In any activity, you can find new challenges that develop as skill levels get stronger and more demanding. This is why objects must keep constant updates. Something very similar happens with longboards. The better you get by spending more time on the board, the more you deal with different situations.
Longboards and skateboards work with a system that uses your weight and balance to determine where the board goes and stops. With this in mind, you should be aware that a common problem that develops is wheel bite. Learn what it is and how to prevent it here.
What Is Wheel Bite?
Wheel bite is when your board’s wheels come in close contact with its underside, causing scratches and some damage. This usually happens when you apply weight on the side to make your longboard turn. Fortunately, you can prevent this by adjusting various factors. Avoiding this situation will keep your board in optimal condition and effectively extend its lifespan.
Prevent Wheel Bite
Now that you know what wheel bite is, you need to learn how to prevent it. Various factors work together to give you the best experience while riding your longboard, especially coming downhill at an elevated speed. For example, Arbor downhill longboards have soft wheels that cause less damage when coming in contact with the underside. You can effectively prevent the problem of wheel bite by adjusting and fixing the following three factors.
Waxing Touchpoints
You can wax the areas where your wheels are biting your board to avoid further damage to protect the underside. The wax will create a protective layer, allowing the wheels to spin normally without damaging the board. Sometimes, this solution is the best way to avoid this problem, but it depends on your skill level and the weight applied.
Tightening Trucks
When your longboard trucks are loose, they move easier, even when there isn’t a large weight pressuring them. This could cause problems. To avoid wheel bite, you must tighten your trucks to a level where you’re still comfortable manipulating your board. Overtightening them could cause board stiffness that won’t let you control them properly.
Using Smaller Wheels
Wheels come in different sizes. The size you should go with depends on the style of your board, the terrain you usually ride on, and the skills you want to gain. If you suffer from wheel bite, consider switching the wheels to smaller ones. The size dictates the speed and how well you control the board, so you must practice before attempting to do your usual routine after making this change.