Spitfire formula four

[Slave IV]

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On this sort of note, are regular conicals/radials a good balance between having a bit more contact patch than classics if weight and board flip are a concern? I get that everything is a trade off really but curious how much is too much.

[close]

If you don’t care about having the rounded corners for shape then I think the best wheel for reduced weight and most contact patch are the Tablets. Check the specs but I was surprised when I checked and considered those when weight and contact patch was what I was more concerned with but now I’m more obsessed with shapes, lol.
Tablets should be lighter and have more contact than Radials or Conicals.

[close]

But also the most extreme “squared edge” you can get, and all the baggage that entails.

God I want Radial Slims back…

[close]

They only mentioned weight and contact patch as concerns though.

[close]

Not quite so fast. Board flip was mentioned. There is noticeable difference in board flip between classics and tablets.

Ah, I stand corrected.

[Mbrimson88]

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On this sort of note, are regular conicals/radials a good balance between having a bit more contact patch than classics if weight and board flip are a concern? I get that everything is a trade off really but curious how much is too much.

[close]

If you don’t care about having the rounded corners for shape then I think the best wheel for reduced weight and most contact patch are the Tablets. Check the specs but I was surprised when I checked and considered those when weight and contact patch was what I was more concerned with but now I’m more obsessed with shapes, lol.
Tablets should be lighter and have more contact than Radials or Conicals.

[close]

But also the most extreme “squared edge” you can get, and all the baggage that entails.

God I want Radial Slims back…

The old chart has all the measurements.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/formulafour/


Conical wheels are the closest in overall dimensions and a very similar edge, although I did round them off a little more which made them feel almost the same as Radial Slims.  For me they were just a little too skinny for what I prefer, but that's ok, I understand why people did like them - not quite as wide but still a semi rounded edge.

Was it also because Radial Slims came out in 53 mm as well?

I know you like 53 mm as a perfect wheel size.

[pops]

Man Radial Fulls (56/99) bark real nice on the slide. Mash through crappy ground, hold speed and lock in great on curbs and cope...

Only downside is they are beasts for the flip of the board and bite of the wheel.

They're beasts to flip for sure but I don't flip really at all nowadays. For tranny they were nice. I just didnt have same experience on rough spots with hard wheels despite them being wider. It was the softer duros that really mattered in the end.

[meeevs]

The old chart has all the measurements.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/formulafour/

It's so weird they still have this up as well as the new page (https://www.spitfirewheels.com/wheel-shapes)

Thanks everyone for the help, I think I'm going to try a set of tablets as well as a set of conicals to see which of the steeper radius profiles I like best, bearing in mind that the tablets will widen up least with wear.

I think my apprehension re: skinny contact patch is because the last street set up I had was on a set of Bones back when everyone was riding <50mm wheels, so they were basically extremely uncomfortable 101A pebbles and I have horrible memories of them being extremely icy and catching on literally everything. I have only gotten older and less comfy since then. I do reckon anything modern F4 will feel much nicer anyway!

[FrAnKenFrEd]

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The old chart has all the measurements.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/formulafour/

[close]

It's so weird they still have this up as well as the new page (https://www.spitfirewheels.com/wheel-shapes)

Thanks everyone for the help, I think I'm going to try a set of tablets as well as a set of conicals to see which of the steeper radius profiles I like best, bearing in mind that the tablets will widen up least with wear.

I think my apprehension re: skinny contact patch is because the last street set up I had was on a set of Bones back when everyone was riding <50mm wheels, so they were basically extremely uncomfortable 101A pebbles and I have horrible memories of them being extremely icy and catching on literally everything. I have only gotten older and less comfy since then. I do reckon anything modern F4 will feel much nicer anyway!

Depending on the size, OG Classics might suit you better than tablets. Similar contact width but cutaway, so lighter and less drag on grinds.

[meeevs]

Yeah those were also on the table. I'm looking at 54 to start with and I'll dial in from there. I'll probably end up trying all three because gear madness and looking for decent prices on sale. Thanks for looking out! Appreciate it!

[Lou Strux]

Here’s a lickle piece of sunshine for thems what love their softer Spits: I just got word that whatever the mystery ingredient is that makes the Soft Sliders & (new formula) 97s slick like their harder counterparts has come “back online” & peeps can look forward to seeing both of those formulations back on shop shelves fairly soon.
Apparently the 93s will arrive first, followed by the 97s some short while thereafter.
Let the rejoicing begin as the crusty spots shall once again cower ‘neath y’all’s formidable shreddage.

Your humble messenger, Lou.

[Slave IV]

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The old chart has all the measurements.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/formulafour/

[close]

It's so weird they still have this up as well as the new page (https://www.spitfirewheels.com/wheel-shapes)

Thanks everyone for the help, I think I'm going to try a set of tablets as well as a set of conicals to see which of the steeper radius profiles I like best, bearing in mind that the tablets will widen up least with wear.

I think my apprehension re: skinny contact patch is because the last street set up I had was on a set of Bones back when everyone was riding <50mm wheels, so they were basically extremely uncomfortable 101A pebbles and I have horrible memories of them being extremely icy and catching on literally everything. I have only gotten older and less comfy since then. I do reckon anything modern F4 will feel much nicer anyway!

Seems like I went through almost the exact same thing a few years ago when I got back into it.

All I had was some old wheels that included MiniLogo 51mm 101A S-4 shape which was thinner than anything they make now and Ricta All-Star Cores, which I think are similar to the current ones but also a thinner, "Classic" shape. I was sliding all over the parks and had to get something grippier. I noticed most people had more squared and wide wheels so I got 54mm, 99A Conical Fulls. Those did the trick and I had no more slipping problems. But now that I've regained a little more control, I feel like they might be too grippy and making my grinds and flips harder so that's what led me to consider Tablets until I learned the shape is possibly making a bigger impact than weight. All this led to me trying my old Ricta wheels again and going into the madness that led to the diagrams I made. The Rictas definitely make a difference in the streets, where I was trying them for flat ground and ledge grinds but I was was scared to use them at the parks because of my previous experience with them being too slippery. I finally tried them at some parks and they didn't feel too slippery anymore and I don't think they have worn down much since lat time I tired so I account my balance and board control has just improved since then. I still think I may have more confidence with a wider contact patch, so I'm hoping that Classic Fulls make a return to the lineup but will see how it goes and based on the news that the "New" FF 97s might be around again, I might end up trying them in a Classic 53 and hope they are perfect, especially when worn down to 52mm and have a bit more patch.

[meeevs]

Yeah that makes sense! I think the 97 would be a plus, depending on when they'll be out, as an indoor park near me has just opened so as we get into worse weather I will probably try to get into a routine of going. This would also change shape options slightly depending on what comes out when and if they're going to commit to the full lineup again.

[Mbrimson88]

I think I want the Classic Fulls back.

What size in Classic Full wheels would you like?

Not offering any of my stash from the other side of the planet, but you might be surprised what could be coming out in the not too distant future...


More than anything, often running regular Classics down a couple of mm, they work out just nicely for a Classic Full feel, but then again some people don't like to have to do that first, however long it might take to get them to a more comfortable size.

Radials really do fit the in between size and shape though, which I think is why they are often a go to for a lot of people, right from new.


* I had meant to post that yesterday too, but for whatever reason it didn't go, so posting now.  Might be a little behind the conversation, but I am used to playing catch up.

[Slave IV]

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I think I want the Classic Fulls back.

[close]

What size in Classic Full wheels would you like?

Not offering any of my stash from the other side of the planet, but you might be surprised what could be coming out in the not too distant future...


More than anything, often running regular Classics down a couple of mm, they work out just nicely for a Classic Full feel, but then again some people don't like to have to do that first, however long it might take to get them to a more comfortable size.

Radials really do fit the in between size and shape though, which I think is why they are often a go to for a lot of people, right from new.


* I had meant to post that yesterday too, but for whatever reason it didn't go, so posting now.  Might be a little behind the conversation, but I am used to playing catch up.

52mm seems to be the sweet spot but I've mostly been riding 54 and 53 mm wheels (that are probably already worn down to 52 mm or less now). Radials have a smaller edge radius that are not as dramatically different from Conicals so I'm kinda off those for now. If I were to but wheels right this moment, I think I'd get Classic 53mm 99A with the thought that they may be perfect when worn to 52mm. With the news of New Formula 97A coming, I think 52mm Classic in that new Formula might be ideal.
FWIW, I still think is silly and confusing to not call the new formula, Formula Five. It could hurt their marketing and online sales for annoying people like me who just won't buy them at all without easily knowing which ones I'm getting without seeing a physical sticker.

[Mbrimson88]

52mm seems to be the sweet spot but I've mostly been riding 54 and 53 mm wheels (that are probably already worn down to 52 mm or less now). Radials have a smaller edge radius that are not as dramatically different from Conicals so I'm kinda off those for now. If I were to but wheels right this moment, I think I'd get Classic 53mm 99A with the thought that they may be perfect when worn to 52mm. With the news of New Formula 97A coming, I think 52mm Classic in that new Formula might be ideal.
FWIW, I still think is silly and confusing to not call the new formula, Formula Five. It could hurt their marketing and online sales for annoying people like me who just won't buy them at all without easily knowing which ones I'm getting without seeing a physical sticker.

Re "Reformulated" sticker - they can also come off just as easily too, which I did notice as well.  First thought I got one of each in the 97s, one new, one old, but the sticker had caught on the packaging of another set of wheels which clearly wasn't reformulated 97s.

Just one of those things I guess.


97s were in Classics in 53, 54 and 56 mm, so a 53 might be the easiest go to there, if or when they do come out.

[Slave IV]

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52mm seems to be the sweet spot but I've mostly been riding 54 and 53 mm wheels (that are probably already worn down to 52 mm or less now). Radials have a smaller edge radius that are not as dramatically different from Conicals so I'm kinda off those for now. If I were to but wheels right this moment, I think I'd get Classic 53mm 99A with the thought that they may be perfect when worn to 52mm. With the news of New Formula 97A coming, I think 52mm Classic in that new Formula might be ideal.
FWIW, I still think is silly and confusing to not call the new formula, Formula Five. It could hurt their marketing and online sales for annoying people like me who just won't buy them at all without easily knowing which ones I'm getting without seeing a physical sticker.

[close]

Re "Reformulated" sticker - they can also come off just as easily too, which I did notice as well.  First thought I got one of each in the 97s, one new, one old, but the sticker had caught on the packaging of another set of wheels which clearly wasn't reformulated 97s.

Just one of those things I guess.


97s were in Classics in 53, 54 and 56 mm, so a 53 might be the easiest go to there, if or when they do come out.

Yeah, 53mm 97 Classics should work for me too but I'd want the new formula. I actually see they are available now but to my point, there is no way of knowing which "Formula Four" they are so I won't buy them at all. And to your point, even in person, there may be no consistent way to tell.

I also noticed there are Classic Full wheels available but only bigger sizes and 80 duro so those are a no go for me.

[moykky]

Here’s a lickle piece of sunshine for thems what love their softer Spits: I just got word that whatever the mystery ingredient is that makes the Soft Sliders & (new formula) 97s slick like their harder counterparts has come “back online” & peeps can look forward to seeing both of those formulations back on shop shelves fairly soon.
Apparently the 93s will arrive first, followed by the 97s some short while thereafter.
Let the rejoicing begin as the crusty spots shall once again cower ‘neath y’all’s formidable shreddage.

Your humble messenger, Lou.

This is great news, thanks!

[Mbrimson88]

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52mm seems to be the sweet spot but I've mostly been riding 54 and 53 mm wheels (that are probably already worn down to 52 mm or less now). Radials have a smaller edge radius that are not as dramatically different from Conicals so I'm kinda off those for now. If I were to but wheels right this moment, I think I'd get Classic 53mm 99A with the thought that they may be perfect when worn to 52mm. With the news of New Formula 97A coming, I think 52mm Classic in that new Formula might be ideal.
FWIW, I still think is silly and confusing to not call the new formula, Formula Five. It could hurt their marketing and online sales for annoying people like me who just won't buy them at all without easily knowing which ones I'm getting without seeing a physical sticker.

[close]

Re "Reformulated" sticker - they can also come off just as easily too, which I did notice as well.  First thought I got one of each in the 97s, one new, one old, but the sticker had caught on the packaging of another set of wheels which clearly wasn't reformulated 97s.

Just one of those things I guess.


97s were in Classics in 53, 54 and 56 mm, so a 53 might be the easiest go to there, if or when they do come out.

[close]

Yeah, 53mm 97 Classics should work for me too but I'd want the new formula. I actually see they are available now but to my point, there is no way of knowing which "Formula Four" they are so I won't buy them at all. And to your point, even in person, there may be no consistent way to tell.

I also noticed there are Classic Full wheels available but only bigger sizes and 80 duro so those are a no go for me.

I would be 99.9% sure they would be the old ones as we still have a lot here too.  Maybe there have been new reformulated Classics out but I don't recall anyone actually saying they had any or had seen any, so as you said, I wouldn't be getting any unless you can see a sticker on the packet.

As to everything else, there are new Classic Full wheels on the way, not the 80HD wheels, but it is a wait and see.

There are also Bighead Formula Four wheels out as well, which have a wider riding surface, but stock was limited, so going back over old Spitfire catalogs from the last few drops you could probably see if they were the size and shape wanted and go from there.  Most shop listings don't have all the info, but they are the 54 mm size in the natural colour.  Radioactive is the name of them too.


https://www.spitfirewheels.com/summer-2025/

[GBLange]

our local shop still hv the 56/58mm conical full/radial full/classics 97a sitting on shelves..expensive due to the exchange rate..roughly usd61 a set.

[Sedition]

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On this sort of note, are regular conicals/radials a good balance between having a bit more contact patch than classics if weight and board flip are a concern? I get that everything is a trade off really but curious how much is too much.

[close]

If you don’t care about having the rounded corners for shape then I think the best wheel for reduced weight and most contact patch are the Tablets. Check the specs but I was surprised when I checked and considered those when weight and contact patch was what I was more concerned with but now I’m more obsessed with shapes, lol.
Tablets should be lighter and have more contact than Radials or Conicals.

[close]

But also the most extreme “squared edge” you can get, and all the baggage that entails.

God I want Radial Slims back…

[close]

The old chart has all the measurements.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/formulafour/


Conical wheels are the closest in overall dimensions and a very similar edge, although I did round them off a little more which made them feel almost the same as Radial Slims.  For me they were just a little too skinny for what I prefer, but that's ok, I understand why people did like them - not quite as wide but still a semi rounded edge.

Was it also because Radial Slims came out in 53 mm as well?

I know you like 53 mm as a perfect wheel size.

They did come in 53mm. Slightly more contact than Classics, and slightly more lock. Perfect.

[rikki]

I wouldn't hesitate for a second to go to the crossroads at midnight if the horned homie offered me Radial Slims in the new duro 97.

[meeevs]

There are also Bighead Formula Four wheels out as well, which have a wider riding surface, but stock was limited, so going back over old Spitfire catalogs from the last few drops you could probably see if they were the size and shape wanted and go from there.  Most shop listings don't have all the info, but they are the 54 mm size in the natural colour.  Radioactive is the name of them too.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/summer-2025/

That says the bigheads are 1mm wider in both measurements than the classic in 54mm. Obviously I like that there's so much choice especially in good urethane but it's strange to have such similarity/overlap between SKUs when we're being told that the industry generally is struggling in sales cap. In the UK they are the same price point etc as classics which makes sense performance wise but probably doesn't help the non-slap consumer, haha

[rawbertson.]

Man Radial Fulls (56/99) bark real nice on the slide. Mash through crappy ground, hold speed and lock in great on curbs and cope...

Only downside is they are beasts for the flip of the board and bite of the wheel.

I use 60mm radial full, it is a really good feeling and I can seemingly do all my tricks. i can see its not for everyone though. people think its a vert skater wheel but it is really good for street if you are used to it.  but 56mm is a lot more practical and still feels way faster than most people's boards i try.

[meeevs]

I use 60mm radial full, it is a really good feeling and I can seemingly do all my tricks. i can see its not for everyone though. people think its a vert skater wheel but it is really good for street if you are used to it.  but 56mm is a lot more practical and still feels way faster than most people's boards i try.

Have you posted this setup in the thread recently? Curious how you get away with wide 60s, I had a reasonable amount of riser for 62s tech sliding (Rainskates wheels RIP). Hence thinking 54mm to try and get used to a low setup. 56mm still tempting though because as always wheel madness and Higher Number Is Better logic sticks in the back of my head.

[rawbertson.]

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I use 60mm radial full, it is a really good feeling and I can seemingly do all my tricks. i can see its not for everyone though. people think its a vert skater wheel but it is really good for street if you are used to it.  but 56mm is a lot more practical and still feels way faster than most people's boards i try.

[close]

Have you posted this setup in the thread recently? Curious how you get away with wide 60s, I had a reasonable amount of riser for 62s tech sliding (Rainskates wheels RIP). Hence thinking 54mm to try and get used to a low setup. 56mm still tempting though because as always wheel madness and Higher Number Is Better logic sticks in the back of my head.

i just use thunder T2s, no risers

[meeevs]

i just use thunder T2s, no risers

Oh cool, I got more bite with Indies than I wanted but I can see T2s working nicely.

[logjammin]

been so used to 56mm-58mm radial fulls and made the mistake of going down to 52mm classics. putting on some 56mm classics was the compromise and I'm happy...for now...

[Mbrimson88]

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There are also Bighead Formula Four wheels out as well, which have a wider riding surface, but stock was limited, so going back over old Spitfire catalogs from the last few drops you could probably see if they were the size and shape wanted and go from there.  Most shop listings don't have all the info, but they are the 54 mm size in the natural colour.  Radioactive is the name of them too.

https://www.spitfirewheels.com/summer-2025/

[close]

That says the bigheads are 1mm wider in both measurements than the classic in 54mm. Obviously I like that there's so much choice especially in good urethane but it's strange to have such similarity/overlap between SKUs when we're being told that the industry generally is struggling in sales cap. In the UK they are the same price point etc as classics which makes sense performance wise but probably doesn't help the non-slap consumer, haha

I guess the main thing to note too is that both Classics and Bigheads come in original formula and Formula Four urethane, so just getting some Spitfire Bigheads as some others have done might not quite go as initially thought.

Maybe it is more just the testing of the waters, so to speak, and seeing if there is much interest in that shape, as they would already have the molds for the original urethane wheels.

[Murge]

Does anyone’s local have 53mm or 54mm 99a radials I can order online? Not the fulls just the regular ones. I just wanted to check before pulling the trigger at skate warehouse or wherever pops up. I have some Silas Baxter Neal ones in the garage about  a decade old. Ha

Do the  OG classics have rounded edges like a radial or classic or more square like a conical?

[swongolianbbq]

Does anyone’s local have 53mm or 54mm 99a radials I can order online? Not the fulls just the regular ones. I just wanted to check before pulling the trigger at skate warehouse or wherever pops up. I have some Silas Baxter Neal ones in the garage about  a decade old. Ha

Do the  OG classics have rounded edges like a radial or classic or more square like a conical?

i think if I had to put them in order of square to round it would be

Tablets
Og classics
Conicals
Radials
Classics

[Mbrimson88]

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Does anyone’s local have 53mm or 54mm 99a radials I can order online? Not the fulls just the regular ones. I just wanted to check before pulling the trigger at skate warehouse or wherever pops up. I have some Silas Baxter Neal ones in the garage about  a decade old. Ha

Do the  OG classics have rounded edges like a radial or classic or more square like a conical?

[close]

i think if I had to put them in order of square to round it would be

Tablets
Og classics
Conicals
Radials
Classics

Yes that is the order I had too.

I guess more than anything the name is the deceptive part, as Classics people usually think of as round, but OG Classics were very square and boxy with the most minimal rounded lip so totally a different shape.  They are also more narrow than most others for the size too.

Seeing them in person, or at least pics of them at an angle gives the best view, like this post from Spitfire, last frame really has a close up, so although they look like they have quite a rounded edge, it is a very small rounded edge compared to the other wheels.

[Mbrimson88]

.

Or this one:

[meeevs]

I guess the main thing to note too is that both Classics and Bigheads come in original formula and Formula Four urethane, so just getting some Spitfire Bigheads as some others have done might not quite go as initially thought.

Maybe it is more just the testing of the waters, so to speak, and seeing if there is much interest in that shape, as they would already have the molds for the original urethane wheels.

Yeah good shout, and the F4 Bigheads are the ones at the same price point here not the 'classic' formula (although those are only marginally cheaper, guessing due to import/duty etc).

Also those photos of the actual OG Classics is actually really selling them to me, oddly enough I think staring at cross-sections and measurements in the list on their site actually makes me lose perspective of what I'm meant to be seeing.