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Can someone please tell me what the difference is between Conical, Radial (both offer half and Full versions it seems), Classic etc? i understand its the way the wheels are cut out, but why?
Also, do you guys notice much difference between a 99a and a 101a in f4s?
https://www.spitfirewheels.com/formulafour/
This is missing radial full but its essentially a radial with wider and bigger contact patch. As for why the different cuts, I can only say, the sidewall cut determines lockability and transition dismount (the ease of reentry that the sidewall allows against the coping). A straighter cut locks in better while a rounder edge lets you come off the grind easier and is easier to get off the ground for scoop tricks since theres less resistance. All this is based off my experience by the way. The width and contact patch determines stability, slidability (smaller contact patch and width generally slides easier), and weight. The only way to truly know if any of this matters to you is to try them.
99 and 101 definitely has a tangible difference for me. 99 is generally agreed to be a good all around durometer while the 101 felt icy and harsh on rough ground for me but eventually felt normal after breaking them in. 101s felt slightly faster but not enough for me to go with those over 99s in the future.
Yes, I agree with all of that too.
The most common size and shape seems to be the Conical Full 54mm wheel in 99 duro, or at least for people I know and skate with, especially for ledge and rail skating, where they are still wide enough without being too wide, like the bigger sizes. If you are more into the bigger and wider wheels, the 56mm Conical Full wheel is most likely going to be just what you want.
There are 55 and 57mm Oski Radials out right now, as well as talk of more 56mm Radials too, but I don't know when they are coming out. They are pretty much the middle ground between Classic and other more squared off shapes like Conical Full wheels. I have had a few sets of those in 54 and 56 mm sizes, along with the Classic Full and they keep me happy with the wider overall feel, but not the squared off / lock in feeling of the Conical Full wheels.
At least there should be a good number of Conical Full wheels around, way more than Radial or Classic Full, but another one that does come out in bigger sizes and is widely available is the OG Classic, which is a little more squared off, not quite as wide, but definitely does everything a "lock in" type wheel does.
Maybe too many shapes as has been said before, but this link to the posts with all the info should help as well:
https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=68020.msg3724959#msg3724959