Wheel Size Comparison
80mm Longboard Wheels: How They Ride Compared to 70mm and 90mm
80mm longboard wheels sit in the middle of the size range, and that middle position is exactly why so many commuting and cruising riders end up choosing them. They roll faster and smoother than 70mm wheels without adding the weight and clearance demands of 90mm. Whether that balance is right for your board depends on your route, your deck shape, and how far you actually push in a single ride.
What 80mm wheels actually give you
An 80mm wheel is roughly 10mm taller than the 70mm wheels that come on many cruiser setups, and roughly 10mm shorter than the 90mm wheels long-distance push riders sometimes prefer. In practical riding terms, that 10mm difference in each direction changes more than you might expect.
Compared to 70mm, an 80mm wheel covers more ground per revolution. That means higher top-end roll speed and better ability to roll over small cracks, pebbles, and pavement seams without getting stopped dead. Compared to 90mm, an 80mm wheel is noticeably lighter, accelerates faster from a stop, and is less likely to cause wheelbite on decks with limited clearance.
The sweet spot for 80mm longboard wheels is riders doing 1–3 mile commutes on mixed pavement — the kind of route where the sidewalk is smooth in some blocks and cracked and rough in others. If your ride involves pushing through a city environment with inconsistent surfaces, 80mm gives you enough comfort without turning your board into a heavy sled.
One thing to check before buying: board clearance. If your deck sits low and has no wheel cutouts, 80mm wheels can rub against the underside of the board during turns. That rubbing — called wheelbite — stops the board suddenly. If you are not sure whether your setup has room, our full longboard wheels guide covers sizing, hardness, and road feel in detail.
70mm vs 80mm vs 90mm: what actually changes in your ride
Diameter is not the only number that matters — durometer (wheel hardness) plays a role too — but diameter is the number that most directly affects how the wheel performs at different speeds and on different surfaces. Here is what changes as you move up the size range.
| Spec | 70mm | 80mm | 90mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Short campus hops, smooth pavement, portability | 1–3 mile commutes, mixed pavement, cruising | Long-distance pushing, rough asphalt, max roll speed |
| Rough pavement comfort | Moderate — you feel most cracks and seams | Good — rolls over small debris and texture | Best — absorbs the most road vibration |
| Acceleration from stop | Quickest — less mass to get moving | Middle — a few extra pushes to reach cruising speed | Slowest — heavier wheels need more effort to start |
| Weight on the board | Lightest | Noticeably heavier than 70mm | Heaviest — you feel it when carrying the board |
| Wheelbite risk | Low | Moderate — check clearance on low or tight decks | Highest — needs cutouts or riser pads on most setups |
| Typical board fit | Cruiser skateboards, shorter longboards | Mid-length longboards, drop-throughs | Drop-through and drop-deck longboards with cutouts |
Here is the part most buyers miss: durometer matters as much as diameter. A soft 78A 80mm wheel on cracked pavement will feel smoother than a hard 83A 90mm wheel on the same surface. If you are choosing between sizes, also pay attention to hardness. For cruising and commuting, 78A–82A is the practical range — softer absorbs more vibration; slightly harder rolls faster on smooth pavement. Longboard setups built for cruising and commuting usually pair well with wheels in this hardness range.
Deck shape also plays a role. Drop-through decks, where the trucks mount through the deck, sit lower and usually have more clearance for larger wheels. Top-mount pintails without wheel cutouts are tighter — you might need riser pads to run 80mm wheels safely on that kind of board.
Which wheel size fits your actual route
Wheel size is not a “better or worse” question. It is a “better for what” question. Here are the most common riding situations we hear about, matched to the wheel size that usually makes the most sense.
Campus rider — smooth sidewalks, short hops
70mm is usually enough. The board stays light and easy to carry between classes, and smooth campus pavement does not need extra roll-over ability. If your rides are under a mile on maintained sidewalks, you will not miss the extra 10mm.
City commuter — 1–3 miles, mixed pavement
This is where 80mm earns its place. The extra diameter smooths out cracked sidewalks, brick paths, and rough asphalt patches without making the board feel sluggish. Based on rider feedback, this is the size most city commuters settle on after trying 70mm first and finding the ride too harsh.
Long-distance push commuter — 3+ miles, rough routes
90mm makes the most sense here. The roll efficiency matters more when you are pushing for 20–30 minutes straight, and the vibration absorption keeps your feet from getting numb on rough asphalt. The tradeoff is weight and slower acceleration — if your route has lots of stoplights, you will feel those extra grams on every restart.
Weekend cruiser — bike paths, flat parks
70mm or 80mm both work. If you value a nimble, responsive feel, go 70mm. If you want a smoother, more relaxed roll and do not mind a slightly heavier board, go 80mm. This one comes down to personal preference more than route conditions.
Before you swap wheels, also check your deck shape. Types of longboards explains which deck shapes — drop-through, drop-deck, pintail — handle larger wheels and which ones get tight on clearance. If your board has wheel cutouts, you have more room. If it does not, measure or add risers before committing to 80mm or 90mm.
Common mistakes when picking wheel size
Most wheel-buying mistakes are not about picking a bad wheel. They are about picking the wrong wheel for your current setup or your current riding habits — not the riding habits you think you might have in six months.
Buying the biggest wheel because “bigger is better.” A 90mm wheel on a board without clearance will cause wheelbite. That makes the board dangerous, not comfortable. Always check clearance before going up in size.
Ignoring durometer. A hard 80mm wheel on rough pavement will rattle your feet more than a soft 70mm wheel on the same surface. Diameter alone does not determine comfort — hardness is half the equation.
Not considering carry weight. If you bring your board on the bus, into class, or up stairs, 90mm wheels add noticeable heft. In our experience, riders who carry their boards regularly prefer 70mm or 80mm for that reason alone.
Upgrading wheels before riding the stock ones. Most complete longboards ship with wheels that are matched to the deck and trucks. Ride the stock setup for a few weeks first. You will learn what you actually want to change — and it might not be the wheels at all. This connects to a pattern I see a lot: a buyer assumes they need bigger wheels, when what they really need is softer wheels, or just more practice.
Matching wheels to a riding style you do not have yet. I once had a buyer — I wrote about this before — who bought a board based on his commute, then three months later wanted something faster and more aggressive. He had changed, the board had not. If you are buying wheels for a long-distance commute you have not started yet, ride your current setup first and find out if that commute actually happens. Our beginner longboard guide covers first-board wheel decisions if you are still in the early stages of figuring out what you need.
Quick size reference: 70mm, 80mm, and 90mm at a glance
If you just need a fast summary to confirm your decision, here it is:
| Size | Typical rider | Rough pavement | Acceleration | Wheelbite risk | Best deck type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70mm | Campus, short errands, portability focus | Moderate — feels most cracks | Fastest from stop | Low | Cruisers, short longboards |
| 80mm | City commuters, 1–3 mile rides | Good — rolls over most debris | Middle ground | Moderate | Drop-through, mid-length |
| 90mm | Long-distance pushers, rough routes | Best — absorbs the most | Slowest from stop | High — needs cutouts | Drop-through, drop-deck |
Common questions, answered straight
Are 80mm wheels too big for a beginner?
No. 80mm wheels are comfortable and stable enough for beginners, especially on mixed pavement. The main check is making sure your deck has enough clearance to avoid wheelbite. If your board is a drop-through or has wheel cutouts, 80mm usually fits without issues.
Do bigger longboard wheels go faster?
Bigger wheels have a higher top roll speed because each revolution covers more ground, but they are slower to accelerate from a stop. For short campus rides under a mile, the speed difference is small. For 2+ mile commutes, the roll efficiency of larger wheels adds up over the ride.
Can I put 80mm wheels on any longboard?
Not always. You need to check wheel clearance — boards without cutouts or without riser pads may experience wheelbite with 80mm wheels. Drop-through and drop-deck decks usually have more room. If you are unsure, measure the distance between your wheel and the deck at full turn.
What hardness should 80mm longboard wheels be?
For cruising and commuting on mixed pavement, 78A–82A is the practical range. Softer wheels at 78A absorb more vibration and feel more comfortable on rough surfaces. Slightly harder wheels at 80A–82A roll a bit faster on smooth pavement and hold speed longer between pushes.
Ready to find the right wheels for your route?
If you have figured out which wheel size fits your commute, browse longboard wheels by size and hardness to find the right match for your board and riding conditions.