Spitfire formula four

[Mbrimson88]

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Imo they are wasting their time with the sapphiires and 80hd shit. they have so mcuh stuff that flies off the shelf, why dilute your brand? maybe i am clueless though. I know not everyone is hardcore gear performance moron like me.

grant taylor wheel pretty cool graphics

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i think if you have a wheel company you should have at least one soft wheel option, even if it's not the best selling thing you have. it looks like every wheel company has their soft option:

spitfire - sapphire/80hd
bones - rough riders/atf/a bunch of powell shit i'll count as bones
oj - superjuices, keyframes, there's probably more
ricta - clouds
autobahn has a 90a wheel
sml - coffee cruisers
pig - supercruisers, rovers

the soft sliders/dragons/xformula don't count since they're supposed to feel like hard wheels

if all the big guys have em i don't see why spitfire shouldn't

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good point
i probably will buy 80hd as my next cruiser wheel (not sure if i will ever need another one though... i hardly ride em. Juices seem pretty top tier for that kind of thing...)

I am still yet to see or try the Sapphire wheels - 90 duro and people who have had them say they are good, even if the colours and clear parts are a bit of a gimmick, so they might be a good option for a cruiser that could also double as an all rounder.

Not that the 80HD wheels aren't that too, but sometimes I feel like the older 80HD wheels slowed a lot more than I wanted when carving to shed speed and sometimes caught when I was trying to slalom pump to gain speed.  I haven't seen or tried the newer versions of those either.

Guessing I have too much fun on my other usual 99s and even the older 97s for some things, as well as the 93 for others.

[drinny]

The summer drop two catalogue is online now:

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/

It's actually annoying how many gimmicks they have now, soft (no-slide) duros, price points, collabs x colours, "full" variations nobody was asking for (Lock-ins) but still no 93a in one of their otherwise most popular cuts (Conical Full).

[drinny]

I mean I actually enjoy the Dragons on my big cruiser/street kinda big boy. But don't want two sets of.

Just want the Spit 93s without having to change from a common shape I already like. Take my money!!

Guess I'll be wearing down those OG F97's to bearing condoms....

[rawbertson.]

Was talking to Tightbooth Pro Ryuhei Kitazume on Instagram after he posted a story of his box from DLX. He got some Classics Soft Sliders (I dont know why i kept calling them EAsy Sliders - I think I got it tangled in my brain with "Easy Rider"  ) I asked them if he prefers this wheel now over the 99a Conical he was riding before. He said the Soft Slider 93a is the only wheel he is riding from now on. He confirmed that it will be extra quiet for dodging security in Tokyo at 3am 

[MC3]

I’ve been running the 93s (56 radial) as my only wheel right now. It’s def taking some time to get used to, plus it’s been a while since I was back up at 56 (I always buy 56s and skate them til they’re around 52-53) but after maybe 3 days of skating I forgot about them, and it just became normal, which is what I am looking for in my setup. Think I’ll stick to these for a while, especially if they make a conical full (my normal shape of choice)

[Made In China]

Damn I want these so bad. I actually just got a set of 54mm F4 classics that are a light pink swirl, or else I would order these in a heartbeat. I'm skating the SciFi collab F4 conical fulls right now that are an orange swirl, and these KCDC ones are much closer to those.

I'm a sucker for a good swirled wheel 

[rawbertson.]

I’ve been running the 93s (56 radial) as my only wheel right now. It’s def taking some time to get used to, plus it’s been a while since I was back up at 56 (I always buy 56s and skate them til they’re around 52-53) but after maybe 3 days of skating I forgot about them, and it just became normal, which is what I am looking for in my setup. Think I’ll stick to these for a while, especially if they make a conical full (my normal shape of choice)

I am kinda on an off them - i have those 56mm radial soft sliders as well
I set up 58mm Radial Full 99a just so I could see if i could go even bigger and it seems to be working well for me
it is really hard for me to say which one i like better
i think the 58mm radial full is going to last a lot longer... like without a doubt. also the sound is clear cut better. as far as the way it skates i cant really say its superior in all aspects. the 56mm feels faster but its very close, they are both super fast. slide is better on soft slider - more consistent.

[pinkeye fieri]

at this point i am very disappointed with spitfire's decision to not release a single full shape in 93a. the formula is damn near perfect, but the largest 93a wheel they make only lasts a month. i can't justify buying a 3rd pair of 58mm non-full wheels that are 53mm in just 4 weeks. feels like a scam at this point i don't want to go back to powell/bones wheels because they are just not as good, but i have no choice until spitfire releases a 93a shape that is beefy enough to last more than a few weeks

[Too Frank To Fred]

at this point i am very disappointed with spitfire's decision to not release a single full shape in 93a. the formula is damn near perfect, but the largest 93a wheel they make only lasts a month. i can't justify buying a 3rd pair of 58mm non-full wheels that are 53mm in just 4 weeks. feels like a scam at this point i don't want to go back to powell/bones wheels because they are just not as good, but i have no choice until spitfire releases a 93a shape that is beefy enough to last more than a few weeks

There's some 60mm 93a coming in Fall Drop 2, I think. And some conical full in the new reformulated 97a.

[pinkeye fieri]

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at this point i am very disappointed with spitfire's decision to not release a single full shape in 93a. the formula is damn near perfect, but the largest 93a wheel they make only lasts a month. i can't justify buying a 3rd pair of 58mm non-full wheels that are 53mm in just 4 weeks. feels like a scam at this point i don't want to go back to powell/bones wheels because they are just not as good, but i have no choice until spitfire releases a 93a shape that is beefy enough to last more than a few weeks

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There's some 60mm 93a coming in Fall Drop 2, I think. And some conical full in the new reformulated 97a.

do you know if they plan to release any full shapes in 93a? i gotta call it quits until they do because its just too expensive to buy a wheel with such a short lifespan. i would be spending like $600 a year on wheels alone

[Too Frank To Fred]

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at this point i am very disappointed with spitfire's decision to not release a single full shape in 93a. the formula is damn near perfect, but the largest 93a wheel they make only lasts a month. i can't justify buying a 3rd pair of 58mm non-full wheels that are 53mm in just 4 weeks. feels like a scam at this point i don't want to go back to powell/bones wheels because they are just not as good, but i have no choice until spitfire releases a 93a shape that is beefy enough to last more than a few weeks

[close]

There's some 60mm 93a coming in Fall Drop 2, I think. And some conical full in the new reformulated 97a.

[close]

do you know if they plan to release any full shapes in 93a? i gotta call it quits until they do because its just too expensive to buy a wheel with such a short lifespan. i would be spending like $600 a year on wheels alone

I've seen as far as Fall Drop 3 and it doesn't look like anything full shaped anytime soon but you never know, sometimes they drop stuff that isn't in advanced catalogs.

[pinkeye fieri]

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at this point i am very disappointed with spitfire's decision to not release a single full shape in 93a. the formula is damn near perfect, but the largest 93a wheel they make only lasts a month. i can't justify buying a 3rd pair of 58mm non-full wheels that are 53mm in just 4 weeks. feels like a scam at this point i don't want to go back to powell/bones wheels because they are just not as good, but i have no choice until spitfire releases a 93a shape that is beefy enough to last more than a few weeks

[close]

There's some 60mm 93a coming in Fall Drop 2, I think. And some conical full in the new reformulated 97a.

[close]

do you know if they plan to release any full shapes in 93a? i gotta call it quits until they do because its just too expensive to buy a wheel with such a short lifespan. i would be spending like $600 a year on wheels alone

[close]

I've seen as far as Fall Drop 3 and it doesn't look like anything full shaped anytime soon but you never know, sometimes they drop stuff that isn't in advanced catalogs.

damn that is a bummer, thank you for the heads up. I gotta go back to dragon/x formula and let go of the excitement i had for a full 93a spitfire release.

[roba]

do you guys know if spitfire is still planning to release an updated 97? i'm hearing the 93s are trash when it comes to durability and they're crazy expensive. the old 97s were cool but i'd like them to last a little longer as well. maybe i should just get x97s but then i'd be skating bones wheels...

[drinny]

I’m over thinking about F93s in a proper shape now…. they have blown it

When my og spit 97s wear out I’ll just try something else, the x97’s are already a faster/slidier/hard(er) feeling 97 duro (albeit with the slightly less natural feeling characteristic of these hybrids….) so any reformulation of F4 is gonna be very fine margins now.

[drinny]

Feel like the marketing shoe co. dudes have taken over. Artificial scarcity and over reliance on product variations that have no function beyond twinkle.

[assvogel]

do you guys know if spitfire is still planning to release an updated 97? i'm hearing the 93s are trash when it comes to durability and they're crazy expensive. the old 97s were cool but i'd like them to last a little longer as well. maybe i should just get x97s but then i'd be skating bones wheels...

Gotta disagree on this, I skated 54mm 93 Radials for three months daily, mainly a rough concrete DIY, streets, hillbombs, parks, slappies and they were still in pretty good in shape and felt great despite being closer to 50mm in the end. No flatspots, no little to chipping on the edges, minimal coneing.

So in my experience the durability on 93 duro is on par with 99 duro if not better...

[JimmyFive]

I’m over thinking about F93s in a proper shape now…. they have blown it

When my og spit 97s wear out I’ll just try something else, the x97’s are already a faster/slidier/hard(er) feeling 97 duro (albeit with the slightly less natural feeling characteristic of these hybrids….) so any reformulation of F4 is gonna be very fine margins now.

You aren't into the radial shape? I think it's a versatile shape and is pretty close to the width and contact patch of a conical full. Sounds like you might like the Bones X99 if you want a faster/harder wheel with all the benefits of the new formulas.  And the V6 shape is great IMO.

I'm interested to see comparisons of the new F4 97's and the X99 wheel. The old F4 97 wheels lacked that twinkle..

[scab]

Friendly reminder that even Spitfire can't just bring any and all shapes to market at will, but is bound by the same economic principles as all other businesses. It's simply cost-prohibitive to drop all kinds of shapes at the same time. The 93s dropped, what, 4-5 months ago? Even if they started the work on other shapes before the release, it's going to take considerable time in R&D before they are ready to be mass produced. Making shit is fucking complicated. I'd encourage some of y'all to keep that in mind whenever you wonder why company X doesn't simply make whatever product Y you want.

[Too Frank To Fred]

In terms of durability, I think in general Bones wheels last longer but at the cost of feeling shittier. And a softer wheel will typically wear down quicker. Is what it is. Choose your priorities.

And yes the reformulated F4 97a is still on the way and I think pretty soon.

[drinny]

You aren't into the radial shape?

No.

Content with the feel and size of what I already skate y’know? disappointed I can’t try the new formula without chucking another variation in the mix… trying to anti-madness. Don’t care about the x99’s. If I’m in the mood for a hard park wheel that’s what 101’s are for.

[drinny]

Friendly reminder that even Spitfire can't just bring any and all shapes to market at will, but is bound by the same economic principles as all other businesses. It's simply cost-prohibitive to drop all kinds of shapes at the same time. The 93s dropped, what, 4-5 months ago? Even if they started the work on other shapes before the release, it's going to take considerable time in R&D before they are ready to be mass produced. Making shit is fucking complicated. I'd encourage some of y'all to keep that in mind whenever you wonder why company X doesn't simply make whatever product Y you want.

I hear that, but I don’t totally accept it. Nobody was clamouring for all the guff in the last couple drops, including brand-new shapes(!) that I can see, some of it has been met with derision on here (hardly representative may be true).

Feels like they’re confusing the basics when competition is the fiercest it’s been in years.

Or they’re not sure if they don’t want to flood the pipeline  and suppress future sales should the new 97’s fly….

I’ll eat my words if they eventually pop out of the moulds like the rest sure, but I’m over it personally, not expecting them to be a thing ever.

Taking a break and maybe try some new wheel candy in 2026

[Xen]

In terms of durability, I think in general Bones wheels last longer but at the cost of feeling shittier. And a softer wheel will typically wear down quicker. Is what it is. Choose your priorities.

And yes the reformulated F4 97a is still on the way and I think pretty soon.

BONES STF last forever, spits not as long (speaking to standard wheels, not these soft forumulations) and yeah, there are trade offs. And while a wider wheel *may* get you ever so sightly longer wheel life, it's still gonna where down because it's softer.

[144p]

Just got some formula four wheels re stocked today and some have the sticker that says new formula.
Not all but some do.

[pinkeye fieri]

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In terms of durability, I think in general Bones wheels last longer but at the cost of feeling shittier. And a softer wheel will typically wear down quicker. Is what it is. Choose your priorities.

And yes the reformulated F4 97a is still on the way and I think pretty soon.

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BONES STF last forever, spits not as long (speaking to standard wheels, not these soft forumulations) and yeah, there are trade offs. And while a wider wheel *may* get you ever so sightly longer wheel life, it's still gonna where down because it's softer.

in my experience a wider wheel in the same formula lasts significantly longer, as well as being more functional once they are worn down to smaller diameters. i would be fine with the fact that 93a f4 wear down faster if i had the option to buy a thicker shape that has more urethane on it to begin with. 

[Mbrimson88]

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In terms of durability, I think in general Bones wheels last longer but at the cost of feeling shittier. And a softer wheel will typically wear down quicker. Is what it is. Choose your priorities.

And yes the reformulated F4 97a is still on the way and I think pretty soon.

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BONES STF last forever, spits not as long (speaking to standard wheels, not these soft forumulations) and yeah, there are trade offs. And while a wider wheel *may* get you ever so sightly longer wheel life, it's still gonna where down because it's softer.

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in my experience a wider wheel in the same formula lasts significantly longer, as well as being more functional once they are worn down to smaller diameters. i would be fine with the fact that 93a f4 wear down faster if i had the option to buy a thicker shape that has more urethane on it to begin with.

I was going to ask but then thought this most likely would have been the response, so I am glad to see that answer anyway.

Not a worry, but I try not to go from curious questions about wheel use to only thinking of my own experiences as answers, so this is good to know, as I was going to say something similar, asking did one or two mm difference in wheel shape really make that much difference if the formula itself is the thing that matters, so any wheel shape is going to end up wearing down about the same in that regard, be it Conical Full, Radial Full, etc.

Those shapes are totally different to Classics though, so as much as a Classic 60 mm 93 duro wheel might be on the way, some people would still just say NO, even though I think that shape would actually be really good for that formula, which is why they are bringing it out.

[Plan9Customs]

Just got some formula four wheels re stocked today and some have the sticker that says new formula.
Not all but some do.

Do tell after you ride the new formula.

[Mbrimson88]

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Just got some formula four wheels re stocked today and some have the sticker that says new formula.
Not all but some do.

[close]

Do tell after you ride the new formula.

Not to jump the gun here, but these were the previous comments on those wheels from the first round (page 209 / 210) from May:

I’m testing the revamped 97 f4, I think everyone will be stoked on them. Fast like 93’s, slide better than 99’s and a smoother ride on crust with no slowdown at the skatepark.

Not bouncy, just fast as hell on rougher ground and still bark when I slide.
Definitely feel like a 99ish but don’t vibrate me to death.

Correct, to
Me “barking” is a satisfying screech when powersliding, noses/tail slide etc. not the squeaking that occurs on specific metal edges.
This formula feels one notch down from 99 but no loss of slip/grip. They’re fast and don’t feel like soft wheels.
But still allow me to roll over rougher ground with less vibration than traditional f4 99.

I bounce around a lot, but these seem like the ones for me. They do everything, I don’t need to switch my setup depending on terrain. But if I’m gonna spend all day pushing around in the streets I will probably set up 93’s.

The sample I got are the og classics.

* Sorry I am a bit too keen sometimes, so am interested in trying these when they make it out here to AU, as that sounds way more like something I will ride over the 93 duro wheels.

[Plan9Customs]

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Just got some formula four wheels re stocked today and some have the sticker that says new formula.
Not all but some do.

[close]

Do tell after you ride the new formula.

[close]

Not to jump the gun here, but these were the previous comments on those wheels from the first round (page 209 / 210) from May:

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I’m testing the revamped 97 f4, I think everyone will be stoked on them. Fast like 93’s, slide better than 99’s and a smoother ride on crust with no slowdown at the skatepark.

[close]

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Not bouncy, just fast as hell on rougher ground and still bark when I slide.
Definitely feel like a 99ish but don’t vibrate me to death.

[close]

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Correct, to
Me “barking” is a satisfying screech when powersliding, noses/tail slide etc. not the squeaking that occurs on specific metal edges.
This formula feels one notch down from 99 but no loss of slip/grip. They’re fast and don’t feel like soft wheels.
But still allow me to roll over rougher ground with less vibration than traditional f4 99.

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I bounce around a lot, but these seem like the ones for me. They do everything, I don’t need to switch my setup depending on terrain. But if I’m gonna spend all day pushing around in the streets I will probably set up 93’s.

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The sample I got are the og classics.

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* Sorry I am a bit too keen sometimes, so am interested in trying these when they make it out here to AU, as that sounds way more like something I will ride over the 93 duro wheels.

Thanks. I’m an idiot and didn’t bother looking at older posts. I guess dumb AND lazy would be appropriate.

[pinkeye fieri]

the notion that skaters would prefer a 93a 60mm classic shape, vs. ANY full shape in any size, is wild. why even bother to engineer a 93a formula when you have the best ATV shapes on the market, yet actively choose not to use them?

[Mbrimson88]

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* Sorry I am a bit too keen sometimes, so am interested in trying these when they make it out here to AU, as that sounds way more like something I will ride over the 93 duro wheels.

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Thanks. I’m an idiot and didn’t bother looking at older posts. I guess dumb AND lazy would be appropriate.

Ha no, I am thinking it is more I am just too keen - going back over posts from 144p is almost like stalking, but I do recall reading some info about them at some point, so rather than searching back through this thread, I just went over his post history.

I even saw a couple of other threads I was stoked to read too, which I hadn't come across as I usually stick to Shoes and Gear more than anything else.