🛹 Rolling Through Time: The Legacy of Road Rider Skateboards

In the vibrant tapestry of skateboarding history, few names shine as brightly as Road Rider. Born in the golden age of skate innovation, this company didn’t just make wheels—they revolutionized the ride.

Origins: A Spark in Santa Cruz

The story begins in 1973 in Santa Cruz, California, when Anthony Roderick, a visionary from Rhode Island, approached the founders of Santa Cruz Skateboards with a groundbreaking idea: precision bearings housed in urethane wheels. At the time, skateboards were still clunking along on clay and steel wheels with loose ball bearings. Roderick’s concept was a game-changer.

With production led by Quality Products and marketing handled by NHS, Inc.—a company founded by Richard Novak, Doug Haut, and Jay Shuirman—the Road Rider wheel was born. By 1975, the Road Rider No. 2 wheel hit the market, followed by the No. 4, No. 6, and eventually the Henry Hester model, each tailored for specific styles like slalom and downhill racing.

What Made Road Rider Legendary

Road Rider wasn’t just another wheel brand. It was the first to introduce:

• Precision sealed bearings, eliminating the need for loose ball bearings

• Urethane wheel technology, offering unmatched traction and control

• Distinctive wheel designs, optimized for speed, grip, and durability

These innovations didn’t just improve skateboarding—they redefined it. Riders could now carve, slide, and race with a level of control previously unimaginable.

Sponsored Legends and Competitive Dominance

Road Rider wheels quickly became the go-to choice for elite skaters. Their roster of riders included icons like:

• Henry Hester, world champion slalom racer

• Tony Alva, pioneer of vertical skating

• John Hutson and Terry Brown, who dominated the Long Beach Free Former World Professional Skateboard Championships

• Bruce Logan, Mike Weed, Torger Johnson, Steve Cathey, Doug Saladino, and many more

These athletes didn’t just ride Road Rider—they won with it. The brand’s slogan could’ve easily been “Ride the Winners,” and it would’ve been no exaggeration.

Where They Are Now

Today, Road Rider remains a cherished name in skateboarding lore. While they’re no longer a standalone powerhouse, their legacy lives on through NHS, Inc., which continues to honor their contributions. In recent years, Santa Cruz has reissued limited batches of vintage Road Rider wheels—like the iconic No. 6—as collectible items, celebrating their role in shaping the sport.

Road Rider also continues to produce longboard components, including decks, trucks, and wheels designed for downhill speed and stability. Their products are known for being lightweight, responsive, and built with cutting-edge materials like carbon inlays and multi-ply maple.

Road Rider: San Francisco Chase

Catalina Classic Skateboard Race - 1977

Capitola Classic Skateboard Race 1982 - Qualifying Session