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After a long talk with @tzhangdox the other night I'm frying out on whether or not to try some 93s. Sounds like there's tons of benefits and I could use all the help I can get as far as taking some pressure off my knees and being able to skate longer etc. The main things I'm worried about are having them mess with flip tricks, not being able to get back to harder wheels once I got used to them, and being bothered by the sound, especially in clips. Like the Simon Bannerot footage in that new ASICS video just sounds kind of torched to me. Also just feels like 'cheating' somehow. Worth it to try 97s before going fully soft?
First, they don’t cost all that much, so just give them a shot.
I mostly ride 53mm 99a Classics. I had sets of the old formula 97a, and they were just too sluggish for me.
I got a set of the 93a when they came out (53mm Classics). I, also, was really curious as to what effect they would have on my knees—but I never got to find out, because I went back my 99a. This pattern has repeated itself a few times (with the same set of 93s). I now only use the 93s for super crust situations.
Why didn’t I like them? A few reason. First, they felt really mushy, and I just couldnt get past it. Second, was the rebound, and by this I mean the “pop” they had on Ollies, etc. The pop just wasn’t as “crisp.” Don’t really know how to explain it, but I know you know what mean. Last, and this may sound very odd, I actually found them to be a bit more slippery than my 99s. Yes, you read that correctly. Where I seemed to notice this the most was actually on transition, during reverts, pivot to fakies, etc. On regular power slides, they did feel a bit more grippy, however.
They absolutely felt faster than the old 97a formula, and I will absolutely try 97a in the new formula when they are widely available, but for now, nothing beats F4 99s for general riding.
Also, a friend went from 99a to 93a and absolutely loves them, so it’s all personal choice.
Best of luck with it!
I think that sums up my own experience with the 93 duro wheels too, for the most part.
Maybe I am not so varied in what I skate, but specifically going to different places just to try out the 93s, both versions of 97s, 99s and 101s, I am still very much happy on the 99s too for almost everything, with the older 97s coming in second, on a bigger board, bigger wheels, for anywhere that is a little slippery and I need more grip, but yes they are slower.
The newer 97s are a harder version of the 93s, so they will slide a bit more on everything, but have a little more firmness to them, not feeling quite so bouncy as the 93s did to me. A good wheel for some people who love the new formula there.
There is definitely a place for all the duro options, even the 80HDs and the Sapphires 90 duro wheels, but it is more so for the individual to figure out and I couldn't say I would be as keen to have so many options if I only had the one board that I might have to keep swapping wheels out on, although in saying that most of the "test wheel sets" I have are in a shoe box, bearings in them, on shoelaces, always in the car, ready if needed, which is easier than having a dozen different boards with all those wheel options. This makes it easier if anyone else wants to try them too.
The wheel shape and size really did have a bigger influence than I first thought too - bigger wheels in the softer versions work better, for me anyway, but for someone who wants the same size wheel, eg 52 or 53 mm across the board, this might not be the thing you want to hear.
At least I can always wear a bigger wheel down too, but I can't make a smaller wheel faster or better, no matter what bearings or other things someone can do to a setup, which is often why I will get bigger wheels now and then if I don't like them, I will just machine them down a bit, or at the very least, they will last longer in the slightly bigger sizes.
That might be my madness right now - smaller but wider wheels, usually with round edges.
Topic: Gear madness support thread (Read 371644 times)