The answer is, yes! You can put longboard wheels on a skateboard. However, changing your wheels will require some requirements and additional modifications. You have to keep the wheel size at less than 70mm. Depending on your wheel-to-deck clearance, you may also need to add raiser pads between the deck and the trucks.
Skateboarding now has about 85 million participants worldwide, which calls for innovation to suit each skater’s preference. For example, many people think about changing their skateboard to longboard wheels for a smoother ride.
Changing your skateboard wheels to longboard wheels will make your ride smoother, and your skateboard will absorb more bumps on the road.
This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to replace your skateboard wheels with longboard wheels. We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of replacing your wheels below.
What’s the Difference Between Skateboard Wheels and Longboard Wheels?
Skateboards and longboards have several similarities and differences. For example, skateboards have small and hard wheels, while longboards have small and soft wheels. In addition, skateboard wheels typically have 48-60mm diameter, while longboard wheels may have 60-75mm diameter.
But they are mostly set apart by features such as:
Wheel Size
The wheels of a skateboard are usually narrower and smaller than a longboard’s. This is because a skateboard’s wheels help it to maintain balance by lowering the center of gravity, while a longboard’s big wheels allow it to travel faster.
Skateboard wheels range between 1.9 inches (4.8 cm) and 2.1 inches (5.4 cm), while longboard wheels range between 2.6 inches (6.5 cm) and 4.2 inches (10.7 cm).
Deck Size
Longboards have longer and wider deck sizes than skateboards. They can range between 33 inches (84 cm) and 59 inches (150 cm) with widths between 9 inches (22.8 cm) and 10 inches (25.4 cm).
On the other hand, skateboards can range between 28 inches (71 cm) and 33 inches (84 cm) in length and between 7 inches (18 cm) and 10.5 inches (27 cm) in width.
Speed
Longboards generally travel faster than skateboards. This is because the dimensions of a longboard are designed for speed. On the other hand, a skateboard has a lower center of gravity, making it much easier to perform tricks.
Applications
The skateboard is best suited for performing skills, and there’s a wide range of boards depending on the technicality of tricks. However, longboards are best for high-speed cruises or commutes.
Wheel Texture/ Terrain
You can ride skateboards and longboards on similar terrains, but skateboards are best suited for smooth landscapes. However, longboards can still be ridden on rougher or bumpier terrains and built to travel longer distances faster.
How to Put Longboard Wheels on a Skateboard
Once you’ve decided to switch your skateboard wheels for longboard wheels, then you must have a few items ready.
- 4 longboard wheels of less than 70mm.
- 2 riser pads of half inches (½)
- A skate tool, socket, with a screwdriver
- Skateboard hardware of 1½” or 1.5 bolts
- Bearings
The recommended wheel size is less than 70mm. 70mm wheels on your skateboard will make you feel the wheel bite whenever you lean side to side while turning.
Instead, choose 63mm-66mm. Your trucks should be tights, and you may need harder bushings depending on your weight. The riser height should be exactly half of the wheel size increase for optimal or low truck sizes.
What are the Proper Tools?
A skate tool is essential when upgrading your wheels. It makes it easier to swap your wheels and trucks, rethread the axles, remove bearings, and replace bushings. However, you can always use a screwdriver and an adjustable wrench if you don’t have one.
When fixing your longboard wheels, you must take special care to ensure the correct fixation on your skateboard.
Here are the steps to fixing your longboard wheels:
Remove the Truck from Your Skateboard
The first step is to separate the tecum from the skateboard. For this, you can use a pair of pliers to open the nuts of the skateboard. Once the pliers grip the nut, you must turn it until it comes off.
Replace the Hardware
You’ll need new hardware that fits the longboard wheels. So, you’ll switch out the skateboard default nuts with about 1½ inches long nuts.
Fix the Riser Pads
You need a pair of riser pads between the truck base plate and the bed. Typically, your riser pads should be about ½ inches.
This makes it easier for new wheels to turn on your board without getting stuck, and it prevents damage to your board. Some only use one riser pad.
Install the Truck
Install your truck over the riser pad and tighten the eight bolts with a wrench or handy tool. Most trucks typically come with Allen keys.
Install Bearings
You should install bearings into your longboard wheels at this stage. Ensure the bearings are fully seated and not sticking out from the bearing bore.
Either way, you need a considerable distance between the riser pads and the wheels.
Mount the Longboard Wheels
Place your wheels correctly on the axles and tighten them with a nut-fixing tool. They should be tight enough that they don’t move around but not so tight that they break.
Test Out Your New Wheels!
The final step is to get on board and test out your new wheels to see if everything appears right. Once it passes this test, your longboard wheels skateboard is ready to ride.
Why Do Longboard Wheels Work?
Longboard wheels work because you can make several size choices and modifications to suit each skateboard and skater. You usually will have to consider longboard properties like wheel size, shape, contact patch, long wheel cores, and bearings. Choosing the right wheels will guarantee a smoother ride on your skateboard.
Here are some points to note:
- Wheel size helps to prevent wheel bites. Small wheels fit easily and accelerate faster but give more jerks while riding. Large wheels accelerate slower but provide high speed. They are best for crossing debris and cracks.
- The wheel shape can affect how suitable longboard wheels are for your skates. For example, square lip wheels are great for learning sliding and downhill riding. On the other hand, round lip wheels are great for breaking traction. They are best for stand-up sliding and freeriding.
- The contact patch is the wheel’s surface rolling on the ground, determining the stability and free ride. Wider patches ensure more stability and are best for downhill skating. Narrow contact patch wheels are best for a free ride.
- The longboard wheels’ core can be center-set, side-set, or off-set.
- High-quality bearings make your skateboard last longer. It lowers the skate velocity and reduces friction. It’s best to consider the rotational speed, rigidity factor, bearing loads, and availability of lubricant when choosing one.
Can You Do Tricks with Longboard Wheels?
Yes, you can do a few basic tricks with longboard wheels. However, it will feel harder than doing those skills on regular skateboard wheels. The harder and softer longboard wheels make it trickier to do stunts.
For example, it’s harder to do an ollie, flips, and tricks that require you to pop off the ground. But with practice, even these skills can become fun with longboard wheels.
So, if you are considering participating in the recently debuted skateboarding Olympics, installing longboard wheels may not be ideal. Longboard wheels are great if you want a smooth-ride cruiser-style skateboard that holds speed and can get you around. However, it’s a bad idea to do tricks on your board or shred-in-the-bowl.
Pros of Putting Longboard Wheels on a Skateboard
People usually switch out regular skateboard wheels for longboard wheels because:
- The bigger wheel size provides more inertia and high rotational speed, significantly reducing friction.
- The wheels have a large radius of curvature, making it easier to overcome bumps, rocks, obstacles, and rough surfaces.
- The wheels have higher widths and larger wheel diameters, making them faster and more stable.
- The wheels are heavier, leading to more rolling strength.
- They are great for cruising.
Cons of Putting Longboard Wheels on a Skateboard
There are a few disadvantages or imbalances to using longboard wheels.
- It will be more challenging to do rotational tricks like the 180s and 360s and other pop-off tricks.
- You may experience wheel bite from time to time.
- The riser pad may feel strange at first and throw you off balance.
Final Thoughts
You can convert your regular skateboard into a cruiser by putting longboard wheels on a skateboard. It’s a great way to feel out your skateboard if you are adventurous, but don’t forget to use the proper tools and insert a riser pad. To avoid wheel biting, you must also keep the wheel size under 70mm.
Longboard wheel skateboards may make sliding, flipping, and downhill riding a bit harder, but you will have unprecedented easy, grippy, and smooth rides.