As a skater, you will want to find the best skateboard that can help you showcase your strength. And one of the most important things to do is picking the right wheel size. Today, many skaters enjoy riding on a big-wheel skateboard for higher speed.
In this article, we will show you the top 5 highly-rated skateboards with big wheels. But first, we will get to know the pros and cons of big-wheel skateboards vs. small-wheel skateboards.
Big-wheel Skateboards or Small-wheel Skateboards?
One of the first features to look at a skateboard is the wheels. So the question is whether you should opt for a skateboard with big wheels or small wheels.
It is hard to say which small wheels or big wheels are better. Depending on your skating ground and preferred advantages, you will have different opinions. Generally, big wheels result in a faster speed and slower acceleration, whereas small wheels roll more slowly and offer better agility.
While skating on a big-wheel skateboard, you can save much effort since it can roll longer. Therefore, it does wonder when you need to conserve energy for long-distance skating. Meanwhile, if you need more agility for quick stops and tight turns, you’d better opt for the smaller wheels.
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A skateboard with an average diameter of 52 – 55mm is a highly recommended option for newbies. This size allows you to perform street skating, vert, bowls, and transition smoothly. This is a standard range that can help you grasp the basics of skateboarding effectively.
To learn more about big wheels and small wheels, you can watch this video.
Top 5 Skateboards with Big Wheels Review
Atom All-Terrain Longboard
Technical Specifications
- Wheel size: 100mm x 65mm
- Wheel hardness: 78a
- Product Dimension: 39 x 9.5 x 7.8 inches
- Weight: 10 pounds
The first skateboard with big wheels to look at our list is the Atom All-Terrain Longboard. If you a skateboard enthusiast, you will probably hear of the brand “Atom” for its unique longboard collections at an affordable price.
The first thing to look at this product is that it is an all-terrain longboard, which means that it can be used for any surfaces. The skateboard features incredibly high rebound urethane wheels with an all-terrain cast on them.
These wheels ensure high on-road speed along with excellent off-road traction, giving you the best of both worlds when skating. What’s more, the board comes with the 46 grit off-road grip tape, which is specifically designed for better maneuverability.
However, as longboard wheels are heavy, you cannot perform tricks while riding. Except from this point, this Atom longboard is still outstanding with many excellent features.
Pros
- Super high rebound wheels
- Work well on all terrains
- Best for off-road skating
- Durable
- Good-looking design
- Good maneuverability
- Affordable price
Cons
- Cannot perform tricks
Eggboards Mini Longboard Cruiser Skateboard
Technical Specifications
- Wheel size: 69mm
- Wheel hardness: 76a
- Product Dimension: 19 x 9 x 5 inches
- Weight: 6 pounds
This Eggboards Cruiser is among the unique skateboards on the market that every skater will want to give it a try. This product features a shorter-than-average deck, which is only 19 inches! It may seem a bit challenging to use this board at first. However, you will soon be amazed at its impressive performance when becoming familiar with it.
Stability and durability are the two advantages of this mini-cruiser. The thick deck is made of bamboo, providing the optimal strength as this material is not prone to cracking. Additionally, the bamboo deck can perfectly withstand heavy weights without worrying about flexing.
Moreover, skaters can enjoy the smooth ride thanks to the big and super soft wheels. The ABEC-9 bearings also help to lengthen the spinning time of the wheels, saving you much energy while riding it. However, many pros expect these bearings to give better performance.
Pros
- Durable and stable
- Big and soft wheels
- Smooth ride
- Unique design for experienced skaters
Cons
- Not for beginners
- Bearings should be upgraded
Magneto Mini Cruiser Skateboard
Technical Specifications
- Wheel size: 60mm
- Wheel hardness: 78a
- Weight: 6 pounds
If you are seeking a budget-oriented skateboard with big wheels, then check out the Magneto Mini Cruiser. This board is suitable for both kids and adults, especially beginners.
The board features polyurethane 60mm wheels. Not only do they guarantee smooth rolling, but they also provide a fine grip on different terrains. What’s more, it comes with the medium concave to let skaters control their board and foot placement.
You will also love its Canadian maple deck. It is durable yet lightweight enough to give you easy control over the ride. Besides, the double-kick tail design certainly makes your ride more enjoyable! The deck features asymmetric back and front kick tails that help you perform impressive skating tricks.
However, one big advantage of this mini-cruiser is the bearings. They cannot maintain the speed as effectively as expected. Therefore, you can consider replacing the bearings if they do not please you.
Pros
- Good for kids and beginners
- Portable
- Excellent deck
- Soft and big wheels
Cons
- Low-quality bearings
- Not for pros
MEKETEC Complete 22 Inch Mini Cruiser Retro Skateboard
Technical Specifications
- Wheel size: 60mm
- Wheel hardness: 78a
- Product Dimension: 23.5 x 6.5 x 4.1 inches
- Weight: 3.79 pounds
If you are in need of a lightweight and portable board for easy carrying, then this MEKETEC mini-cruiser is your go-to choice. This product is especially suitable for kids, teens, and beginners, thanks to many great features.
The first thing that certainly catches your eyes is the board’s extensive available colors and designs. There are a total of 26 distinctive looks that will satisfy every skater’s favor.
When it comes to quality, this MEKETEC model is also among the best affordable options. It comes with soft and big wheels that facilitate smooth ride on even the toughest surfaces. The heavy-duty aluminum trucks also have an excellent capability to withstand heavy riders.
This high-value skateboard receives a certification for health safety. While the plastic desk is safe and stable enough for daily uses, some riders think that the plastic component degrades the nice-looking design of the board.
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight and portable
- Safe to use
- Smooth rides
- A large number of different designs
- Reliable wheels
Cons
- Cheap look due to the plastic desk
Cal 7 Complete Mini Cruiser Plastic Skateboard
Technical Specifications
- Wheel size: 60mm
- Wheel hardness: 78a
- Weight: 3.6 pounds
This Cal 7 skateboard is one of the best-seller mini cruisers for beginners. It features a 22-inch size, which is portable to carry around. The compact and well-built construction also makes it durable for years of use.
Besides the bouncy and big wheels, the product comes with the ABEC 7 bearings. Thus, skaters can make the most of the high speed and excellent grip that this board offers. Aside from that, the waffle top deck design provides extra grip to facilitate better maneuverability.
Even if you are skating on the rugged surface, this mini skateboard still manages to give you a smooth and perfect ride. It is also equipped with aluminum trucks, which guarantees the sturdy construction.
Because the deck is rather small, this skateboard is suitable for kids and adults who have small feet. Additionally, it comes with a variety of pastel designs that are super eye-catching.
Pros
- Colorful pastel designs
- Bouncy and big wheels
- Smooth ride
- Durable
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not for adults with big feet
- Not include a skate tool
What To Know About Your Skateboard Wheels? (500)
Wheel Diameter
Generally, the skateboard wheel diameter varies from 50 – 75 mm (millimeters). Different diameters are suited for certain types of playgrounds and techniques. Here is the classification of wheel sizes and their advantages:
- 48 – 50 mm: Back to the 1990s, this size was common for skating flat ground. However, most skateboarding companies now switch to manufacture wheels at 50+mm.
- 51 – 53 mm: Small wheels; suitable for beginners who are into street skateboarding. This type of wheel helps to avoid getting wheel bite, as it offers extra space between the board and the wheel. Therefore, it is also suitable for small riders to try small bowls and trick riding.
- 54 – 59mm: Average wheels; best for bigger riders and beginners who are towards transition. Besides technical park and street skating, vert ramps, and bowls. These wheels provide a larger surface area, making it easier to maintain speed.
- 60+ mm: Big wheels; mostly appear in longboard or cruiser wheels, perfect for extremely rough surface and faster pace.
Wheel diameter influences your skateboarding turn and acceleration speed. Skateboards with big wheels result in a faster ride, offering both balance and speed, thus suitable for beginners and riders who use skateboards as everyday transportation.
Durometer
Durometer determines the hardness of a wheel. It is traditionally measured based on the “A scale.” However, bone wheels use the “B scale” instead, which is 20 points lower than the A scale. For example, a 102a wheel is equal to an 82b wheel.
Wheel durometer can be categorized as follows:
- 78a – 87a: Soft and grippy wheels. They are designed for cruising, longboards, street boards, hills, and other rough surfaces that require a great amount of grip to go over pebbles and cracks.
- 88a – 95a: Medium wheels with a little less grip. Harder and faster, great for skating over bumps, rough surfaces, and streets.
- 96a – 101a: All-around wheels for street, park, ramp, pool, and smooth surfaces. Great traction and excellent speed.
- 101a+: Pro wheels that are the hardest and fastest ones with the least grip. Not for rough surfaces.
- 83b-84b: The hardest and fastest wheels of them all. Great for technical park and street skaters.
Due to softer materials, softer, low durometer wheels hold more grip and perform a smoother ride, whereas high durometer wheels have less traction due to harder materials, thus providing a natural sense of speed.
Contact Patch
Also known as riding surface, a contact patch is another important factor for the best skateboard wheels. It is the area of the wheel that comes into contact with the ground, affecting how you skate. For example, in case of a large contact patch, the rolling resistance will be reduced and hold up your wheels.
Besides, the contact patch is also affected by the shapes of the wheels. Compared to the rounded wheels, square wheels make more contact with the ground. In addition, the position of contact patches can affect overall wheel performance as well.
FAQs
What size of skateboard wheels do the professional use?
The answer depends on each skater’s personal riding style, such as surfaces, tricks, speed, and balance. Besides, an individual’s height and weight also affect your choice of wheel size.
How to pick the suitable wheels for the truck?
- Low Trucks: Opt for wheels whose sizes are smaller than the trucks. Wheels that are around 50 – 53mm will work best.
- Mid/Standard Trucks: Choose wheels that range from 53-56 mm.
- High Trucks – High trucks: Large wheels will work best for this case. The ideal size should be more than 56 mm.
What are the best wheel sizes for the deck?
- 7.5 to 8.0-inch decks: Choose wheels that are around 48 – 58 millimeters.
- 8.0 to 8.25-inch decks: The recommended size is 52 – 60 millimeters.
- 8.25 to 8.5-inch decks: Wheels whose diameter is at least 54mm and no more than 60 mm.
- More than 8.5-inch decks: Opt for wheels with the smallest diameter of 58 mm.
What are the hardest skateboard wheels?
Bone wheels with the durometer of 83b-84b are the hardest skateboard wheels.
Conclusion
So far, we have known how skateboards with big wheels differ from those with small wheels and the top 5 outstanding big-wheel skateboards. In addition, our in-depth buying guide can help you select skateboards with reliable wheels to fully enjoy this thrilling sport!
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