Wheels Thread

[Ok]

accurate recap from all above.
i’m consistently surprised at the difference in speed between the wheels. smooth park and the softer formulas are slower, everywhere else and the soft wheels are faster. including a fairly flat, decently smooth blacktop parking lot i skate frequently. f4s with the best bearings are way slower than dragons with mini logo bearings (tbf the dragons i have are 55 and wide, and most of the f4s i skate are 54 classics and smaller. i did try a set of f4 56 radial fulls, and with good bearings they were still slower than dragons).
i have some v1 52 x97s and they work a treat on venture lo’s.

all that being said, something still ‘feels’ wrong about the soft wheels, unless i’m going for distance/transportation. the bounce in the throw down, the sound, not sick. speed checks just fine, just different.
because i buy more shit than i should, at some point i might try the new spitfire 97 formula.

[Troubadour26]

accurate recap from all above.
i’m consistently surprised at the difference in speed between the wheels. smooth park and the softer formulas are slower, everywhere else and the soft wheels are faster. including a fairly flat, decently smooth blacktop parking lot i skate frequently. f4s with the best bearings are way slower than dragons with mini logo bearings (tbf the dragons i have are 55 and wide, and most of the f4s i skate are 54 classics and smaller. i did try a set of f4 56 radial fulls, and with good bearings they were still slower than dragons).
i have some v1 52 x97s and they work a treat on venture lo’s.

all that being said, something still ‘feels’ wrong about the soft wheels, unless i’m going for distance/transportation. the bounce in the throw down, the sound, not sick. speed checks just fine, just different.
because i buy more shit than i should, at some point i might try the new spitfire 97 formula.

All of this, 100%

[Xen]

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Nice recaps thanks ! Would you say spitfire formula4 are much harder than x99 bones when cruising to the spot ? If yes I might stay on x99 forever haha

[close]

I'd say the x99 still feels slightly harder than a F4 99a, like a traditional 101a "should" feel. Definitely go with a wider X99 shape like the V5 or V6 if you plan on pushing between spots and save the V1s for smooth parks.

From personal experience this is how I'd rate them softest to hardest:
Dragons 93a
F4 93a / Bones Easy Streets aka 99a (maybe the Spitfire 97a, mixed reviews on them, haven't ridden them)
F4 99a / X97
X99
F4 101a
Bones STF 103a
Bones SPF 83b

Interesting take on x99s being harder than F4 99s (my experience was the opposite*); they perform like 99a spits but still feel bouncier/absorb more crust. *caveat here is that my black set of x99s v6s feel like spit 99s, whereas the white x99s did not. Much like how the old colored (especially the yellow) STFs felt better/hardder than the white.

I do agree that the x97s are underrated but still find them too close to the dragons and dislike the pinch stick/squeal. I just can't have that regardless of brand.

Knees been hurting so I skated the spit 93s yesterday (flipped a coin, them or x99s). I did stick a bit more on tail/nose/blunt slides compared to 103a stfs (but that's a given) but still LOVE they way they sound and feel and cannot wait for the reformulated spit 97s...those are going to be 'it'

[bombsaway86]

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Nice recaps thanks ! Would you say spitfire formula4 are much harder than x99 bones when cruising to the spot ? If yes I might stay on x99 forever haha

[close]

I'd say the x99 still feels slightly harder than a F4 99a, like a traditional 101a "should" feel. Definitely go with a wider X99 shape like the V5 or V6 if you plan on pushing between spots and save the V1s for smooth parks.

From personal experience this is how I'd rate them softest to hardest:
Dragons 93a
F4 93a / Bones Easy Streets aka 99a (maybe the Spitfire 97a, mixed reviews on them, haven't ridden them)
F4 99a / X97
X99
F4 101a
Bones STF 103a
Bones SPF 83b

[close]

Interesting take on x99s being harder than F4 99s (my experience was the opposite*); they perform like 99a spits but stiff feel bouncier/absorb more crust. *caveat here is that my black set of x99s v6s feel like spit 99s, whereas the white x99s did not. Much like how the old colored (especially the yellow) STFs felt better/hardder than the white.

I do agree that the x97s are underrated but still find them too close to the dragons and dislike the pinch stick/squeal. I just can't have that regardless of brand.

Knees been hurting so I skated the spit 93s yesterday (flipped a coin, them or x99s). I did stick a bit more on tail/nose/blunt slides compared to 103a stfs (but that's a given) but still LOVE they way they sound and feel and cannot wait for the reformulated spit 97s...those are going to be 'it'

That’s my experience too, x99s feel softer and grippier than F4 99s

[skatebruh]

X99 feels slightly softer than F4 99a to me.

But also…

X99 feels faster and slides better on asphalt.

F4 99 feels faster and slides better on skatepark concrete.

I absolutely believe you could find X99 feeling harder depending on the ground.

I have spent too much money on wheels over the past year.

[rikki]

Interesting take on x99s being harder than F4 99s (my experience was the opposite*); they perform like 99a spits but still feel bouncier/absorb more crust. *caveat here is that my black set of x99s v6s feel like spit 99s, whereas the white x99s did not. Much like how the old colored (especially the yellow) STFs felt better/hardder than the white.

Very much agreed. In my experience there's no way X99s feel harder than F4 99s.

But yeah, there's a pretty big difference between the X99 and the X97. The former is, at the risk of repeating myself ad infititum, probably my favorite wheel these days, with the 93 spits (which, reeeeallly guys, admit it, don't feel like an actual 93 at all but more like a, let's say, 97-ish) at a close second.

[Xen]

X99 feels slightly softer than F4 99a to me.

But also…

X99 feels faster and slides better on asphalt.

F4 99 feels faster and slides better on skatepark concrete.

I absolutely believe you could find X99 feeling harder depending on the ground.

I have spent too much money on wheels over the past year.

Yes.

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Interesting take on x99s being harder than F4 99s (my experience was the opposite*); they perform like 99a spits but still feel bouncier/absorb more crust. *caveat here is that my black set of x99s v6s feel like spit 99s, whereas the white x99s did not. Much like how the old colored (especially the yellow) STFs felt better/hardder than the white.

[close]

Very much agreed. In my experience there's no way X99s feel harder than F4 99s.

But yeah, there's a pretty big difference between the X99 and the X97. The former is, at the risk of repeating myself ad infititum, probably my favorite wheel these days, with the 93 spits (which, reeeeallly guys, admit it, don't feel like an actual 93 at all but more like a, let's say, 97-ish) at a close second.

Yeah, those spit 93s...feel muuuch closer to a harder wheel than they do to the 93 dragons (tho the sound profile could make our brains think they are?). If spit 93=97s then new spit 97s = 99s (please please please be tru).

[rocklobster]

Could just be my experience with the X99 in the V1 shape, the narrow contact patch was unforgiving on the rough park I frequent. And I was between lots of wheels at the time (X97, SML AG) so my judgement of F4 99a was clouded.

Updated per feedback:
Dragons 93a
F4 93a / Bones Easy Streets aka 99a (maybe the Spitfire 97a, mixed reviews on them, haven't ridden them)
X97
X99
F4 99a
F4 101a
Bones STF 103a
Bones SPF 83b

[Xen]

Awww, don't update your 'personal feedback' list with forum feedback; gets cloudy that way.

[Dmng]

The bones V5 are described less narrow than v1, is it when they get used and the contact patch gets bigger?
Because from the measurement they give it seems very similar apart from the side cut (so v5 being a bit lighter ?)
Bones are usually much narrower than spitfire right?

[rikki]

If spit 93=97s then new spit 97s = 99s (please please please be tru).

Yes. May the circle be unbroken. Could we get a Spit equivalent of the X99? Fingers crossed.

[Xen]

The bones V5 are described less narrow than v1, is it when they get used and the contact patch gets bigger?
Because from the measurement they give it seems very similar apart from the side cut (so v5 being a bit lighter ?)
Bones are usually much narrower than spitfire right?

V1/V2/V3 Are narrower than everything but certain tablet sizes. Talking about 52mm yeah the V5 is the thinner wheel, other than that mostly the same dims.

As an aside, STFs are seemingly, DEAD. Such a bummer, competition is good, skinny wheels, also good.

They're not listed under formulas or wheel categories anymore (not fully gone from the site just from main navigation).

[Jackismydogsname]

I just emailed about STF as I prefer them on my local metal mini ramp,
They are going to release a new round of STFs in a month.
I was worried and wasn't sure if I should buy a few sets before they stop making them.

[Xen]

I just emailed about STF as I prefer them on my local metal mini ramp,
They are going to release a new round of STFs in a month.
I was worried and wasn't sure if I should buy a few sets before they stop making them.

Whew. I was getting ready to horde some once they were gone from the website.

[j....soy.....]

I wouldn’t horde, but if you see the right size/shape I’d jump on them.  I can see them making less and less options. 

[frtzgn95]

After reading the Formula Four thread, I became curious about how to design a shape. They were discussing shapes at the time. So, I designed a wheel shape. It has curves like the Spitfire Classic, but with a sidecut. If you make it more curvy at the end (not a sidecut), it becomes the classic shape or radial, it depends the way to make it curvy. In the picture, it measures 52x36x20 cm. The curve is created using a section of a circle with a radius of 16 cm. If you cut it slimmer, like 52x32x20, it may look more conical, work like a conical.

It has round edges and a sidecut for locking in. I would prefer 56x40x24 because they are all multiples of 8 (7*8x5*8x3*8 ), but it wouldn’t fit on the paper to draw. I like math and am obsessed with powers of 2. 8 is my favorite number.

it is not gear madness, isn't it? lol

i don't have the knowledge of metallurgy so i can't design the formula, you can't have these wheels. so, better luck next time. lol

[Enrico Pallazzo]

For all big wheel X-Formula fans, the Omega shape just came out in the X99s. 60x40mm, these guys are beefcakes. Here's a shot next to the 56mm V6 for reference.



Set them up on my 8.5 with Ace 60s, the board was already smaller and with a smaller wheelbase than I prefer, but with these guys set up it looks straight up comical.



Despite the goofy aesthetics, really enjoyed rolling around on these, both in the park and on some nearby curbs. Will for sure transfer to a larger board once this one is toast.

[Ok]

for me, if i want aces to work, i have to use a larger wheel, and a shorter wb. that’s just been my experience tho


how do you like the wheels?
i do not like the way big wheels look, but i’m currently enjoying my setup with 56 radial fulls (it would be better if they were 54s, but still)

[Enrico Pallazzo]

for me, if i want aces to work, i have to use a larger wheel, and a shorter wb. that’s just been my experience tho


how do you like the wheels?
i do not like the way big wheels look, but i’m currently enjoying my setup with 56 radial fulls (it would be better if they were 54s, but still)

At 6’2”, I generally don’t mind a shortish wheelbase, but I think I found my limit at 14.25.

I love them, I think I’m an X-formula/softer wheel lifer at this point. Have gone back my old F499s (54 conical full) a couple times, but they just feel too slow and chattery.

Have V6 56s on another setup, my favorite wheel size is 57/58, so these are a little bigger than I’d generally go, but not a dealbreaker, and the extra momentum is super fun. Pre Aces I was an Indy classic with risers kinda guy so the higher ride isn’t an issue.

With the wider shapes the X formula does stick a little more on powerslides at first and requires a bit more of a breakin than the thinner V5s.

[Xen]

For all big wheel X-Formula fans, the Omega shape just came out in the X99s. 60x40mm, these guys are beefcakes. Here's a shot next to the 56mm V6 for reference.



Set them up on my 8.5 with Ace 60s, the board was already smaller and with a smaller wheelbase than I prefer, but with these guys set up it looks straight up comical.



Despite the goofy aesthetics, really enjoyed rolling around on these, both in the park and on some nearby curbs. Will for sure transfer to a larger board once this one is toast.

Those are insane. Truely.

[pops]

For all big wheel X-Formula fans, the Omega shape just came out in the X99s. 60x40mm, these guys are beefcakes. Here's a shot next to the 56mm V6 for reference.



Set them up on my 8.5 with Ace 60s, the board was already smaller and with a smaller wheelbase than I prefer, but with these guys set up it looks straight up comical.



Despite the goofy aesthetics, really enjoyed rolling around on these, both in the park and on some nearby curbs. Will for sure transfer to a larger board once this one is toast.

Thats a symmetrical shape, right? I want the Dragons in that shape. I like Rat Bones too, but they're better with narrower trucks because of that offset.

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

For all big wheel X-Formula fans, the Omega shape just came out in the X99s. 60x40mm, these guys are beefcakes. Here's a shot next to the 56mm V6 for reference.


Set them up on my 8.5 with Ace 60s, the board was already smaller and with a smaller wheelbase than I prefer, but with these guys set up it looks straight up comical.


Despite the goofy aesthetics, really enjoyed rolling around on these, both in the park and on some nearby curbs. Will for sure transfer to a larger board once this one is toast.

[close]

Thats a symmetrical shape, right? I want the Dragons in that shape. I like Rat Bones too, but they're better with narrower trucks because of that offset.

Wow, Bones getting in on the big wide wheel shape with a zinger!

I like the V6 shape, nice and wide and round, but this one is pretty cool too.

More info from the Bones post about it, when I looked it up:


https://bones.com/

[rikki]

Holy shit, well done Bones, those look awesome. I don't usually have a lot of use for big wheels, but these look crazy enough to give 'em a try just for the fun of it.

[Enrico Pallazzo]

Holy shit, well done Bones, those look awesome. I don't usually have a lot of use for big wheels, but these look crazy enough to give 'em a try just for the fun of it.

They’re a blast just for feeling like a monster truck cruising around. The combo of the big wide shape and X99 is perfect for absorbing bumps while not totally feeling like you’re on a cruiser.

@pops yeah completely symmetrical, at least from what I can tell. A little more of a straight cutoff than the V6 shape.

[Mbrimson88]

After reading the Formula Four thread, I became curious about how to design a shape. They were discussing shapes at the time. So, I designed a wheel shape. It has curves like the Spitfire Classic, but with a sidecut. If you make it more curvy at the end (not a sidecut), it becomes the classic shape or radial, it depends the way to make it curvy. In the picture, it measures 52x36x20 cm. The curve is created using a section of a circle with a radius of 16 cm. If you cut it slimmer, like 52x32x20, it may look more conical, work like a conical.

It has round edges and a sidecut for locking in. I would prefer 56x40x24 because they are all multiples of 8 (7*8x5*8x3*8 ), but it wouldn’t fit on the paper to draw. I like math and am obsessed with powers of 2. 8 is my favorite number.

it is not gear madness, isn't it? lol

i don't have the knowledge of metallurgy so i can't design the formula, you can't have these wheels. so, better luck next time. lol

I had meant to reply to this before but got distracted by those other big wheels, but this shape is a really good one for me - a wider wheel with a rounder sidewall, much like I do to some Spitfire Conical Full wheels I have, rounding them off with an angle grinder.

Remembering some others I saw recently, never seen them in person, but the OJ Chubbies have a similar looking profile as your pic.

They might seem more square then round, but the other pics of them show them to have quite a rounded edge, even if it is not way more rounded like a Classic, but more like a Radial Full in shape, maybe with a little more curve on the sides.


https://ojwheels.com/




https://www.spitfirewheels.com/wheel-shapes/

[frtzgn95]

I can see that it is more rounder than square, It is similar to what I made.

I reccomend the skatedeluxe website.

https://cdn.skatedeluxe.com/thumb/UNkJLVBPP4wPk5PAgnvVPECoBl4=/fit-in/1500x1749/filters:fill(white):brightness(-4)/product/165805-0-OJ-MartinezCriaturasEliteChubbies.jpg

Under the Formula Four topic, after all the discussions about shapes, I started to wonder about the differences between the shapes. I noticed that there is always a side photo of the wheels on this site.

[Mbrimson88]

I can see that it is more rounder than square, It is similar to what I made.

I reccomend the skatedeluxe website.

https://cdn.skatedeluxe.com/thumb/UNkJLVBPP4wPk5PAgnvVPECoBl4=/fit-in/1500x1749/filters:fill(white):brightness(-4)/product/165805-0-OJ-MartinezCriaturasEliteChubbies.jpg

Under the Formula Four topic, after all the discussions about shapes, I started to wonder about the differences between the shapes. I noticed that there is always a side photo of the wheels on this site.

Yeah, I guess the main difference is that some have a round sidewall, more like Classic or Radials, whereas others have a cutaway shape, more like Conical Full or OG Classic, just to name a few for reference.

Sometimes it is very visible, whereas other times it is not so visible from pictures or site info, compared to seeing them in person or feeling the edge, or even skating them down a few mm and having them square off or get a sharp edge on them.


All in all it is a funny thing, such a small difference in wheel shape can make such a big difference in riding or longevity of the wheel as well.

[Madam, I'm Adam]

Recently started skating a set of the X-formula V5s at 54 mm. Coming off a set of regular Bones 100A 51s or so. Huge difference, the X-formulas glide so nicely. I'll always prefer white-coloured wheels that are shaped more like Spit Classics, but whatever.

[minilogoflow]

https://socalskateshop.com/Powell-Peralta-Dragon-Formula-Dragon-Skateboard-Wheels-White-50mmx30mm-93a.html

Haven't seen this mentioned but thought it was interesting to see 50mm dragons. Considering the only people I see skating 50's are older dudes running late 90's set ups, this seems like a match made in heaven.

[Xen]

https://socalskateshop.com/Powell-Peralta-Dragon-Formula-Dragon-Skateboard-Wheels-White-50mmx30mm-93a.html

Haven't seen this mentioned but thought it was interesting to see 50mm dragons. Considering the only people I see skating 50's are older dudes running late 90's set ups, this seems like a match made in heaven.

First the OMEGAs and now this...crazy