When you ride an electric skateboard and cruise down the street, the wheels are your only point of contact with the road surface. Electric Skateboard Wheels are the core components of electric skateboards (E-Skateboards). They not only carry the board’s power transmission and speed but also determine whether your riding experience is smooth and comfortable. Compared to traditional skateboard wheels, electric skateboard wheels must withstand higher torque and greater weight while maintaining good durability and stability. Let’s dive deep into how these wheels perform under different conditions.
How Wheel Size Shapes Your Ride
Electric Skateboard Wheels sizing is the first thing to say.
Wheel diameter is typically measured in millimeters (mm) and directly affects riding speed, shock absorption, and handling characteristics.
● Small sizes (83-90mm): These small skateboard wheels are lightweight and agile with quick steering response, perfect for city streets and commuting. For beginners, choosing a smaller size can offer better control and handling; see wheel size for beginner for more information.
● Large sizes (100-110mm and above): These typical large skateboard wheels roll smoothly and can easily traverse cracks and small obstacles, ideal for long-distance riding and complex terrain.
● Common range (83-110mm): Brands like Ecomobl’s all-terrain boards widely adopt this range, ensuring adaptation to all-terrain riding needs.When choosing the right wheel size, consider factors like terrain and weight to find the optimal wheel size for your ride.
On weekend mornings, when cruising along city streets, you’ll find that compact wheels (83-90mm) feel light and nimble, easily weaving through sidewalks, perfect for daily commuting. The small skateboard wheels allow you to turn quickly around corners and obstacles, delivering an agile and responsive riding experience.
But when planning a long-distance ride, perhaps along a coastal highway, large skateboard wheels (100-110mm+) really stand out. They easily roll over cracks and pebbles, letting you ride faster and smoother with reduced jarring. Some of Ecomobl’s all-terrain boards use these large wheels, perfect for exploring riding paths beyond the city. The size range typically spans 83-110mm, covering most users’ needs perfectly.
Skateboard Wheel Hardness (Durometer): Grip & Feel
Imagine wet, glistening streets after rain – if your wheels are too hard (85A-90A), you’ll easily slip during turns or acceleration. But choose softer wheels (78A), and increased friction will keep you more stable on slippery surfaces. However, softer wheels also mean slightly slower speeds and reduced durability.In such conditions, having strong control over an electric skateboard is crucial to maneuver safely and effectively.
Hardness is typically indicated by “A” ratings. For example, a familiar rubber eraser has about 78A softness, while hard skateboard wheels are like hard rubber – they roll faster but have less grip.
● Low hardness (78A): Soft with strong shock absorption, suitable for rough surfaces and off-road riding.
● High hardness (85A-90A): Fast speed but poor shock absorption, ideal for smooth surfaces and high-speed riding.
Different hardness levels create different experiences – choose flexibly based on your riding style and terrain: if you frequently navigate rough, uneven streets, choose soft wheels; if you mostly ride on smooth surfaces, hard wheels are more suitable.
Does Tread Pattern Really Matter?
Size and hardness are important, but tread patterns cannot be ignored either. Wheel tread pattern design not only determines grip and stability but also affects riding safety.
● Smooth tread (Slick): Large contact area with low rolling resistance, perfect for smooth surfaces but prone to slipping on wet or dusty roads.
● Aggressive tread (Grooved/Knobby): Suitable for gravel, mud, and grass, with deep grooves and knobs that help drain water and mud while improving traction. Ecomobl’s all-terrain boards use exactly this design, ensuring stable riding across various complex surfaces.
● Hybrid tread: Balances speed and grip, suitable for multiple road conditions, perfect for daily commuting.
During twilight hours when city streets become slippery with fallen leaves, wheel tread design becomes crucial for safe riding. Smooth wheels (Slick) glide smoothly on flat surfaces but may slip on wet pavement. Aggressive tread (Grooved/Knobby) wheels work like off-road vehicle tires – deep grooves and knobs effectively drain water and prevent slipping, perfect for gravel, mud, and grass. Ecomobl’s all-terrain electric skateboards use precisely this off-road design, taking you from city to countryside unimpeded.
Hybrid tread wheels balance speed and grip for multi-condition commuting. You might ride smooth streets in the morning and wind through park gravel paths in the afternoon – these mixed tread patterns provide stable support throughout.
Types of Electric Skateboard Wheels
Understanding different wheel types helps you make informed choices based on riding needs:
● Solid Polyurethane (PU) wheels: Market mainstream, durable and fast, suitable for hard surfaces. Common sizes range 83-110mm with hardness from 78A-90A. Perfect for smooth roads and city streets, but with average shock absorption.
● Pneumatic (Air-filled): Internal air provides comfort, adaptable to off-road, gravel, and rural roads. Requires regular pressure checks and maintenance, common sizes 100-150mm and above.
● All-Terrain (AT) wheels: Combine polyurethane and pneumatic advantages, suitable for multi-terrain riding, balancing speed and comfort.
| Type | Common Sizes (mm) | Material | Hardness Range (Durometer) | Suitable Terrain | Characteristics |
| Polyurethane (PU) | 83-110 | Polyurethane (PU) | 78A-90A | Smooth roads, city streets | Wear-resistant and durable, fast speed, average shock absorption, requires smooth surfaces |
| Pneumatic | 100-150+ | Rubber + air chamber | Non-Durometer (air-filled) | Off-road, gravel, grass, rough surfaces | Great comfort, strong shock absorption, multi-terrain capable, requires pressure maintenance |
| All-Terrain (AT) | 100-150+ | Polyurethane or pneumatic | Around 78A or air-filled | Multi-terrain (off-road, urban mixed) | Balances speed and comfort, suitable for complex terrain |
Pneumatic Tires: The Comfort Option
With gravel and muddy terrain, pneumatic wheels’ advantages would become clear. Ecomobl’s all-terrain skateboards use exactly this design for more comfortable, smoother riding.
Though they need maintenance like regular pressure checks and preventing air leaks, and are generally heavier than PU wheels, off-road riders still prefer the comfort experience pneumatic wheels provide.
The air-filled tires can effectively absorb shocks, maintaining stability even on rough surfaces.
Performance Impact of Electric Skateboard Wheels
Skateboard wheel performance depends not on single factors but on the combined effects of size, hardness, tread pattern, and type. Generally speaking:
● Large sizes deliver higher speeds and stronger shock absorption but add weight and reduce agility.
● Higher hardness means faster speed and durability but decreased comfort and grip.
● Pneumatic wheels offer comfort but are heavier and require maintenance.
● Tread patterns are equally crucial: smooth wheels suit flat roads, aggressive treads suit complex conditions.
How to Choose Your Ideal E-skate Wheels
Knowing the basics is not enough. How to choose your ideal wheels?
First, think about how you ride. If you love long rides and want speed, go for large polyurethane wheels (100–110mm) – they’ll roll faster and feel more stable. For city rides where quick turns matter, smaller wheels (83–90mm) are a great pick. If you ride off-road or on rough terrain, pneumatic or all-terrain wheels will give you a smoother, more comfortable ride.
Don’t forget about the road itself. On smooth streets, harder wheels (85A–90A) will last longer and roll faster. But on gravel or rough paths, soft wheels (78A) or pneumatic ones are better because they absorb bumps and keep you safe.
Also, make sure the wheels you pick fit your board. Not all boards can handle every wheel size or type. Check the official info from Ecomobl to make sure your wheels will work.
And finally, personally test-ride is the ultimate key. Your body knows what suits you best.
Besides generic recommendations, here’s a step-by-step guide you can immediately follow:
1. Calculate Your Primary Use Case Percentage
- 70%+ smooth pavement = Prioritize efficiency (85A+ PU, 90-100mm)
- 70%+ mixed terrain = Prioritize adaptability (AT or pneumatic, 100-110mm)
- 70%+ rough surfaces = Prioritize comfort (pneumatic or soft PU, 78-83A)
2. Factor in Your Local Climate Variables
- High temperatures = Choose harder durometer (compensates for heat softening)
- Cold climates = Choose softer durometer (compensates for cold hardening)
- Wet conditions = Prioritize tread pattern over all other factors
3. Match Your Riding Style’s Power Demands
- Aggressive acceleration preference = Minimize wheel weight (small diameter, PU construction)
- Sustained high-speed cruising = Maximize momentum retention (large diameter, optimal pressure)
- Technical maneuvering = Balance contact patch size with response time
4. Consider Your Board’s Electronic Characteristics
- High-torque motors can overcome larger wheel inertia efficiently
- Battery-limited setups benefit from efficiency-optimized wheel selection
- Belt-drive systems may require specific wheel hub compatibility
- PU wheels: Replace when worn to 70% original diameter
- Pneumatic: Weekly pressure checks, seasonal valve maintenance
- Bearings: Lubrication every 200-300 miles regardless of wheel type
Conclusion
What appears to be just a small component, the Electric Skateboard Wheel is actually the performance core of electric skateboards. Understanding size, hardness, type, and tread patterns enables you to handle different terrains with ease.
Ecomobl continuously optimizes wheel design, from all-terrain adaptation to comfortable shock absorption, giving riders more choices. In the future, with new materials and intelligent design integration, electric skateboard wheel evolution will continue enhancing riding experience and safety.
Whether you’re an urban commuter or off-road adventurer, choosing the right Electric Skateboard Wheels not only makes riding faster and more stable, but also opens up richer, more colorful riding journeys.
Want to experience the thrill of different road conditions? Try Ecomobl’s all-terrain skateboards and discover the joy of multi-terrain riding.
