When to replace wheels?

[anklebuster]

At how many millimetres do you normally replace your wheels? Does smaller size start to affect your performance? lock-in, etc?

[Made In China]

This is an interesting question, and I've always wondered about how others stand on it. I personally will skate wheels until they look distinctly smaller. Usually like 90s wheel small, where they looks almost comical.

[manysnakes]

At how many millimetres do you normally replace your wheels? Does smaller size start to affect your performance? lock-in, etc?

I actually measure with my calipers. When my 54mm wheels get to the 51mm range, I pop them off and leave them at the park for one of the "bearing condom" kids.

[TastyBurrito]

When the graphic rubs off.

[onkalo]

when they stop locking in nicely or get too bad flatspots

[twic3]

When I feel like my bearings are going bad. I dislike putting new bearings into old wheels.

[DaSk8D00D]

tiny wheel ass niggas out here like

[iw0]

When the graphic rubs off.

probably a bad idea for the nfg gang to adhere to

[big_kev_215]

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When the graphic rubs off.

[close]

probably a bad idea for the nfg gang to adhere to

Lol gotta replace them as you’re putting them on your trucks for the first time

[Mantracker]

When they get under 50mm or flatspot

or when you get new wheels

[Urtripping]

when you get new wheels

[Frank and Fred]

I'll ride 58s on my transition set up until they are about 55 and then set them up on a street set up until they are about 50mm, unless they wear unevenly or to different size wheels or flatspots/ chunks.

[Mbrimson88]

I'll ride 58s on my transition set up until they are about 55 and then set them up on a street set up until they are about 50mm, unless they wear unevenly or to different size wheels or flatspots/ chunks.

Same.

That works so well.

Bigger wheels on a "just go fast" board and when they wear down they go on the "curbs and tech" setup.

Obviously you can still skate any wheel on any type of terrain, but some days I just don't feel like doing much, so the bigger wheeled board is best for having fun doing laps round a park.


Also rotating wheels so they wear evenly can double the lifespan of a set of wheels, compared to people skating them down so much that they end up as a 48, 49, 52, 53 mix, going by back toe, back heel, front toe and front heel positions.

[Lou Strux]

Yup. What HE said. ^^^
Rotate yer tires for maximum riding pleasure, kids!

[JJ_Skates]

I skate 54mm Bones and Spits with risers.
I haven't measured but I'd say that I skate them until they're around 50mm or so.

I think rotating is underrated and could probably get my wheels to last longer if I start doing that.

If I ever start skating transition I'd probably do what the above poster does by hand me downing the his tranny wheels over the the tech setup.

[Frank and Fred]

Spitfire Classics wear really nicely when rotated and repositioned. I like the rate in which they get wider as they get smaller.

[goodatmeth]

Just measured a bunch of old wheels I stopped riding and most are around 48mm

[rocklobster]

I skate 54mm Bones and Spits with risers.
I haven't measured but I'd say that I skate them until they're around 50mm or so.

I think rotating is underrated and could probably get my wheels to last longer if I start doing that.

If I ever start skating transition I'd probably do what the above poster does by hand me downing the his tranny wheels over the the tech setup.

I started doing that on the bus ride home after noticing some coning, strange having the graphics face outwards.

[mvdbosch90]

I start at 54 or 53, and ride them until I feel like they hang up between street tiles too easily when I try stuff at lower speeds sometimes. Usually around 49mm

[switchfrontshuv]

street only - sweet spot is around 54 so buy 55-56 and skate till theyre 53 or 52 (down bad)

[Skatebeard]

I skate 51/50mm spitfires, usually replace them around 42-44mm as the lock-in starts to suck and they get a bit slow to roll away from stuff, and all the crust at my spots gets a bit too hazardous.

Love the feel and quick snap of skating small wheels though.

[fs1/2cab]

Spitfire Classics wear really nicely when rotated and repositioned. I like the rate in which they get wider as they get smaller.

Exactly this. I mostly get 54mm Classics, and they are pretty perfect for me when they are at 52mm. I measured my old wheels and I also retire them at ~ 48mm.

[JJ_Skates]

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I skate 54mm Bones and Spits with risers.
I haven't measured but I'd say that I skate them until they're around 50mm or so.

I think rotating is underrated and could probably get my wheels to last longer if I start doing that.

If I ever start skating transition I'd probably do what the above poster does by hand me downing the his tranny wheels over the the tech setup.

[close]

I started doing that on the bus ride home after noticing some coning, strange having the graphics face outwards.

I'm the same way mate, I don't really like advertising or the look of wheel graphics. That's the downside to rotating, it's weird having graphics out imo.

My only knock against spitfire is them not applying their tech to both sides of the wheels and not offering a "blank" option for us. 

[djoekr]

I sand the graphics off my Spitfires and rotate them heavily until they get down from 54 to about 42mm. I prefer to skate worn in gear so I'll rarely change them even when I got sets on ice.

[SneakySecrets]

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Expand Quote

I skate 54mm Bones and Spits with risers.
I haven't measured but I'd say that I skate them until they're around 50mm or so.

I think rotating is underrated and could probably get my wheels to last longer if I start doing that.

If I ever start skating transition I'd probably do what the above poster does by hand me downing the his tranny wheels over the the tech setup.

[close]

I started doing that on the bus ride home after noticing some coning, strange having the graphics face outwards.

[close]

I'm the same way mate, I don't really like advertising or the look of wheel graphics. That's the downside to rotating, it's weird having graphics out imo.

My only knock against spitfire is them not applying their tech to both sides of the wheels and not offering a "blank" option for us.

Little skate hack: just rub that graphic off with some grip scraps.

I love that NFG graphics are barely graphics so it makes the process a little easier.