Skateboard Wheels, Longboard , and Parts
Skateboarding has gone from a novelty to an international sensation in just a few short decades. Skate competitions draw millions of fans each year, and the numbers continue to grow. Nearly every kid in America has owned a skateboard at some point, and many continue to skate well into adulthood. This intense popularity has spawned innumerable companies that make skateboard wheels and other parts, and the fairly recent introduction of the longboard has only created additional business.
At Gr8wheels.com, we love skateboarding. From street and freestyle to longboarding, we are an Internet leader in providing information about skateboarding and skateboard parts to the public at large. The information we provide is meant to be as non-biased as possible, and we do not endorse any particular company or product line. If you’re interested in learning more about the world of skateboarding, then you’ve found the right website.
A typical skateboard is made up of a few basic components. The most obvious is the skateboard itself, most often referred to as the “deck”. Decks have evolved considerably since the sport was first introduced. Early boards were generally skinny and were made from either a simple plank of wood or a plastic. Experiments with other deck materials, such as foam, have been tried over the years, but nearly all of today’s boards are made from laminated, multi-layer plywood. Laminated plywood offers a unique combination of flexibility and toughness, both of which are essential to skateboarding.
Skateboard wheels are also essential components, without which a skateboard would be just a useless plank of wood. Wheels come in a variety of sizes and designs, each with its own unique characteristics. Choosing the “right” wheels will depend on the style of skating, as well as personal preference. When in doubt, consulting with a local skate shop can often help narrow down the possibilities.
For those that are interested in street, ramp, or freestyle skating, skateboard wheels should be smaller and harder. This type of wheel is the best way to keep control of the board because they help maintain slower speeds and their small size helps make tricks easier to perform. However, the size and degree of hardness is really a matter of opinion and often changes from skater to skater.
The introduction of the longboard has brought the larger, softer skateboard wheels back from the dead. During the 1970’s and into the 1980’s, most skateboards used this type of wheel, but as tricks became more complex these wheels were quickly replaced by the smaller variety. Longboards, on the other hand, are typically not designed for tricks, but are rather used for downhill rides or simply cruising around; as such they require wheels that are stable at high speeds. Softer wheels are also better suited for cruising because they more easily roll over small obstacles such as pebbles and cracks in the sidewalk instead of coming to an abrupt stop.
If you need any further information about skateboard wheels, parts, or longboards, please feel free to browse through the various links we have provided on this page.