Spitfire formula four

[Mbrimson88]

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I’m sure this has been answered before but….

Was the Mike Anderson SFW shape a Conical Full, or an OG Classic? Or was it neither?

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I still have the 53mm ones. They are closer to conical full than OG Classic. Like a wider OG Classic

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Thanks! Loved that wheel. Hybrid shape makes sense. I remember it being wide like Conical Full, but not the same shape.

The shape name is SFW, as in super fucking wide, as some people called it, but I don't know if that was just taken from Indy which also did FW and SFW trucks back in the day.

Almost the same as the current Conical Full shape, but a little different, as per a few 55 mm sets I got from here and there over the years, usually because someone bought them, flatspotted then right away and then sold them on ebay / traded them in for Formula Four wheels with me.

When they first came out I was pretty keen, because I liked wider wheels, but when I saw the 56 mm size, they just looked a little too wide so I never bought them from new, only ended up with sets as stated above.  The original formula I don't mind once I wore out the flatspot and got them going nicely, but as per everything, Formula Four still seems to just work the best for me, so these are almost now just fun things I look at or ride occasionally being on boards I don't usually skate much anymore.

[Mbrimson88]

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I’m sure this has been answered before but….

Was the Mike Anderson SFW shape a Conical Full, or an OG Classic? Or was it neither?

[close]

I still have the 53mm ones. They are closer to conical full than OG Classic. Like a wider OG Classic

[close]

Thanks! Loved that wheel. Hybrid shape makes sense. I remember it being wide like Conical Full, but not the same shape.

Funny thinking I am sure I had posted about this, and on a search found this one from 2022.

I’ve only seen smokies conicals, not fulls (but would be interested). I used to run the Anderson SFWs in 50mm, those were one of my favorite wheels before F4

The Lil Smokies are just scaled down versions, so the Conical Full wheel is still small, but not quite as narrow as others in that 50mm size.  Definitely a good proportion of width and shape.


They looked a bit scary in the bigger 56mm size, which is what I ususally bought at the time in "Bighead" / Classic Full shape.  The funny thing is I just picked up another set of the 55mm slightly used from a friend recently, which are good for bigger stuff.

The smaller versions of the SFW are so much better for everything / more fun overall though.

This is a good one to show all the sizes, although "Conical Full" name came later it was the same shape they use now.

[fakiefs180]

Ah the SFW Mike Anderson wheels. I had those pink ones in 54mm back then. Absolutely loved them. But that was almost a lifetime ago. I think Conical Fulls are a bit too wide for me, that's why I ride the regular conicals again.

[rawbertson.]

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Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. I've never been as happy with my wheels as I am with the 93s. If push comes to shove I'm actually more confident in my 93s sliding the way I need them to than the 99s. Sooo... I really don't need the new 97s. But the happy little consumerist in me still can't wait to give them a try. Fuck my wallet. At least Pedro is going to get some royalties off of me, hopefully,

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Yeah, for sure, and the 55mm size is a big plus as that feels like the goldilock size for me these days.

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NGL, these are intimidating for someone that rides 52mm V3s on the regular. I'm going to have to bump back to Slappys or Indy standards, royals ain't gonna handle 55mm...maybe 159s too, these things eat up a huge amout of 149 grind room.

eastern exposure days Im guessing they were doing something liek 60mm on indy 139.
so doesnt seem wild for me to do 58mm on Thunder 148 lol. havent got pitched off the board yet!

56 or 58mm is really good size for me, they both feel really fast i guess i just dont mind buying 58mm these days cause its gonna last longer...

it would definitely benefit from having at least a wider truck to sit on. gonna set up Lurpiv 150s on Monday I think and see how that goes!

[prof_oak]

i have a 56mm 85a ricta clouds and i used to love them. But now resent them because all those new semi-soft sliders out there.

I wanna cheat my wheels so much

[Sangriawaterfall]

I got a sample set of spitfire 93’s to try. I can still tailslide ledges with them. Getting around town is pleasant. Flat ground tricks feel a little weird and bouncy. I thought I’d rush to get some 99’s or 101’s as I was setting them up, but they haven’t really hindered me from doing anything I normally do.

[Xen]

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Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. I've never been as happy with my wheels as I am with the 93s. If push comes to shove I'm actually more confident in my 93s sliding the way I need them to than the 99s. Sooo... I really don't need the new 97s. But the happy little consumerist in me still can't wait to give them a try. Fuck my wallet. At least Pedro is going to get some royalties off of me, hopefully,

[close]

Yeah, for sure, and the 55mm size is a big plus as that feels like the goldilock size for me these days.

[close]

NGL, these are intimidating for someone that rides 52mm V3s on the regular. I'm going to have to bump back to Slappys or Indy standards, royals ain't gonna handle 55mm...maybe 159s too, these things eat up a huge amout of 149 grind room.

[close]

eastern exposure days Im guessing they were doing something liek 60mm on indy 139.
so doesnt seem wild for me to do 58mm on Thunder 148 lol. havent got pitched off the board yet!

56 or 58mm is really good size for me, they both feel really fast i guess i just dont mind buying 58mm these days cause its gonna last longer...

it would definitely benefit from having at least a wider truck to sit on. gonna set up Lurpiv 150s on Monday I think and see how that goes!

Riding 8.6s now and these big wheels, Lurpivs would be ideal, but not with the reported poor pinch/grind clearance.

As for the spits, I initially wrote up this big review...but instead I'll just say, with no brand bias, the reformulated spit 97a are the truth in the streets. I'm sold.

They work exaclty as advertised: absorb like the 93s, slide like the 99s (if not better imo, with a slightly muted chirp); they have that bouncey sound if you pop your kicks and the board drops, but not when riding/landing. I see no reason at all to ride anyone's 99a, of any formulation. YMMV.

Can't really attest to their speed as I am coming off ~50mm wheels so a 55mm is going to feel super fast as it is. However, they don't feel gummy-slow like (any) 93s or the x97s. All that said, those that love the old 97a (I hated them), especially you indoor folks, might be sticking with what you have based on grip/slide.

[Mbrimson88]

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Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. I've never been as happy with my wheels as I am with the 93s. If push comes to shove I'm actually more confident in my 93s sliding the way I need them to than the 99s. Sooo... I really don't need the new 97s. But the happy little consumerist in me still can't wait to give them a try. Fuck my wallet. At least Pedro is going to get some royalties off of me, hopefully,

[close]

Yeah, for sure, and the 55mm size is a big plus as that feels like the goldilock size for me these days.

[close]

NGL, these are intimidating for someone that rides 52mm V3s on the regular. I'm going to have to bump back to Slappys or Indy standards, royals ain't gonna handle 55mm...maybe 159s too, these things eat up a huge amout of 149 grind room.

[close]

eastern exposure days Im guessing they were doing something liek 60mm on indy 139.
so doesnt seem wild for me to do 58mm on Thunder 148 lol. havent got pitched off the board yet!

56 or 58mm is really good size for me, they both feel really fast i guess i just dont mind buying 58mm these days cause its gonna last longer...

it would definitely benefit from having at least a wider truck to sit on. gonna set up Lurpiv 150s on Monday I think and see how that goes!

[close]

Riding 8.6s now and these big wheels, Lurpivs would be ideal, but not with the reported poor pinch/grind clearance.

As for the spits, I initially wrote up this big review...but instead I'll just say, with no brand bias, the reformulated spit 97a are the truth in the streets. I'm sold.

They work exaclty as advertised: absorb like the 93s, slide like the 99s (if not better imo, with a slightly muted chirp); they have that bouncey sound if you pop your kicks and the board drops, but not when riding/landing. I see no reason at all to ride anyone's 99a, of any formulation. YMMV.

Can't really attest to their speed as I am coming off ~50mm wheels so a 55mm is going to feel super fast as it is. However, they don't feel gummy-slow like (any) 93s or the x97s. All that said, those that love the old 97a (I hated them), especially you indoor folks, might be sticking with what you have based on grip/slide.

Makes me keen to try a set when they get to AU, that's for sure!!!

I can wait though.

[soot_yawd]

I had my first session with the new 97 formula wheels (55mm). They felt a little sluggish compared to the previous formula. (I was rolling on some F4 97 54mm conical fulls). I mostly skate crusty streets and sidewalks with large joints/cracks, and the new formula handled the terrain fine but not noticeably better than the old 97s. While I really dig the new 93s, it's hard not to see the new 97 formula as marketing schtick. I realize my opinion may be premature after just one session. So I'll stick it out a little while longer. 

[Xen]

I had my first session with the new 97 formula wheels (55mm). They felt a little sluggish compared to the previous formula. (I was rolling on some F4 97 54mm conical fulls). I mostly skate crusty streets and sidewalks with large joints/cracks, and the new formula handled the terrain fine but not noticeably better than the old 97s. While I really dig the new 93s, it's hard not to see the new 97 formula as marketing schtick. I realize my opinion may be premature after just one session. So I'll stick it out a little while longer. 

I thought the same when BONES released the x99s after the x97s...all marketing, "how different could they be?" but they were.

I'm comparing the new 97s to the spit 93s/99s and X99s as I don't have enough time (4hrs before I left them at a spot) on the old 97a to make a fair comparison, but my dislike for them was how poorly they slid/gripped for slides/blunts/etc., not how they handled the terrain (which was fine). It's like the recent pig wheels in 99a I tried, absorbed fine, didn't slide good enough, that's where these new 97as shine.

[BeachChicken]

Has anyone gotten the Classics yet? My shop thought they were getting the new formula but got more of the old. Def don't want 55's, 54 is my absolute limit. 55 radial on Lurpiv would help them pinch better but the board would be tall AF, still bad KP clearance, and given what you said above about wheelbite on other trucks you'd have to do a bunch of bushing stuff to get them feeling stable.

[Xen]

Has anyone gotten the Classics yet? My shop thought they were getting the new formula but got more of the old. Def don't want 55's, 54 is my absolute limit. 55 radial on Lurpiv would help them pinch better but the board would be tall AF, still bad KP clearance, and given what you said above about wheelbite on other trucks you'd have to do a bunch of bushing stuff to get them feeling stable.

I swapped to royals (lotta wheelbite), then swaped to hard bushings (96a krux) so tight, hated it, I was falling off my board just trying to turn. Going to suck it up and put my 8.5 slappys on and hope I can squeeze a little more hanger out with some washers...but doubtful given how thicc these wheels are; it's either that or put on some Indy 159 hollow and IKP plates (with slappy hollow pins - they fit -).

[BeachChicken]

I mean you've fucked with the rest..... the answer is clear....

55 speed does sound fun tho. I just don't have whatever it is kids these days have that make the massive chunkers flip like they're sub 50

[rikki]

I'm comparing the new 97s to the spit 93s/99s and X99s as I don't have enough time (4hrs before I left them at a spot) on the old 97a to make a fair comparison, but my dislike for them was how poorly they slid/gripped for slides/blunts/etc., not how they handled the terrain (which was fine). It's like the recent pig wheels in 99a I tried, absorbed fine, didn't slide good enough, that's where these new 97as shine.

In a nutshell, how'd you compare the new Spit 97 to the X99? Anything noticeable?

[Mbrimson88]

Has anyone gotten the Classics yet? My shop thought they were getting the new formula but got more of the old. Def don't want 55's, 54 is my absolute limit. 55 radial on Lurpiv would help them pinch better but the board would be tall AF, still bad KP clearance, and given what you said above about wheelbite on other trucks you'd have to do a bunch of bushing stuff to get them feeling stable.

A couple of pages back now, 144p said he got some of each in the latest drop, so you could check with him and order from his shop (if you are in USA) including the Classics in 53 mm I think.


www.35thave.com

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

All the rest of the info is on page 219

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=68020.6540

[roba]

to the guys that bought the new 97s: could you please report on the durability in a month or two? i really want to try them but they're super expensive here so if they wear down as fast as the old ones ima just stick to 99s

[rawbertson.]

to the guys that bought the new 97s: could you please report on the durability in a month or two? i really want to try them but they're super expensive here so if they wear down as fast as the old ones ima just stick to 99s

Yeah that is kinda the key factor between me wanting to stay on Formula 4 on my main instead of being full time Formula 5 (aka "Soft Slider") 

[BeachChicken]

Any softer wheel has the potential to wear faster. I have a friend that is super dedicated to the 93 and we actually put wheels on at the same time- I put on 99a 53 Classics and he put on 93a 53 Classics. My wheels are currently 51.5 and his are 51.6 lol. I don't track his skating or anything, but he skates ~4 days per week mix of park and asphalt street spots. So, they aren't roasting super fast.

@144p do you have any 97a 53/54 Classics or Radials?

[pinkeye fieri]

the f4 93a wear insanely fast if they are being used in the streets. It is not fun to have your wheels be a different size every other time you step on your board. i lost at least 1mm per week on each set i had, only skating 3-4 days a week. had to quit buying them and switch to bones/powell. i was hoping spitfire had plans to put out the 93s in shapes that have more urethane on them to begin with, but it sounds like that is not happening. best formula otherwise but not worth it.

[Xen]

the f4 93a wear insanely fast if they are being used in the streets. It is not fun to have your wheels be a different size every other time you step on your board. i lost at least 1mm per week on each set i had, only skating 3-4 days a week. had to quit buying them and switch to bones/powell. i was hoping spitfire had plans to put out the 93s in shapes that have more urethane on them to begin with, but it sounds like that is not happening. best formula otherwise but not worth it.

That's why I got 55s =D I assumed I'd be down 2-3mm pretty quick!

[Xen]

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I'm comparing the new 97s to the spit 93s/99s and X99s as I don't have enough time (4hrs before I left them at a spot) on the old 97a to make a fair comparison, but my dislike for them was how poorly they slid/gripped for slides/blunts/etc., not how they handled the terrain (which was fine). It's like the recent pig wheels in 99a I tried, absorbed fine, didn't slide good enough, that's where these new 97as shine.

[close]

In a nutshell, how'd you compare the new Spit 97 to the X99? Anything noticeable?

I see no reason at all to ride anyone's 99a, of any formulation. YMMV.

They sound and slide better to me.

[pinkeye fieri]

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the f4 93a wear insanely fast if they are being used in the streets. It is not fun to have your wheels be a different size every other time you step on your board. i lost at least 1mm per week on each set i had, only skating 3-4 days a week. had to quit buying them and switch to bones/powell. i was hoping spitfire had plans to put out the 93s in shapes that have more urethane on them to begin with, but it sounds like that is not happening. best formula otherwise but not worth it.

[close]

That's why I got 55s =D I assumed I'd be down 2-3mm pretty quick!

yeah wearing them down to a sweet spot was appealing to me at first, but its like u blink and the sweet spot is gone and ur rattling around on tiny wheels. at least with the 93s on crust. im genuinely bummed to be back on dragons. maybe they will make an x97 omega because that would go. marketing aglorithms give us f4 99a multicolored lockin full, when a 93a lockin full would unlock spots and expand the landscape of street skating. speaks to a lack of vision beyond making money. props to FOS for going for it with the wide boi wheels. I wish snot had the formulas to match the quality of those shapes.

[Too Frank To Fred]

Slippery indoor tight transition bowl where you need a bit more predictable grip... F4 93 or reformulated 97?

[Xen]

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the f4 93a wear insanely fast if they are being used in the streets. It is not fun to have your wheels be a different size every other time you step on your board. i lost at least 1mm per week on each set i had, only skating 3-4 days a week. had to quit buying them and switch to bones/powell. i was hoping spitfire had plans to put out the 93s in shapes that have more urethane on them to begin with, but it sounds like that is not happening. best formula otherwise but not worth it.

[close]

That's why I got 55s =D I assumed I'd be down 2-3mm pretty quick!

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 props to FOS for going for it with the wide boi wheels. I wish snot had the formulas to match the quality of those shapes.

Same! But part of the problem is the cheaper urethane, it allows him to make crazy sizes without the overhead.

[BeachChicken]

the f4 93a wear insanely fast if they are being used in the streets. It is not fun to have your wheels be a different size every other time you step on your board. i lost at least 1mm per week on each set i had, only skating 3-4 days a week. had to quit buying them and switch to bones/powell. i was hoping spitfire had plans to put out the 93s in shapes that have more urethane on them to begin with, but it sounds like that is not happening. best formula otherwise but not worth it.

Jesus what were you skating? Some of the local kids that skate 5-6 days a week for most of the day didn't mention any insane wear on theirs and friends I know that have them haven't had issues that drastic.

[devils acrobat]

Been on the 93s for two months now and I love to skate them at my crusty local but hate to skate them on smooth concrete. I enjoy how fast they are. People claiming to be skating longer due to a softer wheel does not resonate with me. I feel no difference there. I am torn and will most likely try the 97s next.

[Mbrimson88]

Any softer wheel has the potential to wear faster. I have a friend that is super dedicated to the 93 and we actually put wheels on at the same time- I put on 99a 53 Classics and he put on 93a 53 Classics. My wheels are currently 51.5 and his are 51.6 lol. I don't track his skating or anything, but he skates ~4 days per week mix of park and asphalt street spots. So, they aren't roasting super fast.

@144p do you have any 97a 53/54 Classics or Radials?

Right now on their site I see Radial Full 56 and 58 mm in the 97 duro, as well as Classics in 53, 54 and 56 mm.

The previous info was that the Radial Full were the new formula 97s, maybe the 53 mm Classics too.

Last page with Classics on search with 97a:

https://www.35thave.com/module/search_content.htm?showSearchResults=1&search_keyword=97a&paging=4


Spitfire in general:

https://www.35thave.com/shop/Skate/Wheels/Spitfire.htm


@144p should be able to tell you more.


* Sometimes the member tag function doesn't work as per the last line of the previous message, but I guess it also depends on how often people check too.

[Mbrimson88]

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the f4 93a wear insanely fast if they are being used in the streets. It is not fun to have your wheels be a different size every other time you step on your board. i lost at least 1mm per week on each set i had, only skating 3-4 days a week. had to quit buying them and switch to bones/powell. i was hoping spitfire had plans to put out the 93s in shapes that have more urethane on them to begin with, but it sounds like that is not happening. best formula otherwise but not worth it.

[close]

That's why I got 55s =D I assumed I'd be down 2-3mm pretty quick!

[close]

yeah wearing them down to a sweet spot was appealing to me at first, but its like u blink and the sweet spot is gone and ur rattling around on tiny wheels. at least with the 93s on crust. im genuinely bummed to be back on dragons. maybe they will make an x97 omega because that would go. marketing aglorithms give us f4 99a multicolored lockin full, when a 93a lockin full would unlock spots and expand the landscape of street skating. speaks to a lack of vision beyond making money. props to FOS for going for it with the wide boi wheels. I wish snot had the formulas to match the quality of those shapes.

As per post above, I wonder if the reformulated 97s in the Radial Full 58 mm size would work for you.

Worth trying or not?


https://www.35thave.com/shop/Skate/Wheels/Spitfire/p/Spitfire-Formula-Four-Radial-Full-97a-58mm-x66945095.htm

[Xen]

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Any softer wheel has the potential to wear faster. I have a friend that is super dedicated to the 93 and we actually put wheels on at the same time- I put on 99a 53 Classics and he put on 93a 53 Classics. My wheels are currently 51.5 and his are 51.6 lol. I don't track his skating or anything, but he skates ~4 days per week mix of park and asphalt street spots. So, they aren't roasting super fast.

@144p do you have any 97a 53/54 Classics or Radials?

[close]

Right now on their site I see Radial Full 56 and 58 mm in the 97 duro, as well as Classics in 53, 54 and 56 mm.

The previous info was that the Radial Full were the new formula 97s, maybe the 53 mm Classics too.

Last page with Classics on search with 97a:

https://www.35thave.com/module/search_content.htm?showSearchResults=1&search_keyword=97a&paging=4


Spitfire in general:

https://www.35thave.com/shop/Skate/Wheels/Spitfire.htm

@144p should be able to tell you more.

* Sometimes the member tag function doesn't work as per the last line of the previous message, but I guess it also depends on how often people check too.

The problem, outside of Delfino's wheel, is you can't tell old from new and no sites are tagging them as reformulated/newer version.

[BeachChicken]

What's confusing is Spitfire used to use different color text to denote duro, but Soft Slider 93 have completely different graphics so I dunno how I'd differentiate the new ones from old since there are no pics on the Spitfire site to judge against. I didn't love the old 97 and I don't wanna be a pain in the ass returning wheels I won't ride.