Black Market “Barbed” 52mm 101a Tech Skateboard Wheels

For most street skating and skatepark use, I recommend 52mm to 54mm wheels. Based on my skating experience, this range provides a good balance of speed, stability and board control, making it a suitable starting point for both beginners and experienced skaters.

Wheels smaller than 52mm sit closer to the ground, but they may lose speed more easily on rough surfaces. Wheels larger than 54mm roll over cracks and uneven ground more easily, but they also raise the skateboard farther from the ground and may increase the chance of wheel bite.

For street tricks and skatepark skating, I generally recommend 99A to 101A wheels. Harder wheels have less grip on smooth ground, making them feel faster and more responsive when doing tricks, slides and reverts.

For cruising or skating on rough ground, I recommend softer wheels between 78A and 87A. They absorb more vibration and roll over small cracks more comfortably. However, the additional grip can make them feel less responsive when doing technical tricks or trying to slide the wheels.

Most setups using 52mm to 54mm wheels will not need riser pads. However, I recommend considering riser pads if you are using wheels around 55mm or larger, especially if your trucks are low or you like to skate with loose trucks.

Riser pads create more space between the deck and wheels, which helps reduce wheel bite. Wheel bite happens when a wheel touches the underside of the deck during a turn and suddenly slows or stops the skateboard.