Momentum Hollow Wheels V3 Review: Adjustable 105mm Urethane Wheels

Introduction

The Momentum Hollow Wheels V3, also known as the Hollow Wheels Performance, are the third generation of a distinctive 105mm urethane street wheel. What sets them apart at a glance is the hollow core, which you can open up to see inside. But the real story is what that hollow design enables: adjustability, grip, efficiency, and comfort, all in one package.

Previous versions of the Hollow Wheel had some customers dealing with delamination issues. Momentum says that problem has been fixed in version three by changing the manufacturing process, switching from injection molding to cast forming. That means the way these wheels are made is now much more similar to most other urethane street wheels on the market. Version three also improved grip, efficiency, and durability. The increased durability does come with a weight increase, but these wheels are still among the lightest in their size class.

Who the Momentum Hollow Wheels V3 Are For

These wheels are aimed at riders looking for a set of 105mm urethane wheels who want more control over how their board performs. The adjustable suspension system means you can fine-tune the ride feel without buying multiple sets of wheels. If you are unsure which 105mm option to pick, the Hollow Wheels V3 are a strong candidate because one set can cover several different riding preferences.

They are also a good fit if you want maximum grip from a urethane wheel. The design prioritizes traction, and the adjustable inserts let you change the deformation characteristics to suit your riding style. Riders who want lightweight wheels with strong grip will find these worth considering.

Adjustable Suspension: Multiple Wheels in One

The standout feature of the Hollow Wheels V3 is what Momentum calls adjustable suspension. With pneumatic tires, you can lower air pressure for better grip or increase it for better range. Urethane street wheels do not normally offer that kind of adjustment. Most street wheels can only be flipped over, and if the wheel has an offset core, that changes performance somewhat. Otherwise, urethane wheels are not adjustable.

The Momentum wheels change that. When the wheel is empty on the inside, it is soft and squishy, which gives the most comfort. If you want a firmer feel, you can insert the included insert, which simply goes in and reduces how much the wheel compresses. Removing it is easy with a flathead screwdriver.

The insert has a series of holes so you can add pegs. With all the pegs installed, the wheel is at its stiffest setting. You can also use half the pegs for a middle ground. This means you can run the wheels without inserts for maximum comfort, with inserts alone for a balance, or with inserts and pegs for a stiffer, more stable ride.

Interestingly, Momentum says that putting in the insert actually gives better grip, even though it seems counterintuitive. The reasoning is that with no insert, the completely hollow wheel deforms more, and too much deformation can reduce grip. With the insert, the wheel does not deform as much, so you get better traction.

Having this adjustability is like having multiple wheels in one. Most 105mm wheels cost well over $100 for a set. The Cloud Wheel Discovery FE, for example, is $150 for a set. At $180 for a set of wheels you can adjust, the Hollow Wheels V3 offer good value for riders who like to fine-tune their setup.

Grip and Efficiency: Built for Confidence

These wheels were designed to grip really well. They have been tested on different size boards, from a short, nimble wheelbase to a larger board with double kingpin trucks. Most electric skateboard wheels have good grip, but there are exceptions. Some wheels have noticeably less grip and slide out more easily, which is a different characteristic that not everyone likes.

If you want the most grip you can get with urethane wheels, the Hollow Wheels V3 are worth considering. Sliding them is not impossible, but it takes deliberate effort. Compared to certain wheels that slip out more easily, it is not likely you will accidentally slide on these.

There is also a slight taper to these wheels. The diameter on the side facing the board is slightly bigger than the diameter on the outside facing away from the board. The idea behind the taper is that when riding straight, you have less contact patch, which makes the wheel more efficient and gives more range. When turning hard, the wheel deforms and you get more contact patch, which means more grip in corners.

The previous version had a three-degree taper, which turned out to be too much. Many people could not deform the wheel enough to take advantage of the full contact patch. Version three has adjusted the taper down to 0.5 degrees, which is a little more than the standard manufacturing taper but much more usable.

In efficiency comparisons with other 105mm wheels, the Hollow Wheels V3 without inserts performed about the same as most others in the category. The most efficient wheel tested was the Dad Bods, and the least efficient was the Cloud Wheel Discovery. The rest, including the Hollow Wheels V3, were roughly the same. According to Momentum, using the inserts can improve range by about 10 percent.

Comfort and Stability: Subtle but Noticeable

When it comes to comfort, the results were similar to efficiency. Most 105mm wheels are fairly close in comfort, with only minor differences. Pneumatics are going to be far more comfortable than any urethane street wheel, but among urethane options, the differences are marginal.

The inserts did not dramatically change comfort for most riders. What they did change was wheel stability. With the inserts installed, the wheels felt more stable. If you are choosing between configurations, comfort alone probably will not be the deciding factor, but stability might be.

Weight and Durability: Lighter Than Most

The version three wheels are heavier than the previous versions, but they are still among the lightest in the 105mm size. Version one and version two were easily the lightest wheels in the category, by a significant margin. Version three is no longer the lightest, but it is close, coming in as the second lightest. The only lighter 105mm wheels are the Cloudwheel Discovery, and only by a little.

Without the inserts, the Hollow Wheels V3 weigh about the same as the Cloudwheel Discovery. With the inserts, they weigh about the same as the Dad Bods, but they are a little lighter than the Mad Wheelz V2. Adding the pegs makes them heavier, but it also increases the inertia, so the wheels keep rolling farther.

It is worth noting that the set tested were prototypes, so final production weights could shift slightly.

Buying Advice

The Momentum Hollow Wheels V3 make sense for just about anyone looking for a set of 105mm wheels, especially if you value adjustability. Instead of buying multiple sets to experiment with different ride characteristics, you can have one set and adjust the wheels using the inserts and pegs.

If you want grip, these wheels are a strong option. If you want lightweight wheels that still grip well, these are worth getting. The $180 price point for an adjustable set is reasonable compared to other 105mm options that cost over $100 without any adjustability.

Conclusion

The Momentum Hollow Wheels V3 stand out in the 105mm urethane wheel category because of their adjustable suspension system. The ability to switch between soft, balanced, and stiff configurations makes them versatile for different riding styles and conditions. Combined with strong grip, competitive efficiency, and a lightweight build, they are a compelling choice for riders who want to fine-tune their board’s performance without buying multiple sets of wheels.