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How is everyone liking the radials?
Thinking of switching from my usual 54 classics/54 conicals to something different.
I find them heavier, and clunkier than my classics. They look huge on my board. They lock-in a tad better than Classics, and also ride a bit smoother on crusty stuff. They are bit more grippy, too. Everything has its trade-offs and respective +/- aspects. It’s just a matter of determining which factors work best for you. That said, I would certainly encourage you to try them.
I wonder too if it is something to do with having new wheels that makes anything so good right from go? I know some wheels I have set up, I took off as they were not what I wanted, but any Classic (usually bigger sizes) or Radial (any size) I have put on boards in the last few years have just felt so good and worked really well.
Right now I have a couple of sets of worn down 54mm Radials, a new set of 55mm Radials and a few other 56mm Radials in various states of wear on boards. The more worn ones have had their edges taken off with a grinder ever so slightly so they still have a nice slightly rounded edge as they did when new.
Comparatively they are almost the same as Classics in overall width, but have a little more material closer to the riding surface, which as you said makes them a bit more clunky, but still get on and off everything easily.
From that I would recommend them to anyone who wants a little bit wider contact area but not a sharp or squared off edge on their wheels.
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Expand Quote
How is everyone liking the radials?
Thinking of switching from my usual 54 classics/54 conicals to something different.
Do you like how your classics feel after they've worn down a few mm?
If so that's what a radial feels like. My favorite Spitfire shape for sure
This 100%. I have had both 52 Radials and worn down 54 classics at the same time. The classics are like 51.5, but same width as the radials almost. They're not precisely the same, but close enough.
Spitfire Classic Fulls, however, are precisely the same when worn. I've got a set of 52s on ice I'm scared to skate because they're the god tier wheel Spitfire never makes anymore.
At least Radials seem to still be available in most sizes in current and future drops, so that one looks like it is here to stay.