is very distinct, and it really looks great without being too flashy.
This wheel comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 55 millimeters all the way to 67 millimeters. This makes it easy to find a wheel that will fit your skateboard. The wheels are made from high rebound urethane with a medium hardness rating which gives them a very good grip.
5. Powell Peralta Rat Bones
One of the most popular skateboarding wheels from Powell Peralta is Rat Bones. It is a re-issue model from their original design from the 1970s. Most of the skateboarders consider using it because of its long-lasting features and great tradition.
The Rat Bones wheel from Powell Peralta is a very comfortable and best skateboard wheels for street skating. It has a smooth roll and feels that makes it an ideal wheel for small grinds or style-specific skating.
If you’re into going fast, then this would not be the right choice of a wheel but if you want a smooth-rolling, wide wheel with some grip, then check them out!
This is a great beginner wheel for street skateboarding, not too slippery or grippy, the Rat Bones have a smooth roll, are wide enough to use for freestyle tricks, but are also narrow enough to keep your speed down.
Not the best speed wheels out there, so they’re not ideal for downhill or racing applications. Whether you want something smooth and easy-rolling for street skating or a little durability mixed in with the leisurely feel of cruising around, these wheels will be a good choice.
6. Ricta Wheels Clouds 92a
The Ricta Clouds are the best street skate wheels. These skateboard wheels offer a smooth ride with cloud-like softness. These wheels are designed for street and park skating, so keep them under 50 mph.
The 92a durometer makes this wheel the softest Ricta has ever created, making it easier to break traction and slide sideways or tack sharp turns at higher speeds. This will give you an unmatched smooth ride that is not found with any other wheel brand.
The Clouds are the softer cousin of the Sectors, which are meant for pushing and commuting distances, while still being perfectly capable of carving up your local park. The Sectors have a speed limit of 40 mph due to their harder duro, while the Clouds have a speed limit of 50 mph for their softer duro.
These wheels will come in either white or orange and should be easy to spot on your local streets, park, or favorite skatepark. Once you try these Ricta Wheels you’ll never go back to any other brand!
7. Cal 7 52mm Skateboard Wheels.
Cal 7 52mm Skateboard Wheels are designed for skateboarders looking to ride fast. They measure 52 millimeters in diameter and 101A in hardness, which work together with the 608 Precision Bearing included allowing riders to roll around very quickly on their boards. These wheels are sold as a set of four.
Some potential use cases for Cal 7 52mm Skateboard Wheels are cruising down city streets, getting around campus, or skating ramps and pools.
These wheels are very durable and can handle riding over sharp rocks, pebbles, and other obstacles at high speeds with no trouble whatsoever. They also allow smooth carving and can enable the rider to steer with very precise control.
The 608 Precision Bearings included in the set of four skateboard wheels fit snugly into the wheel and do not slip out, even when riding over rough terrain.
The size and hardness of the wheels make it very easy to accelerate. In comparison with other wheels of the same size.
Sizes Of Skateboard Wheels
The first thing you got to know about skateboard wheels is that it comes in different shapes, sizes, and types.
Full-Size
This type of wheel is perfect for those who are looking for a smoother ride on their board. It is very similar to the wheels of a car, which makes it an excellent choice if you prefer speed skating.
Small-Size
The smaller type of wheel comes with almost all skateboards today. They are made lightweight so as to ensure faster movement and higher speeds during use.
Mid-Size
The middle-sized wheel is also lightweight like the speed type, but it has much smaller bearings.
Does Size Matters Of Skateboard Wheels For Street Skating?
Skateboarders understand that size matters, even to skateboard wheels. The diameter of a wheel must correspond with the width of your board and it must be neither too big nor too small for your skateboard type.
For instance, if you have a cruiser-type custom cruiser, then a 38-mm diameter wheel is perfect. But if you are using a 7.75-inch wide board, your best option will be to get wheels that are 51 mm in diameter.
When it comes to width, the larger the number of millimeters, the wider the wheel. So for instance, 88A or 101A wheels are wider than 78A. Bearings And Hubs: The material used to create the wheel dictates how fast or slow it will rotate, its durability, and the noise that comes with every push.
For instance, composite bearings are usually made of ceramic balls, nylon cages, and stainless-steel races. But they can get worn out easily so you need to opt for a quality skateboard wheel that comes with a lifetime warranty.
If you are willing to buy bearings for your skateboard have a look at our latest post, Best Bearings For Longboards and Skateboards.
Closing Thoughts
These are just some of the best options when it comes to skateboard wheels for street skating. They all offer great quality and can be used in various ways, depending on your preferences. So no matter what type of skateboarding experience you’re looking for, these options will provide nothing but the best.
Check out our article on Some top-rated skateboard complete sets to use for cruising around town. And if you need something for street skating, check out our article on the Best Skateboard Brands.
