Wheels Thread

[pops]

Had fun session on this little asphalt hill near my house. Skated the Gslide shape Dragons and they're nicely worn in now. Finally learned longer bs powerslides. I didnt get any slipping out and the surface varies between crusty and smooth. I think I just getting really adjusted to these wheels and like em even more now.

[rikki]

Either way I still think they’re great, but I’ll still keep one board setup with F4s and another with X formula

This is pretty much how I'm gonna roll for the foreseeable future.

[Lou Strux]

Recently donated my Spitty F4 97s to a homey, as I feel like this new F4 93 formula does all of the things the 97s do, but better.
Ride is even softer feeling w/o being "bouncy," the slide actually sounds better AND they break into that slide w/ less effort than the 97s require.
I am noticing some light "gouging" (for lack of a better term) in the riding surface after running the usual speed checks on these SF hills.  Jury is still out on durability & wear factor for these fun little fucks, at least until I get more time on them.
Over all, I'm liking them a lot as a softer option, even though I'm pretty sure these will be a one time thing for me, as the F4 99s still feel like home.

[flocke]

spitfire 93 vs bones x97

which one feel softer?

which absorbs crust better?

which one feel better to your body (especially if you struggle with backpain)

[frtzgn95]

spitfire 93 vs bones x97

which one feel softer?

which absorbs crust better?

which one feel better to your body (especially if you struggle with backpain)

and which one slides better? easy, predictable, under control... dad board says that after a month, dragons get gummy. does it happen to these two? (too early to answer this for spit 93s, i think.)

[boneless900]

spitfire 93 vs bones x97

which one feel softer?

which absorbs crust better?

which one feel better to your body (especially if you struggle with backpain)

93 spits feel softer/faster than the x97s for me. They're both solid wheels, but I've felt like the 93a soft sliders do much better on slides/grinds where the wheels make contact (like krooks).

Both wheels absorbed crust well for me, so no issues there. After trying both (albeit the spits for only 4 slappy sessions and one dusty indoor), i prefer the feel of 93 spits.

[MichaelJacksonsGhost]

Question for those who have some experience with softer wheels:

I’ll be in Europe over the summer, and I’m hoping to bring a board to actually skate but also as a means of transportation around the cities I visit. What would be the best wheel set up to be able to both cover long distances easily but also skate if I happen to stumble onto a spot? I’m thinking a set of dragons for when I'm mostly just moving around, then a set of 97 durometer wheels for when I think I’ll be skating a little more seriously. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[tzhangdox]

Spitfire 93s

[Lou Strux]

Spitfire 93s

I 2nd this^^^

[moonordie]

Question for those who have some experience with softer wheels:

I’ll be in Europe over the summer, and I’m hoping to bring a board to actually skate but also as a means of transportation around the cities I visit. What would be the best wheel set up to be able to both cover long distances easily but also skate if I happen to stumble onto a spot? I’m thinking a set of dragons for when I'm mostly just moving around, then a set of 97 durometer wheels for when I think I’ll be skating a little more seriously. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Also depends of the city. Some are totally not skate friendly in the sense of using your board as transportation device. IE: Prague.

[Xen]

Question for those who have some experience with softer wheels:

I’ll be in Europe over the summer, and I’m hoping to bring a board to actually skate but also as a means of transportation around the cities I visit. What would be the best wheel set up to be able to both cover long distances easily but also skate if I happen to stumble onto a spot? I’m thinking a set of dragons for when I'm mostly just moving around, then a set of 97 durometer wheels for when I think I’ll be skating a little more seriously. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

93a dragons/spits are great for crust, doesn't matter the brand; I'd pick the spit 93a over dragons every time only because they sound better.

If you want the benefits of the new 93a wheels but also want to skate spots that are not crust: X99s - they will give you almost all the benefits of the 93s while also giving almost all the benefits of a regular 99a.

[Slugboi22]

 i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

[cliff]

i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

The SML OG's are the ones I ride. Obviously I'm extremely bias but they're close to what the F4s would feel like from what I've been told. Def good grip to slide ratio in my opinion after they're broken in.

[JM]

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Question for those who have some experience with softer wheels:

I’ll be in Europe over the summer, and I’m hoping to bring a board to actually skate but also as a means of transportation around the cities I visit. What would be the best wheel set up to be able to both cover long distances easily but also skate if I happen to stumble onto a spot? I’m thinking a set of dragons for when I'm mostly just moving around, then a set of 97 durometer wheels for when I think I’ll be skating a little more seriously. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[close]

93a dragons/spits are great for crust, doesn't matter the brand; I'd pick the spit 93a over dragons every time only because they sound better.

If you want the benefits of the new 93a wheels but also want to skate spots that are not crust: X99s - they will give you almost all the benefits of the 93s while also giving almost all the benefits of a regular 99a.

Will second that spits sound better.

But x97 is an absolute champ in all conditions.

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

so the updated preferences are more so Spit 93/97 and Bones X 97 and 99, correct?

I think it's funny how we all are about one degree away from each other, I'm wondering if it's the terrain, we skate differently, do you think there are any inconsistencies in the formula?  Imma guess, it's just super subjective as always....

I had to go to the store tonite and usually I take my zip zinger which has 91 dragons, my daily park driver is X99's and today I took out my giant football which has 94 ditchechs which was sort of 'ahead of it's time', I think they are essentially 94 park formulas....the ditchtechs were so slow....like almost unrideable. 

[Xen]

I wouldn't count the spit F4 97a in the mix tbh, these 'soft formula' wheels are a different breed altogether compared to them.

From personal experience, and what's out there on youtube and here (barring the local spit fangirls) it seems like the spit 93s compete more directly with x97s/x99s in terms of feel and performance as they are harder/louder feeling than the spongedragons (while still doing what dragons do, just differently).

Some feel the x97s slide better than the x99s, while the x99s sound/feel more like a normal-ish wheel (whereas the x97s still has that gummy 93a dragon feel and sound, especially with pinch shit) - this is where the spit 93s sort of stand apart, they literally do the work of all three x-formulas: absorb good enough like dragons, slide a bit better like x97s (subjective, I couldn't fucking tell) and feel/sound more like a regular wheel like x99s, but sound better...however, I give the edge to the x99s because of speed on regular (smooth/non-crust) terrain, it's just faster than either 93a offering...

Personally, I've ditched them all unless I'm hitting a certain spot or two and have fallen right back into riding 103a STFs at my regular spots.

[MichaelJacksonsGhost]

Thanks, all. I'm going to investigate a set of spitfire 93s. Much obliged.

[mynameisnotjeff]

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i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

[close]

The SML OG's are the ones I ride. Obviously I'm extremely bias but they're close to what the F4s would feel like from what I've been told. Def good grip to slide ratio in my opinion after they're broken in.

Great Bunt episode!
Is there an eta of when the wheels you talked about drop?

Finally, any SML wheels tees I can cop to throw money your way?

[rocklobster]

i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

The OG formula does feel like a Bones STF and is fast for smooth terrain, but too hard for anything rougher.

I prefer the AG formula for street skating, grippier and more forgiving for rougher spots.

Both have a good slide.

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what are some decent wheels with a ton of offset?
looking to make a setup with trucks smaller than the deck

[close]

Mike Arnold's Sml. wheels are extra wide but not offset. He loves them and swears by them. 56mm 99A.

(3rd slide shows the width)

[close]

@cliff what does AG formula mean vs. the old formula?

[close]

This. And does one of them work well on slippery wood ramps?

[close]

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The new OJs feel way less icy, so now I can blame like 3% of those f4 slams on a personal gear mismatch and keep the madness alive.

Do you know how sml wheels compare to f4 in terms of grip? Cheers

[close]

Ha, yeah definitely got to try some out and see what works.

I have had / seen two different types of SML wheels and both were good / no issues, but I didn't skate them much and passed them on to others who needed wheels, more so because I usually ride and feel most comfortable on Spitfires.

One set was very white, which seemed harder at first, the other set more milky, and was a bit softer / had more grip.  I guess being one of the many brands who use other wheels, it is just one of those things.

See this post for the slight differences, not counting the coloured wheels at the end.

[close]

So the ones with the flowers on the left are our AG formula (made specific Austyn) from Creative Urethane which is closer to a Spitfire Classic. They have a more traditional feel with a little bit easier slide-ability.

The other ones on the right are our OG formula from Aend They are closer to a Bones STF. They have a high rebound so they won't flat spot it doesn't have to do with the hardness as much as the high quality of urethane . So they do take a little more effort on the slide but I personally love them.

The duro is the same 99a on both but they both have their own feel.

I hope this info is helpful and thanks for the support!!

[close]

From what I've read:

AG - Similar to Spitfire OG formula, like a 99a
OG - Similar to Darkstar Master Urethane formula, like a 101a

[close]

This is spot on. Appreciate the love everyone!

[minilogoflow]

I've been switching between one set up with 93a spits and my daily driver with x99 on it. I mostly skate a smooth park and haven't really hit any crusty/street spots lately so not exactly in ideal conditions for the spits. After breaking them in a bit I can say the biggest issue I have with the spits is they have the same problem keeping speed that the dragons have. Also, the slide is really inconsistent on smooth surfaces (just gliding instead of really biting down on slides). Besides those drawbacks, I really like the feel and sound of these a lot better than the dragons. They feel a lot more like a normal wheel in regards to pop and response, dragons on the other hand have that bouncy cruiser wheel feel. On the limited time I've used the spits in their intended environment I can say they are fast on bad ground, slide great on rough surfaces and give you just enough rattle to almost feel like normal f4's. I'd say on crusty areas the spit 93 are more equivalent to x97 than the dragons imo. Personally, I prefer the harder x formulas overall (97+99) but the spit 93's are a great wheel just not for what I typically skate. I'm interested in seeing how the reformulated f4 97's turn out, they might just get me off of the x formulas.

[rikki]

Based on many of the comments here I'm starting to regret drinking the Kool-Aid and buying set of Spit 93 54 Radials.

I mean, I love my X99s – they work pretty much f*cking everywhere. Basically 0% of the comments here have described the Spit 93s as being better than the X99s (with regards to where the X99s work best). From what I've understood, the 93s aren't e.g. as fast on smoother terrain.

But then again, gotta try 'em out for myself of course. Who knows, I might like them a lot. Without X99s in my universe, they could just be what I need. But it's good to have options, right? Right. Right...

[Frank and Fred]

I have some 60mm Rat Bone Dragons, I've been power-drifting through the hills. Fucking fun... My thighs are killing me.

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

I haven’t followed the 93 convo too closely, but is it a new formula?  Can we then expect 95/97/99….and the X/Dragon formulas only have one more gear: 101…..or do they?  The idea was ten years old…..

[Xen]

I haven’t followed the 93 convo too closely, but is it a new formula?  Can we then expect 95/97/99….and the X/Dragon formulas only have one more gear: 101…..or do they?  The idea was ten years old…..

While labeled as 'F4' riding them you can feel they clearly are not the same F4 formula we are used to and I doubt the F497s were either given how far from the 99a they performed...or maybe they were and it just didn't workout as well. F4 may have been used as a base, who knows but the chems.

'F4' is marketing now and the actual chemical formula doesn't mean shit, and rightfully so; I still feel BONES would have done better had their offerings been STFx or SSF (Soft Slide Formula = SSF) along the lines of STF/SPF we're used to - they threw away DECADES of branding probably worried how people would react to a 'soft' STF and splintering their brand and ended up using the worst fucking branding/logos/marketing possible...like they did with Easy Streets (least offensive I feel and for sure a pre-cursory attempt at what we have now) and the fucking Dirty Birds (that dude should be flogged).

My guess is you could easily do a 101 and still have it have more rebound giving it that wheels lines feel but like the x99 you run into user expectations x99 vs 99a / x101 vs 101a (especially in spits case); I'd imagine you would run into diminishing returns.

Dragons, X-Formula, Soft Sliders (and by extension the easy rider decks....ffs just make a 93a spit F4, and a mellow concave R1) are fucking garbage names...right up there with Van's Comfy Cush...

[Slugboi22]

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i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

[close]

The OG formula does feel like a Bones STF and is fast for smooth terrain, but too hard for anything rougher.

I prefer the AG formula for street skating, grippier and more forgiving for rougher spots.

Both have a good slide.

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what are some decent wheels with a ton of offset?
looking to make a setup with trucks smaller than the deck

[close]

Mike Arnold's Sml. wheels are extra wide but not offset. He loves them and swears by them. 56mm 99A.

(3rd slide shows the width)

[close]

@cliff what does AG formula mean vs. the old formula?

[close]

This. And does one of them work well on slippery wood ramps?

[close]

Expand Quote

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Expand Quote

The new OJs feel way less icy, so now I can blame like 3% of those f4 slams on a personal gear mismatch and keep the madness alive.

Do you know how sml wheels compare to f4 in terms of grip? Cheers

[close]

Ha, yeah definitely got to try some out and see what works.

I have had / seen two different types of SML wheels and both were good / no issues, but I didn't skate them much and passed them on to others who needed wheels, more so because I usually ride and feel most comfortable on Spitfires.

One set was very white, which seemed harder at first, the other set more milky, and was a bit softer / had more grip.  I guess being one of the many brands who use other wheels, it is just one of those things.

See this post for the slight differences, not counting the coloured wheels at the end.

[close]

So the ones with the flowers on the left are our AG formula (made specific Austyn) from Creative Urethane which is closer to a Spitfire Classic. They have a more traditional feel with a little bit easier slide-ability.

The other ones on the right are our OG formula from Aend They are closer to a Bones STF. They have a high rebound so they won't flat spot it doesn't have to do with the hardness as much as the high quality of urethane . So they do take a little more effort on the slide but I personally love them.

The duro is the same 99a on both but they both have their own feel.

I hope this info is helpful and thanks for the support!!

[close]

From what I've read:

AG - Similar to Spitfire OG formula, like a 99a
OG - Similar to Darkstar Master Urethane formula, like a 101a

[close]

This is spot on. Appreciate the love everyone!

[close]

yo thanks for the help! you and @cliff gave some great insight! i’d love to try and support a smaller brand if i can help it! SML it is :-)

[goodatmeth]

In case someone is deciding between X97 and X99, consider this:

While I absolutely love my X99 and they're my one and only wheel now, they get very slippery on dusty (or damn pollen) wooden miniramps. The X97 DO NOT.
Not as slippery as 99a F4 or any other 99a of course, but slippery.

Ngl I'd like a X98 haha, might be perfect for everything. The only reason I'm not skating X97 is sticky crooked grinds on angle iron ledges. X99 solved that

[Creachteach]

In case someone is deciding between X97 and X99, consider this:

While I absolutely love my X99 and they're my one and only wheel now, they get very slippery on dusty (or damn pollen) wooden miniramps. The X97 DO NOT.
Not as slippery as 99a F4 or any other 99a of course, but slippery.

Ngl I'd like a X98 haha, might be perfect for everything. The only reason I'm not skating X97 is sticky crooked grinds on angle iron ledges. X99 solved that

X97 have cured my ailments of slipping out, and I skate a dusty indoor diy.
OJ elite 99a also seems fine and much stickier than Spitfire F499a, but they collect the dust somewhat, and then you have shit eating potential.
But at my level that’s a constant struggle.

[lamfordie]

Just watched the new episode of the bunt with Cliff and he mentioned the Sml wheels is making their own version of the dragon wheels that's gonna be a dual durometer. He said Mike Arnold is the main guy behind it. I am titally down to try them in the v-cut. @cliff any word when they will be released?