Cloudwheel Electric Skateboard Wheels: A Complete Guide to Every Model

Introduction

If you are new to electric skateboarding and have been looking at Cloudwheel products, you have probably noticed that the lineup is bigger than it first appears. There are several different wheels, each with its own purpose, and it can be hard to tell which one fits your riding style. This guide walks through every current Cloudwheel model, what each one does well, and where each one falls short, so you can make a more confident choice.

Cloudwheel Discovery: The Original In-Between Wheel

The Cloudwheel Discovery is the updated version of the original Cloudwheel design. It comes in 105 mm and 120 mm sizes, and it was created to fill the gap between typical 90 to 97 mm urethane street wheels and the larger 6-inch and up pneumatic tires. Back when riders wanted something between those two categories, there were very few options, and the Discovery was one of the first to step in.

The rounded contact patch is a big part of why these wheels feel comfortable. Comfort comes partly from the size and partly from that rounded shape, and Cloudwheel also claims a foam core contributes to the ride feel. That said, some riders dislike these wheels because they are not very grippy. A limited contact patch on a harder wheel usually means less traction, so if you plan to ride very fast or need a lot of grip in corners, the Discovery is probably not the best fit.

For point-to-point commuting and general comfort, though, the Discovery works well. Cloudwheel also intended these for light off-roading, again as a middle ground between urethane wheels and pneumatics. Another benefit is efficiency: compared to pneumatic tires, the Discovery uses noticeably less power. It does use a bit more power than a typical urethane wheel, roughly 10 to 20 percent more by most estimates, but it is still far more efficient than pneumatics.

Cloudwheel Hydros: Treads for Wet Roads

The Cloudwheel Hydros are distinguished by a rubber layer with tire-like treads. In theory, those treads lower your chance of hydroplaning on wet surfaces. They likely do help, but it is important to remember that they only reduce the risk, they do not eliminate it. Riding very fast on water is still not a good idea.

Personal experience with wet roads on urethane wheels tends to be unpredictable, especially on smooth or slightly tilted surfaces where traction can disappear quickly. If you have to ride on wet roads, treads that displace water will certainly help, but the safest approach is to use another vehicle when the roads are wet.

One other detail about the Hydros is that the cores in the middle are larger than normal longboard wheel cores. The exact reason is not confirmed, but it may be to save weight. The core sizes do differ noticeably from other wheels in the lineup.

Cloudwheel Rovers: Foam Core Meets Treads

The Cloudwheel Rovers combine ideas from the original Discovery and the Hydros. From the side, you can see the foam core, and the wheels also have a rubber layer with treads. If the original Cloudwheels and the Hydros had a combined design, the Rovers would be the result.

There are two versions: the 110R and the 165R. The 110R has a normal-size core rather than a large plastic one, but the foam is still visible inside the urethane. If comfort is your priority, the Rovers are supposed to be more comfortable than the Hydros, and they are also a bit larger.

The 165R is a roughly 6-inch wheel that serves as an alternative to pneumatic tires for riders who want off-road capability and ground clearance. The main advantage over pneumatics is that you do not have to worry about punctures. A puncture while riding on pneumatic tires can be a scary experience, so the Rovers remove that concern entirely.

Cloudwheel Galaxy and Galaxy Pro: The Boosted 105 Clones

The Cloudwheel Galaxy and Galaxy Pro are essentially Cloudwheel’s version of the Boosted 105 wheels, which have been cloned by several brands over the years. The Galaxy and Galaxy Pro are about the same, with the main difference being that the Galaxy Pro has treads for displacing water.

The unique characteristic of these wheels is the series of holes in the urethane. Those holes are supposed to make the wheels more comfortable because they allow the urethane to squish more. Some riders notice a slight vibration on very smooth surfaces, though on asphalt it is generally not noticeable.

One notable difference from other Boosted 105 clones is the core. Most of the other clones use a Kegel-style core, while the Galaxy uses an ABEC-style clone core. If you like the Boosted 105 feel, the Galaxy is Cloudwheel’s take on that design.

Cloudwheel Discovery FE: A Flat Contact Patch for Better Grip

The Cloudwheel Discovery FE is aimed at riders who were not satisfied with the original Discovery. The main change is the contact patch. Instead of the rounded shape, the Discovery FE uses a flat, stone-ground contact patch similar to most longboard wheels. The contact patch is about 50 mm wide, roughly the same as the Boosted 105.

The Discovery FE still has the foam core that is iconic to Cloudwheel, and the plastic core is nearly center-set, which is different from most of the other Cloudwheel models. It comes in 105 mm and 120 mm sizes, so the 105 mm version competes directly with other 105 mm wheels on the market.

The Discovery FE looks similar to the Galaxy at first glance, but the key difference is the foam core. The Galaxy is basically a Boosted 105 clone, while the Discovery FE keeps the original Cloudwheel foam core design. The original Cloudwheels did not vibrate much, so the Discovery FE may be a better choice if vibration bothers you. Based on the flat contact patch and basic longboard wheel theory, the Discovery FE should grip noticeably better than the original Discovery, though real-world testing is still needed to confirm.

A Note on Wheel Diameter

Regardless of which wheel you choose, it is worth measuring the actual diameter yourself. For example, a wheel labeled 120 mm may actually measure around 116 mm. If you enter the labeled size into your remote, the speed reading will be higher than your actual speed. This is not unique to Cloudwheel, it is common on wheels 100 mm and up, but it is still worth checking so your board settings are accurate.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want a comfortable all-rounder for commuting and light off-roading, the Discovery is a solid starting point. If you regularly ride on wet roads, the Hydros or the Galaxy Pro add treads that help displace water, though caution is still advised. For off-road riders who want puncture-free peace of mind, the Rovers, especially the 165R, are a strong alternative to pneumatics. If you prefer the Boosted 105 feel, the Galaxy is the closest match in the lineup. And if grip was your main complaint with the original Discovery, the Discovery FE with its flat contact patch is the model to watch.

Conclusion

The Cloudwheel lineup covers a wide range of riding styles, from comfortable commuting wheels to treaded options for wet conditions and larger wheels for off-road use. Each model has clear strengths and trade-offs, so the right choice depends on where and how you ride. Measure your wheel diameter, think about your typical surfaces, and pick the model that matches your priorities.