I have great news for those who are lovers of skateboarding, like beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals. Now you will not face any issues on rough roads, uneven terrains, and lots of pebbles, bumps, or friction while cruising on longboards.
Moreover, to face all these issues, I have compiled a list of the best five longboard wheels for cruising on longboards, as these all products will let you enjoy moving at high speed and maintain your control over the skateboard even on rough and challenging surfaces.
So let’s dive into the reviews of the top five picks for rough road wheels for a longboard with their pros, cons, and specifications with their buying guide.
| Longboard Wheels For Cruising on Rough Roads | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Orangutang Longboard Wheels | 4.5 score | Check Price |
| Big Foot Longboard Wheels | 4.6 score | Check Price |
| FreeDare Longboard Wheels | 4.3 score | Check Price |
| Sector 9 Longboard wheels | 4.4 score | Check Price |
| Cal 7 97mm 78A Longboard | 4.6 score | Check Price |
Best Longboard Wheels For Cruising on Rough Road
In 2024, finding the best longboard wheels for cruising on rough roads is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable ride. The Orangatang Caguama stands out for their large diameter and soft urethane formula, absorbing vibrations and handling imperfections with ease. Sector 9 Nineballs are also a top choice, with their wide contact patch and soft durometer providing excellent grip and comfort on uneven surfaces.
Lastly, the Cloud Ride! Cruiser Wheels offer a unique balance of softness for shock absorption and a durable core for long-lasting performance. These wheels excel in delivering a smooth cruising experience, even on challenging terrains, making them ideal for adventurers seeking reliability and comfort on their rides.
Orangutang Longboard Wheels
Oranga tang with 75 mm is known as downhill racers, made with rebound materials. The wheels are best for drifting and sliding, as they are made with high-quality and durable material.
The wheels are formulated with happy thane formula, great for phenomenal performance and carving in speed boarding.
Furthermore, Orangatang wheels were made in Southern California in 2008 and constructed for maximum speed for rough surfaces. The whole offers significant momentum, high-grade comfort, durability, and endurance due to the quality materials.
Delivering fast acceleration can lower weight because of its lightweight feature.
Specifications
- Package Weight: 1.03 kilogram
- Brand name: Oranga Tang
- Color: Blue
- Material: urethane
What’s Good?
- Versatile design
- Fast and balanced
- Maximum traction
- Happy thane formula
- A supportive and robust core
What’s Bad?
- Do not work on extra long carver
Big Foot Longboard Wheels
BigFoot longboard wheels are a good combination of softness, speed, and grip, as these are innovative features of this brand.
The wheels balance slides and give ultimate control on your rides. With these wheels, you can enjoy high speed over mountains and harsh bumpy, rough roads.
For an enduring and perfect wheel durometer, it has 80A hardness. With these latest and advanced features, you can enjoy tremendous satisfaction and less friction with comfortable traveling. So they are specially designed for their unique attributes.
These wheels are characterized by features and upgrades to control sliding on rough roads.
Specifications
- Package Weight: 0.68 kilogram
- Item weight: 0.8 kilogram
- Color: Black
- Material: urethane
What’s Good?
- Variety of colors
- Offset core
- Value for money
- Less friction
What’s Bad?
- Limited warranty
FreeDare Longboard Wheels
Freedare longboard wheels are considered the best option for rough roads because they have advanced LED light features that flare up when the wheels roll up for replacements.
These wheels offer high-grade modification with a simple replacement option with a straightforward process.
However, these best longboard wheels are highly long-lasting and durable, allowing you to move quickly on rough roads and with pebbles. The polyurethane wheels offer steadiness and smoothness to ride on rough roads comfortably and confidently.
The stability and endurance in these wheels provide efficiency and high-grade performance during longboarding.
Specifications
- Package Weight: 0.71 kilogram
- Brand name: FREEWARE
- Color: Black
- Material: Polyethylene
What’s Good?
- Great for different applications
- Move quickly on rough roads
- Spinning speed
- High-grade modification
What’s Bad?
- Bearing is not good
Sector 9 Longboard wheels
Sector 9 longboard wheels are well known for their firm grip, high-quality materials, and nose-free rides.
The wheels are the best option to absorb friction and vibration because they are a great conductor for these two features. You can enjoy riding on rough, bumpy surfaces with unparalleled super-soft wheels.
Furthermore, as skating is fun, especially in rain and rough surfaces, you can get this option because these wheels won’t slip in any way.
So, the Sector 9 longboard wheels are best for beginners, with grip and stability on rainy days. The wheels are firmly griped and light in weight, best for practicing this game.
Specifications
- Package Weight: 0.68 kilogram
- Item weight: 0.9 kilogram
- Color: green
- Sport type: Skateboarding
What’s Good?
- Butterball slide formula
- Light in weight
- Great grip
- Perfect for hill bombing
What’s Bad?
- Not much sturdy
Cal 7 97mm 78A Longboard
Cal 7 97mm 78A Longboard is designed for impact-resistant and sturdy material as the wheel hub has durable poly urethane that offers a shock-absorbing ride and steady experience.
You can easily enjoy power, control, and high-spin movement, thus making it a perfect option for rough terrains.
Despite all features, its surfaces enhance the incredible versatility, impact for resistance, and ability to absorb hits. The wheels are best for giving easy swing, and players can move anywhere they want.
Specifications
- Package Weight: 1.23 kilogram
- Item weight: 1.23 kilogram
- Color: Blue
- Material: Plastic
What’s Good?
- Longest rolling wheels
- Best grip experience
- Great for cruising
- Slick wheels
What’s Bad?
- Not suitable for beginning riding
What to Look For When Buying the Best Wheels For Rough Roads Longboarding
However, choosing the right wheels can be daunting, especially for beginners. This guide aims to demystify selecting the best reels for longboarding on rough roads.
We’ll explore factors to consider when choosing longboard wheels for rough roads, such as durometer, size, shape, material, and core placement, and provide tips on maintaining your wheels for optimal performance.
Type of wheels
Choosing the right wheels can make all the difference in longboarding on rough roads. The wheels act as the buffer between your board and the terrain below, and they can significantly affect the performance and comfort of your ride. The wrong wheels can make your ride feel bumpy and uncomfortable, or even worse, cause you to lose control and wipe out.
Rough roads can cause your wheels to bounce and slide around, making staying stable on your board more complex. The terrain can also cause excessive wear and tear on your reels, shortening their lifespan. That’s why choosing wheels specifically designed for rough roads is essential to help you maintain control and comfort while riding.
Durometer
A durometer is a measurement of how hard or soft a wheel is. It is measured on a scale of 1-100, with higher numbers indicating a stiffer wheel. This measurement affects the wheel’s grip, rebound, and durability and is essential when choosing wheels for rough roads.
You’ll want to choose wheels with a lower durometer rating for rough roads. This is because softer wheels have more grip and a higher rebound, which will help absorb shocks and vibrations from rough terrain. Look for wheels rated between 78A and 85A for the best results on bumpy roads.
Size Matters
Wheel diameter is another essential factor to consider regarding rough roads. Larger wheels will roll over bumps and cracks more quickly, but they can also make it more challenging to maneuver your board. On the other hand, smaller wheels are more agile but won’t roll over rough terrain as smoothly.
You’ll want to choose wheels at least 65mm in diameter for rough roads. This will give you enough clearance to roll over bumps and cracks without sacrificing too much maneuverability. If you want a balance between stability and agility, consider wheels in the 70-75mm range.
Core Placement
The core of a wheel is the inner part that supports the wheel’s shape and affects its performance. Core placement refers to where the core is located about the wheel’s outer edges.
You’ll want to look for wheels with a center-set or offset core placement for rough roads. This is because these placements give the wheel a wider contact patch, which provides more stability and helps absorb shocks and vibrations from rough terrain. Avoid wheels with a side-set core placement, as they are better suited for sliding and won’t perform as well on bumpy roads.
Shape and Profile
Longboard wheels come in various shapes and profiles, significantly impacting your riding experience. The shape refers to the outer part of a wheel, while the profile is the cross-sectional shape of a revolution.
Longboard wheels generally have rounded lips, allowing smoother turns and slides than sharp lips on skateboard wheels.
The profile of the wheel can be either conical or square. A conical shape provides better speed control and grip, while a square profile offers stability and durability.
A wheel with a larger diameter and softer durometer is recommended for rough roads, which we’ve already covered in an earlier section. As for shape and profile, a rounded lip and conical shape would be ideal.
The rounded lip ensures a smoother ride on rough terrain, allowing for better grip and less chatter. A conical shape offers more control and grip, which will help you navigate uneven surfaces and maintain stability.
Material Matters
Longboard wheels are typically made of either urethane or a combination of materials like urethane and plastic. The quality and type of urethane used can impact the wheel’s durability, speed, and grip. For rough roads, you’ll need a wheel made of soft urethane, which can absorb shocks and vibrations and provide a smoother ride.
As mentioned, a softer durometer wheel made of high-quality urethane is the best choice for rough roads. Urethane wheels with a durometer rating of 78A-85A provide a good grip, speed, and shock absorption balance.
Avoid wheels made of more rigid materials like plastic, as they’ll only worsen the experience on rough terrain.
Bearings
Bearings play a critical role in a longboard’s performance. They allow the wheels to rotate smoothly and quickly while reducing friction and wear.
The quality of bearings can significantly impact how your longboard performs on rough roads. When buying approaches for rough roads, look for those with a higher ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineering Committee) rating. Bearings with an ABEC rating of 7 or higher are designed for high-speed applications and provide a smoother rolling experience, even on rough surfaces.
Additionally, ceramic bearings are another option that offers a smooth and faster roll even in rough terrain.
FAQs
What Is The Ideal Durometer For Longboard Wheels On Rough Roads?
Generally, a durometer of 78A to 85A is ideal for longboarding on rough roads. These wheels have a softer polyurethane construction that can absorb the impact of rough terrain, providing a smooth ride.
What Is The Ideal Size For Longboard Wheels On Rough Roads?
The ideal size for wheels on rough roads will depend on several factors, such as riding style, speed, and weight. In general, larger wheels with a diameter of 70mm or more are ideal for rough roads as they can provide better speed and stability.
What Is The Importance Of Core Placement In Longboard Wheels On Rough Roads?
Core placement is crucial as it determines the amount of flex or rigidity in a wheel, impacting its performance on rough roads. Wheels with a center-set core placement will have a more even wear pattern and better grip on uneven terrain, while offset core placement is best for more technical riding and sliding.
Conclusion
Longboarding on rough roads can be a thrilling experience, but it requires a different set of wheels than those used for cruising on smooth surfaces. Rough road wheels need a suitable durometer, size, shape and profile, material, and core placement to ensure a smooth and safe ride.
