Outdoors

Shark Wheel literally reinvents the wheel, at least for skateboards

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The Shark Wheel literally reinvents the skateboard wheel
The Shark Wheel literally reinvents the skateboard wheel
Four Shark Wheels
Some different sizes of the Shark Wheels
The two deck options available to backers
The Shark Wheel can be customized in all different colors
The Shark Wheel is major change in terms of skateboard wheels
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A company called Shark Wheel is aiming to reinvent, well, the wheel. Instead of the conventional circular shape we're all familiar with, this new skateboard wheel is based around a cube shape. While this might seem illogical, the company claims its new wheels ride smoother, faster, and offer better grip than traditional skateboard wheels.

The wheels are based around a shape that fits inside a cube. They aren't quite a square, and aren't quite circular, but are made up of three strips, each of which create a helical shape when they roll. This forms a sine wave pattern where the wheels make contact with the ground.

The creators say this results in less friction points on the ground to allow the wheel to roll faster than a traditional skateboard wheel and also allows for better handling in rough and wet terrain, which causes problems for normal wheels.

The sine wave pattern also grants improved lateral grip, as the width of the wheel is able to be increased without adding any unnecessary friction, and thus, slowing down the board. It also provides three lips for stopping, where a traditional wheel only has one.

Another interesting application of Shark Wheels is the ability to mix different hardnesses in the same wheel. The hardness of a skateboard wheel is measured in terms of durometers, and the three interlocking pieces of this particular wheel allows the rider to choose three different ones in each wheel, which grants extra customization in terms of grip and slide.

Shark Wheel is seeking funding for its interesting new wheel design on Kickstarter and is offering a wide range of options for backers. Buyers looking to add the 70 mm wheels to an existing board can do so for a minimum pledge of $50 while the early bird special lasts. Once those are gone, the required pledge goes up to $55.

The team has already reached its funding goal, so deliveries should start rolling by September 2013.

The Kickstarter pitch below provides more information on the Shark Wheel and shows actual skateboarders trying them out.

Source: Shark Wheel and Kickstarter

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21 comments
Edgar Castelo
Hey if it works, get them rolling! :D
Bruce H. Anderson
From one who rode, abeit breifly, on clay wheels back in the day, this looks like jumping from the Flintstones to the Jetsons.
Michael Logue
It's not really a square wheel. It's basically a round wheel with wavy treads and sidewalls.
Liz Feliciano
Cool i want one of those to my daughter down hill skateboard
Dave B13
Square, I don't think so. Gets your attention so I'll think of it as valid for marketing reasons. Interesting, hell yes I'm now in for two sets. For my uses they probably are no better than any normal skateboard wheel. If you apply a lot of side force on your wheels and better control would be welcome, I think it would be good for you to try a set. If you don't bother with intalling the metal spacers between the bearings in your wheels, I doubt these will be better for you than regular flat wheels. I view them as a stack of 3 inline wheels, the wave and depth of the tread may displace to the side some occasional small stones rather than go up over them.
RodD
Surely triple donuts would give all the benefits (less contact area and multiple materials) without the sine wave. I'm not sure what 'three lips for stopping' means when there is no braking mechanism. The so-called 'square' shape (when viewed from a certain angle) will make it a hit in a scene that thrives on uniqueness and innovation. Years ago a car tyre manufacturer invented twin tyres on each rim to aid water dispersion and allow greater width with the same contact area.
Jay Finke
Seems like the wavy sidewalls would be more likely to catch on cracks and the such, but on the other hand might give you the control to launch. I don't know, but if you can make these as wide as you want the kids will go nuts for them, remember when you dreamed of tires, the WIDER the better. this is a cool idea, good luck with it.
Rkt9
I wonder if they will make some for rollerblades?
Mrk White
I do like them, but skeptical as I can't help being, I wonder if extra stability is just due to extra width... I suppose there are many ways of making wide wheels lighter... One is taking material off the sides with a fancy shape, but there are more.
Regarding the question to rollerblades, if they are In-line I have my doubts, as you change the angle when you turn, and the contact area would be uneven... causing vibrations. If they run flat I suppose they can be used for other stuff.
Anyway... again, nice idea that could work even if just for the looks of it!
Roger Garrett
All it is is a tread pattern on a wheel.
Watch the video and he says he discovered a way to take a set of curved shapes and make a "perfect square". But what he shows is NOT a square at all.
Then he takes that "shape" and applies it to a wheel and comers up with a conventional round wheel that has a tread with a sine wave pattern. Big whoop. He claims all sorts of things, including that it is faster than a regular wheel. I don't believe it.
If anything that sine wave is going to induce lateral vibrations in the wheel and to the skateboard or whatever it's mounted on.
And as for reduced surface contact, sure it may do that. But you don't need a fancy wavy tread pattern to do that. Just make a really narrow wheel. But what's the advantage? You'll have more pressure on the part that contacts the ground and therefore more wear on the wheel.