Spitfire formula four

[rawbertson.]

was talking to a friend the other day who somehow wasn't aware of F4's (i guess he has just been a bones guy forever or something idk.)

I told him that you couldn't pay me to ride something other than F4's, they're just that good.

Could someone pay YOU to ride something other than f4's?

obviously millions of dollars or something like that would sway most anyone. But within reason, whatever check wheel companies are cutting dudes. Would it change your mind?

I am riding Bones still on my main setup, i actually took the F4s off of here and put them on my other setup (they were too big @ 54mm conical full). I really like how the bones STF slide on curb combos. It is too slippery to skate some spots though.

Bones also offer the X formula, so I think I would be pretty set between those 2 wheels... 

But I think F4 99a works much better as a single wheel across all spots. It works just fine on the curb combos, still has nice slide, but also can hit bank spots that require sharp cuts / turns without sliding out. feel way more confident on them.

I think I am going to replace these STFs with F4 99a Classic Shape though just at a smaller size than what i had on there. hoping I can still get a 51mm. Radials do sound sick but they start at 53mm it looks like.

[Democratic Republic Of Mongo]

There are 52mm radials out there.

https://orchardshop.com/collections/wheels/products/spitfire-wheels-f4-formula-four-radial-99-52mm

[rawbertson.]

There are 52mm radials out there.

https://orchardshop.com/collections/wheels/products/spitfire-wheels-f4-formula-four-radial-99-52mm

\that would be sick
harder to find in maple syrup land, i dont need to pay that shipping
53 could probably work i just dont want to spend like a year working them in

[IpathCats]

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There are 52mm radials out there.

https://orchardshop.com/collections/wheels/products/spitfire-wheels-f4-formula-four-radial-99-52mm

[close]

\that would be sick
harder to find in maple syrup land, i dont need to pay that shipping
53 could probably work i just dont want to spend like a year working them in

I'm sure if you talked to your local shop owner they would/could order you some from their distributor.

Maybe just see if they'll do it the next time they make a big order to save them on shipping.

[rawbertson.]

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There are 52mm radials out there.

https://orchardshop.com/collections/wheels/products/spitfire-wheels-f4-formula-four-radial-99-52mm

[close]

\that would be sick
harder to find in maple syrup land, i dont need to pay that shipping
53 could probably work i just dont want to spend like a year working them in

[close]

I'm sure if you talked to your local shop owner they would/could order you some from their distributor.

Maybe just see if they'll do it the next time they make a big order to save them on shipping.

unfortunately I live in a small town in between London and Toronto and there isnt really any shop besides Zumiez

they do have these though:
https://www.zumiez.com/spitfire-blackout-formula-four-52mm-101d-radial-skateboard-wheels.html

101d ... now i am going into gear madness thread. i was set on 99a but... those could be sick...
not sure if i want black wheels though

[Fooj]

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This might be my OCD coming thru, but i love how they used a circular graphic on these.
For shapes where the graphic doesnt fully wear off like radials, CF, OGs, non-circular graphics kind of bum me out once the wheels are worn in, makes me less likely to flip the wheel around for even wear

[close]

You are not the only one.

I have taken more than a few graphics off, not just for myself, but also when people wanted a wheel shape, but didn't like the graphic that came on the wheel, so besides turning the graphic in, I had often taken a razor blade and scratched off the graphic, just to keep them happy.

They do look good with the thin round circle close in to the bearings on Formula Four Classics and others that have that sort of graphic, but some of the bigger single graphics I can definitely see they will need to come off for some people I skate with.

[close]

Every. Word. Of. This. Post.

[close]

Hahahha, yep.

So many bad graphics of great shapes just sit on the shelf and gather dust, or go on sale.

The funniest situation was when someone came in asking for a certain wheel, was not at all a fan of the dude whose name was on them and refused to get them.  I made an excuse to do something and took them out the back, took almost all the graphic off, just leaving a very small logo in the corner, brought them back out and he couldn't get enough of them and wanted me to track down any more sets of them too...

Just wow.

This is my current internal struggle, they needed to be rotated so bad, but i hate how they look. At least theyre only 2 colors..



On the flip side, I really love how classics put the details inside the tinnnny little ridge that doesnt get worn. Its like their dog tags, even when theyre dead you can what they were.

[Mbrimson88]

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This might be my OCD coming thru, but i love how they used a circular graphic on these.
For shapes where the graphic doesnt fully wear off like radials, CF, OGs, non-circular graphics kind of bum me out once the wheels are worn in, makes me less likely to flip the wheel around for even wear

[close]

You are not the only one.

I have taken more than a few graphics off, not just for myself, but also when people wanted a wheel shape, but didn't like the graphic that came on the wheel, so besides turning the graphic in, I had often taken a razor blade and scratched off the graphic, just to keep them happy.

They do look good with the thin round circle close in to the bearings on Formula Four Classics and others that have that sort of graphic, but some of the bigger single graphics I can definitely see they will need to come off for some people I skate with.

[close]

Every. Word. Of. This. Post.

[close]

Hahahha, yep.

So many bad graphics of great shapes just sit on the shelf and gather dust, or go on sale.

The funniest situation was when someone came in asking for a certain wheel, was not at all a fan of the dude whose name was on them and refused to get them.  I made an excuse to do something and took them out the back, took almost all the graphic off, just leaving a very small logo in the corner, brought them back out and he couldn't get enough of them and wanted me to track down any more sets of them too...

Just wow.

[close]

This is my current internal struggle, they needed to be rotated so bad, but i hate how they look. At least theyre only 2 colors..


On the flip side, I really love how classics put the details inside the tinnnny little ridge that doesnt get worn. Its like their dog tags, even when theyre dead you can what they were.

Classic Formula Four just work so well like that.

Sometimes I wish all the wheels would have just that black text outline, minimal but easy to see what they are from day 1 through til the very end.

Most of the others I have also leave that rim line with the original text more so than any pro versions, be it Classic or Classic Full, Radials, Conical or Conical Full, etc.

[Pasta Monster]

Anyone know of any US shops with the Kader Radial Fulls in 59mm or is it too late to snag a set?

[Edit]
Found some as of now:
https://www.35thave.com/shop/Skate/Wheels/Spitfire/p/Spitfire-Formula-Four-Kader-Puffs-Radial-Full-99a-x70104029.htm

[moonordie]

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This might be my OCD coming thru, but i love how they used a circular graphic on these.
For shapes where the graphic doesnt fully wear off like radials, CF, OGs, non-circular graphics kind of bum me out once the wheels are worn in, makes me less likely to flip the wheel around for even wear

[close]

You are not the only one.

I have taken more than a few graphics off, not just for myself, but also when people wanted a wheel shape, but didn't like the graphic that came on the wheel, so besides turning the graphic in, I had often taken a razor blade and scratched off the graphic, just to keep them happy.

They do look good with the thin round circle close in to the bearings on Formula Four Classics and others that have that sort of graphic, but some of the bigger single graphics I can definitely see they will need to come off for some people I skate with.

[close]

Every. Word. Of. This. Post.

[close]

Hahahha, yep.

So many bad graphics of great shapes just sit on the shelf and gather dust, or go on sale.

The funniest situation was when someone came in asking for a certain wheel, was not at all a fan of the dude whose name was on them and refused to get them.  I made an excuse to do something and took them out the back, took almost all the graphic off, just leaving a very small logo in the corner, brought them back out and he couldn't get enough of them and wanted me to track down any more sets of them too...

Just wow.

[close]

This is my current internal struggle, they needed to be rotated so bad, but i hate how they look. At least theyre only 2 colors..

I feel you man, I should do the same with my GT OG classics but there is no way I'm doing it

[TheCrimsonShroud]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered some f4 lock ins. Never skated spit but a local-ish shop had them for $35. Fuck it, let’s see

[Fooj]

I finally bit the bullet and ordered some f4 lock ins. Never skated spit but a local-ish shop had them for $35. Fuck it, let’s see

What have you ridden in the past?

and did what duro lock ins did you get?

[TheCrimsonShroud]

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I finally bit the bullet and ordered some f4 lock ins. Never skated spit but a local-ish shop had them for $35. Fuck it, let’s see

[close]

What have you ridden in the past?

and did what duro lock ins did you get?

A whole lot of everything else. Slime Balls, Bones, OJ, Mini Logo mainly. To save you the trouble of asking why, I’m just an old stubborn kook. And I got 99a

[144p]

Anyone know of any US shops with the Kader Radial Fulls in 59mm or is it too late to snag a set?

[Edit]
Found some as of now:
https://www.35thave.com/shop/Skate/Wheels/Spitfire/p/Spitfire-Formula-Four-Kader-Puffs-Radial-Full-99a-x70104029.htm

we sold out. thanks for the love.

[Mbrimson88]

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Anyone know of any US shops with the Kader Radial Fulls in 59mm or is it too late to snag a set?

[Edit]
Found some as of now:
https://www.35thave.com/shop/Skate/Wheels/Spitfire/p/Spitfire-Formula-Four-Kader-Puffs-Radial-Full-99a-x70104029.htm

[close]

we sold out. thanks for the love.

I could definitely see the 59 mm selling quickly, from showing 3 in stock earlier.

At least there are still half a dozen listed for the 54 mm and 56 mm sizes too, for anyone wanting a not so big but still quite wide wheel.

[Frank and Fred]

Really digging 101 F4s at the moment. Especially with wheels under 54mm. The key is  a wider profile. Conical Full 101 has been money for me at the local curb spot. Asphalt but pretty smooth. I know the trend is toward slightly softer wheels but I think the 101s are a little under rated. Also if you dabble with Lil Smokies, I'd get the 101s. That's all.

[gsosa]

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I've said this before and I'll say it again: the normal Radial Slim is great combination of basically every F4 wheel. Not too conical, not too round, not too wide, not too slim. Flips, locks in, does basically everything. Am I tripping? If so, it's a good trip.

[close]

Fixed.

Honestly I feel regular Conicals are fucking great, and Id dare to say they are the best F4 option?! They have a wide(r) contact patch but are still only a bit wider than a Classic (or atleast feels this way) and you get all the benefits of a square shaped wheel while still looking like a normal wheel (meaning not a huge wide one like CFs)

[144p]

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Anyone know of any US shops with the Kader Radial Fulls in 59mm or is it too late to snag a set?

[Edit]
Found some as of now:
https://www.35thave.com/shop/Skate/Wheels/Spitfire/p/Spitfire-Formula-Four-Kader-Puffs-Radial-Full-99a-x70104029.htm

[close]

we sold out. thanks for the love.

[close]

I could definitely see the 59 mm selling quickly, from showing 3 in stock earlier.

At least there are still half a dozen listed for the 54 mm and 56 mm sizes too, for anyone wanting a not so big but still quite wide wheel.

We are re stocking the 59's later this week.

[rawbertson.]

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I've said this before and I'll say it again: the normal Radial Slim is great combination of basically every F4 wheel. Not too conical, not too round, not too wide, not too slim. Flips, locks in, does basically everything. Am I tripping? If so, it's a good trip.

[close]

Fixed.

[close]

Honestly I feel regular Conicals are fucking great, and Id dare to say they are the best F4 option?! They have a wide(r) contact patch but are still only a bit wider than a Classic (or atleast feels this way) and you get all the benefits of a square shaped wheel while still looking like a normal wheel (meaning not a huge wide one like CFs)

Radial regular or Conical Regular seems to be a thing of the past in Canada. Finding Classic is hard enough...

[Fooj]

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I've said this before and I'll say it again: the normal Radial Slim is great combination of basically every F4 wheel. Not too conical, not too round, not too wide, not too slim. Flips, locks in, does basically everything. Am I tripping? If so, it's a good trip.

[close]

Fixed.

[close]

Honestly I feel regular Conicals are fucking great, and Id dare to say they are the best F4 option?! They have a wide(r) contact patch but are still only a bit wider than a Classic (or atleast feels this way) and you get all the benefits of a square shaped wheel while still looking like a normal wheel (meaning not a huge wide one like CFs)

Do you like them better than OGs? Aside from availability

[rikki]

How do you guys feel about OGs/Conicals that have originally been 55-56mm but have been worn down to c. 53mm? Do they feel "too wide" for you or do you just not give a f---? My old 55 OGs are now around 52-53 and they seem kinda clunky. Maybe I'm just projecting and should just skate them and shut up, but still. Y'know. Gear madness / OCD.

[Mbrimson88]

How do you guys feel about OGs/Conicals that have originally been 55-56mm but have been worn down to c. 53mm? Do they feel "too wide" for you or do you just not give a f---? My old 55 OGs are now around 52-53 and they seem kinda clunky. Maybe I'm just projecting and should just skate them and shut up, but still. Y'know. Gear madness / OCD.

The edge definitely gets a bit sharp and they square off quite badly when worn down a lot.

I use an angle grinder and gently round the corners off the wheels, which does wonders for their longevity - almost makes them feel like new wheels again for me anyway, but it is not something to just jump at and I recommend going very slow and steady to work out the best way to do it, even using some old wheels first, just to get a feel for it, but it is relatively easy once you get the hang of it and even a small battery powered angle grinder works well / may even be better than a big high powered industrial grinder type of thing.

[Samsquantch]

Nothing much to add, and I know it's been said before, but spitfire really nailed it with F4's.

I'm an "older" guy and have recently gotten back into it with my kids after a long break. So far I've tried Dragons and X97's on my own setup, and Bones 99's, 103a STF's and 104 SPF's on buddies setups.

Decided to buy into the hype and picked up 56mm Conical Full's in 99a and bam, done, love them. I dunno what it is but they just feel and sound like what a skateboard is supposed to for me. Dragons and X97's feel a bit rubbery, STF's and SPF's feel like plastic, F4's just feel perfect.

That's it, love F4's, carry on.

[TheCrimsonShroud]

Nothing much to add, and I know it's been said before, but spitfire really nailed it with F4's.

I'm an "older" guy and have recently gotten back into it with my kids after a long break. So far I've tried Dragons and X97's on my own setup, and Bones 99's, 103a STF's and 104 SPF's on buddies setups.

Decided to buy into the hype and picked up 56mm Conical Full's in 99a and bam, done, love them. I dunno what it is but they just feel and sound like what a skateboard is supposed to for me. Dragons and X97's feel a bit rubbery, STF's and SPF's feel like plastic, F4's just feel perfect.

That's it, love F4's, carry on.

Dude, I just got back from taking my new 57mm lock-ins for a test drive and was gonna hop on here and post ‘these are perfect, these sound and feel exactly how a skateboard should feel’. Also older dude coming from a hiatus and spurned on by my kids interest in my old pastime. Fuckin weird koinkidink

[Samsquantch]

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Nothing much to add, and I know it's been said before, but spitfire really nailed it with F4's.

I'm an "older" guy and have recently gotten back into it with my kids after a long break. So far I've tried Dragons and X97's on my own setup, and Bones 99's, 103a STF's and 104 SPF's on buddies setups.

Decided to buy into the hype and picked up 56mm Conical Full's in 99a and bam, done, love them. I dunno what it is but they just feel and sound like what a skateboard is supposed to for me. Dragons and X97's feel a bit rubbery, STF's and SPF's feel like plastic, F4's just feel perfect.

That's it, love F4's, carry on.

[close]

Dude, I just got back from taking my new 57mm lock-ins for a test drive and was gonna hop on here and post ‘these are perfect, these sound and feel exactly how a skateboard should feel’. Also older dude coming from a hiatus and spurned on by my kids interest in my old pastime. Fuckin weird koinkidink

Ha! Right on. Yep, first warmup lap around the skatepark and it's like, yeah, love these...

The sound and feel thing cannot be overstated, first push always just feels awesome.

Went with Dragons and X97's first after drinking the YouTube old guy Kool aid, but honestly I'm happier with one setup with F4's for park and normal skating, and another setup with 78a OJ's for cruising.

[Frank and Fred]

I don't think I could ever stray from F4s at this point. Some wheels might be faster on certain terrains or slide better in certain situations and even more durable but no other wheel has the entire package along with that unmistakeable 'feel' on nearly all terrain.

[TheCrimsonShroud]

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Nothing much to add, and I know it's been said before, but spitfire really nailed it with F4's.

I'm an "older" guy and have recently gotten back into it with my kids after a long break. So far I've tried Dragons and X97's on my own setup, and Bones 99's, 103a STF's and 104 SPF's on buddies setups.

Decided to buy into the hype and picked up 56mm Conical Full's in 99a and bam, done, love them. I dunno what it is but they just feel and sound like what a skateboard is supposed to for me. Dragons and X97's feel a bit rubbery, STF's and SPF's feel like plastic, F4's just feel perfect.

That's it, love F4's, carry on.

[close]

Dude, I just got back from taking my new 57mm lock-ins for a test drive and was gonna hop on here and post ‘these are perfect, these sound and feel exactly how a skateboard should feel’. Also older dude coming from a hiatus and spurned on by my kids interest in my old pastime. Fuckin weird koinkidink

[close]

Ha! Right on. Yep, first warmup lap around the skatepark and it's like, yeah, love these...

The sound and feel thing cannot be overstated, first push always just feels awesome.

Went with Dragons and X97's first after drinking the YouTube old guy Kool aid, but honestly I'm happier with one setup with F4's for park and normal skating, and another setup with 78a OJ's for cruising.

I was going to try Dragons and X97s (same thing, YouTube) but went with my gut. I’ve tried a few different things under the Powell umbrella and well, hated them. The sole exception being OJs because of course we have to have more in common.

[Samsquantch]

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Nothing much to add, and I know it's been said before, but spitfire really nailed it with F4's.

I'm an "older" guy and have recently gotten back into it with my kids after a long break. So far I've tried Dragons and X97's on my own setup, and Bones 99's, 103a STF's and 104 SPF's on buddies setups.

Decided to buy into the hype and picked up 56mm Conical Full's in 99a and bam, done, love them. I dunno what it is but they just feel and sound like what a skateboard is supposed to for me. Dragons and X97's feel a bit rubbery, STF's and SPF's feel like plastic, F4's just feel perfect.

That's it, love F4's, carry on.

[close]

Dude, I just got back from taking my new 57mm lock-ins for a test drive and was gonna hop on here and post ‘these are perfect, these sound and feel exactly how a skateboard should feel’. Also older dude coming from a hiatus and spurned on by my kids interest in my old pastime. Fuckin weird koinkidink

[close]

Ha! Right on. Yep, first warmup lap around the skatepark and it's like, yeah, love these...

The sound and feel thing cannot be overstated, first push always just feels awesome.

Went with Dragons and X97's first after drinking the YouTube old guy Kool aid, but honestly I'm happier with one setup with F4's for park and normal skating, and another setup with 78a OJ's for cruising.

[close]

I was going to try Dragons and X97s (same thing, YouTube) but went with my gut. I’ve tried a few different things under the Powell umbrella and well, hated them. The sole exception being OJs because of course we have to have more in common.

I also love Elder... 

OJ super juice are such a riot for bombing around the neighborhood, just plow through whatever.

Powell... I really like how they innovate and actually make their own shit, but holy moly, their whole "brand" I just can't get into. All their graphics look like they were done in Microsoft paint.

[TheCrimsonShroud]

I also love Elder... 

Lmao get the fuck outta here. Lore is probably my favorite record of that whole decade. Modeled my whole stoner guitar tone on it. Not to mention my handle.

[Samsquantch]

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I also love Elder... 

[close]

Lmao get the fuck outta here. Lore is probably my favorite record of that whole decade. Modeled my whole stoner guitar tone on it. Not to mention my handle.

Only discovered them in the past five years or so, but yeah, Lore is a banger. My no 1 get fired up on the way to the trail when I go DH mtn biking album.

[rikki]

I don't think I could ever stray from F4s at this point. Some wheels might be faster on certain terrains or slide better in certain situations and even more durable but no other wheel has the entire package along with that unmistakeable 'feel' on nearly all terrain.

This.

The only wheel that has come close from other brands is the OJ Elite Hardline 99, which I've liked in indoor parks that have a lot of plywood transition. They have a bit more grip than the F4 on plywood but are fast. However, the sound is not there.