Wheel bite can be a frustrating experience for any longboarder. Imagine carving smoothly, only to have your wheels suddenly lock against the deck, throwing you off balance or worse, sending you flying. This sudden halt, known as wheel bite, isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a potential hazard. While it might seem like a common skateboarding issue, understanding the causes and, more importantly, the solutions, is essential for a smoother and safer ride on your longboard.
What exactly is wheel bite? It occurs when the wheels of your longboard come into contact with the deck during a turn or when the board flexes. The friction abruptly stops the wheels from rotating, which can lead to loss of control and unexpected falls. This isn’t limited to aggressive riding; even casual cruisers can encounter wheel bite, especially when making sharp turns or navigating uneven surfaces.
How to Prevent Wheel Bite on Your Longboard
The good news is that wheel bite is often preventable and fixable with some basic knowledge and adjustments. The amount of space needed to prevent wheel bite varies depending on several factors including how loose you set up your trucks, the durometer (hardness) of your bushings, your weight, and your style of riding. Fortunately, there are several methods you can implement to minimize or even eliminate wheel bite.
Here are five effective strategies:
- Install Riser Pads: Adding riser pads is one of the most effective ways to prevent wheel bite.
- Tighten Your Trucks: Adjusting the tightness of your longboard trucks can significantly reduce the chance of wheel bite.
- Replace Your Bushings: Upgrading or changing your bushings to a stiffer option can provide more stability and reduce the likelihood of wheel bite.
- Use Smaller Wheels: Using a smaller diameter wheel creates more clearance between the wheel and deck.
- Choose a Deck with Wheel Wells: A deck with wheel wells can provide additional space for the wheels to turn without making contact.
Let’s explore each solution in detail to determine when and how to apply each method effectively.
1. Installing Riser Pads
Longboard with riser pads between trucks and deck
Riser pads are the most common solution and are generally recommended for longboards using wheels larger than 60mm. Riser pads are flat pieces of hard plastic or rubber that are installed between the trucks and the deck, increasing the distance between the wheels and the deck. This additional clearance makes it less likely for the wheels to make contact with the deck when turning.
They offer multiple benefits, not only do they give you more wheel clearance, but rubber riser pads (sometimes called shock pads) can help to absorb vibrations, making your ride smoother and more comfortable. They also provide protection against pressure cracks, preventing potential damage to your deck over time.
When choosing riser pads, keep in mind that the thicker the riser, the more clearance you will achieve. The right thickness will depend on the size of your wheels. Generally, you should use a 1/8″ riser pad for wheels in the 60-65mm range and a 1/4″ for wheels in the 70-75mm range. Be sure to use longer hardware when using riser pads.
2. Tightening Your Longboard Trucks
Skate tool tightening longboard truck
Tightening your trucks is a straightforward way to limit the amount your longboard can lean when turning, thereby preventing wheel bite. When your trucks are too loose, your board will lean more when turning, bringing the wheels closer to the deck and increasing the possibility of wheel bite. By tightening the kingpin nut, which controls the tension of the trucks, you reduce the board’s ability to turn as sharply, and subsequently, reduce wheel bite.
While tightening your trucks might help with wheel bite, it can affect the responsiveness of your board. The more resistance in your trucks, the more effort it takes to initiate a turn. While you may need some time to adapt to the feel of tighter trucks, this option is a good starting point for preventing wheel bite, especially when paired with other solutions.
3. Replacing Your Bushings
Close-up of replacing bushings on a longboard truck
Bushings are crucial components of your longboard trucks. They’re the rubbery or urethane pieces that sit around the kingpin and provide the turning resistance. If your bushings are too soft for your weight or style of riding, they’ll compress too much when turning, which can lead to wheel bite. Replacing your bushings with a harder durometer option will give more stability and less lean when turning, reducing the chances of wheel bite.
Selecting the right durometer bushing for your weight and style is important. The right stiffness will give you the control you need while allowing you to turn comfortably. Lighter riders will generally find softer bushings work best, and heavier riders will need firmer bushings.
Here is a general guideline for bushing durometers:
| Bushing Hardness | Best For | Truck Feel | Recommended Skater Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft (80a – 90a) | Lighter riders | Loose | Up to 140 lbs |
| Medium (90a – 96a) | General longboarding, cruising | Medium-Tight | 140 lbs – 190 lbs |
| Hard (96a+) | Heavier riders, downhill | Tight | 190 lbs+ |
If you feel that you are bottoming out often and adjusting the trucks isn’t working, it’s time for a new set of bushings.
4. Using Smaller Wheels
Longboard wheel compared to a skateboard wheel
The size of your longboard wheels plays a critical role in whether you encounter wheel bite. Using larger wheels without adequate clearance, increases the chance of wheel bite. Switching to smaller wheels can give you more space between your wheels and deck, reducing the chances of contact. Most longboarders use wheels in the 65-75mm range, but if you struggle with wheel bite, smaller wheels in the 60-65mm range may be a good solution.
Switching to smaller wheels will affect other aspects of performance. Smaller wheels won’t carry speed as well, and will have lower top speeds. Also, smaller wheels will not ride over cracks and bumps as well as larger wheels. If you mostly cruise, larger wheels might be better for your style, but if you are experiencing wheel bite, a wheel size reduction can solve the problem.
5. Choosing a Deck with Wheel Wells
Close-up of wheel wells on a longboard deck
Wheel wells are cutouts in the deck around the wheel area, offering extra clearance for your wheels to turn. These wells allow your board to sit lower to the ground without wheel contact, without sacrificing stability. This feature is especially beneficial for setups that have larger wheels or loose trucks.
Although not common on traditional street skateboards, wheel wells are quite common on cruisers and longboards, making them a good option for those who want to ride with loose trucks. If your current deck is not equipped with wheel wells, it may not be as easy to add them without the right tools.
How Common is Wheel Bite on a Longboard?
Longboard wheel bite close up
Wheel bite is common, especially amongst new longboarders and those who like to ride with loose trucks or use large wheels. With the 5 methods discussed above, there is a solution for everyone. While you can never entirely prevent wheel bite, these techniques can greatly minimize the risk of your wheels blocking and causing a fall.
Some riders are more prone to wheel bite than others. Riders with loose trucks and larger wheels will encounter wheel bite much more frequently than those who ride with tight trucks and smaller wheels. Factors such as weight, bushing durometer and riding style all have an impact on the likelihood of wheel bite.
Conclusion
Preventing wheel bite is crucial for a smoother and safer ride. By implementing a few adjustments, you can significantly reduce or eliminate this frustrating issue. From adding riser pads and tightening trucks to swapping bushings and wheels, there are a number of methods to improve your longboarding experience.
While you can use wax on the deck where the wheel bite is occurring, it may increase the chances of your board slipping when performing tricks, so it’s generally not a great solution. Rather than treating the symptoms, focus on resolving the cause of wheel bite by making the proper adjustments to your setup.
It’s important to fine tune your longboard so it fits your individual style and weight. Don’t be afraid to try out these recommendations until you find the perfect combination. This will result in a more enjoyable and confident ride, with fewer unexpected stops and a lot more smooth gliding.
