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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: Wizard0f0dds on May 29, 2022, 08:32:52 PM
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I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
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I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
I think the answer to this question is more geographical than anything.
this poll is basically:
i live in california
i live in pacific northwest or east coast city
i hate it here
U.K.
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Obviously it all depends on what type of terrain you're skating, what style of skating you're doing, etc.
Midwest is crusty, so I don't have the luxery of a smaller wheel.
My favorite are 56mm, but I don't skate tech at all. That is basically my limit for size. It lets me skate in a nice sweet spot of 55-54mm with a bit wider of a surface too. Overall the wheel has a longer lifespan so its more economical. Especially for Bones wheels (which have thin riding patches compared to Spitfire), the V6 56mm are decently wider than the V6 54mm... The V6 54mm are slightly too thin for me.
I would say 54mm is a really healthy size for all types of skating and all terrain you'll find in the street. Enough size to get over things (crust, cracks, etc.) and maintain momentum, but they aren't monster truck wheels like 56mm+. They are a good starting point to wear down from to get the most lifespan out of the wheel.
I honestly feel like wheel WIDTH is something that isn't talked about enough. I feel it really has a huge effect on everything from turning to the general feel of the wheels. I feel like when I'm skating thin wheels that my board is on its tip-toes. However, Spitfire Radial Full were just a bit too big for me. Really felt like monster truck wheels in a way that was a bit too heavy and cumbersome.
I feel like the Bones V6 56mm are essentially my ideal wheel... though Spitfire Conical Full 54mm are nice too with a good balance of width. I think OG Classics in 56mm or 58mm would probably be awesome too, but I haven't gotten to ride those yet.
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It’s 54, even though I like 56 too!
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i live in toronto suburbs
52 super fat wide stfs or normal contact patch 54/56mm.
ive skated 58mm wide with no problem but was probably because i switched from indy to thunder.
dont neglect your bearings! ive run ~45mm with fresh quantums and didnt feel much speed loss, i like that quick acceleration for ledge skating anyways. throw downs then trick doesnt really test the glide of your wheel
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I live in Southern CA and have consistently bought Bones or Spits (last two years) in 53-55m for the last 8-10 years. Haven't gone below 53 since sometime before 2012 I believe. I bought one F4 Conical in 52 when I thought there was gonna be a wheel shortage/price hike because of Covid, but I've yet to set em up.
54mm is my preference and i like to get technical but skate transition, rougher ground, and just maintain speed better. Dainty sub 53mm just don't cut it!
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Used to be 54mm only for me. 99A F4 Conical Fulls preferably. I ran them down to 50mm until getting new ones. Now I sometimes go all the way up to 60mm depending on the board. Finland has mostly quite rough ground so skating from spot to spot can be a chore with even 58mm 99A Conical Fulls.
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East Berlin here. I am digging the 52mm Spitfire Regular Conicals. Wider contact patch matters more as the wheel size in my opinion.
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My Bones 100s 52s are down at 46mm now and still good, even great now the contact patch is wider. Switzerland has mostly nice pavement but on Saturday I wanted to skate a cobblestone obstacle. I even brought my crust set up with 52mm Spits but no luck. Maybe with soft 60 mms it would have worked.
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I used to always ride bigger wheels everywhere, but compared to most people my board was thought to be or always looked at as a transition based setup, even compared to some of the late 90s street dudes on bigger wheels, but that was the closest comparison to how I liked to ride bigger and wider wheels more so than small skinny wheels.
Nowdays I have three different category normal board setups:
1) Those with newer bigger 56 to 58 mm Classic or Classic Full shaped wheels, mainly for going faster on anything
2) The worn down a bit of those same wheels between 52 and 54 mm or some 54 mm or so Classics or Conical Full for all rounders
3) The very worn down Classics or Conical Full wheels usually around 50 mm with re shaped rounded sides for curbs and very small carpark stuff
It might seem redundant to always have a few boards in the car, but it definitely is nice to switch it up when needed, which is why I do that. Everything else on the boards is pretty much exactly the same, just the wheel size.
That works for me anyway.
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I really like 58 but i know that is a bit big for most people. no risers, on indys, trucks tightened only 1 thread. I live in a small town in Canada so its probably extra rough here. I think 54 is the best "all around size" but if you buy 56mm and wear them down to like 53-54 is even better
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54mm-56mm for me personally..
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For me I like to stay on 53mm f4 but I will do 52 or 54 depending on if I like the shape of the wheel. I don't skate street as often as I used to.
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i’ve been bouncing around different wheel sizes and shapes for the past year now. from what i’ve found, i do my “best,” skating on 52-54mm wheels in a more conical or side cut shape. right now i’m on 52mm conical fulls and they’re one of my recent favorites. i also really enjoyed 53mm radials and 54mm tablets
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I spent the past couple years jumping around between all different bigger, wider wheels - conical fulls, OG classics, radial fulls, Loophole v-cuts in 56 through 58 mm usually. More recently I threw on some 55 mm Spitfire Classics. After getting used to how visually shocking seeing more narrow wheels looks I can honestly say I'm loving them. I feel like they’re perfect for most things and will continue to get better worn down to 52-54mm.
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I like flipping around but the east european streets are sometime quite rough so i start at 54 (classical shape) and feel them best when beeing worn down to 52, coz the contact patch gets wider but they still have rounded edges.
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I'm a firm believer in big wheels. I've been on 60s for a while and, once you've tasted the feeling of gliding over a braille block, it's hard to back. I also enjoy the fact that, like Mbrimson said, everyone just assumes I'm a transition skater and I get a pass from the local cool kids half my age for only being able to kickflip.
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I mainly partake in park style and incessantly try to slow down…..52 it is!
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53 conical feels right to me
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54-56 for me, please.
I reckon that makes 55 my sweet spot?
I’m not too picky.
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'Park' Street
'Real' Street
Plaza 'Street'?
Crusty Street?
Personally 52-54 depending on terrain and I have no issues swapping out wheels for size/duro or shape based on what the session is going to be.
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Expand Quote
I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
this poll is basically:
i live in california
i live in pacific northwest or east coast city
i hate it here
U.K.
i dont know how to acknowledge to you that i found this funny. but this was funny as fuck
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54mm is my preference
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Fifty fucking three baby
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Expand Quote
I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
this poll is basically:
i live in california
i live in pacific northwest or east coast city
i hate it here
U.K.
Always runnin the conical full f4 i hate it here's
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Expand Quote
I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
this poll is basically:
i live in california
i live in pacific northwest or east coast city
i hate it here
U.K.
It makes me wonder what type of wheels Tom Knox skates. I don't know how he is so tech and quickfooted skating UK crust and bricks and coblestone.
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Tom Knox rides 53mm conical shaped SML 99a's.
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Like stated before it depends on where and what you skate. I prefer 53s for an all arounder(spits f4 99 classic shape) but I’ll ride 53-56 (same shape/duro) w/o much of an issue.
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I size them by my board width.
8” - 51/52 because it’s a tech board.
8.25” - 53/54 - all around
8.5” - 54/55 - all around, but bigger
8.75” and up - 55/56 - flip is not a priority
54 is most often skated
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Expand Quote
Expand Quote
I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
this poll is basically:
i live in california
i live in pacific northwest or east coast city
i hate it here
U.K.
glad you enjoyed my thorough analysis
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I size them by my board width.
8” - 51/52 because it’s a tech board.
8.25” - 53/54 - all around
8.5” - 54/55 - all around, but bigger
8.75” and up - 55/56 - flip is not a priority
54 is most often skated
This is the right answer. Plus 53 / 54mm wheels are far less popular than 52 / 55 / 56mm and are often on clearance.
Been leaning more towards 54mm these days, the bones cant handle the cracks in the road as well. 51mm wheels are fun for a pure tech / ledge setup, but they look ridiculous on a 8.25 deck.
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56mm classic shape or a 54 mm conical full/radial.
I think I prefer the 56mm classic, the rounded edges let me get away with not having to run risers, and I still get a bigger diameter wheel which helps with speed. I also like the rounded edges for locking into grinds as well, since it's a 56 you get a little more meat, but the roundness of it makes them easier to get in/out of grinds. The more narrow contact patch is nice for sliding around too.
If I can't get a 56mm classic, 54 Conicals/fulls and radials will do. But I don't feel as surfy since they're a bit harder to slide, I don't cary my speed as well, and I feel like the more aggressive edge on these wheels slows me down on grinds.
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For me it's 50-52mm and I live in an area thats fairly rough. I'm currently running og classics 52mm. Aesthetically speaking my dream setup has smallish wheels ~50mm, high trucks and a board that has a bit of magic carpet ride going on. I'm mostly considered not having wheelbite so it always baffles me how people do it going mach10 on those big balls
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58mm
philly has third world level streets
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For me it's 50-52mm and I live in an area thats fairly rough. I'm currently running og classics 52mm. Aesthetically speaking my dream setup has smallish wheels ~50mm, high trucks and a board that has a bit of magic carpet ride going on. I'm mostly considered not having wheelbite so it always baffles me how people do it going mach10 on those big balls
Tuning your truck tightness/bushing setup for your weight. I'm skating 56mm classics (maybe worn to 55, def no smaller than 54) on thunder team hollows, I only bite if i really mess up. i weigh 165, between 1-2 threads showing, stock thunder bushings/washers. I feel like most people run their trucks too loose these days. Harder bushings would benefit most adult sized skateboarders too. I strictly ran the hard indy bushings for years. My board turns fine, i deff dont have a super tight tic tac only setup.
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58mm
philly has third world level streets
Living on the east coast def influences my preference to a larger wheel.
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Expand Quote
I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
this poll is basically:
i live in california
i live in pacific northwest or east coast city
i hate it here
U.K.
So good.
What should my friend that lives in the Pacific Northwest ride?
I will eventually participate in the poll, but…I mean I skate 52 conical fulls in a parking lot for flatground (99% of my skating) and like em, but as soon as I venture out into the world/streets…I need more. So I want to say 52, but I know I need a bigger wheel. To illustrate how ridiculous I am with this I’ll close with listing the last 2 sets of wheels I’ve purchased: both f4 99s, 1 set of 51 mm classics, 1 set of 56 mm radial fulls
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54mm Conical fulls are my favorite wheels.
or 54mm-56mm classics.
If the shop is low on stock and I have to choose between a 53mm or a 56mm I will choose 56mm every time.
Just bought some 56mm NFG 95a Vs to try (primarily for a very rough and slippery spot in my neighborhood) so that could be new and interesting.
If I had a smooth skatepark near me I'd love to have a board set up with smaller wheels because it really does make the board lighter. But I don't, so I don't.
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I skate 52mm 99a Spitfire F4 Classics. The roads around my house are pretty crappy but they work well.
I’ve tried some 53mm conical shaped Powell wheels but they were 90a and way to soft and heavy.
That makes me want to ask you guys, what is more important the size or the durometer?
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That makes me want to ask you guys, what is more important the size or the durometer?
I’m no expert, but I notice a size difference much more than duro. Especially with f4’s, if someone switched the labeling on the 99 and 101, I probably wouldn’t even notice.
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That makes me want to ask you guys, what is more important the size or the durometer?
I’m no expert, but I notice a size difference much more than duro. Especially with f4’s, if someone switched the labeling on the 99 and 101, I probably wouldn’t even notice.
I hated on 101s…but after they wore in they are fine. At first I felt all of my bad dentals just rolling down the street, rn I prefer the 101s (for decent parking lots)
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Expand Quote
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I'd like to know what you guys think is the best size of wheels for street. Feel free to comment on shape, and why you think that.
Been messing around with different wheels lately, and while overall I think 54mm classics is probably my sweet spot, I prefer my 54mm OG Classics on rougher ground and 52mm classics for techy skating and flatground.
this poll is basically:
i live in california
i live in pacific northwest or east coast city
i hate it here
U.K.
So good.
What should my friend that lives in the Pacific Northwest ride?
I will eventually participate in the poll, but…I mean I skate 52 conical fulls in a parking lot for flatground (99% of my skating) and like em, but as soon as I venture out into the world/streets…I need more. So I want to say 52, but I know I need a bigger wheel. To illustrate how ridiculous I am with this I’ll close with listing the last 2 sets of wheels I’ve purchased: both f4 99s, 1 set of 51 mm classics, 1 set of 56 mm radial fulls
basically everyone i know rides 53/54, and you see a lot of 56 but it’s vancouver so i think we are doing a bit better roadwise than older places like portland
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I skate 52mm 99a Spitfire F4 Classics. The roads around my house are pretty crappy but they work well.
I’ve tried some 53mm conical shaped Powell wheels but they were 90a and way to soft and heavy.
That makes me want to ask you guys, what is more important the size or the durometer?
I’d say 1st durometer, 2nd contact patch width, 3rd wheel diameter. That’s not to say wheel diameter isn’t important as it is but durometer IMO is more important.
97A 54mm Conical Fulls roll better on rough asphalt than 99A 58mm Conical Fulls which are obviously bigger but also have a much wider contact patch. Wearing wheels down, the contact patch widens while the diameter decreases. I feel like this helps the wheels still roll relatively smooth.
101A F4s are too hard for me. I also prefer the slide on 99As and 97As. It feels like it takes equal amount of force to the the 101A & 99A to slide but when they’re sliding the 101A is a bit too slippery/icy for me while the 99A is easier to control. The 97A slide really good too IMO.
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54mm radial formula four 99a in the UK. Good shape for ledges but start off with a wider contact patch like a worn down classic. It's on the edge of making your board too high for flips
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East Berlin here. I am digging the 52mm Spitfire Regular Conicals. Wider contact patch matters more as the wheel size in my opinion.
This is what I'm rolling as well and I'm liking them a lot. Doesn't look as silly as the conical fulls in my opinion. I'm still on the lookout for a 52/53mm radial, but until then i'll stay on the conicals.
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I’d say 1st durometer, 2nd contact patch width, 3rd wheel diameter. That’s not to say wheel diameter isn’t important as it is but durometer IMO is more important.
I agree with this pecking order entirely.
With the important caveat that the polyurethane formula is constant. 99a Bones feel waaaaaaay different than 99a Spitfire. And with these new Bones/Powell wheels coming out, you essentially have to add +5 or +6 to the durometer to get an accurate sense of the hardness.
0. Forumula
1. Durometer
2. Contact Patch
3. Diameter
Though diameter can make a huge difference for things like grinds and anything involving coping, I think this list works for general wheel feel.
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Any tips on skating mostly cobblestone flat (with noticeable spaces in between)? Seems like something like 97 - 99 conical full would be the best. But once I tried some A-cut mini logos, maybe even 101a and they felt amazing, so I'm quite confused.
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Any tips on skating mostly cobblestone flat (with noticeable spaces in between)? Seems like something like 97 - 99 conical full would be the best. But once I tried some A-cut mini logos, maybe even 101a and they felt amazing, so I'm quite confused.
Interesting. Were those wider wheels than the other wheels you have tried there? Was the diameter larger as well?
I would say for something like that, Diameter DOES become more important. Think of it in the extremes... extremely large wheels (like a car wheel) don't even notice the cobblestone spaces, while a comically small skateboard wheel might be able to fit in between the spaces entirely.
Similar applies for wheel contact patch width... if your wheels aren't wide enough for those spaces, it could really mess up your roll.
Durometers change from formula to formula. I know a Bones STF 99a would handle that better than a Spitfire F4 99a (I am NOT recommending Bones STF 99a, their slide is terrible) as I noticed it really bounces up cracks very well. But I've never skated a minilogo wheel.
I feel like a shill at this point, but seriously, anyone who is dealing with any sort of terrain issue that is giving them wheel problems should just grab the Powell/Bones SSF 93a when it comes out. Feels like a 98 or 99, but deals with every single form of shitty ground I have thrown at them.
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Any tips on skating mostly cobblestone flat (with noticeable spaces in between)? Seems like something like 97 - 99 conical full would be the best. But once I tried some A-cut mini logos, maybe even 101a and they felt amazing, so I'm quite confused.
Interesting. Were those wider wheels than the other wheels you have tried there? Was the diameter larger as well?
I would say for something like that, Diameter DOES become more important. Think of it in the extremes... extremely large wheels (like a car wheel) don't even notice the cobblestone spaces, while a comically small skateboard wheel might be able to fit in between the spaces entirely.
Similar applies for wheel contact patch width... if your wheels aren't wide enough for those spaces, it could really mess up your roll.
Durometers change from formula to formula. I know a Bones STF 99a would handle that better than a Spitfire F4 99a (I am NOT recommending Bones STF 99a, their slide is terrible) as I noticed it really bounces up cracks very well. But I've never skated a minilogo wheel.
I feel like a shill at this point, but seriously, anyone who is dealing with any sort of terrain issue that is giving them wheel problems should just grab the Powell/Bones SSF 93a when it comes out. Feels like a 98 or 99, but deals with every single form of shitty ground I have thrown at them.
I’m interested based on your reviews.
What’s the widest 52 wheel? I’d like to skate my thunder 147s, but need a wheel that is small, but capable of handling some less than Cali spots
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Any tips on skating mostly cobblestone flat (with noticeable spaces in between)? Seems like something like 97 - 99 conical full would be the best. But once I tried some A-cut mini logos, maybe even 101a and they felt amazing, so I'm quite confused.
Interesting. Were those wider wheels than the other wheels you have tried there? Was the diameter larger as well?
I would say for something like that, Diameter DOES become more important. Think of it in the extremes... extremely large wheels (like a car wheel) don't even notice the cobblestone spaces, while a comically small skateboard wheel might be able to fit in between the spaces entirely.
Similar applies for wheel contact patch width... if your wheels aren't wide enough for those spaces, it could really mess up your roll.
Durometers change from formula to formula. I know a Bones STF 99a would handle that better than a Spitfire F4 99a (I am NOT recommending Bones STF 99a, their slide is terrible) as I noticed it really bounces up cracks very well. But I've never skated a minilogo wheel.
I feel like a shill at this point, but seriously, anyone who is dealing with any sort of terrain issue that is giving them wheel problems should just grab the Powell/Bones SSF 93a when it comes out. Feels like a 98 or 99, but deals with every single form of shitty ground I have thrown at them.
I’m interested based on your reviews.
What’s the widest 52 wheel? I’d like to skate my thunder 147s, but need a wheel that is small, but capable of handling some less than Cali spots
Spitfire makes wheels with wide contact patches, so I would start there. Looks like Conical Full is your best bet. I haven't found 99a tackle bad terrain they best, but if you don't mind a slightly bouncy/muted wheel with a bad slide, the F4 97a tackle stuff like a champ.
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Man but the classic formula in 99a feels good on the rough stuff. I don’t even want to try 97a.
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id say it depends on how big the rest of your setup is
52 and below has personally been perfect for skating 8.75+
tried skating 58s with the same setup and its just too beast
but it would give me a familiar flip speed paired with an 8.38