We all love to cruise a skateboard, be it around town, campus, or riding long distances to who knows where. I bought a couple of the best skateboard wheels for cruising and tested them myself. Some are great for longer distances and others allow you to do basic tricks.
Most cruiser wheels listed here are suitable for regular skateboard setups, depending on the wheel diameter, the height of your trucks and the softness of your bushings. You might need to add riser pads and pick different hardware but I got you covered.
Cruiser wheels are a great way to learn skateboarding, or just how to ride properly. They are big and soft, offer lots of grip, stability, and prevent you from being exhausted after a few minutes.
Skip directly to our recommended cruiser wheels, or continue reading and learn about what works
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Contents
- What To Look For in Cruiser Wheels
- Skateboard Cruiser Wheel Brands
- How Much Clearance to Prevent Wheel Bite?
- Think About The Width of The Contact Patch
- What’s The Right Hardness for Cruiser Wheels (Durometer)
- What Is a Good Size?
- Do You Need Special Bearings?
- Do You Need New Trucks?
- Best Skateboard Wheels for Cruising
- 8. Bones ATF Rough Riders
- Skateboard Cruiser Wheels Buying Guide
- Conclusion
What To Look For in Cruiser Wheels
Ask yourself what you want to do. Do you just want to cruise without much effort, or do you also want to be able to do a couple of tricks?
If you want to cruise and hope a few curbs, all of the wheels I mentioned will do fine. If you want to get more technical, smaller wheels like the Ricta Clouds are the better option.
There’s more to it, make sure to add riser pads or shock pads when appropriate and check if your bolts still fit. The softness of your bushings and your weight also shouldn’t be ignored.
One of the most affordable cruiser wheels and a joy to ride. No need for riser pads.
- Diameter: 60mm
- Durometer: 78a
- Width: 45mm
- Contact Patch: 37mm
Snakes offer a super smooth ride. Very stable in turns and grippy on slick surfaces.
- Diameter: 66mm
- Durometer: 75A
- Width: 46mm
- Contact patch: 38mm
Great wheels for a mini cruiser setup, super fast and able to take on rough surfaces.
- Diameter: 65mm
- Durometer: 77A
- Width: 45mm
- Contact patch: 37mm
Skateboard Cruiser Wheel Brands
There are tons of brands out that that offer great cruising skateboard wheels, I just mentioned a few. Usually it’s a good idea to pick from a reputable brand.
Often the quality of the wheels, or the quality of the urethane formula makes a difference. I used to ride these cheap cruiser wheels from Magneto that claimed to be 78A but felt more like 86A.
Cheap wheels are often less durable and reliable, something you will notice when you test a bunch of wheels from different brands.
Here are a few reliable brands to choose from that I didn’t list:
- Venom: awesome cruiser wheels
- 88wheels: offers amazing longboard and cruiser wheels
- Santa Cruz: Slime Balls are great for cruising and tricks
- 3dm: Slalom and cruising wheels in many sizes
How Much Clearance to Prevent Wheel Bite?
There isn’t an exact distance between the wheels and deck to prevent wheel bite, but wheels around 60mm usually require risers.
It also depends on how tight you ride your tricks, loose trucks are more prone to wheel bite where tight trucks are safe (but less carvy).
Another factor is the hardness of your bushings and your weight. Softer bushings are more turny but provide less stability.
In general, you should go with bushings that can handle your weight but it’s also a matter of personal preference.
Riser pads provide extra clearance, go for 1/8″ or 1/4″ at 60mm wheels and 1/2 above 60mm. This is just a general guideline, not every setup is the same so check what works for you.
Riser Pads And Hardware
If you decide to get 58mm wheels or bigger you could consider adding riser pads or 1/8″ shock pads.
Commonly, skateboard decks consist of 7 ply’s but there are a few exceptions that may require you to get different bolts.
Consult the table below to see if your current hardware is compatible with the risers you have in mind. At 58mm a set of shock pads will do but anything above needs some more clearance.
You don’t want hardware to stick out too because you can get stuck on ledges. if your hardware is too short, you can’t attach your trucks to your board.
It’s not complicated, just something to keep in mind.
| Riser size | 1/8in | 1/4in | 1/2in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Length (7-Ply Decks) | 1 1/8″ | 1 1/4″ – 1 1/2″ | 1 1/2″ – 2″ |
| Hardware Length (8/9-Ply Decks) | 1 1/4″ – 1 1/2″ | 1 1/2 “- 2” | 2 “- 2 1/2” |
I already wrote a riser pad guide (and why you often don’t need them) and I would also recommend checking my hardware size guide.
Think About The Width of The Contact Patch
One of the most important features to look at is the size of the contact patch. This is the flat part on a wheel that comes into contact with the surface.
A larger contact patch provides more stability but is less carvy and harder to slide. Wide contact patches are great for a balanced and stable ride, and very forgiving on rough surfaces.
Smaller setups benefit from larger contact patches as it provides a more stable ride. Wider setups can both handle smaller and wider contact patches.
The size of the deck itself and wider trucks already gives you lots of stability. The size of the contact patch varies per brand and wheel type.
Some wheels offer bigger contact patches depending on the shape and wheel size. A smaller contact patch like Ricta Clouds offer makes your ride less stable, but easier for tricks.
What’s The Right Hardness for Cruiser Wheels (Durometer)
The most important factor is picking the right Durometer(and size). Soft wheels are great for a smooth cruising experience and handle rough surfaces much better than hard wheels.
A safe margin is between 78A and 92A for cruising. 78A cruiser wheels provide the smoothest ride but are less suitable for tricks.
If you want to do tricks and cruiser pick wheels between 86A and 92A. Softer wheels bounce all over the place when you are practicing tricks, this could result in landing primo.
If the area you ride is rough and you want to focus more on tricks, 92A is a good choice. You can pull off some technical stuff and still have a relatively comfortable ride. Riding skate parks will require you to push more often.
What Is a Good Size?
Anything between 60mm and 65mm is a good size for cruising. Smaller wheels will require you to push more often and aren’t recommended for commuting. Larger wheels also require riser pads for extra clearance.
Larger wheels will require less pushing but they accelerate a bit slower. Smaller wheels accelerate much faster but you need to push more often.
Do You Need Special Bearings?
You won’t get far without quality bearings, but you also don’t have to spend a lot. I recommend Zealous bearings for cruising. They require some time to break, accelerate a bit slower but keep going for longer.
You also can get away with standard bearings from Bones or Bronson, ignore ABEC ratings and don’t buy cheap unbranded knock offs.
Do You Need New Trucks?
You probably don’t have to get new trucks unless you slap some monster wheels on them. One thing to keep in mind is how tight you ride your trucks and the hardness of your bushings.
Loose trucks and wheels over 59mm/60mm can cause wheel bite. Add risers when needed.
Look at setup 1 in the image above. The top setup has 63mm Hawgs attached to the trucks and 1/2″ risers in the back.
The difference in clearance is pretty obvious when you compare the front and rear truck. In this case, it’s a good idea to attach riser pads as the front wheels are a bit too close to the deck.
The bottom setup consists of 56mm Ricta Cloud wheels, no riser pads are needed at 56mm.
This setup for example has 60mm OJ’s and so far this setup performs really well. A bit bouncy for tricks but it’s a perfect and cheap cruiser setup.
So even at 60mm with tighter truck there is no need for riser pads. It really depends on your weight and how you tweak your trucks.
My last example show wheel bit from 56mm wheels. The reason is the soft bushings and loose trucks (and me being a bit heavier than last year).
In this case 1/*’ or 1/4″ risers should solve the problem but honestly, I didn’t even notice the wheel bite.
Best Skateboard Wheels for Cruising
I personally test all the gear I recommend and I wouldn’t recommend stuff I don’t like. I pay for my own stuff and would like to keep it that way.
Keep in mind that that are many cruiser wheels to pick from. As a general rule skateboard wheels for cruising should be big and soft.
Pick wheels 78A to 81A on the Shore Durometer scale and size 60mm to 69mm.
Since this is a beefy post, I recommend the following cruiser wheels for specific purposes:
- Best for cruising and tricks: Ricta Cloud 57mm/86A
- Best for long distance cruising: Powell Peralta Snakes 69mm/75A
- Best all around cruiser wheel: Bones ATF Rough riders 56mm/80A
- Best for speed: Orangatang Fat Free 65mm/77A
- Best Budget Cruiser wheels: EasyRider Bogart 61mm/78A
With that out of the way it’s time to check some of the best skateboard wheels for cruising.
1. Fireball Tinder 60mm – 81A
- Wheel Profile: Medium
- Size: 61mm
- Durometer: 81A
- Surface: Stone grounded
- Purpose: Short distance cruising, cruising and basic tricks
Let’s start with the Fireball Tinder wheels, Tinder wheels are soft enough for cruising and hard enough for basic ollies.
The fiberglass core helps to prevent coning and makes the wheels a bit faster. While there is less urethane to chew through, the plastic core helps to prevent the wheels from deforming too much on landing tricks.
You might think 81A is perhaps a bit too hard for a smooth ride but they feel quite soft when riding on rougher surfaces.
They roll fast, absorb vibrations, and are great for sliding on slick surfaces. Great for cruising, and a couple of basic tricks if you’re skilled enough.
Slides these wheels will wear down the wheels faster obviously but that goes for all big soft wheels on this list.
They accelerate quickly and maintain rolling speed for quite some time. In general, there is no need to add risers to prevent wheel bite.
It depends on your weight, the height of your trucks, how loose your ride your trucks, and how soft your bushings are.
Pretty decent wheels for a fair price, mine came with candy. Can’t comment on the Fireball candy, my son ate them all. Available on Amazon.
- Diameter: 61mm (also available in 65 mm and 70 mm)
- Width: 44mm
- Contact Patch: 35mm
- Durometer: 81a
2. Ricta Clouds – Cruising & Tricks
- Wheel Profile: narrow
- Size: 52mm to 60mm
- Durometer: 78A to 92A
- Surface: Smooth
- Purpose: Cruising short distances, filming, cruising and tricks
Ricta Clouds are actually filmer wheels, but also great for cruising and tricks. Ricta Clouds come in many sizes and durometers, meaning some are harder than others.
For those who want to cruise and do a couple of basic tricks, Clouds are a decent choice. They offer comfort and don’t feel too bouncy, but when it comes to cruising you’ll need to push more often.
If this is what you want to do, go for the 56mm and 92A version. They are bigger than street skate wheels but not as big as 60mm cruiser wheels.
At 92A they still offer a smooth ride though noticably less comfy compared to softer 78A wheels. In all fairness, you can’t have buttery smooth wheels and expect to easily do tricks all day.
If you want less of a workout and keep your speed consider 58MM+ wheels. Ricta also offer at 60mm wheels at 78A durometer which are more dedicated cruiser wheels.
At this point I would suggest getting OJ Super Juice Wheels. Same specs but cheaper and more stable.
Compared to dedicated street wheels they feel a bit bouncy when doing ollies and flips, but at 92A they should perform better. Figure out what you want from your wheels before you decide to buy.
The print color varies but they fade away quickly. Don’t forget to add risers if you want to get the 60mm version to add risers. 1/8″ or 1/4″ riser should be enough, make sure the hardware is compatible.
Keep in mind that doing tricks on softer wheels is more difficult compared to doing tricks on harder wheels.
Softer wheels bounce a lot which makes landing tricks far more difficult. Ricta’s are a compromise between regular skating and a smooth ride. Available on Amazon.
| Size (MM) | Width (MM) | Durometer | Contact Patch (MM) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52mm | 31.8 | 78A/92A | 19.4 | Kids, rough roads |
| 53mm | 34 | 86A | 20.5 | Rough roads, short commutes |
| 54mm | 34 | 78A/92A | 18.36 | Cruising (78A), Street/Park, Film |
| 56mm | 34 | 78A/92A | 21.5 | Cruising (78A) and/or Tricks (92A) |
| 57mm | 35 | 86A | 21.5 | Cruising & tricks |
| 60mm | 43 | 78A | 32 | Cruising, Film, requires risers |
3. OJ Super Juice 60mm/78A (Best Budget Wheel)
- Wheel Profile: Wide
- Sizes: 60mm, 55mm
- Durometer: 78A
- Surface: Smooth
- Purpose: Cruising (60mm), cruising and tricks (55mm)
Oj is a very reputable brand and part of NHS. I got the Super Juice cruiser wheels but OJ offers many other great cruiser wheels.
I picked these because they are buttery soft, fit on almost any setup and you can even do some basic tricks.
I know this seems too good to be true and there are a couple of caveats. If you love power slides they can chunck, ollies are managable but you will feel them bounce back up.
Hopping a few curbs shouldn’t be an issue but I would leave the gnarly stuff to more experienced skaters.
OJ also offers these in 55mm at 86A, which are great for cruising and tricks. No fancy tre-flips or hospital flips, but basic ollies and a kickflip should be doable.
They aren’t great for ledge tricks as they have a tendency to chunk. This goes for about every soft cruiser wheel, but I thought it would be worth mentioning.
If you decide to go for the smaller 55mm version, remember that they will wear quickly. In the end, 60mm wheels will become 55mm if you ride them long enough.
The smaller 55mm wheels do accelerate faster and are more playful but for a solid cruising experience 60mm is recommended.
From a budget perspective the OJ Super Juice are the best choice. You get quality wheels from a rebutable brand for a great price.
Consider adding riser pads, at least 1/8″ will prevent wheel bite. These wheels are very sticky, small rocks, cracks, and gravel will bother you no more. Check Amazon for prices.
| Size (MM) | Width (MM) | Durometer | Contact Patch (MM) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55mm | 32.5 | 78A | 21 | Cruising, ollie curbs |
| 60mm | 33.5 | 78A | 21.5 | Cruising |
4. Orangatang – Fat Free 65mm 77A (Fastest Wheel)
- Wheel Profile: Wide
- Size: 65mm
- Durometer: 77A, 80A, 83A, 86A
- Surface: Stone ground
- Purpose: Cruising longer distances (depends on durometer)
We are nearing longboard size wheels here and 65mm is huge, even for a cruiser. Not to worry, they work like a charm and the first thing you notice is how ridiculously fast they are.
You will need risers pads at this point if you are creating your own custom cruiser setup.
Because of their large diameter you really need risers if you are planning on slapping them on a regular setup. Replacing them on an existing cruiser shouldn’t be a problem.
These are also a bit more expensive compared to the other cruiser wheels, but if you want to cruise far and fast, it’s money well spent.
At 77A they are the softest wheels you can get and with 65mm they offer speed like no other wheel on this list (comparable to the Powell Snakes).
Orangatang wheels are great for cruising, on our first push they will bring a smile to your face.
You hardly notice any cracks or rocks, they simply ignore any small obstacle you run into. They accelerate a bit slower compared to smaller wheels but keep their speed for a long time.
You can just ride into angled curbs without even having to ollie a little.
Orangatang Fat Free wheels aren’t the cheapest but are one of the best cruiser wheels you can get.
Despite their softness, these wheels are very durable and it will take a long time before you chew through the urethane. I tested them on my Dinghy and Arbor Pilsner.
They are really sticky and grippy and might make a squeaky sound when riding them for the first time. This will go away after a while.
I tested them with standard Bones Red, Bones Swiss 6, Zealous, and Bronson Raw bearings. These wheels are so fast that you don’t need expensive bearings.
If you want to go for longer rides, Zealous bearings are recommended. Even though they perform well on standard bearings, Zealous bearings keep their momentum for a longer time but accelerate slower.
Go for the 77A 65mm Blue wheels for long distance cruising or pick the 86A 65mm Yellows for cruising and basic ollies.
If the Orangatangs are just above your budget, the Arbor EasyRiders or OJ Superjuice are a great alternative.
65mm wheels require riser pads (1/4″ or bigger) depending on your current setup, just make sure there’s enough clearance to prevent wheel bite.
- Diameter: 65mm
- Contact Patch: 37mm
- Durometer: 77A to 86A
5. Cloud Ride
- Wheel Profile: Wide
- Size: 70mm
- Durometer: 77A
- Surface: Smooth
- Purpose: Cruising longer distances (depends on durometer)
At 70mm, Cloud Rides can be used for both longboarding and cruising. These 77a bulky wheels can be used to replace your wheels on any cruiser but require riser pads if you assemble your own setup.
No need to add extra height for example the Arbor Pilsner or Landyachtz Dinghy. I got them or cheap because of some de-colorization, but it doesn’t affect their performance.
Super soft wheels that stick to the surface and you hardly notice pebbles or cracks. They are fast, durable, and i was able to ride them up angled curbs without even having to adjust your stance.
A great choice for longer distance riding, they are fast and require less pushing compared to 60mm wheels.
Cloud Ride offers many wheels and I advice you to check them out yourself. Some are great for long distance cruising and others for short commutes.
6. Powell Peralta Snakes (The Best)
- Wheel Profile: Wide
- Size: 69mm, 66mm
- Durometer: 75A
- Surface: Smooth
- Purpose: Cruising longer distances
The Powell Peralta Snakes are amazing. I picked the neon green because I love the color but also own a neon orange set that came with my Comet Cruiser.
They just look so rad but these babies rock but also have the neon orange wheels that came with my Comet Cruiser.
They are the softest wheels on this list, the 75A wheels offer a buttery smooth ride but still allow for slides.
Because of their softness, the also tend to chunck. Thos who love powerslides and want a more durable wheel should probably look for a different wheel.
Powell Peralta snakes are expensive but offer superior performance. There’s a reason the best complete cruiser (Comet) you can buy picked these wheels for the ultimate cruising experience.
At 69mm they are great for long distance cruising without too much effort. Sure, cruising is always a bit of a workout but I noticed I can keep going for longer compared to the OJ Super Juice wheels.
They also come in 66mm which is great for those who aren’t planning for long commutes and want wheels that accelerate a bit faster.
With minimum effort your board will keep going on for ever, it’s amazing how much quality makes a difference.
The graphic come off quite quickly which doesn’t look very appealing. I would place the graphic on the inside for that reason.
- Diameter: 69mm (other sizes available)
- Contact Patch: 56mm
- Durometer: 75A
7. EasyRider Bogart Wheels (Budget)
The EasyRider Bogart wheels are great for short commutes and offer a very comfortable cruising experience. If you are on a budget and want the best performance for a low price, consider these wheels.
Great for low budget setups, they actually came with my Arbor Pilsner but you can buy them separately.
At 61mm you might require 1/8″ or 1/4″ riser pads depending on how loose you ride your trucks. I was pleasantly surprised by their performance and after more than a year I can confidently say they are durable enough for basic cruising.
Some people experience chunking and cracks which could occur when power sliding. Most wheels under 80A tend to chunk so I wouldn’t worry about that.
I think Arbor did a great job, especially considering how cheap they are. They are perfect for a small and nimble cruiser setup.
They work well on a regular skateboard setup but feel bouncy when you ollie curbs. Great for cruising, not great for tricks.
- Diameter: 61mm
- Contact Patch: 37mm
- Durometer: 78A
8. Bones ATF Rough Riders
- Wheel Profile – Wide
- Size Options – 56mm, 59mm
- Durometer: 80A
- Purpose: Cruising and tricks, learning how to ride
Bones ATF wheels are great for those who want to do a little bit of everything. You can skate these in a bowl, cruise around town, and still do basic tricks (with a bit more effort).
I created my own custom cruiser/trick setup and love these wheels.
Sure, they are still a bit bouncy but less so compared to the other cruiser wheels on this list. I think these are the perfect wheels for beginners that want to learn how to ride first, before moving on to technical tricks.
They are less wide compared to dedicated cruiser wheels but still wide enough to provide that much needed stability.
They allow you to learn the basics of riding a skateboard without worrying about pebbles or cracks blocking your wheels.
At 56mm you don’t even need riser pads, there is enough clearance to prevent wheel bite. The only time I got wheel bit was when I attached them to GrindKing Trucks.
These trucks are super loose, to be honest I didn’t even notice so you won’t have to worry about this too much. It also happened during ollies and kickflips, not by just carving and cruising.
Even though they are ‘only’ 56mm, you still get a very fast and comfortable ride. You might need to push a bit more often compared to 65mm wheels but they are great for a hybrid cruiser trick setup.
New to skateboarding and just want to learn how to ride? Want a smooth, stable riding experience but also learn to ollie? The Bones ATF Rough Riders are the perfect choice.
| Size (MM) | Width (MM) | Durometer | Contact Patch (MM) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56mm | 40 | 80A | 31 | Cruising, ollie curbs |
| 59mm | 40 | 80A | 33 | Cruising (consider 1/8″ risers) |
9. Fatty Hawgs 63mm – 78A
- Wheel Profile: Wide
- Size: 63mm
- Durometer: 78A
- Surface: Stone grounded
- Purpose: Cruising medium distances
Last on the list, because they are okay but not the best skateboard wheels for cruising. Fatty Hawgs 63mm aren’t that expensive, require more pushing but can handle power slides without chunking on day one.
Decent cruiser wheels on a budget and I like them even though they don’t offer the ultimate cruising experience.
Considering what you pay for them and their durability, it’s a great choice for those who can’t buy new wheels every 6 months.
Even though they require you to push a bit more compared to other wheels on this list, they still keep their momentum for a decent time.
A little bit more of a workout compared to the Orangatang Fat Free wheels.
Like all wheels on this list they handle cracks and other small objects easily and offer a relaxing ride.
I was able to ride through gravel and the occasional patch of grass. One thing I noticed is that they don’t offer much grip after a rainy day.
The huge 50mm contact patch makes this a great wheel for beginners and offers lots of stability.
Hoping curbs works fine but they do bounce around if you want to do more technical tricks. They are cruiser wheels after all, not meant for tricks.
You can pick from a wide range of colors but I would avoid the white wheels. They won’t look as nice after a few sessions.
Make sure to add riser pads and compatible hardware. I’ve added a table at the end of this post which explains the size of riser pads and proper hardware.
It sucks to get new wheels only to find out that you bought the wrong skateboard hardware size.
Skateboard Cruiser Wheels Buying Guide
Ask yourself what you want to do. Do you just want to cruise without much effort, or do you also want to be able to do a couple of tricks?
If you want to cruise and hope a few curbs, all of the wheels I mentioned will do fine. If you want to get more technical, smaller wheels like the Ricta Clouds are the better option.
There’s more to it, make sure to add riser pads or shock pads when appropriate and check if your bolts still fit. The softness of your bushings and your weight also shouldn’t be ignored.
Skateboard Cruiser Wheel Brands
There are tons of brands out that that offer great cruising skateboard wheels, I just mentioned a few. Usually it’s a good idea to pick from a reputable brand.
Often the quality of the wheels, or the quality of the urethane formula makes a difference.
If had cheap cruiser wheels from Magneto (avoid them) that claimed to be 78A but felt more like 86A.
Cheap wheels are often less durable and reliable, something you will notice when you test a bunch of wheels from different brands.
Here are a few reliable brands to choose from that I didn’t list:
- Venom: awesome cruiser wheels
- 88wheels: offers amazing longboard and cruiser wheels
- Santa Cruz: Slime Balls are great for cruising and tricks
- 3dm: Slalom and cruising wheels in many sizes
Clearance to Prevent Wheel Bite
There isn’t an exact distance between the wheels and deck to prevent wheel bite, but wheels around 60mm usually require risers.
It also depends on how tight you ride your tricks, loose trucks are more prone to wheel bite where tight trucks are safe (but less carvy).
Another factor is the hardness of your bushings and your weight. Softer bushings are more turny but provide less stability.
In general, you should go with bushings that can handle your weight but it’s also a matter of personal preference.
Riser pads provide extra clearance, go for 1/8″ or 1/4″ at 60mm wheels and 1/2 above 60mm. This is just a general guideline, not every setup is the same so check what works for you.
Riser Pads And Hardware
If you decide to get 58mm wheels or bigger you could consider adding riser pads or 1/8″ shock pads.
Commonly, skateboard decks consist of 7 ply’s but there are a few exceptions that may require you to get different bolts.
Consult the table below to see if your current hardware is compatible with the risers you have in mind.
At 58mm a set of shock pads will do but anything above needs some more clearance. You don’t want hardware to stick out too because you can get stuck on ledges.
If your hardware is too short, you can’t attach your trucks to your board. It’s not complicated, just something to keep in mind.
| Riser size | 1/8in | 1/4in | 1/2in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware Length (7-Ply Decks) | 1 1/8″ | 1 1/4″ – 1 1/2″ | 1 1/2″ – 2″ |
| Hardware Length (8/9-Ply Decks) | 1 1/4″ – 1 1/2″ | 1 1/2 “- 2” | 2 “- 2 1/2” |
I already wrote a riser pad guide (and why you often don’t need them) and I would also recommend checking my hardware size guide.
Contact Patch
One of the most important features to look at is the size of the contact patch. This is the flat part on a wheel that comes into contact with the surface.
A larger contact patch provides more stability but is less carvy and harder to slide. Wide contact patches are great for a balanced and stable ride, and very forgiving on rough surfaces.
Smaller setups benefit from larger contact patches as it provides a more stable ride. Wider setups can both handle smaller and wider contact patches.
The size of the deck itself and wider trucks already gives you lots of stability.
The size of the contact patch varies per brand and wheel type. Some wheels offer bigger contact patches depending on the shape and wheel size.
A smaller contact patch like Ricta Clouds offer makes your ride less stable, but easier for tricks.
Hardness (Durometer)
The most important factor is picking the right Durometer(and size). Soft wheels are great for a smooth cruising experience and handle rough surfaces much better than hard wheels.
A safe margin is between 78A and 92A for cruising. 78A cruiser wheels provide the smoothest ride but are less suitable for tricks.
If you want to do tricks and cruiser pick wheels between 86A and 92A. Softer wheels bounce all over the place when you are practicing tricks, this could result in landing primo.
If the area you ride is rough and you want to focus more on tricks, 92A is a good choice. You can pull off some technical stuff and still have a relatively comfortable ride.
Riding skate parks will require you to push more often.
Size
Larger wheels will require less pushing but they accelerate a bit slower. Smaller wheels accelerate much faster but you need to push more often.
Anything between 60mm and 65mm is a good size for cruising. Smaller wheels will require you to push more often and aren’t recommended for commuting.
Larger wheels also require riser pads for extra clearance.
Bearings
You won’t get far without quality bearings, but you also don’t have to spend a lot. I recommend Zealous bearings for cruising. They require some time to break, accelerate a bit slower but keep going for longer.
You also can get away with standard bearings from Bones or Bronson, ignore ABEC ratings and don’t buy cheap unbranded knock offs.
Do You Need New Trucks?
You probably don’t have to get new trucks unless you slap some monster wheels on them. One thing to keep in mind is how tight you ride your trucks and the hardness of your bushings.
Loose trucks and wheels over 59mm/60mm can cause wheel bite. Add risers when needed.
Look at setup 1 in the image above. The top setup has 63mm Hawgs attached to the trucks and 1/2″ risers in the back. The difference in clearance is pretty obvious when you compare the front and rear truck.
In this case, it’s a good idea to attach riser pads as the front wheels are a bit too close to the deck. The bottom setup consists of 56mm Ricta Cloud wheels, no riser pads are needed at 56mm.
This setup for example has 60mm OJ’s and so far this setup performs really well. A bit bouncy for tricks but it’s a perfect and cheap cruiser setup.
So even at 60mm with tighter truck there is no need for riser pads. It really depends on your weight and how you tweak your trucks.
My last example show wheel bit from 56mm wheels. The reason is the soft bushings and loose trucks (and me being a bit heavier than last year).
In this case 1/*’ or 1/4″ risers should solve the problem but honestly, I didn’t even notice the wheel bite.
Conclusion
Picking cruiser wheels is quite easy, despite all the options which seem overwhelming at first. You just need big soft wheels and consider where you’re going to ride. Rough surfaces require softer wheels, long distance require bigger wheels.
I had a ton of fun testing these wheels but I can’t list them all. Just remember that anything between 60mm and 65mm with a hardness of 75A to 86A works for cruising. Make sure to buy from a reputable brand and avoid those cheap wheels on Amazon.
I’m an aged skateboarder and still shred responsibly. Started skateboarding 25 years ago, peaked in the 2000’s, and still ride to this day. I am a total geek when it comes to skateboard gear, love test to stuff and share my findings.