With all the hype on longboard wheels and skateboard wheels, aren't they just a piece of rubber or plastic, you may ask "does it matter if I just get a knock of brand and save some money?" That of course is always an option, but keep in mind that your longboard wheels go through a lot, they are what take the initial brunt of all the bumps, cracks, and rough surfaces you ride over. Just imagine your hand getting road rash from falling on that hill you were bombing the other day.....your longboard wheels have to deal with that non-stop, not to mention what they go through if you are doing any power slides. Though they may cost a little more up front, the better known wheel manufactures make a more quality product that will last you a lot longer than the cheap ones and save you quite a bit in the long run. Not to mention the difference in performance that you will notice. Your longboard wheels are an integral part of your ride and you should seriously consider and look into which wheels will be best for you. Skimping on them could cause you to have to replace them much sooner than is needful.

However, duration is only a small part of it, you need to also keep in mind that your longboard wheels greatly affect the performance of your board, bigger wheels make your longboard faster and give your ride more grip. Smaller wheels will weigh less and depending on the riding you do, they may be better for your riding style. Generally speaking smaller wheels are better for doing typical skateboard tricks, ie ollies, flip tricks etc because they are lighter. Also keep in mind that the hardness of your wheel will also make a huge difference in how your board rides. The softer the wheel the more grip it has (the softest wheel rating is 75a) but the harder it is to slide. The harder wheels give you less grip which makes them great for doing power slides. Be sure you get longboard wheels that fit your needs and riding style. If you don't you may very well regret it. Though it seems like such a small thing, it can greatly affect the way your board handles and the overall feel of your ride. A great brand of longboard wheels and an industry wide known brand as well is Abec 11.

All that said, there are a lot of options out there that you can go with, make sure to study out what your personal riding style is, what is important to you in a longboard wheel, whether you are looking for a lighter weight, smaller wheel or a bigger, faster wheel and don't forget to also consider whether or not you are looking for a soft wheel to give you lots of grip or if you are just looking to power slide your way around everywhere and you prefer a harder wheel, then get out there and start riding!

Keywords: longboard wheel, longboard wheels, longboard skateboard wheels, longboarding, longboard, longboards

About the Author
Ragan Lybbert,
support@ridingcloud9.com
Learn more about longboard wheels longboard wheel
A lifelong board rider and longtime longboarder. Also a business owner and huge proponent for the sport in local area, those at ridingcloud9.com are a huge asset to the longboard industry.

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