How to Choose Longboard Wheels | Tactics

With hundreds of options, its difficult to figure out how to choose longboard wheels. Diameter? Durometer? Lips? Formula? Cores? Contact patch? To help you sift through all the technology, this video explains everything you need to know about the size, shape, and hardness of longboard wheels. Whether you're bombing mountain passes, learning to slide, or just skating to class we'll help you find the perfect set for you. Still need help? Drop a comment in the box below and we'll answer your questions ASAP!
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[@Jeremy1Julia]

Nah, Nah For real. Coming from someone who only uses youtube for tutorials, this is fantastic. He taught me all the vocabulary and terminology i needed to know so that i can achieve my goal. From lip to contact patch thank you very much for the well though out and articulated video.

[@KandiKlover]

Yeah. I'm gonna go grab some 100mm wheels.

[@PRINCESS16FUN]

Facts

[@rck1d526]

@@KandiKlover just got myself this morning broke my leg while hill bombing

[@jaredlarkin5775]

This video was so excellent, gave me everything I wanted to know about choosing wheels and only ten minutes long as well.

[@MrThomaskirchner]

Another fantastic informative video. I wish I'd found you guys about a month ago when I started messing around with this stuff!

[@timboslice8194]

Ross, outstanding job! Thanks!

[@jeremiahwilson1781]

best longboard wheels in my experience are Rainskates Orange or Pink Tsunamis and These by Powell / Skate1.

[@piranhajon]

I have a 8 inch popsicle shape board that I want to ride with cruiser wheels around 60 mm and about 45 mm in width. Would I buy trucks that are slightly shorter than the width of the deck to accommodate the wider wheel so it doesn't stick out from the edge? Thanks for the awesome videos!

[@codacat6821]

What if you want to go fast with minimal push

[@atix6903]

I love going downhill but I like to slide as well any wheel recommendations? ?

[@titangaming2805]

do all trucks and wheels match together

[@symonedmead1067]

Yeah

[@ayushdutta3774]

i am using a skateboard deck but i want to use longboard wheels to go down hills and rough patches what size wheels should i get

[@quinntadevich3813]

Hey, I have a sector 9 mini shocka and I pretty much only use it for cruising around town. I'm not into sliding at all. Which wheel would I use if I want to go faster in town but not slide

[@JCDogpain]

Cool...

[@patrickmcdaniel7152]

What kind of wheels were the yellow ones

[@loganjacobsen7978]

Sector 9 race formula wheels.

[@paolochilardi8672]

you are super wheel teacher!! cheers mate! finally i have very clear about the wheel skills

[@gringss]

dude right?

[@floriscolijn3339]

This ^

[@trestinplant207]

333 we e9e88 4 9338eeiae8ot584 poo q so Dr

[@rck1d526]

He owns several wheels company

[@BEEBEE159]

Awesome video. You do a great job explaining things. I learned a lot. Thank you...

[@jorgecardoso5863]

This is nuts. I'm a total beginner and knew nothing about wheels prior to this. In ten minutes you made me able to search specifically for what I want. Thanks a lot, its great to find happy and kind communities like this

[@ethansimpson4606]

same dude im still trying to learn to slide. realized my board has the sharp edged wheels and not the rounded ones which has been holding me back the whole time lol

[@jorgecardoso5863]

@@ethansimpson4606 Aw man, mine doesn't even have the edges and its a pain to slide. Not even with a coleman I can properly make it

[@potatogamer1335]

6 years later and this is what I needed! Earned a sub!

[@nathanjensen1273]

what wheel do you recommend for beginners in sliding

[@sal123ps3]

Nathan Jensen butter balls

[@johnrobinbotten1824]

mini zombie hawgs

[@esk8spirit362]

ice balls

[@mrsandzmanz2068]

Meat balls

[@wtapL]

Cheese balls

[@minabumatay4936]

Thanks for taking your time explaining each wheel style. It really helped me figure it out to get started

[@mikeh7278]

looking for a good wheel for my Longboard STRICTLY for cruising, what wheel(s) would you recommend?

[@mr.jamster8414]

STRICTLY for cruising. Dude get real, are you that fucking against slides, hills, tricks?

[@ferret1252]

@@mr.jamster8414 its also posible that he uses it for transportation, and doesnt spend time to dedicate time to learning those skills

[@alexanderfranco5458]

@@mr.jamster8414 cant rlly downhill in my area lol

[@Jesteban-fu8qy]

@@mr.jamster8414 I mean, it is pretty hard to do anything on a longboard that isn't cruising

[@phillipschmidtpottery]

Any large soft wheel. Look for 70+ mm size and 76a-80a durometer. Honestly whatever's cheapest if you're just cruising, no need to spend the extra for specialized wheels.

[@BoarderBoys]

this makes me want to go grab my longboard!

[@Marizyth]

did you grab your longboard yet?

[@cronagunk]

@@Marizyth they're still looking to this day

[@jneff42]

All this information is golden. I was curious about turning a popsicle deck into a cruiser, and you answered that question numerous times in the comments. Thanks!

[@nazgul3]

Hey @Tactics Boardshop. It's still unclear which wheels I should get. I prefer using a short board (I think you call them park decks) to ollie this and kickflip that. However, going from point a to point b on campus can be loud (because of the hard wheels) and difficult (because of rough surfaces). What wheels can I use on my short board that'll keep things quiet, keep me jumping, and possibly provide room for a little powersliding here and there?

[@jacobwilson9099]

Most of the three miles to school is down hill thank you a simple Google search I can't find a straight answer from most forums on what size I should go and I've already broken my arm on my longboard rember to wear a helmet

[@guero317loko]

Hey man, I just started longboarding and I just want to cruise around town and where I live the pavement is a little rough and I just want to ride over it fast and quiet , what do you recommend?

[@nathanstation3783]

This is 3 years late but Shark Wheels are good for that

[@esk8spirit362]

That's what the video was about... Get the softest wheels you can get... 74a durometer

[@worlddestroyer20007]

Oh yeah yeah that was a bit aggressive bud

[@Toenailsyumyum]

Lol, bud

[@skankinwitch5180]

Love the detail you went into, perfect. subbed.

[@anroidanicver6783]

Just a fantastic detailed explanation. Really helping a beginner to learn to ride a dancing board with appropriate wheels.

[@menwithven2862]

9 years on and it’s still one of the best breakdowns of the basics

[@GameAndSpleep]

What wheels would you recommend for a street skateboards? I just wanna use some for cruising around to school. I have bones atf 56 mm but they're still pretty slow and the board shakes a lot when I come across little rocks

[@kriskiireonsitakschill1732]

Idk for me the 60mm shark sheels are great (sorry for being only 2 years late)

[@splurski]

Nathan is Drake mini super juice oj

[@AriGoldFishing9136]

ricta clouds

[@mr.jamster8414]

Globe 80a 60mm, best sliding wheels ive tried that arent total boats.

[@mr.jamster8414]

@@AriGoldFishing9136 the 78as feel like they would slide with hella speed, or if they were harder, so i would suggest 86a clouds, 57mm.

[@leonidassolomou4051]

Thanks for the info man! Very useful because I'm starting skateboarding again after 30 odd years!!! 😉

[@Thulgore]

I don't want to do tricks at all. I just want a mobility device around town. The town I live in does not have the cleanest streets, gravel etc. I want a board combo that gets me the best ride. (I obviously don't care about sliding) The video helps but I'm curious as to what you would advise. I'll probably figure this all out in the next hour if I pay attention. I'm lazy and that's what comments are. Lazy people or people who want to argue. =P

[@JogieGlenMait]

my brain just overheated with all those information. this man knows his stuff.

[@MatthewMurraycogswoth]

I want to be able to ride my cruiser downtown and coleman. There are some hills which makes you faster but no ridiculously high speeds and I want it to slide easier. What wheels should I get?

[@vtrouble76]

Thank you. Very informative.

[@AA-pu5qj]

What wheels for flat asphalt cruising and carving?

[@AriGoldFishing9136]

ricta clouds

[@cigareteking1882]

Your moms

[@teeej6350]

Will 78A Large wheels be fine for cruising and a little downhill?

[@k3nsive710]

1:14 is what I needed. Thanks dude

[@divakaransreekumaran5197]

which is better wheels for freestyle 78 a or 83 a ???

[@joelhuh268]

Divakaran Sreekumaran 83a

[@chunksthemonkey1]

Wow this was fantastic. Holy shit. Absolute high quality video, wonderful explanations!

[@JMLockpicking]

Wow...nice vid.

[@AedansOutdoors]

Where my Shark Wheels at???

[@kriskiireonsitakschill1732]

They are pretty great but i have only tried sector 9 nineballs and sharkwheels so i dont know about other wheels.Conclusion: I really like sharkwheels

[@wyattmiller1990]

Hey I am getting the sector 9 gauntlet with caliber 2 trucks and was wondering if blood orange wheels would be good for some downhill and mostly sliding

[@user-sd7qt3hy8l]

This is a great video! Thank you! Highly informative. I've been skateboarding for years, but I noticed that I'm not going as fast as I'd like to. Even with expensive bearings, I can't keep up with longboarders. Also, I have to push 10 times as much as a longboarder. So, I decided to get into longboarding lol. I want to GO FAST and carve!! I bought a Globe small longboard and the wheels that came on it are cambered , which is why it carves so damn nice. I love longboarding.

[@2nmingo]

man look at em go O.o

[@Thatguy-nh4by]

Green ones are just perfect for me😊

[@geronkincaid230]

Clorox Bleach I'm thirsty (and depressed). what do you think I should drink?

[@Glennquagmire1912]

those steamrollers are fucking intense

[@larissakensington6617]

I'm new to this and I'm planning to buy a longboard and I need your recommendation for wheels. I would like to cruise and slide around but time to time do tricks. What wheels do you recommend? And I've been riding penny boards

[@jonjoe138]

Zachary William Anderson get yourself a hybrid... Perfect board for you would be the Arbiter DK

[@debiasedchance4108]

I don't get it why you're sliding those wheels on a glass table instead of concrete/asphalt road

[@fitchyyboi]

lmfao this

[@nicolasbelanger489]

Nicely described ! It's hard to be clearer than this ! Thanks !

[@tomita1]

What type of Longboard wheels would you suggest for urban cruising? So a lot of on&off the board, dodging commuters and rough pavement, wanting speed and stability most of all.

[@Alvaro-em1dj]

Go for a landyachtz dinghy or a jucker hawaii woodie board Sorry for being 4 yrs late lol

[@kokoromo7445]

I have a really nice longboard but one of the wheels is broken. My plan is to get new wheels and give it to my friend as a present. They like to do small tricks and ride on the downtown road and sidewalk... what wheel do you recommend?

[@jakeshafer3157]

I have been skating for 30 years, you still cannot learn enough about wheels. I do have a set of Shark wheels on my big gun Ettinger, love those.

[@radekpulkrabek451]

This helped me a lot !! Thank you. Btw I see it is little bit out of date. Did anything change since that time ?

[@kjellroberts8069]

hey man, I've got a drifter downhill longboard (road ranger 41" drop down) and I'd like to learn how to slide, what wheels would you recommend

[@mr.jamster8414]

Not a longboarder, but i know globe 80a wheels are good. They make them 60mm (which fit on skateboards) and 70mm (which fit on longboards)

[@wrensmith6405]

I have a HUGE set that I use for my skateboard when I know I'm just cruising. SUCH a smooth ride, man.

[@jesusfavela765]

Do you guys have a review for the marshmallow wheels and are they good on a cruiser?

[@vansonmafeet734]

Great video, thanks. Getting back into skateboarding and decided to get a deck for cruising. Already purchased two sets of wheels, one set with a harder compound and one set with a softer compound so I can switch between the two depending on how I want to ride. Just waiting for warmer weather to hit the streets. Cheers!

[@wraystv3054]

Finally .... A guy who know what he's talking about... Plain and simple

[@jacopopodavini4681]

For someone who wants to basically cruise around and maybe downhill, would you raccomend a drop through longboard ? First time having a longbord Thank you so much

[@DieFetteMutter]

It would be lovely to see sliding with different durometers, but same wheel, so we can see the difference.

[@WillPoli]

Best video out there for sure!!👌👍

[@thehoundknight]

(I'm new to longbording & have a stock drop deck) I've carved on some great downhill bike paths but I've been wanting to commute around my hilly town. I was thinking I need 75mm or more wheels with just above 75a and a very wide contact patch because the roads here are far from smooth. But because of all these hills it's easy to pick up too much speed for me to foot break, there's also lots of cars so carving to slow down isn't always safe. That makes me want to get wheels for sliding & slide gloves to help lower my speed in the narrow roads and not fly into an intersection. What should I do?

[@GripAttack777]

If you had to estimate. How fast are you going when you're past the point of being able to safely footbrake?

[@esk8spirit362]

get an electric longboard...

[@viento99]

For carving bowls, sounds like a sharp-lip, nonslip wheels would be better for emulating snowboard carving, where it doesn't break traction. I'll try and find out

[@MEnergyM80]

I've been looking into getting a longboard mainly for cruising around town, on college campus, and down some mellow hills until i get better. I am 5'11" and 200 pounds, would the Moonshine County Line Firm Flex be a good deck for me? Also, what wheels (I want to learn how to slide), trucks, and bearings should i get? My girlfriend is also looking into getting a longboard, she is 5'4" and 110 pounds. We have no idea what to get for her. Recommendations?

[@jamesross-greetham1121]

Hi, I got a Sector9 Bert OG 47.75" pintail longboard, with Sector 9 longboard wheel Nineball 70mm - green 75a, which is great for downhills and cruising with hips of grip. But I have trouble to slide sideways in corner. Which kind of wheel will be the best for downhill and cruising, with the best sliding conditions ? Cheers.

[@Rezzapee]

Trying to find other wheels like those steamrollers you showed with the huge contact patch. Anybody have any suggestions?

[@juanpablofigueroa7610]

Hi man! I'm looking to build a mini cruiser(like a Penny Board) and I'm trying to figure out what wheels will fit best before I start building it.So... After looking at your videos, I realized that I would like to use the tallest, sharpest, softest wheels I can use, because in my country, the streets sxcks... The pavement is fxcked up, the streets are flooded with little things that can make you fall big time and I want to use my board to go literally ANYWHERE, in any surface... So, what wheels would you recommend for a penny board if I need them to be as sticky as possible? Thanks in advance!

[@maximusstorm1215]

"Now to figure out which shape..." *Definitely not me thinking about square wheels.*

[@ChristopherOSU]

I'm looking for the best CHEAP longbaord wheels. I tried Orangatang orange wheels, and like those, but a better value alternative - something as good, but lower priced so I'm not "paying for the name".

[@BUDBODELL]

PlEASE REVIEW the shark wheels explain how they work/ride with drop throughs. (Sctr9 mini lookout)

[@SHDANK]

Halfway through the video I just noticed my board on the wall the landyachts red board with the fox on it!! Sad they discontinued those..

[@BoarderBoys]

hey dude great video would 78a wheels all thane

[@simonf6996]

Which aré faster for pushing? Cósmic core 61CP 71mm or Steam rollers CP 70cp 73mm ?

[@TheGoldfox9111]

I love your videos! They're very helpful. :) even better that the teacher is hot lol. :p ;) Time to watch more lol.

[@testing8868]

Can anyone help me out? I'm just getting into long boarding and I was wondering what the best wheels are for me. I'm not looking to do any tricks, drifts, etc. just yet, I'm mainly just using it for transportation. In my area, the roads are kinda bumpy/rocky and I'm looking for wheels I can ride on those roads plus smooth roads. Hopefully someone can help me out D:

[@lobitz2011]

I am just starting out. Great videos very informative! I'm on a sector 9 nueve with beaver bloods. I can't break traction to slide. What other wheel options do you recommend?

[@theneighbor4209]

Currently I'm Using red wheels but I've been looking online at purple wheels and I'm considering them. Do you think I should start using purple wheels or just stick with red ones?

[@SithEnthusiast12]

K so my local shop were out of Arangatangs & Abecs but i still wanted to switch my arbor bogart (61mm) 78A) with something faster fyi i don't slide but i do like speed an cruising an i was going fast comfortably w/ those but i thought i'd be able to find something wider an well faster similar to abecs/oranga's but since they were out they recommended Powell peraltas (66mm 75A) snakes did i downgrade or updrade cuz i swear when i'm crusing w/ these powell peralta's i feel my crappy neiborhood road even more an my board sounds more radicky w/ these or is it just in my head cuz their new to me lol?

[@dakotarayl]

Hello, My wheels seem to be giving out. I'm looking for some new wheels but I don't know what to look into. I'm looking to do some cruising/carving and a little downhill. Any recommendations?

[@TheDenelnay]

If I don't want to stand up slide quite yet and I want to start learning with slide gloves for pendys and push-up slides (I think that's what they are called) then do I need slide wheels? Skiddles, butterballs and orangatangs are called "slide wheels" so would that be helpful? Or can I just use my soft 78a wheels.

[@goldmoon2156]

Hey, I'm a beginner with freeride and freestyle, and i was planning on getting Rad Glides 70mm 80a. Are these good wheels? do you recommend a different wheel?

[@brobro551]

Im a beginner and i just want to cruise around. So what would be the best wheel for me to get.

[@edgartovar2061]

I have a normal skateboard 8.25 I live in Arizona and in the area I live in, the roads are rough as hell (no sidewalks). I want my board to get to work. Is it possible to use my old trucks with cruiser wheels? or do I have to get new trucks? I'm very new to skateboarding

[@MementoMori._.]

Basically, I just want to ride around my neighbor hood, and not go fast at all on hills, what tires should I get?? Also any advice on cheapest but good longboards? Any help is great! Thanks!

[@Lily-ps6ph]

I have a 46" pintail and I'm just using it for cruising (getting from point A to B) I need to carve quite a bit as my town has a lot of curves etc. any wheel recommendations?

[@blxckghxst7840]

I have a longboard, but I actually want to try making a chodeboard. I have a deck thats 8/25 and I wanted to see what height the risers should be since I'm getting 60mm wheels.

[@TheTwistedTraceur]

i wonder if you still answer these, what would you recommend for a cruiser type board that want to start sliding to get around sharper corners? kinda tired for picking my board up so much , its a long cruiser

[@freddiehull9324]

hi again. i needed some more help with longboards. i would like some advice on buying one that would be good for cruising around town and going to the bus stop in the mornings. i only have £50 to spend but id you REALLY recomend one that is below £60 then that would be appreciated.

[@Elhamburitto]

I have a set of 55mm oj mini super juice, and my goodness they're perfect i don't even need riser pads on my board

[@ethanstv5108]

I want a grippy faster wheel probably 75-85 A but I still want to be able to slide so I can stop easier when I'm about to make a turn downhill I was considering getting slidding wheels and downhill grips so I can do both I need help |:

[@CrazyCM3007Magnus]

What are those yellow wheels called? Sorry I'm just getting into longboarding.

[@Shqueeb]

I wouldn't buy sector nine wheels. The 70mm rfw fell off the bearings while I was riding.

[@hunterlarrabee1582]

are there any offset, soft, round lipped wheels for beginners?

[@Alvaro-em1dj]

Yes there are

[@zlvoh301]

I really didn't really catch what you said about the rough pavement in using a regular skatepark deck with longboard trucks for a cruising board I have a skate park board and then a cruiser I tried the penny n longboard but I still feel the vibration and it slows down on my rough pavement what type of wheels should I get for my regular park deck with cruiser wheels for my rough pavement and I don't want to feel the vibration any specific names or idk please message back

[@zlvoh301]

Okay thanks so you think I should just put new wheels with the riders on my skatepark deck I think it's call like chodeboarding or something or should I just buy a deck that's made for it if so what kind that's a reasonable price

[@wmtucker1]

What's a good beginner wheel for free riding that won't wear too quickly and isn't super expensive

[@yammie_girl]

okay so this was very informative but for a beginner on a longboard and not really wanting to go TOO fast but fast enough to stay with the crew... im looking for wheels with good grip and that gives good speed... so if anyone can help a girl out... what type wheels would one suggest after watching a video like this one

[@aiyanahmed4194]

So I need wheels for everyday cruising kind like the ones on a penny board so which ones do you recommend and I'm taking a regular deck and putting cruiser wheels so what trucks should I use regular or longboard trucks

[@zaneirie147]

So I bought a switchblade 38 from landyatchz and I wanna learn how to slide what wheels do you think I should get

[@completelystupid87]

This is the deck that I wanna get www.tactics.com/landyachtz/drop-hammer-364-longboard-deck What trucks can I use to get the biggest and softest wheels?/? Please help me finish me setup. Thanks