If you've actually felt every individual crack and pebbled within the sidewalk, switching to 80mm skateboard wheels might be the best choice you ever make for your set up. Most people are used to the standard 52mm or 54mm wheels found on park boards, but moving up to an 80mm diameter changes the entire knowledge. It's less like riding a skateboard and more like driving a huge truck over the particular pavement. You aren't just rolling; you're dominating the landscape.
Why Proceed So Big?
The jump to 80mm skateboard wheels is pretty significant. To put this in perspective, these things are nearly double the size of exactly what you'd see from a local skatepark. The main reason anyone chooses this size is pure, unadulterated comfort. When your own wheels are this particular large, they have got the much higher "roll-over" capability. That small rock that utilized to send you flying? You'll probably simply roll right over it without actually feeling a gerüttel.
It's all about physics, actually. A larger steering wheel has a larger circumference, which means it doesn't need to spin as many times to pay the same length being a smaller steering wheel. This results in incredible momentum. Once you get these wheels moving, these people stay moving. In the event that you're commuting or even going for long rides, you'll discover yourself pushing method less often than your friends on smaller setups.
The Trade-Offs You need to know About
I'm not going in order to sit here plus tell you that will 80mm skateboard wheels are ideal for every situation. They definitely aren't. First of all, they're heavy. There's a lot associated with urethane in an 80mm wheel, and you'll feel that excess weight every time you attempt to pick upward the board or even kick-turn. If you're trying to do kickflips or specialized ledge tricks, these are going to experience like anchors buckled to your feet.
Another thing to consider is acceleration. Because they have more bulk, it takes more energy to obtain them through a standstill in order to a cruising velocity. It's like looking to start a weighty bike in the high gear. You'll have to place a bit more muscle into individuals first few forces. But, like I actually mentioned before, once you hit that max speed, the "cruisability" is definitely unmatched.
Coping with the Dreaded Steering wheel Bite
In case you're planning on throwing 80mm skateboard wheels on a standard skateboard deck, you have to speak about wheel mouthful. This happens when you lean into a turn as well as the wheel touches the underside of your table. With wheels this particular big, that get in touch with usually leads to an immediate halt and a really ungraceful trip to the asphalt.
To make these types of wheels work, you most likely need riser pads—and thick ones from that. We're speaking 1/2 inch risers or even piled risers to provide those wheels enough clearance to inhale. Even better, these wheels are preferably suited for "cutout" style longboard decks where the wood is literally carved away around the steering wheel area. If you're building a custom cruiser, just maintain in mind that will height is your friend. You'll end up being standing higher off the ground, which usually feels a bit weird in the beginning, but you'll get used to it quickly.
That are These types of Wheels For?
Usually, you'll see 80mm skateboard wheels on the few specific forms of setups.
- Electric Skateboards (E-skate): This is probably the particular most history to find them. Because the motor handles the heavy lifting of acceleration, the weight from the wheel doesn't matter as significantly. The size assists soak up the particular vibrations of high-speed travel on less-than-perfect roads.
- Long-distance Pumping/Pushing (LDP): When you're the kind of person which likes to skate five or ten mls only for the exercise, they are a blessing. The momentum they will carry helps keep a steady pace with minimal effort.
- Filmer Planks: When you're skating together with somebody else to film them, you need a ride which is dead-silent and buttery smooth. Big, smooth 80mm wheels won't rattle the digital camera, and they'll handle the cracks whilst you're looking through the viewfinder.
The Magic of Soft Urethane
Most 80mm skateboard wheels come in a new pretty soft durometer, usually which range from 75A to 80A. If those numbers appear like gibberish, simply know that reduced numbers mean smoother rubber. Soft wheels "squish" into the ground, providing a load of grip.
Once you combine that softness along with the massive contact patch (the area of the wheel actually touching the ground) of the 80mm wheel, you obtain a board that seems like it's glued towards the road. You can carve hard and take corners along with confidence, knowing the wheels aren't going to glide out from below you. It's an extremely secure, stable sensation that's great intended for beginners or anyone who just desires a chill ride without worrying regarding losing traction.
Maintenance and Durability
One great perk of 80mm skateboard wheels is that they last a lengthy time. Because there's so much materials there, it requires a lot longer to wear them down. If you're just traveling around, a collection of these could easily last you a couple of years.
However, one does want to create sure you're pairing them with decent bearings. Since these wheels carry a lot momentum, cheap, crunchy bearings will actually hold them back. I always recommend obtaining something with built-in spacers if you can, because it helps maintain everything aligned when you're putting plenty of lateral pressure on those big wheels during the turn.
Exactly how They Handle Different Terrains
It's honestly kind of fun to observe what you will get away with upon 80mm skateboard wheels . Rough asphalt that sounds like a jackhammer on a normal board feels like smooth concrete on these. I've even seen individuals take boards with 80mm wheels more than hard-packed dirt pathways or through gentle gravel. While they will aren't "off-road" wheels in the sense of having deep treads, the pure size allows these to float over items that would stop the 60mm wheel useless in its monitors.
If your neighborhood provides those annoying tactile paving bumps at the end associated with the sidewalk (the ones that usually make your feet numb), you'll barely notice them with a setup like this particular. It really brings the map regarding where you can actually enjoy ice skating.
Final Thoughts upon Going Big
Switching to 80mm skateboard wheels is a bit of a commitment. You might require longer hardware to accommodate the risers, and you'll certainly notice a switch in how your board handles. But if your objective is to obtain from point A to point B as smoothly as possible, or if you just want a board that seems invincible against bad pavement, it's an overall total game-changer.
Don't be intimidated by size. Yeah, these people look massive, plus yeah, they'll make your board appear a little little bit like a lunar rover, but the first time you strike a patch of rough road plus just glide through it, you'll realize why people enjoy them. Just remember: look out for the wheel bite, grab some thick risers, plus enjoy the ride. It's a whole various way to experience skating, and for a lot of us, there's zero returning to little wheels after this particular.