When shopping for skateboard wheels, the hardness, also known as Durometer, has to be one of the most perplexing factors. There are so many alternatives, and if you choose wheels without fully knowing what the Durometer Scale means, your style may be compromised.
Skateboard wheel hardness is measured using the Shore Durometer scale, which ranges from 77A to 104A. The wheel is softer the lower it is on the scale. Smoother rides benefit greatly from softer wheels, but stunts do not. In skate parks and on city streets, hard wheels are utilized for complex tricks.
| Durometer ScaleSkateboard Wheel Purpose77A to 80AFor smooth and comfortable cruising81A to 83AMore focus on cruising, also work in dusty bowls85A to 90ACruising and tricks92A to 96AWheels for rough roads, tricks, and a smooth ride97A to 99AWheels for tricks with grip and park/bowl skating100A to 104ATechnical street and park skateboarding |
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Durometer for Skateboard Wheels Explained
Bones employs the B-scale, which is more realistic towards the end of the scale, whereas some manufacturers just use the name Duro (Spitfire wheels). One brand’s 99A, for instance, can feel different than another brand’s 99A.
Given that the A-scale only runs from 1 to 100, 100A may very well be much more difficult, and 104A doesn’t really make sense. This is one of the reasons Bones employs the B-scale, which is more precise at the higher end of the scale, on some wheels. Like the Bones Pro STF at 103A, they also employ the A-scale. Why are you making it so difficult for us, Bones?
If you find 84B wheels, you may double them by 20 to get 104A wheels. The toughest skateboard wheels available are these.
Skateboard wheels from 77A to 80A
These are in fact cruiser wheels, which are often much larger than typical skateboard wheels. They can manage stones and cracks without obstructing your wheels and bringing you to a quick stop.
A extremely gripping wheel with a buttery smooth ride is available at 77A. For people who just want to learn how to skateboard without performing any tricks, these wheels are excellent. Cons include how bouncy they feel when you ollie a curb, for instance.
Simple techniques are still possible but dangerous. On 77A wheels, beginners would find it challenging to master stunts. Another drawback is that, in comparison to tougher wheels, they chuck and wear out more quickly.
Choose a wheel in the 85A to 92A range if you want a cruiser/trick configuration. Tricks will still feel springy, but at least the ride will be comfortable.
Skateboard Wheels from 85A to 90A
used often on slick asphalt and uneven roads. A wheel can withstand tougher conditions while still being closer to a cruiser wheel at 85A. They operate slowly on smooth concrete and are less ideal for skate parks. They provide a lot of traction yet are difficult to slide on.
Skateboard wheels from 92A to 96A
Beginners should choose 90A wheels since they are tough enough to do simple feats on uneven terrain. They also provide a smooth ride, allowing you to concentrate on keeping your balance rather than being all over the place.
Get tougher wheels as soon as you feel confident riding and want to learn tricks.
On rough surface, wheels with this durometer function admirably, although they are less suited for cruising. The ride will be lot smoother at 92A than it would be around 96A. If your neighborhood skate park has numerous cracks and uneven surfaces, use these kind of wheels. Dealing with worn concrete will be simpler if you use wheels with a Duro of 92A to 96A.
They still have good traction and are suitable for bowl skating. They provide additional resistance, so you’ll need to pump a little harder. Particularly at the lower end of the spectrum, these wheels are challenging to slide.
97A Skateboard Wheels
A relatively common wheel that performs well on asphalt or in slick bowls. They are slower than tougher wheels, yet a little challenging to slide (but not impossible), and provide a solid, secure grip.
Personally, I use them in my neighborhood’s indoor bowl. It is constructed of wood and frequently has dust on it. The gap between 97A and 100A was significant. I’m able to avoid slipping when I don’t want to because of the added grip.
Skateboard Wheels 99A
The wheels of 99A skateboards aren’t all the same. Different brands are more or less similar to 99A. The measurement becomes less precise as we get closer to the end of the Durometer A-scale. A 99A wheel may very well be a 99A or a 100A wheel, depending on the formula utilized. Bones and Spitfire are the manufacturers of 99A wheels that are the most exact.
Both novice and expert skaters should use 99A wheels. They nevertheless deliver a lot of speed even if they are not as quick as 104A wheels. Since you have a little more grip, slipping isn’t too difficult. 99A is a good option if you’re unsure and want a wheel for tricks.
100A to 104A (84B) Skateboard Wheels
A relatively common wheel that performs well on asphalt or in slick bowls. They are slower than tougher wheels, yet a little challenging to slide (but not impossible), and provide a solid, secure grip.
Personally, I use them in my neighborhood’s indoor bowl. It is constructed of wood and frequently has dust on it. The gap between 97A and 100A was significant. I’m able to avoid slipping when I don’t want to because of the added grip.
Skateboard Wheels 99A
The wheels of 99A skateboards aren’t all the same. Different brands are more or less similar to 99A. The measurement becomes less precise as we get closer to the end of the Durometer A-scale. A 99A wheel may very well be a 99A or a 100A wheel, depending on the formula utilized. Bones and Spitfire are the manufacturers of 99A wheels that are the most exact.
Both novice and expert skaters should use 99A wheels. They nevertheless deliver a lot of speed even if they are not as quick as 104A wheels. Since you have a little more grip, slipping isn’t too difficult. 99A is a good option if you’re unsure and want a wheel for tricks.
Hard skateboard wheels range from 100A to 104A (84B).
The Durometer A-scale has come to an end, but instead of using scientific data, we’ll merely make up figures for commercial purposes.
The Durometer A-scale’s hardest wheels, designated 100A, are excellent for difficult maneuvers. Because they don’t bounce much, landing tricks is easier. Additionally swift, especially on concrete, are these wheels.
As a result of their reduced grip, they make it simpler to slide or adjust your board when your landing is only a little bit incorrect.
More of the same, although 101A is quicker and has less traction. 103A and 104A are the hardest wheels you can buy.
B-scale durometer
There aren’t many brands that employ the B-scale, as we briefly discussed. Bones is the most well-known brand. For its SPF Pro wheels, Bones also makes use of the Durometer B-scale. They also use the A-scale for other wheels, so I’m not sure why this is the case.
They are merely really hard and quick, and the B-scale provides a more precise evaluation of harsher skateboard wheels. Simply add 20 or remove 20 to convert Durometer A wheels to Durometer B wheels, or vice versa.
| Duromater A-scale | Durometer B-scale |
|---|---|
| 100A | 80B |
| 101A | 81B |
| 102A | 82B |
| 104A | 84B |
Pretty simple and simple to memorize. We’ll examine the benefits and drawbacks of using hard vs. soft skateboard wheels and when to utilize either.
Why Softer Skateboard Wheels Are Better
For a secure and comfortable ride, soft wheels are excellent. They can manage whatever little thing they come upon, even stones and twigs. When you strike them, they occasionally even just throw little rocks at you. On cruisers and longboards, softer wheels are frequently utilized, but seldom on skateboards.
You need a soft skateboard if you just wish to ride larger distances. Additionally, size matters. You can cover more ground with a larger wheel. Find out more about the significance of skateboard wheel size.
Softer skateboard wheels’ drawbacks
Because they rebound, softer wheels are worse for stunts. Imagine that when practicing a kickflip, your board falls a little shakily. You might not be able to catch the board with your feet because it will bounce back up. Typically, this leads to a fall, a primo landing, or an ankle roll.
Harder wheels are more reliable than softer wheels. The biggest issue is chunking, even though it will take some time before you need to replace them. There is a considerable probability that pieces may break off if you plan to conduct several slides.
Why Harder Skateboard Wheels Are Better
Skateboarders who wish to master complex tricks should use hard skateboard wheels. They make landing stunts more simpler and can withstand a lot of damage (depending on the brand).
In contrast to softer wheels, higher-quality hard wheels won’t flat spot as quickly. Also, in concrete skate parks, hard skateboard wheels are quick and require less pushing.
Harder skateboard wheels’ drawbacks
Hard wheels are noisy and difficult to ride on grittier conditions. While they are extremely quick on skate parks, they are useless on more challenging terrain. You can ride on most sidewalks and streets, yes, but it takes more work.
Harder wheels are designed for stunts; they are not intended for long distance riding. Check my wheels for cruising if you just want to ride.
Conclusion
I hope I was able to clarify when to choose a particular level of toughness. It sometimes boils down to personal taste as well. Some people won’t even notice the difference between wheels that are 99A or 104A.
Skateboard wheels are far more complex than merely their hardness. Depending on the skating style you like, the size, breadth, and shape also affect performance.
