Spitfire formula four

[Mbrimson88]

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https://www.spitfirewheels.com/
Spring '22 Drop 2 Catalog is live

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Wish there was more radial action

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Wish there was more radial slim action

I made some for people, usually best from Conical shaped wheels, just taking the side edge off a bit and rounding the corner out and away you go.

These ones turned out pretty well.

[manysnakes]

I see that they just went ahead and made the Kader wheel a production item. Given how quickly these sold out and how many crusty Bowl Barneys and Kader Imitators I've seen riding them, this is a good idea.

[handsclapanin]

The daily driver:

8.3 SlaveZ
Indy 149 w/soft red bushings
F4 Radial 53mm 99d
Swiss

Reminiscing on radials in 53mm. I loved this setup from a few years ago. A 53 radial is all I’d skate, if possible. I got some of the 55 Oski ones recently and put them on my normal 8.3 board. Ended up not liking it. Timing on my landings felt off. All grinds felt like I had less truck to work with (149s). Pinch was terrible on crooks. I took them off after 2 weeks and put on some 52 classic fulls. Now these are working great. Amazing what a difference just a couple millimeters makes. I’ll end up putting the Oski’s on one of the bigger boards in my quiver.

[BartHarleyJarvis]

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The daily driver:

8.3 SlaveZ
Indy 149 w/soft red bushings
F4 Radial 53mm 99d
Swiss

[close]

Reminiscing on radials in 53mm. I loved this setup from a few years ago. A 53 radial is all I’d skate, if possible. I got some of the 55 Oski ones recently and put them on my normal 8.3 board. Ended up not liking it. Timing on my landings felt off. All grinds felt like I had less truck to work with (149s). Pinch was terrible on crooks. I took them off after 2 weeks and put on some 52 classic fulls. Now these are working great. Amazing what a difference just a couple millimeters makes. I’ll end up putting the Oski’s on one of the bigger boards in my quiver.

This is a bummer because I convinced myself the Oski 55 radials were the wheel I needed since Spitfire doesn't seem to offer a 52-53 natural color radial. I'll still probably track some down and give them a shot, especially since the new drop has basically no radials.

[listentoaheartbeat]

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The daily driver:

8.3 SlaveZ
Indy 149 w/soft red bushings
F4 Radial 53mm 99d
Swiss

[close]

Reminiscing on radials in 53mm. I loved this setup from a few years ago. A 53 radial is all I’d skate, if possible. I got some of the 55 Oski ones recently and put them on my normal 8.3 board. Ended up not liking it. Timing on my landings felt off. All grinds felt like I had less truck to work with (149s). Pinch was terrible on crooks. I took them off after 2 weeks and put on some 52 classic fulls. Now these are working great. Amazing what a difference just a couple millimeters makes. I’ll end up putting the Oski’s on one of the bigger boards in my quiver.

[close]

This is a bummer because I convinced myself the Oski 55 radials were the wheel I needed since Spitfire doesn't seem to offer a 52-53 natural color radial. I'll still probably track some down and give them a shot, especially since the new drop has basically no radials.

I’d love some 52 or 53 mm Radials, too. Currently on 52 mm Classic Fulls and bought an extra set of 54 mm Classic Fulls that I’ll put on afterwards. Tad to big for my street setup but worn down they should be perfect.

[oldfart]

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Got a set of OG Classics and all four wobble, one being really noticeable and is dragging the bearings. Is it worth waiting for a warranty? Just checked the 97a conicals I've had for a while and they wobble too but not as bad as the new OG's, guess I didn't notice or care when I set them up.

[close]

Had that same problem a few days ago. I put a bit of sunflower oil on a brush and smeared that inside the wheel. Then put an old bearing on my hanger and put the new bearings in the wheel. The bearings got in very easily and everything sits flush and no more wobble now.
The inside of new spitfire wheels can be a bit sticky sometimes. Oh and make sure to clean the wheels afterwards if you use some type of oil.

This just saved my day!

[fakiefs180]

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Got a set of OG Classics and all four wobble, one being really noticeable and is dragging the bearings. Is it worth waiting for a warranty? Just checked the 97a conicals I've had for a while and they wobble too but not as bad as the new OG's, guess I didn't notice or care when I set them up.

[close]

Had that same problem a few days ago. I put a bit of sunflower oil on a brush and smeared that inside the wheel. Then put an old bearing on my hanger and put the new bearings in the wheel. The bearings got in very easily and everything sits flush and no more wobble now.
The inside of new spitfire wheels can be a bit sticky sometimes. Oh and make sure to clean the wheels afterwards if you use some type of oil.

[close]

This just saved my day!

Yo, that makes me happy to hear. I am glad if I can help.

[tuesday]

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https://www.spitfirewheels.com/
Spring '22 Drop 2 Catalog is live

[close]

Wish there was more radial action

[close]

Wish there was more radial slim action

+1

[BartHarleyJarvis]

Put the Oski Formula four 55mm radials on my board, first session was good. Between the sort of “mid” size and shape, it feels like a good do it all wheel. Hit some slappies, wheels felt like they were locking in.

Really don’t understand why spitfire isn’t producing more radial options.

[thanksgiving]

101 radials in 52 54 58 this fall...

black tho 

lock ins 99 returning finally too

[Ok]

101 radials in 52 54 58 this fall...

black tho 

lock ins 99 returning finally too

52 radials in 101, sounds ideal. I’ve been into 52 conical fulls in 101. Wider good, for me, above 54-55, bad.

[big_kev_215]

Put the Oski Formula four 55mm radials on my board, first session was good. Between the sort of “mid” size and shape, it feels like a good do it all wheel. Hit some slappies, wheels felt like they were locking in.

Really don’t understand why spitfire isn’t producing more radial options.

Skating the same wheels right now and loving them.  I think they’re probably the best all-purpose Spitfire shape.  I’m on the road to going back to skating the classic shape after a couple years on wider wheels and these have seamlessly bridged the gap. 

[IpathCats]

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Put the Oski Formula four 55mm radials on my board, first session was good. Between the sort of “mid” size and shape, it feels like a good do it all wheel. Hit some slappies, wheels felt like they were locking in.

Really don’t understand why spitfire isn’t producing more radial options.

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Skating the same wheels right now and loving them.  I think they’re probably the best all-purpose Spitfire shape.  I’m on the road to going back to skating the classic shape after a couple years on wider wheels and these have seamlessly bridged the gap.

56 or larger, classics. 55 or smaller, radials.

[LebowskisRug]

Classic Fulls please. Have the 52 and 54 best all around shape.

[Ok]

Classic Fulls please. Have the 52 and 54 best all around shape.

I’ve never seen these in person, but now, thanks to you, I wanna find these. Classics have always been my preference, and I know they’ll work. I made the mistake of trying conical fulls in 56 mm. Too beast. I’m currently stoked on 52 conical fulls. Basically a small, wide wheel is what I currently want.

[LebowskisRug]

They’re basically like if you broke in and wore down wheel that is 2mm bigger. So a 52 is like a worn in 54 and the 54 is a worn in 56. A bit better on rough ground than Classics.

[thanksgiving]

Classic Fulls please. Have the 52 and 54 best all around shape.

no classic fulls scheduled for this summer or fall prebooks so far, so stock up while theres some sets of the repeaters ones floating around

[diplodocus]

What do you guys like shape wise for transition? Not talking vert, but like mini, bowl, diy stuff. i’ve literally skated only formula 4 classic 55s for the last 3 years. i’m pretty set on the size, but interested in the benefit of a different wheel shape.

[listentoaheartbeat]

What do you guys like shape wise for transition? Not talking vert, but like mini, bowl, diy stuff. i’ve literally skated only formula 4 classic 55s for the last 3 years. i’m pretty set on the size, but interested in the benefit of a different wheel shape.

Here’s my take from earlier in the thread:

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What shape for 99s? I got conical fulls in 56mm/97a for the slippery indoor park and street crust but need something faster and maybe lighter on good concrete parks

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There are almost too many options if people are not sure, but the rounder edge will be easier on everything and not stick so much when on coping or edges the way the Conical Full and squared shapes tend to do [...].

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I feel conical/square vs. rounded on coping is the most noticeable difference between the shapes. Personally, I prefer the solid lock in of Conical Fulls over Classics when skating transition. My grinds are noticeably faster and longer with Classics, however I need to focus on locking in much more and still wipe out from time to time. Therefore my confidence to go faster in the first place is higher with Conical Fulls.

[FuzzGNU]

What do you guys like shape wise for transition? Not talking vert, but like mini, bowl, diy stuff. i’ve literally skated only formula 4 classic 55s for the last 3 years. i’m pretty set on the size, but interested in the benefit of a different wheel shape.

General wisdom seems to be...

Conical:
Harder to get into grinds/stalls, harder to get out. A more secure lock, but can cause hang ups. More friction/drag during grinds that may slow you down. More stable.

Radial:
Easier to get into grinds, easier to get out. A less secure lock, that can cause slip outs. Less friction/drag during grinds that let you grind a bit further.

Radial shape should let you ride over things sideways/diagonally better than Conical due to the more gradual sides, just like how it helps you pop over coping for grinds. Conical are less likely to tip over than radial, so are seen as "more stable".

Hopefully that helps.

[fakiefs180]

Lock-ins in 99 are coming back?! Oh i hope that is true. I never came around to trying them.

I am currently on 52mm conicals. The standard conicals, but they were old stock from a shop I think.
But so far I like them. And I think 52mm is my preferred size nowadays.

[Mbrimson88]

What do you guys like shape wise for transition? Not talking vert, but like mini, bowl, diy stuff. i’ve literally skated only formula 4 classic 55s for the last 3 years. i’m pretty set on the size, but interested in the benefit of a different wheel shape.

Definitely a lot of info out there and good answers so far on that.

Personally I think you have the best of both worlds with 55mm classics.

They are just wide enough to be in the "wider wheel" variety which you usually only get with bigger wheels and when they wear down to about 52mm they are still wide, ever so slightly rounded but have a significant contact patch.

When the Conical Full and similar wheels get down to that size, they get quite sharp on the edges and need to be rounded off or are more prone to chipping or not holding their shape (or holding you on coping).

That is why I like the 56mm and 58mm classics, but I get quite a few sets that are already worn down from others when they want to upgrade to new wheels, so I am set for pretty much the perfect size and shape that I want, without having to do all the wearing down from new.


Edit:

What size do you skate them til though?   Are you a skate them until you have had enough kind of guy, or until the wheels feel too small, down a couple of mm, etc?

[typeischeap]

I know not everyone likes black wheels but apparently I have a thing for them...working on my miniramp pivot game recently so conical/full works for me.

I buy too much skateboard shit. Sorry.

[bombsaway86]

What do you guys like shape wise for transition? Not talking vert, but like mini, bowl, diy stuff. i’ve literally skated only formula 4 classic 55s for the last 3 years. i’m pretty set on the size, but interested in the benefit of a different wheel shape.

I like the OG classics. The shape is good for locking in to grinds. They’ve got a good sized contact patch but are not crazy wide like the conical full/radial full. Classics scare me on transition with their narrow contact patch. I personally ride the 58mm on everything, but if you’re not riding vert the 55mm would be a good all around size.

I’ve never tried radials, but they seem like they would be good for transition too

[BartHarleyJarvis]

What do you guys like shape wise for transition? Not talking vert, but like mini, bowl, diy stuff. i’ve literally skated only formula 4 classic 55s for the last 3 years. i’m pretty set on the size, but interested in the benefit of a different wheel shape.

I just started riding the 55mm Oski Radials and they feel great so far. Perfect blend of classic and conical, and I think they're positioning them as a transition wheel since they're offering them more in larger sizes. I would say they're definitely worth a shot.

[yourbreakfsat]

What do you guys like shape wise for transition? Not talking vert, but like mini, bowl, diy stuff. i’ve literally skated only formula 4 classic 55s for the last 3 years. i’m pretty set on the size, but interested in the benefit of a different wheel shape.

Conical full has worked out for me the best so far.

[braksabbath]

Some days conical full feels like a monster truck mowing over everything and some days feels like a boat. Haven’t ridden them yet but I got 55mm OG Classics to bring the clunk down. Had one bad experience with a 53mm Radial unlocking on coping that sent head to concrete and now they’re cursed. Got a second hand set of coned 53-55mm Classic Fulls that would probably be the best.

[LebowskisRug]

Why does Spitfire bother producing shapes they have no intention of producing regularly?

[kneebone]

damn, Spitfire got no love for the small wheel skaters, 51mm is the smallest they've got and that's a one-model rollover from last catalog. Don't they know curb skating is hot right now? 

[Richard Skidder]

damn, Spitfire got no love for the small wheel skaters, 51mm is the smallest they've got and that's a one-model rollover from last catalog. Don't they know curb skating is hot right now?

What’s the advantage of a smaller wheel for curb skating? I’ve been skating a lot more curbs lately and started wanting to go down to 52mm (coming from a 54-55). Not sure why I’m wanting to go smaller, just instinctively I guess.