Spitfire formula four

[Troubadour26]

101's still roll well on slightly coarse asphalt and concrete, but for me they are just less predictable if things get remotely slick or chunky. I remember skating them at a plaza in Lima, Peru that had kinda slick tile and it was fucking scary how they would randomly skirt out. Same with that kinda shiny new asphalt.

Greasy asphalt on 101 F4s is kinda crazy. On skatepark cement, they’re pretty perfect.

I think I’m gonna pull the trigger and get some 52 conical fulls tomorrow. Looking forwards to greater stability and less wheel bite.

[Unkle Fleak]

Expand Quote

101's still roll well on slightly coarse asphalt and concrete, but for me they are just less predictable if things get remotely slick or chunky. I remember skating them at a plaza in Lima, Peru that had kinda slick tile and it was fucking scary how they would randomly skirt out. Same with that kinda shiny new asphalt.

[close]

Greasy asphalt on 101 F4s is kinda crazy. On skatepark cement, they’re pretty perfect.

I think I’m gonna pull the trigger and get some 52 conical fulls tomorrow. Looking forwards to greater stability and less wheel bite.

It’s weird cuz Powell products are the exact opposite. Their softest wheels are deadly af on moist.

[Ok]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

101's still roll well on slightly coarse asphalt and concrete, but for me they are just less predictable if things get remotely slick or chunky. I remember skating them at a plaza in Lima, Peru that had kinda slick tile and it was fucking scary how they would randomly skirt out. Same with that kinda shiny new asphalt.

[close]

Greasy asphalt on 101 F4s is kinda crazy. On skatepark cement, they’re pretty perfect.

I think I’m gonna pull the trigger and get some 52 conical fulls tomorrow. Looking forwards to greater stability and less wheel bite.

[close]

It’s weird cuz Powell products are the exact opposite. Their softest wheels are deadly af on moist.

i had forgotten why i stopped cruising around on dragons, because on the POS weather-beaten ground where i am, they are pretty sick for skating around town.
i once tried to speed check on an incredibly rough road, and the morning dew about muderated me, i was accelerating

fleak, i know you love the old 97s. mine were alright. slow, didn’t smooth the rough stuff out as much as the dragons. i tried some other soft wheels, this is all pre spitfire 93/new 97s, decided i was over it, and was using 56 radial full 99s to mash over whatever. great until i try and flip a trick.
52 conical full 101s were nice after the first day.
lately i’ve just been back to old 54 classic 99s.
want to try the ishod classic/lock-in, would probably try the nano rats but don’t go out of my way to buy the powell.
i’d like to get a 53 ish wheel that could roll thru the shit, but that is asking a lot

[back smith]

i had forgotten why i stopped cruising around on dragons, because on the POS weather-beaten ground where i am, they are pretty sick for skating around town.
i once tried to speed check on an incredibly rough road, and the morning dew about muderated me, i was accelerating

Ha! That's funny. But 93a Spits are super slippery on wet ground too. Best wheels for/after rain are Spitfire 80HD IME.

[rikki]

When do we get a new duro 97 Classic? I mean, the best shape ever combined with an absolutely amazing new formula. Want.

[Unkle Fleak]

When do we get a new duro 97 Classic? I mean, the best shape ever combined with an absolutely amazing new formula. Want.

I agree. I’m probably about to buy some 99a 60s to hold on to for a little bit.
I’m just about out of purchasing power till I find a new part time. Things are about to get survival mode maybe. Time to complete the collective.

[Mbrimson88]

When do we get a new duro 97 Classic? I mean, the best shape ever combined with an absolutely amazing new formula. Want.

Do you mean the reformulated 97 duro option in Classics?

All the old 97 duro wheels had to go first before the new 97s come out, at least from what I have seen and heard, but who knows, maybe some new ones will come out sooner in some places than others.

I think some people said they have already seen the 53 mm Classic shape in the reformulated 97s on here a while back, as well as others saying they are all out now, but it just depends on who restocks and from where, eg directly from DLX or from one of the in between distributors for the various countries or places.

Here in AU there are a lot of the older Classic shape 97s, so the newer ones might be a while to get here.  Other shapes like the Radial Full are already here and I am riding them now.

The main tester for me was the Pedro wheel as I knew that was the new formula so I got some of those first to check and see - they worked well, but I still find the old 97s good for a lot of things too, so I don't mind both at this point.


At the very least, all the existing shapes of the 97s will be replaced by the new reformulated 97s, so there will be Classics in 53, 54 and 56 mm, Radial Full in 54, 56 and 58 mm and Conical Full in 54, 56 and 58 mm sizes as the regular wheel options.

Then the pro one offs such as the Pedro Radial wheels in 55 and 57 mm.

[Sisig]

Will we see some 95a on the new formula?

[Mbrimson88]

Will we see some 95a on the new formula?

People were testing them, but maybe they were just too close to the other options that they didn't end up bringing them out, with the 93 and 97s now being the main wheel for that market.

[hiljentaa]

Expand Quote

Will we see some 95a on the new formula?

[close]

People were testing them, but maybe they were just too close to the other options that they didn't end up bringing them out, with the 93 and 97s now being the main wheel for that market.

Can you imagine some 12 year old kid in the shop just trying to buy his first or second set of wheels with 93, 95, 97, 99, 101 Classic, Radial, Conical, Tablets. Full vs normal

Lol

We are in a golden age for skateboard wheels.

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Will we see some 95a on the new formula?

[close]

People were testing them, but maybe they were just too close to the other options that they didn't end up bringing them out, with the 93 and 97s now being the main wheel for that market.

[close]

Can you imagine some 12 year old kid in the shop just trying to buy his first or second set of wheels with 93, 95, 97, 99, 101 Classic, Radial, Conical, Tablets. Full vs normal

Lol

We are in a golden age for skateboard wheels.

Ha yeah, it can often be a little too much.

Generally people don't think too much about it, but it is a good thing I have the different options on boards for people to try at the indoor park / shop which has a number of different surfaces to really get a good feel for anything.

Just walking in to any other normal shop and then overthinking it could be a little too much for some people, without even going in to everything else about the board setups.

[Big Brother]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Will we see some 95a on the new formula?

[close]

People were testing them, but maybe they were just too close to the other options that they didn't end up bringing them out, with the 93 and 97s now being the main wheel for that market.

[close]

Can you imagine some 12 year old kid in the shop just trying to buy his first or second set of wheels with 93, 95, 97, 99, 101 Classic, Radial, Conical, Tablets. Full vs normal

Lol

We are in a golden age for skateboard wheels.

It was like trying to learn about abec and different amounts of balls and so on when bearing marketing, brands and packaging was peaking in the late 90s ansd early 2000s. Pretty much every brand had bearings, whether they were a deck, truck or wheel company, plus the bearing-only brands) with crazy packaging, speed demons and speed metal and black panthers were going crazy, toy machine pez dispensers, reds and swiss and mini logos, shit was out of control.

[Osage]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Will we see some 95a on the new formula?

[close]

People were testing them, but maybe they were just too close to the other options that they didn't end up bringing them out, with the 93 and 97s now being the main wheel for that market.

[close]

Can you imagine some 12 year old kid in the shop just trying to buy his first or second set of wheels with 93, 95, 97, 99, 101 Classic, Radial, Conical, Tablets. Full vs normal

Lol

We are in a golden age for skateboard wheels.

[close]

It was like trying to learn about abec and different amounts of balls and so on when bearing marketing, brands and packaging was peaking in the late 90s ansd early 2000s. Pretty much every brand had bearings, whether they were a deck, truck or wheel company, plus the bearing-only brands) with crazy packaging, speed demons and speed metal and black panthers were going crazy, toy machine pez dispensers, reds and swiss and mini logos, shit was out of control.

   
    Instead of just listening to the guy who said "buy Swiss and clean them every once in a while".

    The amount of time we waste on shit like this is comical. I know I do it with so many things.

[144p]

It’s tough but important at shop level to take the time to explain how important wheel durometer is. Takes a bit to explain the nuances and then let people absorb the shape/sizes aspect.
In Washington the 93/95/97 range is growing in popularity but 99 is still a huge part of our business.
Asking the right questions for me has helped people find what they need the most efficiently.
I’m just trying to get someone the gear that’s gonna keep them skating the most possible days and not get burned out.

[Ok]

It’s tough but important at shop level to take the time to explain how important wheel durometer is. Takes a bit to explain the nuances and then let people absorb the shape/sizes aspect.
In Washington the 93/95/97 range is growing in popularity but 99 is still a huge part of our business.
Asking the right questions for me has helped people find what they need the most efficiently.
I’m just trying to get someone the gear that’s gonna keep them skating the most possible days and not get burned out.

kind perspective.
what are you all selling the most of?
i am curious in that i don’t live too far away from that shop, and the ground where i am is similarly rough.
i spent most of my sessions last year on 56 f4 99 radial fulls. i liked them better than dragons/old 97s. but then my setup is heavy as heck, wah wah wah.
so now i’m back to just skating 54 f4 99 classics

[Mbrimson88]

It’s tough but important at shop level to take the time to explain how important wheel durometer is. Takes a bit to explain the nuances and then let people absorb the shape/sizes aspect.
In Washington the 93/95/97 range is growing in popularity but 99 is still a huge part of our business.
Asking the right questions for me has helped people find what they need the most efficiently.
I’m just trying to get someone the gear that’s gonna keep them skating the most possible days and not get burned out.

Also curious if you are still on the new 97s or have changed it out again?

Not a worry either way though.

[144p]

I have multiple setups, currently skating 93’s but have both old and new formula 97’s set up.
It’s tough because I skate an older park before work most days and I like the 97’s there but 99’s are fine too.
And after work we have a curb spot going and 93’s are great there but I can’t stand 99’s there.
I don’t really want multiple setups but seems necessary.
Also dlx has been sold out of 97 and 93 for the most part since February.

[rawbertson.]

it is sick to have all these different wheels, i also kinda think of it like a collection to have each shape, size, duro. yeah in the bearings era i remember i got some reflex bearings and they were BOMB and i just used those forever but i was like "oh im still goin kinda slow though..." cause i had small wheels. so then evnetually when i boosted up to 56mm wheels everyone was like HOLY SHIT when they rode my board cause it felt so fast. wheels makes such a bigger impact on your setup than bearings and even than trucks in some situations.

NOT a shop owner and never will be lol, If it was someone's 1st or 2nd setups id PROBABLY just be like "53mm classic, 99a" just in the sense that its likey gonna be great for 99% of the stuff they are gonna skate and really easy to get again. where if they go for something like 101 tablet they might not be able to find that again, or the newer formulas selling out like 144p was saying.

[moonordie]

So anybody tried Ishod's lock in classic?

[Ok]

So anybody tried Ishod's lock in classic?

@Xen maybe? he and i don’t have the same view on some setup things, but i highly value his input.

i want those wheels. they look sick, seems like what i want to skate.

[sadBUTtrue]

Just got em. Setting up and will report back. 53mm.

[Ok]

it is sick to have all these different wheels, i also kinda think of it like a collection to have each shape, size, duro. yeah in the bearings era i remember i got some reflex bearings and they were BOMB and i just used those forever but i was like "oh im still goin kinda slow though..." cause i had small wheels. so then evnetually when i boosted up to 56mm wheels everyone was like HOLY SHIT when they rode my board cause it felt so fast. wheels makes such a bigger impact on your setup than bearings and even than trucks in some situations.

NOT a shop owner and never will be lol, If it was someone's 1st or 2nd setups id PROBABLY just be like "53mm classic, 99a" just in the sense that its likey gonna be great for 99% of the stuff they are gonna skate and really easy to get again. where if they go for something like 101 tablet they might not be able to find that again, or the newer formulas selling out like 144p was saying.

53 f4 classic 99a, is a good to great place to start. @Sedition has said similar and i tend to agree.
i’ve overthought all of this stuff, so maybe i’m getting g too far away from the obvious truth, buuuuuuuuuut:

if someone hasn’t skated before, or it’s been so long since they have, i might recommend a softer wheel. if the person getting the setup is young than 12, softer wheel. if the person is only going to very rarely skate, softer wheel. kids, casuals, have always gravitated to whatever setup i’ve got with softer wheels. a 7 year old i know asks me, almost with scorn, why i would ride the boards with the harder wheels.
back on track.
for me, f4 99s feel ‘correct’, or ‘authentic’.
there is also a noise factor. i’m taking a trip outside of the us, currently in a place where the noise of skating is frowned upon. spoke to a skateshop owner and he said that 93s were selling the best. i didn’t have the language skills to ask if that was noise or terrain, both, or because new.

dont love the dragons, and im sure they’d feel really bad at a park, but i dont skate a park that often. dragons on damp are dumb. the soft quiet feel can be really soothing. my feet are on fire most days, and it can feel soothing to just roll across a parking lot, ollie up a curb, with the dragons.

my old 97s were not amazing.
not sure what to try next.

[Mbrimson88]

I have multiple setups, currently skating 93’s but have both old and new formula 97’s set up.
It’s tough because I skate an older park before work most days and I like the 97’s there but 99’s are fine too.
And after work we have a curb spot going and 93’s are great there but I can’t stand 99’s there.
I don’t really want multiple setups but seems necessary.
Also dlx has been sold out of 97 and 93 for the most part since February.

Thanks for the info!

The whole reason I had multiple exact same setups just different wheels was for this reason too, cause some things just felt better with this wheel option, then other things just felt better with that wheel option.

Interesting DLX has been out of those wheels - we got lots here in AU, almost too many, but I think the market for those sort of wheels is no where near as big as there in USA too.  That and they take a few months to get here, so our restock was already in a container so I guess we have a different time line with product arriving and selling out too.

[Xen]

^^

Seems they were just made to say 'we can do what bones does too' as they seemingly vanished without a trace and have been absent (? correct me if I'm wrong but I've not seen anything pushed with the new formula, just that it exists on the spit site when you look at formulas)  from every drop since

Expand Quote

So anybody tried Ishod's lock in classic?

[close]

@Xen maybe? he and i don’t have the same view on some setup things, but i highly value his input.

i want those wheels. they look sick, seems like what i want to skate.

They work great (if you like the nano rats but want a 99a these are it.

They're also that whiter white (for  spits anyway); feel like 99s, skate like 99s.

Only thing is they're wider than classics (not by much).

Yes, they lock in (just like tabs/conica/lockins) and yes they scoop and roll up curbs just like classics.

[Unkle Fleak]

Expand Quote

I have multiple setups, currently skating 93’s but have both old and new formula 97’s set up.
It’s tough because I skate an older park before work most days and I like the 97’s there but 99’s are fine too.
And after work we have a curb spot going and 93’s are great there but I can’t stand 99’s there.
I don’t really want multiple setups but seems necessary.
Also dlx has been sold out of 97 and 93 for the most part since February.

[close]

Thanks for the info!

The whole reason I had multiple exact same setups just different wheels was for this reason too, cause some things just felt better with this wheel option, then other things just felt better with that wheel option.

Interesting DLX has been out of those wheels - we got lots here in AU, almost too many, but I think the market for those sort of wheels is no where near as big as there in USA too.  That and they take a few months to get here, so our restock was already in a container so I guess we have a different time line with product arriving and selling out too.

What are city roads like in Australia?

[Paco Supreme]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I have multiple setups, currently skating 93’s but have both old and new formula 97’s set up.
It’s tough because I skate an older park before work most days and I like the 97’s there but 99’s are fine too.
And after work we have a curb spot going and 93’s are great there but I can’t stand 99’s there.
I don’t really want multiple setups but seems necessary.
Also dlx has been sold out of 97 and 93 for the most part since February.

[close]

Thanks for the info!

The whole reason I had multiple exact same setups just different wheels was for this reason too, cause some things just felt better with this wheel option, then other things just felt better with that wheel option.

Interesting DLX has been out of those wheels - we got lots here in AU, almost too many, but I think the market for those sort of wheels is no where near as big as there in USA too.  That and they take a few months to get here, so our restock was already in a container so I guess we have a different time line with product arriving and selling out too.

[close]

What are city roads like in Australia?

I was only thinking about this the other day while skating home, the road went from blacktop smooth to a course bumpy then almost right back to smooth.

So mostly our roads are pretty smooth, at least down here, in the inner suburbs

[tzhangdox]

If you're skating around the cbd in melbourne or sydney you almost certainly won't need softer wheels.

the popularity of 93s in the states is at least in small part, a testament to crumbling american infrastructure

[Mbrimson88]

What are city roads like in Australia?

I was only thinking about this the other day while skating home, the road went from blacktop smooth to a course bumpy then almost right back to smooth.

So mostly our roads are pretty smooth, at least down here, in the inner suburbs

If you're skating around the cbd in melbourne or sydney you almost certainly won't need softer wheels.

the popularity of 93s in the states is at least in small part, a testament to crumbling american infrastructure

Yeah it kind of varies a bit from here to there, even in the same suburb, some streets can be rough and crusty, but most are not half as bad as what it seems in other places of the world.  The newer estates have such good roads that are lots of fun to roll around, but some older suburbs can be pretty nasty.

That said, I know a number of people who skate as transport and the 93 duro wheels are great for that, better than the 80HD cause I could slide or speed check if I needed to, which just doesn't work on the 80HD wheels.  I used to skate from some free parking just out of the city beside Paddo park into the Brisbane CBD for work and would have a DIY cruiser, or regular board with softer normal shaped wheels as a good go to for those days.  Even Paddo skatepark works well on softer wheels for a lot of people too, but that is just down to personal preference.

[Osage]

the popularity of 93s in the states is at least in small part, a testament to crumbling american infrastructure

   Maybe a small part but mostly when we talk about our crumbling infrastructure were talking about large scale federal things like bridges, railroads and interstate highways. Basically everything that a person would skate is on the state or local government level and that can vary widely from town to town and state to state but on average, is about the same as it was 30 years ago. I'm in the Northeast, which has notoriously shitty ground, and around me it's actually better than it was when I was younger.

  I think the biggest reason for the popularity is old skaters. I'm almost 50 and I LOVE the 93's. I can just ride them so much longer without discomfort. I haven't skated a harder wheel in a minute and rarely miss them but I do really want to try the new 97 formula. Was actually thinking about ordering some but it seems that most places are sold out.

[back smith]

Expand Quote

the popularity of 93s in the states is at least in small part, a testament to crumbling american infrastructure

[close]

   Maybe a small part but mostly when we talk about our crumbling infrastructure were talking about large scale federal things like bridges, railroads and interstate highways. Basically everything that a person would skate is on the state or local government level and that can vary widely from town to town and state to state but on average, is about the same as it was 30 years ago. I'm in the Northeast, which has notoriously shitty ground, and around me it's actually better than it was when I was younger.

  I think the biggest reason for the popularity is old skaters. I'm almost 50 and I LOVE the 93's. I can just ride them so much longer without discomfort. I haven't skated a harder wheel in a minute and rarely miss them but I do really want to try the new 97 formula. Was actually thinking about ordering some but it seems that most places are sold out.

Back in 1994 as an 11-year-old absolutely hated going from 93a Cross Bones to whatever hard "street" wheels (that didn't roll on the street). Maybe I was just old before my time? But anyway it was conform to Roccos preferences or get kooked.

I'd say it's just down to availability of the product (ok that is lacking if everywhere is sold out) and awareness/marketing of the product and just the product being good. For all ages...