Can you put longboard wheels on a skateboard? (Mix and Match)

Are you an adrenaline-seeking skateboard enthusiast?

Are you looking for a way to enhance your skateboarding experience – one that doesn’t involve changing out your full setup but gives more of the same cruising speed and power for tackling those challenging hills?

If so, then this guide is just what the doctor prescribed. Here we’ll explore if it’s possible to use longboard wheels on a traditional skateboard and discuss some potential pros and cons.

Keep reading to find out how to incorporate these special circumstances into your next ride.

Can you put longboard wheels on a skateboard?

Skateboards and longboards are quite similar in design, with both having four wheels mounted on a platform. However, the wheel sizes of each type of board vary widely.

Skateboard wheels tend to be smaller in diameter and much harder than longboard wheels, which are usually wider and softer.

While it is possible to install longboard wheels onto a skateboard, it’s important to consider several factors before doing so; the overall performance of the board could be adversely affected if the wrong combination of wheel sizes and hardness levels is chosen.

On the other hand, choosing a balanced combination can lead to an even better skating experience due to increased speed, maneuverability, shock absorption, and overall stability.

Are skateboard and longboard wheels the same?

Generally speaking, skateboard and longboard wheels are not the same. Skateboard wheels are typically made of hard polyurethane and measure between 50mm and 60mm in diameter. They also tend to be very narrow, with widths ranging from around 24mm to 38mm.

These wheels are designed for quick acceleration and maneuverability, capable of performing tricks like kickflips, ollies, 360 flips, etc. Longboard wheels, on the other hand, are larger than skateboard wheels; they generally measure between 65mm and 75mm in diameter with a width range of 34mm to 55mm.

They’re usually much softer than skateboard wheels so that they can roll over rough surfaces more easily important if you’re planning on carving up some hills or cruising down a sidewalk at speed. The softer urethane also helps provide better grip while cornering.

Moreover, because they’re bigger and heavier than skateboard wheels, they tend to have more inertia which can help them maintain speed while going downhill but this also makes them slower when it comes to accelerating from a stop or getting up a hill.

How do you put longboard wheels on a skateboard?

The first step towards customizing your skateboard is to replace the wheels with longboard wheels. Longboard wheels are larger and softer than regular skateboard wheels, which allows for smoother rides and better control over the board. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to easily put longboard wheels on your skateboard.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Before you start putting longboard wheels on your skateboard, you need to make sure you have all the materials you need for the job. You will need a skate tool, which is used to remove and tighten the nuts from the bolts that hold your bearings in place. In addition, you will also need new longboard wheels, bearing spacers (if needed), and new bearings if necessary.

Step 2: Remove Old Wheels

Once you have all of your materials ready, it’s time to begin removing your old wheels. Start by using a skate tool to unscrew the nuts from each bolt until they can be easily removed by hand. Once all of the bolts are removed, take off each wheel one at a time until they are all off of your board.

Step 3: Attach New Wheels

Now that you have removed your old wheels, it’s time to attach the new ones. Place one wheel onto each side of your board and then use a skate tool to screw in each bolt until it is secure but not too tight you don’t want them too tight as this could cause damage over time. Once both sides are secure, move on to attaching the other two wheels in the same manner as above.

Step 4: Check and Adjust Bearings (if necessary)

Finally, check that all four wheels are attached properly by spinning each one individually and making sure it spins freely and smoothly without any wobbling or shaking. If necessary, adjust or replace any bearings that do not spin correctly before taking your board out for its maiden voyage with its new set of longboard wheels.

Are longboard wheels better for skateboarding?

Longboard wheels are often referred to as the better option for skateboarding due to their larger size and softer material.

Longboard wheels are typically larger than traditional skateboard wheels, which allows them to absorb more shocks from uneven surfaces, bumps, and cracks on the road. This makes them ideal for cruising because they provide a smoother ride over rough terrain.

Longboard wheels are also made from softer materials such as urethane or polyurethane, making them easier to grip and providing more traction when turning.

This is particularly beneficial for sliding and carving tricks, allowing riders to have greater control of their board when turning or changing direction.

As well, longboard wheels are often wider than standard skateboard wheels, providing a greater amount of stability when riding.

Benefits of putting longboard wheels on a skateboard

Enhanced Stability: Longboards have larger and softer wheels than skateboards do, which makes them more stable and easier to control at higher speeds. The larger wheelbase of longboards also allows them to roll over obstacles more easily than skateboards. When you install longboard wheels on your skateboard, you get the stability of a bigger wheel while still maintaining the agility of a smaller wheel. 

Increased Speed & Control: Longboarding has become popular because it allows riders to go faster without sacrificing control. With bigger wheels, you can maintain your momentum without having to push off as much as with small wheels. This means that you can reach higher speeds with less effort, giving you more control when navigating tight turns or navigating through crowded areas.  

Better Traction: One thing that sets longboards apart from regular skateboards is their superior traction due to their bigger wheels and softer urethane material. This means that you won’t slip as easily when going up hills or sliding around corners – giving you more confidence in your ride! 

Smoother Ride: The larger size and softer material used in longboarding make for smoother rides compared to regular skateboarding – particularly over rough terrain or bumps in the road. This makes them perfect for cruising down city streets or taking on some downhill runs – all while providing a comfortable ride throughout.

Less Wear & Tear on Your Board: Soft urethane used in longboarding helps absorb shock from the road so that your board isn’t taking too much of a beating every time you hit the pavement. As a result, putting longboard wheels on your board will help keep it looking brand-new for longer.

More Affordable Upgrades: It’s cheaper to buy new longboard wheels than it is to buy new regular skateboard ones — making this an affordable way to upgrade your setup without breaking the bank. If you want even better performance from your board, there are plenty of other inexpensive accessories available too (like bearings, risers pads etc.).

Easier Transitions Between Surfaces: If you want to switch between different surfaces (e.g., sidewalk vs concrete), then having bigger and softer wheels installed will make those transitions much smoother than they would be with regular-sized ones. You won’t have as much trouble with traction either — so this is definitely something worth considering if you plan on riding multiple surfaces frequently.

Disadvantages of putting longboard wheels on a skateboard

Safety – Longboard wheels can create an unsafe ride for skateboarding if not done correctly. They are made for speed, which means that riders need to be careful when going downhill or taking sharp turns as they could easily lose control of their board and take a nasty fall. Furthermore, these wheels tend to be larger than standard skateboard wheels, which means that they don’t fit as well in some types of trucks (the part that holds the wheels). If the trucks aren’t adjusted properly, then it can lead to an unstable ride. 

Cost – Longboard wheels tend to be more expensive than regular skateboard wheels due to the materials used in their construction and their overall size. This added cost may not seem like much at first glance but can add up quickly depending on how many wheels you plan on buying and how often they need replacing due to wear and tear over time. 

Limited Use – While longboard wheels can provide a fun and exciting ride, they are limited in their applications due primarily to the fact that they are designed for cruising rather than tricks or stunts. As such, those who primarily use their board for tricks or jumps may find that longboard wheels do not offer them enough versatility for their needs. 

Wear and Tear – Because longboards are designed for speed, they will wear down more quickly than regular skateboards due to increased friction from going faster as well as more strain from greater impacts when hitting obstacles or jumping off ramps. This means that you will need to replace your longboard wheels more often than if you had just stuck with regular ones, thus increasing your overall cost even further over time. 

Noise – Longboards are designed with larger urethane-based wheels which tend to make more noise than standard plastic ones when rolling across pavement or concrete surfaces due to increased friction between tire and ground surface material composition differences between the two types of wheel materials used in each application respectively. This can be an issue depending on where you plan on riding your board most often since it could potentially be disruptive or annoying for other people around you who may not appreciate hearing loud noises coming from your board while cruising through town or at a local park/skate spot near them Surface Compatibility – Longboards have different surface compatibility levels compared with regular boards due its bigger wheel size offering less maneuverability when riding over different terrain types such as grassy patches or rocky roads; this could limit where you would want/be able to take your modified set-up out too if not taken into consideration beforehand before making any changes/modifications respectively.

Weight – Lastly, longboards typically weigh more than traditional boards because of their larger wheel size; this means additional energy expenditure will be needed in order get your modified board moving compared with its factory state counterpart meaning less overall performance capacity once out riding – something which many skaters may want (or need) consider when deciding whether or not making such switch is worth it in terms of what type riding experience they would ultimately receive from doing so prior hand accordingly.

Conclusion

While it may seem that putting longboard wheels on a skateboard is a great idea based off their similarities, it’s not actually a feasible thing to do.

Longboards and skateboards differ in size, weight and wheel sizes as well, so even if you do put large longboard wheels on a skateboard, the end result will have an awkward feel which might compromise its overall performance.

Additionally, skateboard trucks aren’t designed with large longboard wheels in mind.

So even if the initial fit seems promising, using longboard wheels on a skateboard won’t be beneficial in the long run.

FAQs

Is it harder to ride a longboard or skateboard?

There is a difference between longboarding and skateboarding, depending on what the person wants to do with it. Longboarding is usually more suited towards cruising and carving, while skateboarding is geared more towards tricks and stunts. Ultimately, it all depends on the individual’s preference.

Can you put longboard wheels on a regular skateboard?

Although it is technically possible to mount longboard wheels on a traditional skateboard, the outcome generally isn’t ideal. Skateboard trucks are not designed for bigger longboarding wheels, which can result in an uncomfortable feel and reduced performance of your board. For optimal results, you should stick with standard-sized skateboarding wheels for your setup.

What type of terrain do longboards work best on?

Longboards work best on smooth and even terrain such as paved roads, sidewalks, skate parks etc. Longboards are usually not suitable for rougher terrains such as dirt or grassy surfaces due to their larger wheel size. It is important to be mindful of the type of surface you will be riding on when selecting your board and wheels accordingly.