The Wheels That Roll: Cruiser Wheels

When it comes to cruising around town or simply enjoying a leisurely ride, cruiser wheels are perfect for the job. They’re larger and softer than traditional skateboard wheels, offering a smoother ride on rough terrain. The size and profile of cruiser wheels make them ideal for carving and commuting without the need for constant pushing.

While cruiser wheels excel in delivering an effortless cruise around town, they may not be the best option when it comes to performing tricks.

Cruiser wheels typically range between 60mm-70mm in diameter, with a durometer (hardness) rating of 78a-90a. The larger size provides more surface area contact with the ground, allowing better grip and stability compared to smaller skateboard wheels.

The softer durometer rating also absorbs vibrations, providing a more comfortable ride over bumps or cracks in the pavement. These features make cruiser wheels an excellent choice for transportation purposes or relaxed cruising sessions.

Tricksters Beware: Cruiser Wheels May Not Be Your Best Bet

In general, performing tricks with cruiser wheels is more challenging compared to traditional skateboard wheels because of their unique characteristics. The larger size of cruiser wheels makes it difficult to perform technical maneuvers such as flip tricks where precision foot placement is crucial.

In addition, landing on a smaller surface area can be challenging due to the increased distance between the board and the ground. However, perhaps one of the biggest challenges when using cruiser boards for tricks is getting enough pop during ollies or kickflips due to their softer durometer rating.

While cruising around on your trusty board with soft-wheel cruisers may be suitable for many riders’ needs, performing technical tricks may require you to switch out your setup entirely. But that doesn’t mean you should give up entirely – there are still some flashy moves you can learn using these types of boards!

Differences between cruiser and skateboard wheels

Size and shape

One of the most noticeable differences between cruiser and skateboard wheels is their size and shape. Cruiser wheels are generally larger and wider than skateboard wheels, with diameters ranging from 55mm to 70mm. They also have a rounded lip that provides a smooth ride for cruising around town.

Skateboard wheels, on the other hand, are smaller and more symmetrical in shape, with diameters ranging from 49mm to 56mm. The smaller size allows for greater maneuverability when doing tricks.

Durometer (hardness)

Another key difference between cruiser and skateboard wheels is their durometer or hardness level. Cruiser wheels tend to be softer than skateboard wheels, with durometers ranging from 78a to 85a.

This softer durometer allows for a smoother ride over rough terrain but can make it more difficult to do tricks like ollies or kickflips due to the lack of pop. Skateboard wheels typically have a harder durometer, ranging from 99a to 101a, which provides more pop for tricks.

Traction and grip

The traction and grip of cruiser and skateboard wheels are also different due to variations in wheel material composition. Cruiser wheels are made of a softer urethane rubber that grips the pavement better but may not slide as easily as harder urethane used in skateboarding.

Skateboarders prefer harder wheel compositions because they allow for better slides on rails or lips of obstacles while still providing enough grip for carving turns while cruising around town. Additionally, some cruisers come equipped with wider contact patches that provide greater stability while turning but may limit maneuverability when doing tricks

Challenges of doing tricks with cruiser wheels

Less Pop for Ollies and Kickflips Due to Softer Durometer

One of the main differences between cruiser wheels and skateboard wheels is the durometer or hardness. Cruiser wheels are typically softer than skateboard wheels, which gives them a smoother ride on rough surfaces but also makes it more difficult to do tricks that require a lot of pop, such as ollies and kickflips.

With less resistance from the ground, it can be tough to get enough air to complete these tricks successfully. If you’re used to doing tricks on traditional skateboard wheels, making the switch to cruiser wheels may take some getting used to.

It’s important to adjust your technique accordingly by using more force when popping your board off the ground. This means kicking harder with your back foot and jumping higher with your front foot in order to compensate for the softer durometer.

Difficulty Landing on Smaller Surface Area

Another challenge of doing tricks with cruiser wheels is landing on a smaller surface area compared to traditional skateboard wheels. Cruiser wheels are often wider and larger in diameter, which can make it harder to land cleanly on your board after completing a trick.

The extra width can cause your feet to slip off or land awkwardly if you’re not used to the different sizes. To overcome this challenge, it’s important to practice landing consistently in a small area before attempting bigger tricks or obstacles.

Start by practicing simple flat-ground tricks like 180s or shuvits until you feel comfortable landing squarely on your board every time. Once you’ve mastered these basics, you can move on to more complex tricks like kickflips or heelflips.

Limited Maneuverability Due to Larger Size

The final challenge of doing tricks with cruiser wheels is limited maneuverability due to their larger size and shape. Cruiser wheels are designed for cruising and carving, which means they are often wider and heavier than traditional skateboard wheels.

This can make it harder to turn sharply or change direction quickly when attempting tricks. To work around this challenge, it’s important to adjust your body position and foot placement when attempting tricks with cruiser wheels.

Try shifting your weight towards the front or back of your board to help initiate turns more smoothly, and practice carving on flat ground before moving onto more complex tricks that require tight turns or quick movements. With enough practice, you’ll be able to adapt to the unique challenges of doing tricks with cruiser wheels and expand your skateboarding skills in new directions.

Tips for doing tricks with cruiser wheels

Adjusting foot placement for better balance

When attempting tricks on a cruiser board, it is important to adjust your foot placement to maintain better balance. Since the wheels are larger and softer, they tend to be less responsive than regular skateboard wheels.

This means that you should place your front foot closer to the middle of the board to help stabilize it while performing tricks. For example, when attempting an ollie on a cruiser board, you should position your front foot closer toward the center of the board rather than toward the nose.

This will help maintain balance while popping up and landing back down onto the board. Additionally, when performing a kickflip or heelflip, you may need to adjust your front foot slightly further back than usual in order to get enough pop and rotation.

Using more force to compensate for less pop

Due to their softer durometer, cruiser wheels provide less pop compared to regular skateboard wheels. As a result, it may require more force from both feet in order to get enough lift and height during tricks.

To compensate for this lack of pop, try adding more force to your movements when attempting tricks on a cruiser board. This means jumping higher and stomping down harder on the tail or nose when doing ollies or other jump-based tricks.

Practicing on flat ground before attempting ramps or obstacles

Before attempting any tricks on ramps or obstacles with a cruiser board, it is important to practice them first on flat ground. Start with basic flat ground tricks like ollies and shuvits before moving on to more complex maneuvers like kickflips and varial flips.

Once you have mastered these basic skills on flat ground, take them over onto small ramps and transitions before gradually increasing height and difficulty levels. Remember that mastering any skill takes time and patience, so don’t get discouraged if it takes a while to get the hang of tricks on a cruiser board.

Overall, with enough practice and determination, it is definitely possible to execute impressive tricks on cruiser boards. The key is to adjust your techniques and foot placement accordingly while also compensating for the unique characteristics of cruiser wheels.

Examples of tricks that can be done with cruiser wheels

Power slides: Sliding into Style

One of the most popular tricks that can be done with cruiser wheels is the power slide. This is where you intentionally lose traction on your back wheels, causing them to slide out sideways while moving forward.

It’s a great way to slow down or stop quickly, or to add some style and flair to your cruising. There are a few different ways to do a power slide, but one of the most common methods is to shift your weight toward your front foot and push down hard on your back foot, causing it to lose traction.

As soon as you feel the wheels start to slide, turn your shoulders in the direction you want to slide and use your arms for balance. It may take some practice before you’re able to do a smooth and controlled power slide, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a fun trick that can be used in a variety of situations.

No-complies: Get off Your Board!

Another trick that works well with cruiser wheels is the no-comply. This is where you kick off one foot while leaving the other foot on the board and then jump over it with both feet before landing back on the board. It’s a great way to add some variety and creativity to your cruising.

To do a no-comply, start by riding forward with both feet on the board. Shift your weight towards your front foot and lift up your back foot as if preparing for an ollie.

Then kick off your front foot while simultaneously jumping over it with both feet. This trick takes some coordination and timing, but once you get it down, it can be used in combination with other tricks like manuals or shuvits for even more creativity.

Bonelesses: Old-School Style

Bonelesses are another classic trick that works well with cruiser wheels. This trick involves taking your back foot off the board and using it to jump back onto the board while simultaneously grabbing onto the nose of the board with your front hand. To do a boneless, start by riding forward with both feet on the board.

Shift your weight towards your front foot and lift up your back foot as if preparing for an ollie. Then grab onto the nose of the board with your front hand and use your back foot to jump into the air.

Once you’re in the air, release your grip on the nose of the board and use both feet to land back on it. It may take some practice before you’re able to get this trick down, but once you do, it’s a great way to add some old-school style to your cruising.

Conclusion

Recap of challenges and tips for doing tricks with cruiser wheels

Doing tricks with cruiser wheels can be a bit more challenging than with regular skateboard wheels. The larger size, softer durometer, and limited maneuverability of cruiser wheels can make it difficult to land tricks and achieve the same amount of pop.

However, by adjusting your foot placement, using more force when popping, and practicing on flat ground before attempting on ramps or obstacles, you can improve your skills and overcome these challenges. There are some tricks that are easier to do with cruiser wheels such as power slides, no-complies, and bonelesses.

But it is also possible to do other types of tricks with a bit more practice. Keep in mind that it may take some time to get used to the different feel of cruiser wheels compared to regular skateboard wheels.

Acknowledgment that it may take more practice, but it is still possible to do tricks with cruiser wheels

It’s important to acknowledge that doing tricks with cruiser wheels does require some extra effort and practice. But don’t let that discourage you from trying!

With enough time and dedication, you can learn to do all sorts of cool maneuvers on your board even if you’re riding on bigger or softer wheels. In fact, experimenting with different types of equipment may open up new opportunities for creativity and self-expression through skateboarding.

So if you’re feeling up for a challenge or just want to switch things up from your usual setup – give cruising around on a bigger, softer wheel a try! You might surprise yourself with what’s possible.