Spitfire formula four

[Samsquantch]

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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.

[close]

This.

The only wheel that has come close from other brands is the OJ 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.

Good to know, my indoor is dusty AF usually. Just about busted my nose slipping out on the skatelite mini during the winter. I was running X97's and the dust kept building up on them. My buddy had Dragons and dust didn't seem to stick to them?

[rikki]

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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.

[close]

This.

The only wheel that has come close from other brands is the OJ 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.

[close]

Good to know, my indoor is dusty AF usually. Just about busted my nose slipping out on the skatelite mini during the winter. I was running X97's and the dust kept building up on them. My buddy had Dragons and dust didn't seem to stick to them?

Softer wheels are def grippier in dusty indoors, but they tend to be slow. Haven't tried the Dragons, though. Buddy of mine had OJ Keyframes (87a or so) there in the winter and I tried them once – worst wheels ever for park, felt like flat tires on train tracks.

[Krooked antihero]

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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.

[close]

This.

The only wheel that has come close from other brands is the OJ 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.

[close]

Good to know, my indoor is dusty AF usually. Just about busted my nose slipping out on the skatelite mini during the winter. I was running X97's and the dust kept building up on them. My buddy had Dragons and dust didn't seem to stick to them?

[close]

Softer wheels are def grippier in dusty indoors, but they tend to be slow. Haven't tried the Dragons, though. Buddy of mine had OJ Keyframes (87a or so) there in the winter and I tried them once – worst wheels ever for park, felt like flat tires on train tracks.

I don’t know what terrain keyframes should be good,  too hard for bad finnish asphalt and too slow for smooth parks/indoors…

[Democratic Republic Of Mongo]

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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.

[close]

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.

I am seeing Elder tonight, I think it’s silly that some people DON’T put F4’s on their board, and I’ve been downhill mountain biking like once.

But I think Reflections Of A Floating World is Elder’s undisputed masterpiece.

[Sedition]

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.

Ever word of this.

[logjammin]

I used to feel the same about F4's but they're way too slippery. Even the 97a's sometimes surprise me with a close call of almost slipping out. Forget about even trying them indoors. Until they make offerings in 92a-95a I'll keep skating Dogtown's. If harder wheels are your thing, then yeah I agree they are the premium choice if you have the money. Crazy reading how expensive they are in some countries outside the USA.

[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.

[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)

[close]

Do you like them better than OGs? Aside from availability

I'd say they are just as good. It just depends if you are feeling a skinnier wheel or a wider one. My top shapes are for sure Conicals and OG classics.

[Mbrimson88]

I used to feel the same about F4's but they're way too slippery. Even the 97a's sometimes surprise me with a close call of almost slipping out. Forget about even trying them indoors. Until they make offerings in 92a-95a I'll keep skating Dogtown's. If harder wheels are your thing, then yeah I agree they are the premium choice if you have the money. Crazy reading how expensive they are in some countries outside the USA.

Almost everything for me is ok on F4 99s, but yeah some of the slippery surface ramps / indoor parks or even new parks are way better on softer / more grippy wheels.  I have the 97s on for a little more grip on a couple of boards for one new park near me I go to, but there are definitely places I would still find them not quite so safe and I ride 90 to 92 duro wheels on the skatelite ramps at the indoor park and don't feel like I am going to be rolling the dice every run.

Others I know who have cat like reflexes and way better balance ride 99s or 101s on everything, so sure some people can still deal with it and not change them out, but for most people, either older or just not quite so light on their feet, the slip out factor is very real and altogether too many slams happen on the skatelite surfaces or slippery new parks round here that I have seen and heard.


Re cost of goods - Funny thing about places like here in Australia, everything has gone up considerably, so although Spitfires are going up (AU $80 - $90), those new OJ wheels still top out as the most expensive wheels I have ever seen by a mile (AU $120), so Spitfires are still pretty much medium / regular price, definitely not the highest but that is what we are used to as well, for pro quality products.

[TheCrimsonShroud]

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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.

[close]

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.

[close]

I am seeing Elder tonight, I think it’s silly that some people DON’T put F4’s on their board, and I’ve been downhill mountain biking like once.

But I think Reflections Of A Floating World is Elder’s undisputed masterpiece.

You bastard, have fun. I want to see them so badly. I love Reflections too. Every bit as good as Lore, though Lore was my first so it has a special place to me.

[Samsquantch]

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I used to feel the same about F4's but they're way too slippery. Even the 97a's sometimes surprise me with a close call of almost slipping out. Forget about even trying them indoors. Until they make offerings in 92a-95a I'll keep skating Dogtown's. If harder wheels are your thing, then yeah I agree they are the premium choice if you have the money. Crazy reading how expensive they are in some countries outside the USA.

[close]

Almost everything for me is ok on F4 99s, but yeah some of the slippery surface ramps / indoor parks or even new parks are way better on softer / more grippy wheels.  I have the 97s on for a little more grip on a couple of boards for one new park near me I go to, but there are definitely places I would still find them not quite so safe and I ride 90 to 92 duro wheels on the skatelite ramps at the indoor park and don't feel like I am going to be rolling the dice every run.

Others I know who have cat like reflexes and way better balance ride 99s or 101s on everything, so sure some people can still deal with it and not change them out, but for most people, either older or just not quite so light on their feet, the slip out factor is very real and altogether too many slams happen on the skatelite surfaces or slippery new parks round here that I have seen and heard.


Re cost of goods - Funny thing about places like here in Australia, everything has gone up considerably, so although Spitfires are going up (AU $80 - $90), those new OJ wheels still top out as the most expensive wheels I have ever seen by a mile (AU $120), so Spitfires are still pretty much medium / regular price, definitely not the highest but that is what we are used to as well, for pro quality products.

Man, you poor Aussies sure pay through the nose. I'm in Canada and wheels haven't really gone up since last year. Still around $58-$65 Canuck bucks for premium wheels like Bones and Spits. Except those goofy new OJ's, Yeesh.
My crystal ball prediction is that the dual duros are not exactly going to fly off the shelves at that price.

Regarding softer duros, definitely going to throw the Dragons back on for the dusty indoor this winter.

[Sedition]

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I used to feel the same about F4's but they're way too slippery. Even the 97a's sometimes surprise me with a close call of almost slipping out. Forget about even trying them indoors. Until they make offerings in 92a-95a I'll keep skating Dogtown's. If harder wheels are your thing, then yeah I agree they are the premium choice if you have the money. Crazy reading how expensive they are in some countries outside the USA.

[close]

Almost everything for me is ok on F4 99s, but yeah some of the slippery surface ramps / indoor parks or even new parks are way better on softer / more grippy wheels.  I have the 97s on for a little more grip on a couple of boards for one new park near me I go to, but there are definitely places I would still find them not quite so safe and I ride 90 to 92 duro wheels on the skatelite ramps at the indoor park and don't feel like I am going to be rolling the dice every run.

Others I know who have cat like reflexes and way better balance ride 99s or 101s on everything, so sure some people can still deal with it and not change them out, but for most people, either older or just not quite so light on their feet, the slip out factor is very real and altogether too many slams happen on the skatelite surfaces or slippery new parks round here that I have seen and heard.


Re cost of goods - Funny thing about places like here in Australia, everything has gone up considerably, so although Spitfires are going up (AU $80 - $90), those new OJ wheels still top out as the most expensive wheels I have ever seen by a mile (AU $120), so Spitfires are still pretty much medium / regular price, definitely not the highest but that is what we are used to as well, for pro quality products.

Spit used to make those "Soft D's" which, IMHO, were great from some those extra slippery places. Wish they still made them.

[Banned from the room]

i need those kader 59s so bad.

are they only in those shops on the ig or are they going out everywhere? i dont care about the cool tray really. i want it but the wheels are a necessity in my life

[Pasta Monster]

i need those kader 59s so bad.

are they only in those shops on the ig or are they going out everywhere? i dont care about the cool tray really. i want it but the wheels are a necessity in my life

I'm not sure, but 35th Ave has two sets of the 59s in stock, at the moment.

[Mbrimson88]

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I used to feel the same about F4's but they're way too slippery. Even the 97a's sometimes surprise me with a close call of almost slipping out. Forget about even trying them indoors. Until they make offerings in 92a-95a I'll keep skating Dogtown's. If harder wheels are your thing, then yeah I agree they are the premium choice if you have the money. Crazy reading how expensive they are in some countries outside the USA.

[close]

Almost everything for me is ok on F4 99s, but yeah some of the slippery surface ramps / indoor parks or even new parks are way better on softer / more grippy wheels.  I have the 97s on for a little more grip on a couple of boards for one new park near me I go to, but there are definitely places I would still find them not quite so safe and I ride 90 to 92 duro wheels on the skatelite ramps at the indoor park and don't feel like I am going to be rolling the dice every run.

Others I know who have cat like reflexes and way better balance ride 99s or 101s on everything, so sure some people can still deal with it and not change them out, but for most people, either older or just not quite so light on their feet, the slip out factor is very real and altogether too many slams happen on the skatelite surfaces or slippery new parks round here that I have seen and heard.


Re cost of goods - Funny thing about places like here in Australia, everything has gone up considerably, so although Spitfires are going up (AU $80 - $90), those new OJ wheels still top out as the most expensive wheels I have ever seen by a mile (AU $120), so Spitfires are still pretty much medium / regular price, definitely not the highest but that is what we are used to as well, for pro quality products.

[close]

Spit used to make those "Soft D's" which, IMHO, were great from some those extra slippery places. Wish they still made them.

That is what I use for the slippery surfaces, usually the 92 duro 56 mm size, but I have them in a few sizes in both 92 and 95 as well as some 97s in 56 and 57 mm from "back in the day" type of stock.

They definitely work well for me, but others always say my board feels so slow with them, which is true as they didn't hold speed like the harder wheels did, as well as being more prone to lumps or flatspots.

The 92 duro 59 mm wheels I put on so long ago now are still going strong and I think the bigger sizes last a lot better and keep speed more so than the smaller ones too.

[Sedition]

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I used to feel the same about F4's but they're way too slippery. Even the 97a's sometimes surprise me with a close call of almost slipping out. Forget about even trying them indoors. Until they make offerings in 92a-95a I'll keep skating Dogtown's. If harder wheels are your thing, then yeah I agree they are the premium choice if you have the money. Crazy reading how expensive they are in some countries outside the USA.

[close]

I remember trying a set of the 95s for some more crusty spots...and was immediately like, "Oh, hell no." So slow. Felt like trying to skate through wet sand.


Almost everything for me is ok on F4 99s, but yeah some of the slippery surface ramps / indoor parks or even new parks are way better on softer / more grippy wheels.  I have the 97s on for a little more grip on a couple of boards for one new park near me I go to, but there are definitely places I would still find them not quite so safe and I ride 90 to 92 duro wheels on the skatelite ramps at the indoor park and don't feel like I am going to be rolling the dice every run.

Others I know who have cat like reflexes and way better balance ride 99s or 101s on everything, so sure some people can still deal with it and not change them out, but for most people, either older or just not quite so light on their feet, the slip out factor is very real and altogether too many slams happen on the skatelite surfaces or slippery new parks round here that I have seen and heard.


Re cost of goods - Funny thing about places like here in Australia, everything has gone up considerably, so although Spitfires are going up (AU $80 - $90), those new OJ wheels still top out as the most expensive wheels I have ever seen by a mile (AU $120), so Spitfires are still pretty much medium / regular price, definitely not the highest but that is what we are used to as well, for pro quality products.

[close]

Spit used to make those "Soft D's" which, IMHO, were great from some those extra slippery places. Wish they still made them.

[close]

That is what I use for the slippery surfaces, usually the 92 duro 56 mm size, but I have them in a few sizes in both 92 and 95 as well as some 97s in 56 and 57 mm from "back in the day" type of stock.

They definitely work well for me, but others always say my board feels so slow with them, which is true as they didn't hold speed like the harder wheels did, as well as being more prone to lumps or flatspots.

The 92 duro 59 mm wheels I put on so long ago now are still going strong and I think the bigger sizes last a lot better and keep speed more so than the smaller ones too.

[Mbrimson88]

I remember trying a set of the 95s for some more crusty spots...and was immediately like, "Oh, hell no." So slow. Felt like trying to skate through wet sand.

I only really ride the softer wheels on slippery new parks / ramps, not rough street spots.

The bigger wheels at least gave me a bit more "go" in that regard, but yeah they were slow, which is most likely why they were discontinued.  The funny thing is the older original formula in 95 and 97 were really good and had a lot more to them without feeling like soft wheels, as per the Soft D wheels of 92 and 95 duros.  They were mostly in big wide round shapes in 56 and 57 mm size.

Even the Formula Four 97s are a little slower but I get used to it and with decent bearings, I am not fussed.  I would rather the wheels were a bit slower and I don't slip out, than as fast and hard and slipping all over the place.  The Classic 56 mm 97s feel no where near as grippy as the Conical Full 54 mm 97s so they are both good for different things.


It would be interesting to see the F4 95 duro wheels if or when they are released, but I am happy with what I have right now anyway.

The 99s are still the go for almost everything - just can't beat the feeling of them on my own ramp, concrete parks, carparks, etc.

[Schinken]

I think you can't say softer wheels are slower by default. There is much more to it, like rebound and contact patch. The softer your wheel is the wider it should be. Think about those racing bicycles with their skinny wheels and high pressures. Lower pressure means more deformation and therefore more resistance.

In short Spitfire classics in  97a are slower than 97a conical full(same diameter).

[rawbertson.]

I feel like if I am not riding a F4, I should just get a OJ Super Juice, if the spot is truly that bad

[Samsquantch]

Alright, I need ya'll to tell me if this should bother me or if I should pull my head out of my ass.

Was running mini logo and cheap mosiac bearings before which are both pretty noisy and don't roll the best outta the box. Splashed out on some Swiss 6's today and because they're so damn quiet I'm noticing that two out of four of my F4 Conical Full's have the bearings seated poorly. Now I'm extremely mechanically inclined, been working on cars, motorcycles, bikes etc for years. The bearings are absolutely seated all the way in, I made sure the wheels were clean before swapping bearings, and I even double checked they were seated by using a correctly sized socket and bench vise to ensure the outer race was seated. The two wheels still spin almost as well, but they make a bit of a mild flatspot type sound when you spin them fast, and when you spin them pinched between your fingers you can feel a slight wobble.

I guess what worries me is that it'll cook my spendy new bearings faster...

So Slap, what do I do? Say fuck it it's a skateboard, or reach out to DLX?

[Mbrimson88]

Alright, I need ya'll to tell me if this should bother me or if I should pull my head out of my ass.

Was running mini logo and cheap mosiac bearings before which are both pretty noisy and don't roll the best outta the box. Splashed out on some Swiss 6's today and because they're so damn quiet I'm noticing that two out of four of my F4 Conical Full's have the bearings seated poorly. Now I'm extremely mechanically inclined, been working on cars, motorcycles, bikes etc for years. The bearings are absolutely seated all the way in, I made sure the wheels were clean before swapping bearings, and I even double checked they were seated by using a correctly sized socket and bench vise to ensure the outer race was seated. The two wheels still spin almost as well, but they make a bit of a mild flatspot type sound when you spin them fast, and when you spin them pinched between your fingers you can feel a slight wobble.

I guess what worries me is that it'll cook my spendy new bearings faster...

So Slap, what do I do? Say fuck it it's a skateboard, or reach out to DLX?

Definitely talk to the shop you got them from or DLX directly.

This is a known issue and should not be happening.


Any wheels that have that sort of issue are instant return for refund or exchange when I have seen them, obviously more inclined to exchange, because I would rather skate Formula Four than anything else anyway.

Which wheel graphic and size Conical Full is it?

[Samsquantch]

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Alright, I need ya'll to tell me if this should bother me or if I should pull my head out of my ass.

Was running mini logo and cheap mosiac bearings before which are both pretty noisy and don't roll the best outta the box. Splashed out on some Swiss 6's today and because they're so damn quiet I'm noticing that two out of four of my F4 Conical Full's have the bearings seated poorly. Now I'm extremely mechanically inclined, been working on cars, motorcycles, bikes etc for years. The bearings are absolutely seated all the way in, I made sure the wheels were clean before swapping bearings, and I even double checked they were seated by using a correctly sized socket and bench vise to ensure the outer race was seated. The two wheels still spin almost as well, but they make a bit of a mild flatspot type sound when you spin them fast, and when you spin them pinched between your fingers you can feel a slight wobble.

I guess what worries me is that it'll cook my spendy new bearings faster...

So Slap, what do I do? Say fuck it it's a skateboard, or reach out to DLX?

[close]

Definitely talk to the shop you got them from or DLX directly.

This is a known issue and should not be happening.


Any wheels that have that sort of issue are instant return for refund or exchange when I have seen them, obviously more inclined to exchange, because I would rather skate Formula Four than anything else anyway.

Which wheel graphic and size Conical Full is it?

I was just looking at them again, and it's pretty mild, though it does cause them to slow down a bit sooner. It probably wouldn't be noticable with broken in bearings, it's just that these Swiss are dead silent out of the box. At this point I'm leaning towards "fuck it it's a skateboard", but I'd probably reach out to DLX rather than go back to the shop where they'd likely think I was an anal retentive kook.

Trouble is, when it comes to mechanical stuff, I am a bit of an anal retentive kook...

They're the blue graphic Conical full from the most recent run. 56mm 99a, more white and less potato compared to older F4's

[bombsaway86]

On the left are a set of 58mm F4 OG Classics that I bought 2 years ago. On the right are a brand new set of 56mm F4 Conicals (the 35th North Orca collab wheels)

As others have said, the new ones are more white than the old ones. I rode the conicals for the first time this morning. I just retired another set of 58mm OG Classics that I had ridden down to 55mm yesterday.

The new ones feel just slightly harder than the old ones while also being just slightly more grippy. When rubbing the conicals together, there’s more friction than when I rub the new OGs against each other.

The bearings went in the conicals a lot easier than they did with the OGs. They also sat deeper in the wheel, allowing me to tighten down my nuts more than I could with the OGs. My axle nuts were barely hanging on before. While I didn’t ride very long today, my bearings did not back out of the wheels at all. I usually have to push them back in every few runs.

As for the shape, the conicals feel pretty close to the OGs. I usually have wheel madness, but it took no time to adjust to them. I was a die hard 58mm OG Classics rider, but I’m just as happy on the 56mm conicals. Good to know I have another wheel for when my OG stockpile runs out

[Frank and Fred]

Older wheels will tend to brown or yellow. That's the natural urethan color coming through.

[bombsaway86]

Older wheels will tend to brown or yellow. That's the natural urethan color coming through.

Agreed, but even when they were new the OGs were more brown than the new conicals. I’ve also had the OGs stored in a box in a closet, so color change should be minimal. Take a look at pictures of F4s online and they also look more brown than my conicals

[Banned from the room]

I've had all shades of natural spit. Including white AF.

I think they sometimes just run white wheels.

I fucking wish I copped some of those Kader 59s.

I'm saving up for band stuff tho rm

[BL0B]

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Older wheels will tend to brown or yellow. That's the natural urethan color coming through.

[close]

Agreed, but even when they were new the OGs were more brown than the new conicals. I’ve also had the OGs stored in a box in a closet, so color change should be minimal. Take a look at pictures of F4s online and they also look more brown than my conicals

yeah, NOS F4's compared to current stock is pretty striking. i've a bunch of both, i don't care for the crest white strips F4's.


VIA LA PAPA!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sedition]

Well. This is interesting, on a few different levels.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/wheel-shapes/

Also, it's only by 1/10th of a mm, but they are now listing different size/tech specs on some of these than before. 

[Ok]

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.

this is my experience as well, 52 (fave size) 101 conical fulls. feel good enough, and are fast.

just got some 52 99 lock ins. i’m like the least locked in person out. guess i need all the help
i can get

[Whicker]

Well. This is interesting, on a few different levels.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/wheel-shapes/

Also, it's only by 1/10th of a mm, but they are now listing different size/tech specs on some of these than before.

Those charts were due to be updated for a while now. I would be happy if they stick with this lineup! 54-56 full shapes in 97a and I'm good. I still hope they get a dragon/xformula competitor but they honestly probably don't have to.

[rawbertson.]

I think for me I decided for Classics I like 99a. 101a might be too wild on those
for Conical Fulls though I could do 101a for a curb setup. When they are wide like that you have a bit more control and you could slide for days. There are spots i wouldnt want to take those though but I have done it with STF 103a