Can I Put Longboard Wheels on a Regular Skate?

Skateboarding was spawned by the ocean. When the waves failed to roll, surfers in the 1950s would put wheels on their boards and surf the sidewalk. The early skaters would adopt all the mannerisms of skimming the surf, as they gracefully carved the concrete in a fluid motion. Pretty soon sidewalk surfing became a sport in its own right, and specialist tailor-made wooden boards hit the stores, which would change in both shape and design over the coming decades. Although more in keeping with the original skateboard prototype, the current longboard design differs sharply in design from regular skateboard decks, but putting longboard wheels on a skateboard should pose no difficulties.

  1. Two Sides of the Same Coin

    • Although often mistaken for the same sport, longboarding and skateboarding each possess their own set of subtle nuances and contrasting quirks that are easily identifiable by serious skaters. Longboarding involves bigger wheels, bigger trucks and, of course, longer boards. This allows riders greater speed in disciplines such as free-ride, slide and slalom. Skateboards are smaller and more condensed, allowing much more technical maneuverability and potential for innovative tricks. Whereas skateboarding often benefits from an aggressive style and daredevil attitude, longboarding is all about allowing the rider to "surf" the concrete, and emphasizes a style and spirit of movement that has less to do with technical ability but more to do with enjoying the feel and freedom of the ride.

    Longboard Wheels

    • Most longboard wheels are made from urethane. Their performance relies on height, lip shape, contact patch, hardness and hub setting. Typically their size ranges from 65 to 107 mm. Taller wheels are faster but have a slower acceleration rate. Smaller wheels allow a quick burst of speed but are overall slower. Hard wheels are usually favored by longboard riders as they prove faster on smooth surfaces such as roads.

    Skateboard Wheels

    • Also made from urethane, the main role of a skateboard's wheels is to properly grip the concrete and allow for fluid movements and technical tricks. Soft wheels stick to the ground better, so what you lose in speed you gain in stability. Skateboard wheels are a lot smaller than longboard wheels and are rarely bigger than 60 mm.

    The Spinning of the Wheels

    • Although they act as a hindrance in terms of the skateboarder's ability to perform tricks, longboard wheels are favored by skaters who wish to use their board as a means of transport. Cracks in the pavement and bumps are common obstacles for regular skateboard wheels, but a longboard's wheels can navigate them without difficulty, thus ensuing a more enjoyable and trouble-free ride. Skateboarders wishing to use longboard wheels on their decks should experience little difficulty in the transition. Higher risers to support the trucks that the wheels attach to is advisable.