Electric Skateboard Wheel Size Guide: 90mm vs. 105mm vs. 120mm

Electric skateboard wheels affect more than ride comfort. Moving from 90mm to 105mm or 120mm can change obstacle rollover, acceleration, braking feel, ride height, and range. This guide compares the three sizes and explains compatibility so you can choose wheels that match your board, roads, and riding priorities.

90mm vs. 105mm vs. 120mm Wheels at a Glance

There is no single best wheel size for every electric skateboard. Smaller wheels generally favor responsive street riding, while larger wheels place more emphasis on rollover and comfort.

MAXFIND offers several electric skateboard wheels across these size ranges, including standard PU wheels, shock-absorbing wheels, and Cloudwheel options for different drive systems. 

How Wheel Size Affects Electric Skateboard Performance

Wheel diameter changes the distance traveled per rotation and the wheel’s ability to roll over surface irregularities. The final result also depends on the motor, gearing, wheel material, rider weight, and road conditions.

Ride Comfort and Rough-Road Capability

A larger wheel generally rolls over pavement seams, shallow cracks, and small debris more gradually because those obstacles are smaller relative to its diameter. A 120mm wheel may therefore feel less abrupt than a 90mm wheel on worn asphalt, while 105mm wheels provide a middle option for riders who want more comfort without using the largest setup.

Acceleration, Torque, and Braking

With the motor and gearing unchanged, smaller wheels generally provide a more immediate acceleration and braking response, while larger wheels increase the effective gearing and may make low-speed torque or braking feel less aggressive. The size of this change depends on motor output, drive ratio, hills, rider weight, and controller settings, so it should not be presented as identical across every board.

Top Speed and Battery Range

At the same wheel rotation speed, a larger wheel covers more distance and can raise theoretical top speed, but the motor must still have enough power to reach that speed under load. Range may increase or decrease depending on acceleration habits, wheel weight, road surface, hills, riding speed, and drive efficiency, so wheel diameter alone cannot predict a fixed range change.

Stability, Handling, and Ride Height

Larger wheels raise the deck and electronic enclosures farther from the ground and make surface irregularities easier to cross, but the higher riding position may feel less direct during tight turns. Smaller wheels keep the deck lower and usually provide a more connected street feel, while larger wheels favor rollover and comfort rather than maximum agility.

How Wheel Material and Hardness Change the Result

Diameter is only one part of wheel performance. MAXFIND lists its 90mm PU wheels at 78A and 60mm wide, its 105mm shock-absorbing wheels at 78A with high-elastic PU, and its Donut Cloudwheels at 78A with a multi-step tread and DFC damping structure, so wheels with similar hardness can still feel different because of their shape, width, rebound, and internal design.

Check Wheel Compatibility Before Upgrading

A preferred diameter is not automatically a compatible diameter. Check the drive system, wheel core, pulley, clearance, and supported board models before ordering replacement electric skateboard wheels.

Hub Drive Compatibility

Hub motors are built into the driven wheels, so compatible replacements must fit the motor housing rather than simply match the original diameter. MAXFIND currently offers hub-specific 105mm and 120mm Donut Cloudwheel variants for listed models, but compatibility should still be confirmed using the exact board, motor, and product variant rather than relying on size alone.

Belt Drive, Wheel Core, and Pulley Compatibility

Belt-drive boards usually provide more wheel options, but the wheel core must accept the correct pulley, and the pulley tooth count, drive ratio, belt length, and motor position must work together. A larger wheel changes the effective gearing, while incorrect pulley or belt combinations can create poor belt alignment or tension, so verify the complete drivetrain rather than only the wheel diameter.

Deck, Truck, and Motor Clearance

Larger wheels need enough space around the deck, trucks, motor mounts, belt covers, and enclosures during full turns and deck flex. Check both sides with the trucks turned fully before riding, because a wheel that clears the board while stationary may still rub during deep carving or under the rider’s weight.

Remote Settings and Speed Calibration

Supported MAXFIND remotes include Wheel Diameter and Drive Ratio among their setup parameters, allowing speed and distance calculations to match the installed configuration more closely. Not every board or remote offers the same adjustment process, so follow the instructions for the exact controller rather than assuming that calibration is universally available.

Which Electric Skateboard Wheel Size Should You Choose?

Start with the surfaces you ride most often, then consider comfort, response, portability, and compatibility. A larger number does not automatically make a wheel better for every route.

Choose 90mm Wheels for Smooth Roads and Responsive Control

Choose 90mm electric skateboard wheels when most of your riding takes place on smooth asphalt, maintained streets, or bike paths and you prefer direct acceleration and carving response. MAXFIND’s current 90mm PU wheels use 78A polyurethane and a 60mm width, making them a street-oriented option rather than a wheel intended to replace larger all-terrain setups.

Choose 105mm Wheels for Daily Commuting and Mixed Pavement

Choose 105mm wheels when your route combines smooth pavement with seams, cracks, and occasional rough sections. MAXFIND offers both 105mm shock-absorbing PU wheels and several Cloudwheel configurations, making this size a practical middle ground, although the correct product still depends on whether the board uses hub or belt drive.

Choose 120mm Wheels for Rough Roads and Greater Comfort

Choose 120mm wheels when rough asphalt and obstacle rollover matter more than retaining the most direct street response. MAXFIND offers 120mm Cloudwheel options, but available drive types differ between product lines, so check the selected variant, supported models, wheel clearance, and drivetrain requirements before treating 120mm as a direct upgrade.

Is It Worth Upgrading to Larger Wheels?

Larger wheels are worth considering when they solve a specific problem with the current setup. Upgrading only for appearance may introduce compatibility or performance compromises without improving the rider’s actual route.

When to Upgrade From 90mm to 105mm

Consider moving from 90mm to 105mm when repeated vibration, pavement joints, or shallow cracks are making normal rides uncomfortable, but you still want a street-focused setup. Staying with 90mm makes more sense when the roads are smooth and responsive acceleration, lower ride height, and direct handling are higher priorities.

When to Upgrade From 105mm to 120mm

Consider moving from 105mm to 120mm when your regular route remains uncomfortable and improved rollover is more important than preserving the current acceleration and braking feel. If 105mm wheels already handle the route well, the added size and compatibility requirements of 120mm wheels may provide limited practical benefit.

Final Thoughts

Choose 90mm electric skateboard wheels for smooth-road response, 105mm wheels for a balanced daily setup, and 120mm wheels when rough-road rollover and comfort are the main priorities. Before upgrading, confirm the drive type, wheel variant, pulley or hub compatibility, available clearance, and supported remote settings rather than selecting wheels by diameter alone.

FAQs

Do You Need Risers for Larger Electric Skateboard Wheels?

Not always. Risers may help when larger wheels approach the deck during deep turns, but the need depends on the deck shape, trucks, wheel offset, bushings, and available clearance.

Should Electric Skateboard Wheels Be Tight or Loose?

Axle hardware should remove excessive side-to-side play without binding the bearings or wheel assembly. Non-driven wheels should rotate smoothly, while hub-motor wheels may show normal motor resistance, so follow the installation instructions for the specific wheel and drive system.

Are Wider Electric Skateboard Wheels Better?

Wider wheels may provide a larger contact patch and more grip, but they can also add weight and rolling resistance. Width should be considered separately from diameter and matched to the board’s trucks, clearance, and intended riding surface.

More reading：Best Electric Longboard for a Smooth Ride: Ultimate Comfort Guide