Skateboard Wheels
Skateboarding is one of the most popular activities for young people in America, and throughout many other parts of the world as well. It has grown from an obscure pastime of southern California surfers into a multi-million dollar industry, and has done so in just a few short decades. Skate shops have popped up in just about every major city and suburb across the country, not to mention the many online skateboarding retailers. Just about anything one needs for skateboarding can be found through these businesses, including one of the most important accessories, skateboard wheels. The right set of wheels can have a dramatic impact on the overall performance of your skateboard.
Skateboarding is an obsession for us here at Sushiwheels.com. We believe that with the right equipment and a little bit of practice, skateboarding can be enjoyed by just about anyone. However, with all of the various pieces of equipment, not to mention the number of manufacturers, the options can get a bit confusing for the novice skater. We have therefore designed out website to help take the guesswork out of choosing the right skateboard wheels for your ability and style of skating. We are dedicated to the idea of providing honest, non-biased information about all aspects of skate wheels and we do not endorse any one company, retailer, or manufacturer.
The skateboard has been around for several decades, in one form or another. For these early variations, wheels were much less high-tech than they are today. In many cases, these prototypes were nothing more than a plank of wood to which metal rollerskate wheels were attached. In the 1960's, these metal wheels were largely replaced with clay variations, which were an improvement but were not exactly the ideal material. By the 1970's however, the introduction of urethane wheels would forever change the skateboarding industry. Urethane wheels were easy to mass-produce, were extremely durable, and were much better suited to rolling over asphalt and concrete then were the older-style metal and clay wheels.
Today, skateboard wheels come in a virtually endless array of designs, although most of these are still made from urethane. As skateboarding has evolved as a sport, generating variety of styles ranging from freestyle to longboarding, wheels have also evolved. Hard, small-diameter wheels are specially designed for those that prefer freestyle and ramp skating. Longboarders often prefer larger, softer wheels for improved handling and speed. There are also many in-between sizes and styles that can be used to customize the ride characteristics of any given skateboard. Many skaters will move from one style wheel to another as their skills improve and their riding style changes.
Fortunately, skateboard wheels can be purchased quite easily. As previously mentioned, most cities in towns in America have at least one local skate shop from which to purchase. There are also many online retailers that can help you locate the right wheels for you if you do not have access to them locally. A simple browsing of the Internet can produce dozens of options.