Bones X-Formula will be 97a and released Spring 2023

[Samsquantch]

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Got my set in the mail today and got em set up. Hope to skate em tomorrow. My flat ground spot has super smooth concrete, east coast asphalt and a little brick bank so should get a good taste for how the perform on a wide set of surfaces.

First impressions in hand... These feel really nice. Bones even in hand always felt plasticity and cheap to me. These don't have that feeling, definitely more F4 esque.  They are definitely whiter than F4s but not quite that bleachy almost blue white you get with Creative or older Bones stuff. 

Full on fucking Slap message board brain worm shit here

Next to some used Acid REMs which have that bright bleachy white


Next to my usual F4 Radials


Definitely whiter than F4s but def feel more natural like em

[close]

First impressions riding around. The air quality here in Pittsburgh is fucked today so didn't exactly skate too hard but these wheels are great. They don't feel like Bones wheels to me which is a huge compliment.

I took a board with F4 Radials 53mm and X99 53mm V5 to the same spot. Smooth concrete the roll is very close to F4 maybe slightly better. Unscientific test 1 push same starting spot, both on Quantum Atoms. X99 rolled maybe about a foot more on average.

Small hill starting at the same spot on rough asphalt no pushing the X99 went way further like 8 feet further.

Lastly rolling wise on the same street I pushed first on F4s about 100 yards down and back. Immediately hopped on the X99s and went "oh shit" . They didn't make the F4s feel awful or super slow but it was VERY noticable how much more speed I carried and had to push less.

Power slides and reverts on smooth ground ever so slightly stickier than F4s but these are brand new so that could change.

Power slides/reverts on rough ground X99 slid better.

Ollies/flip tricks felt the same besides being lighter because thinner wheels. They bounce every so slightly less on throw downs and landings than F4s

Didn't do much grind/slide wise but I didn't stick on 50/50 on a not very waxed bench.  And a few slappy nose slides on a sticky not waxed at all curb slid a few inches. Both felt the same to me there but that's clearly not a lot of grind/slide testing.

Definitely excited to try these at the DIY and a smooth park here soon. First impressions are stellar F4s have some very serious competition I think.

Please gnar this man!

Thanks for the great write-up, sounds very promising. Missing one detail important to kooks like me: how's the sound? Similar to F4's? Don't like the sound of other Bones wheels.

As far as your comments on the grip, my X97's did get more slide once they wore in a bit, pretty grippy when new.

[Musicaldeath107]

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Got my set in the mail today and got em set up. Hope to skate em tomorrow. My flat ground spot has super smooth concrete, east coast asphalt and a little brick bank so should get a good taste for how the perform on a wide set of surfaces.

First impressions in hand... These feel really nice. Bones even in hand always felt plasticity and cheap to me. These don't have that feeling, definitely more F4 esque.  They are definitely whiter than F4s but not quite that bleachy almost blue white you get with Creative or older Bones stuff. 

Full on fucking Slap message board brain worm shit here

Next to some used Acid REMs which have that bright bleachy white


Next to my usual F4 Radials


Definitely whiter than F4s but def feel more natural like em

[close]

First impressions riding around. The air quality here in Pittsburgh is fucked today so didn't exactly skate too hard but these wheels are great. They don't feel like Bones wheels to me which is a huge compliment.

I took a board with F4 Radials 53mm and X99 53mm V5 to the same spot. Smooth concrete the roll is very close to F4 maybe slightly better. Unscientific test 1 push same starting spot, both on Quantum Atoms. X99 rolled maybe about a foot more on average.

Small hill starting at the same spot on rough asphalt no pushing the X99 went way further like 8 feet further.

Lastly rolling wise on the same street I pushed first on F4s about 100 yards down and back. Immediately hopped on the X99s and went "oh shit" . They didn't make the F4s feel awful or super slow but it was VERY noticable how much more speed I carried and had to push less.

Power slides and reverts on smooth ground ever so slightly stickier than F4s but these are brand new so that could change.

Power slides/reverts on rough ground X99 slid better.

Ollies/flip tricks felt the same besides being lighter because thinner wheels. They bounce every so slightly less on throw downs and landings than F4s

Didn't do much grind/slide wise but I didn't stick on 50/50 on a not very waxed bench.  And a few slappy nose slides on a sticky not waxed at all curb slid a few inches. Both felt the same to me there but that's clearly not a lot of grind/slide testing.

Definitely excited to try these at the DIY and a smooth park here soon. First impressions are stellar F4s have some very serious competition I think.

[close]

Please gnar this man!

Thanks for the great write-up, sounds very promising. Missing one detail important to kooks like me: how's the sound? Similar to F4's? Don't like the sound of other Bones wheels.

As far as your comments on the grip, my X97's did get more slide once they wore in a bit, pretty grippy when new.

They do bark but honestly I cinch my wheels up pretty tight so even F4s don't squeal too much for me. I'm definitely not the best guy to ask for a full picture on sound besides yeah they bark haha

[Samsquantch]

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Got my set in the mail today and got em set up. Hope to skate em tomorrow. My flat ground spot has super smooth concrete, east coast asphalt and a little brick bank so should get a good taste for how the perform on a wide set of surfaces.

First impressions in hand... These feel really nice. Bones even in hand always felt plasticity and cheap to me. These don't have that feeling, definitely more F4 esque.  They are definitely whiter than F4s but not quite that bleachy almost blue white you get with Creative or older Bones stuff. 

Full on fucking Slap message board brain worm shit here

Next to some used Acid REMs which have that bright bleachy white


Next to my usual F4 Radials


Definitely whiter than F4s but def feel more natural like em

[close]

First impressions riding around. The air quality here in Pittsburgh is fucked today so didn't exactly skate too hard but these wheels are great. They don't feel like Bones wheels to me which is a huge compliment.

I took a board with F4 Radials 53mm and X99 53mm V5 to the same spot. Smooth concrete the roll is very close to F4 maybe slightly better. Unscientific test 1 push same starting spot, both on Quantum Atoms. X99 rolled maybe about a foot more on average.

Small hill starting at the same spot on rough asphalt no pushing the X99 went way further like 8 feet further.

Lastly rolling wise on the same street I pushed first on F4s about 100 yards down and back. Immediately hopped on the X99s and went "oh shit" . They didn't make the F4s feel awful or super slow but it was VERY noticable how much more speed I carried and had to push less.

Power slides and reverts on smooth ground ever so slightly stickier than F4s but these are brand new so that could change.

Power slides/reverts on rough ground X99 slid better.

Ollies/flip tricks felt the same besides being lighter because thinner wheels. They bounce every so slightly less on throw downs and landings than F4s

Didn't do much grind/slide wise but I didn't stick on 50/50 on a not very waxed bench.  And a few slappy nose slides on a sticky not waxed at all curb slid a few inches. Both felt the same to me there but that's clearly not a lot of grind/slide testing.

Definitely excited to try these at the DIY and a smooth park here soon. First impressions are stellar F4s have some very serious competition I think.

[close]

Please gnar this man!

Thanks for the great write-up, sounds very promising. Missing one detail important to kooks like me: how's the sound? Similar to F4's? Don't like the sound of other Bones wheels.

As far as your comments on the grip, my X97's did get more slide once they wore in a bit, pretty grippy when new.

[close]

They do bark but honestly I cinch my wheels up pretty tight so even F4s don't squeal too much for me. I'm definitely not the best guy to ask for a full picture on sound besides yeah they bark haha

All good man, more wondering if they sound plasticky just rolling around? I love how F4's sound, Bones STF's not so much. I also really appreciate how you took out two setups with the same bearings even!

Your comment on how they don't feel like Bones wheels sums it up nicely, definitely copping a set of these.

[rikki]

Ah man, full on gear madness here. I was thinking of pulling the trigger on the X97's, but now I'm thinking if I should wait for the X99s. Thing is, it could be a while until they're available in Europe.

I've been really liking the Dragons on rough-ish asphalt and old concrete lately. Any reason I should try X97s instead? Better grinds? Faster? Someone convince me!

[goodatmeth]

Ah man, full on gear madness here. I was thinking of pulling the trigger on the X97's, but now I'm thinking if I should wait for the X99s. Thing is, it could be a while until they're available in Europe.

I've been really liking the Dragons on rough-ish asphalt and old concrete lately. Any reason I should try X97s instead? Better grinds? Faster? Someone convince me!

You should get both and write a comprehensive comparison and review

[Samsquantch]

Ah man, full on gear madness here. I was thinking of pulling the trigger on the X97's, but now I'm thinking if I should wait for the X99s. Thing is, it could be a while until they're available in Europe.

I've been really liking the Dragons on rough-ish asphalt and old concrete lately. Any reason I should try X97s instead? Better grinds? Faster? Someone convince me!

X97's are a nice compromise, they're faster on smooth concrete than Dragons, don't stick on metal like Dragons and are still surprisingly good on rough surfaces. Way faster on asphalt than F4's, while behaving like a harder wheel. Can't comment on the X99, not out in Canada yet.

[rikki]

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Ah man, full on gear madness here. I was thinking of pulling the trigger on the X97's, but now I'm thinking if I should wait for the X99s. Thing is, it could be a while until they're available in Europe.

I've been really liking the Dragons on rough-ish asphalt and old concrete lately. Any reason I should try X97s instead? Better grinds? Faster? Someone convince me!

[close]

X97's are a nice compromise, they're faster on smooth concrete than Dragons, don't stick on metal like Dragons and are still surprisingly good on rough surfaces. Way faster on asphalt than F4's, while behaving like a harder wheel. Can't comment on the X99, not out in Canada yet.

Thanks man. Sounds pretty much what I'm looking for. Dragons are amazing, don't get me wrong, but as I'm not Kevin Kowalski, my transition grinds have been suffering a bit at my local crusty park b/c of them. Just ordered a set of X97s, looking forward to give them a whirl.

[LebowskisRug]

97s still dragged on coping and pinched grinds for me. Not Dragon level, but enough to where I wouldn't want the same wheel for my local skatepark and curb spot.

[Xen]

Got the 99x in today - haven't set them up but they are for sure more white than the x97s (and dragons) out of the gate. Fingernail test = they're harder for sure.

I got used to pinch/grinds with the 97s (more speeeeed) but blunts didn't work enough to trust them, they either slid a bit or just gummed and not at all. Hoping these work better for them as that was the only draw back for me with the x97s.

Still, I stuck with the x97s and just skipped bluntslides as less knee pain > one trick.

[Xen]

Drop tested, x99s sound/bounce more like a regular wheel than the x97s.

[JimmyFive]

Drop tested, x99s sound/bounce more like a regular wheel than the x97s.

Please update when you get around to skating them!

Patiently waiting!

[drinny]

Finally got a little roll on someone else’s x97

Felt more rubbery/keyframe-ish than I expected. Reckon similarly fast on ashphalt/rough, still slightly gluey on smooth surfaces (and very sticky on them, at least new) like Dragons.

Good and versatile wheels but F4 97a work for me just fine.

[bombsaway86]

Finally got a little roll on someone else’s x97

Felt more rubbery/keyframe-ish than I expected. Reckon similarly fast on ashphalt/rough, still slightly gluey on smooth surfaces (and very sticky on them, at least new) like Dragons.

Good and versatile wheels but F4 97a work for me just fine.

I got to try x97s one someone else’s board for the first time yesterday and this was my experience too. I rode them in a big smooth bowl. They are a mooth and grippy, but I had to work harder to get to the coping vs F4s where getting to the coping is effortless. For those who were fans of the Bones DTF wheels, these feel pretty close

[j....soy.....]

Are these wheels essentially the same or similar formula ie. Dragon, X….which is a cruiser or soft wheel which they’ve ramped up the rebound so hard that it mimics a traditional wheel? 

Do you think there’s a sweet spot ie a 99 where none of the formulas work ie. SPF, STF, dragon? 

[Musicaldeath107]

Are these wheels essentially the same or similar formula ie. Dragon, X….which is a cruiser or soft wheel which they’ve ramped up the rebound so hard that it mimics a traditional wheel? 

Do you think there’s a sweet spot ie a 99 where none of the formulas work ie. SPF, STF, dragon?

It's a harder version of the Dragon formula.  I haven't skated the X99 at all my usual spots yet but a few sessions in... they may replace F4s 99a as my wheel of choice. They definitely work at 99a that's for sure

[Murge]

I’m dying to try x99a. So I’m stoked for any info. Love my spits but bones shapes are better so if bones makes a wheel that’s as good as a spit the v5 and other shapes put it ahead.

[Xen]

Put some miles on the x99s, here's what I think:

NOTE: This is coming directly of 101a Ricta Natural Slims (52mm Asta - hardest wheels I own and a terribly underrated wheel; they do wear much faster than anything else).

Out of the wrap the x99 are much whiter, they have an almost milky look them.

They still have that 'dragons/x97' feel, slightly bouncy and quiet (but less so in either) - they're noticeably harder, like going from a 99 to a 101, you can feel it when just rolling and for sure when sliding; they're louder compared to the other two and actually have some bark to them when speed checking or sliding.

I rode them in the same spots I rode Dragons and X97s (and spit 101/99 - Ricta 101)

They are ever so slightly less smooth than the 97a (and for sure Dragons)? But not enough to give a fuck on rough terrain or really notice tbh, it's so difficult to tell how much rebound you lose as they still roll over rough terrain with ease compared to a regs 99a or the x97; they actually have/produce 'chatter' on really chunky shit, where the 93/97 would be much more muted/softer. On smooth terrain they are just as smooth/quiet as the x97s but chirp more...less 'grrrrnnk'  (93a/x97) and more 'scrriiiinch' (wheel sounds ).

Much less gummy on pinch grinds/5050, bluntslides were much, much more predictable (very very close to spit 99a fee)l - love'em or hate'em the 103a stf are bluntslide kings - faster overall than the 93/97 - AND, if you skated either of the other wheels you know that squeak when you grind? When you sort of 'bind the grind' Haven't heard it yet.

Park setting, I'd still opt for an SPF but that's me, I'd never touch a 99a in a park unless it's shit. Those of you that skate spit 99a in a smooth park setting these are still not the wheel for you but they are faster and overall better on smooth crete than the 93a /97a formulas.

x99 top / x97a bottom 9skated these 54s only a handful of times so they're not that yellow from age


I'd ride these over any 99a in the streets and would just say fuck it and ride them in a smooth park (just not for transition) just not to have to deal with swapping wheels.

Not sure why anyone would ever ride the current 99a STFs again; wouldn't be surprised if they toss out a 95a Dragon to sort of balance the options between the branding.

[Musicaldeath107]

Put some miles on the x99s, here's what I think:

NOTE: This is coming directly of 101a Ricta Natural Slims (52mm Asta - hardest wheels I own and a terribly underrated wheel; they do wear much faster than anything else).

Out of the wrap the x99 are much whiter, they have an almost milky look them.

They still have that 'dragons/x97' feel, slightly bouncy and quiet (but less so in either) - they're noticeably harder, like going from a 99 to a 101, you can feel it when just rolling and for sure when sliding; they're louder compared to the other two and actually have some bark to them when speed checking or sliding.

I rode them in the same spots I rode Dragons and X97s (and spit 101/99 - Ricta 101)

They are ever so slightly less smooth than the 97a (and for sure Dragons)? But not enough to give a fuck on rough terrain or really notice tbh, it's so difficult to tell how much rebound you lose as they still roll over rough terrain with ease compared to a regs 99a or the x97; they actually have/produce 'chatter' on really chunky shit, where the 93/97 would be much more muted/softer. On smooth terrain they are just as smooth/quiet as the x97s but chirp more...less 'grrrrnnk'  (93a/x97) and more 'scrriiiinch' (wheel sounds ).

Much less gummy on pinch grinds/5050, bluntslides were much, much more predictable (very very close to spit 99a fee)l - love'em or hate'em the 103a stf are bluntslide kings - faster overall than the 93/97 - AND, if you skated either of the other wheels you know that squeak when you grind? When you sort of 'bind the grind' Haven't heard it yet.

Park setting, I'd still opt for an SPF but that's me, I'd never touch a 99a in a park unless it's shit. Those of you that skate spit 99a in a smooth park setting these are still not the wheel for you but they are faster and overall better on smooth crete than the 93a /97a formulas.

x99 top / x97a bottom 9skated these 54s only a handful of times so they're not that yellow from age


I'd ride these over any 99a in the streets and would just say fuck it and ride them in a smooth park (just not for transition) just not to have to deal with swapping wheels.

Not sure why anyone would ever ride the current 99a STFs again; wouldn't be surprised if they toss out a 95a Dragon to sort of balance the options between the branding.

I have to test these in a smooth but worn concrete park still but so far I echo everything you've said here.

Especially this:
I'd ride these over any 99a in the streets and would just say fuck it and ride them in a smooth park (just not for transition) just not to have to deal with swapping wheels

[Murge]

Do they drag alot on transition? Why no transition? I mostly skate ledges but I’m just curious.

[Xen]

Do they drag alot on transition? Why no transition? I mostly skate ledges but I’m just curious.

They don't drag persay, but overall Speed-wise, I'd rather an SPF on smooth park crete as it's the right tool for the job.

Dragons, X97/X99 are not smooth park wheels, it's the exact opposite of their intended use and not sure why people are looking at these for smooth park at all. Their formula was designed specifically for conquering crust.

That said, indoor slippery parks, I'd skate the x99.

But hey, && makes the formulas work everyday in Venice and that transition is pretty smooth/glassy (especially the snake run).

[LebowskisRug]

I hope the color is close enough to F4 so I can continue to slowly use up my insane amount of big head stickers.

[Xen]

I hope the color is close enough to F4 so I can continue to slowly use up my insane amount of big head stickers.

The closest spit would be the glow in the dark as they were much whiter than regular F4s, x99 are whiter than regs F4s tho.

[Musicaldeath107]

So I've ridden the X99 at all of my usual spots now.

The only place I didn't flat out love them was the indoor park.  The place has a Berrics level smooth floor. That coupled with how these wheels handle rough ground they just felt like you were riding on air. It made them feel slow even though they weren't. It didn't affect how they actually performed though. All my tricks worked and I had a great session. It just felt strange for a bit until I got used to them.

Everywhere else from crusty streets to an outdoor concrete park these wheels felt and performed perfectly.

These edge out F4 99a as my all around wheel of choice now. While I definitely prefer the F4 at the smooth indoor park I skate there the least. Plus I got used to the feeling after a bit so if I want to skate that setup there the wheels are no issue.
 
These out perform F4 99a and 97a significantly on crusty ground. Are equal to F4 99a on smoother surfaces and absolutely demolish F4 97a on smoother surfaces.  Bones really has a winner here.

[Roisto]

So I've ridden the X99 at all of my usual spots now.

The only place I didn't flat out love them was the indoor park.  The place has a Berrics level smooth floor. That coupled with how these wheels handle rough ground they just felt like you were riding on air. It made them feel slow even though they weren't. It didn't affect how they actually performed though. All my tricks worked and I had a great session. It just felt strange for a bit until I got used to them.

Everywhere else from crusty streets to an outdoor concrete park these wheels felt and performed perfectly.

These edge out F4 99a as my all around wheel of choice now. While I definitely prefer the F4 at the smooth indoor park I skate there the least. Plus I got used to the feeling after a bit so if I want to skate that setup there the wheels are no issue.
 
These out perform F4 99a and 97a significantly on crusty ground. Are equal to F4 99a on smoother surfaces and absolutely demolish F4 97a on smoother surfaces.  Bones really has a winner here.

Damn. That sounds really good. Do I really have to buy Bones wheels now? I really wouldn’t want to. 

[pops]

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So I've ridden the X99 at all of my usual spots now.

The only place I didn't flat out love them was the indoor park.  The place has a Berrics level smooth floor. That coupled with how these wheels handle rough ground they just felt like you were riding on air. It made them feel slow even though they weren't. It didn't affect how they actually performed though. All my tricks worked and I had a great session. It just felt strange for a bit until I got used to them.

Everywhere else from crusty streets to an outdoor concrete park these wheels felt and performed perfectly.

These edge out F4 99a as my all around wheel of choice now. While I definitely prefer the F4 at the smooth indoor park I skate there the least. Plus I got used to the feeling after a bit so if I want to skate that setup there the wheels are no issue.
 
These out perform F4 99a and 97a significantly on crusty ground. Are equal to F4 99a on smoother surfaces and absolutely demolish F4 97a on smoother surfaces.  Bones really has a winner here.

[close]

Damn. That sounds really good. Do I really have to buy Bones wheels now? I really wouldn’t want to. 

Me neither but I dont know better and I already love my 97 spits so I stick to those for now. 

[Xen]

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So I've ridden the X99 at all of my usual spots now.

The only place I didn't flat out love them was the indoor park.  The place has a Berrics level smooth floor. That coupled with how these wheels handle rough ground they just felt like you were riding on air. It made them feel slow even though they weren't. It didn't affect how they actually performed though. All my tricks worked and I had a great session. It just felt strange for a bit until I got used to them.

Everywhere else from crusty streets to an outdoor concrete park these wheels felt and performed perfectly.

These edge out F4 99a as my all around wheel of choice now. While I definitely prefer the F4 at the smooth indoor park I skate there the least. Plus I got used to the feeling after a bit so if I want to skate that setup there the wheels are no issue.
 
These out perform F4 99a and 97a significantly on crusty ground. Are equal to F4 99a on smoother surfaces and absolutely demolish F4 97a on smoother surfaces.  Bones really has a winner here.

[close]

Damn. That sounds really good. Do I really have to buy Bones wheels now? I really wouldn’t want to. 

If the product fits your needs who cares who makes it?

[LebowskisRug]

Well, my DLX neck tat makes it sort of a conflict.

[Zyth]

Well, my DLX neck tat makes it sort of a conflict.

some guy at my local has a indy tattoo and skates aces now lol

[Xen]

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Well, my DLX neck tat makes it sort of a conflict.

[close]

some guy at my local has a indy tattoo and skates aces now lol

[Creachteach]

Well, my DLX neck tat makes it sort of a conflict.

You can have it covered with a big Vato rat.