Wheels Thread

[vicious cycle]

Anyone ever had Oj Keyframes and noticed a strange vibration on smooth ground ?
Can't figure out where it comes from .
They are new so maybe it will go away after a few hours.
At least i hope so.
I use 2 speedrings on the inside and one on the outside.
With fresh cleaned and oiled Bones Swiss.
It's a more high frequency vibration that feels distracting.

[qweenmess]

I'm looking for 58mm 99a wheels, so far I'm considering:

OJ Elite Hardline
Spitfire Radial Fulls
Snot Team Conicals

Anyone got experience with these? Any suggestions?

[FuzzGNU]

I'm looking for 58mm 99a wheels, so far I'm considering:

OJ Elite Hardline
Spitfire Radial Fulls
Snot Team Conicals

Anyone got experience with these? Any suggestions?

Radial Fulls are huge. Very wide and heavy, even at 56mm. Mine have some quality control issues and chunking as well. If you're actually popping ollies doing street skating and doing anything tech, I would be hesitant to go all the way up to 58mm on those. I did a whole review of them in the Spitfire F4 thread. I was disappointing, but they have their pluses. My main issue is that despite their size and heft, they still struggle with crusty streets: https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=68020.msg3781571#msg3781571

I can't speak to the Hardlines, but their OJ Elite 101a Minicombos were surprisingly good, but I would only grab them if they're on a sale, personally. Can't speak to their 99a Hardlines. They definitely feel a half-step below Bones/Spitfire in quality, but are in the running for sure. If its full price, I say wait until they are on sale.

Bones has 56mm Conical Fulls (V6 Widecut as they call it) in 99a. I have very mixed feelings on their 99a though. They are faster than F4 99a, and tackle crust better too... but their slide is very suspect. I've heard their previous version of 99a that were bright white slid really well, but I never got to try them. They discontinued those and replaced it with a "natural" color, and they stick pretty bad. The good news is Bones wheels go on sale for super cheap. I got some Bones STF for like $21 each from Tactics a couple months back because they were on clearance and they had a % off coupon that worked on clearance items. Could be a cheap experiment next time there is a sale.

[Xen]

Expand Quote

I'm looking for 58mm 99a wheels, so far I'm considering:

OJ Elite Hardline
Spitfire Radial Fulls
Snot Team Conicals

Anyone got experience with these? Any suggestions?

[close]

Radial Fulls are huge. Very wide and heavy, even at 56mm. Mine have some quality control issues and chunking as well. If you're actually popping ollies doing street skating and doing anything tech, I would be hesitant to go all the way up to 58mm on those. I did a whole review of them in the Spitfire F4 thread. I was disappointing, but they have their pluses. My main issue is that despite their size and heft, they still struggle with crusty streets: https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=68020.msg3781571#msg3781571

I can't speak to the Hardlines, but their OJ Elite 101a Minicombos were surprisingly good, but I would only grab them if they're on a sale, personally. Can't speak to their 99a Hardlines. They definitely feel a half-step below Bones/Spitfire in quality, but are in the running for sure. If its full price, I say wait until they are on sale.

Bones has 56mm Conical Fulls (V6 Widecut as they call it) in 99a. I have very mixed feelings on their 99a though. They are faster than F4 99a, and tackle crust better too... but their slide is very suspect. I've heard their previous version of 99a that were bright white slid really well, but I never got to try them. They discontinued those and replaced it with a "natural" color, and they stick pretty bad. The good news is Bones wheels go on sale for super cheap. I got some Bones STF for like $21 each from Tactics a couple months back because they were on clearance and they had a % off coupon that worked on clearance items. Could be a cheap experiment next time there is a sale.

I've been skating OJ Elite 101a hardlines for the past few days....I forgot how fast/hard (they rattle you like SPFs on street do) they were but also how FUCKING GRIPPY...dropping to 99a....I dunno man..I'd only ever skate these in a park setting (and a slippery one at that), which is why I shelved them, again.

When it comes to 99a, Spitfire is the way to go. As noted Radial Fulls are big boys, if you don't need that much hesh, just grab radials or conicals.

I'm a broken record, but the first wave of Bones EZ 99a streets were fucking sick (the white ones, not those dirty birds to compete with spitatos) they slide waaaaaay better than the current 99a and dare I say I'd pick them over spits 99a as they handled rough shit just a tad better but without losing anything.

I'm back on 103a STFs full time now, the V5 just work for me.

[iw0]

Anyone ever had Oj Keyframes and noticed a strange vibration on smooth ground ?
Can't figure out where it comes from .
They are new so maybe it will go away after a few hours.
At least i hope so.
I use 2 speedrings on the inside and one on the outside.
With fresh cleaned and oiled Bones Swiss.
It's a more high frequency vibration that feels distracting.

interesting, like rough ground or like a weird steady hum vibration?

[qweenmess]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

I'm looking for 58mm 99a wheels, so far I'm considering:

OJ Elite Hardline
Spitfire Radial Fulls
Snot Team Conicals

Anyone got experience with these? Any suggestions?

[close]

Radial Fulls are huge. Very wide and heavy, even at 56mm. Mine have some quality control issues and chunking as well. If you're actually popping ollies doing street skating and doing anything tech, I would be hesitant to go all the way up to 58mm on those. I did a whole review of them in the Spitfire F4 thread. I was disappointing, but they have their pluses. My main issue is that despite their size and heft, they still struggle with crusty streets: https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=68020.msg3781571#msg3781571

I can't speak to the Hardlines, but their OJ Elite 101a Minicombos were surprisingly good, but I would only grab them if they're on a sale, personally. Can't speak to their 99a Hardlines. They definitely feel a half-step below Bones/Spitfire in quality, but are in the running for sure. If its full price, I say wait until they are on sale.

Bones has 56mm Conical Fulls (V6 Widecut as they call it) in 99a. I have very mixed feelings on their 99a though. They are faster than F4 99a, and tackle crust better too... but their slide is very suspect. I've heard their previous version of 99a that were bright white slid really well, but I never got to try them. They discontinued those and replaced it with a "natural" color, and they stick pretty bad. The good news is Bones wheels go on sale for super cheap. I got some Bones STF for like $21 each from Tactics a couple months back because they were on clearance and they had a % off coupon that worked on clearance items. Could be a cheap experiment next time there is a sale.

[close]

I've been skating OJ Elite 101a hardlines for the past few days....I forgot how fast/hard (they rattle you like SPFs on street do) they were but also how FUCKING GRIPPY...dropping to 99a....I dunno man..I'd only ever skate these in a park setting (and a slippery one at that), which is why I shelved them, again.

When it comes to 99a, Spitfire is the way to go. As noted Radial Fulls are big boys, if you don't need that much hesh, just grab radials or conicals.

I'm a broken record, but the first wave of Bones EZ 99a streets were fucking sick (the white ones, not those dirty birds to compete with spitatos) they slide waaaaaay better than the current 99a and dare I say I'd pick them over spits 99a as they handled rough shit just a tad better but without losing anything.

I'm back on 103a STFs full time now, the V5 just work for me.

I found the 99a Elite Hardlines in 58mm for sale so I pulled the trigger, I'll give a little review once I've worn them in.

I'm currently riding 92a ricta clouds at 56mm and they're nice but I wanted something harder that will still ride smooth, so I'm excited for these to get here and to try something new.

[Xen]

Expand Quote

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I'm looking for 58mm 99a wheels, so far I'm considering:

OJ Elite Hardline
Spitfire Radial Fulls
Snot Team Conicals

Anyone got experience with these? Any suggestions?

[close]

Radial Fulls are huge. Very wide and heavy, even at 56mm. Mine have some quality control issues and chunking as well. If you're actually popping ollies doing street skating and doing anything tech, I would be hesitant to go all the way up to 58mm on those. I did a whole review of them in the Spitfire F4 thread. I was disappointing, but they have their pluses. My main issue is that despite their size and heft, they still struggle with crusty streets: https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=68020.msg3781571#msg3781571

I can't speak to the Hardlines, but their OJ Elite 101a Minicombos were surprisingly good, but I would only grab them if they're on a sale, personally. Can't speak to their 99a Hardlines. They definitely feel a half-step below Bones/Spitfire in quality, but are in the running for sure. If its full price, I say wait until they are on sale.

Bones has 56mm Conical Fulls (V6 Widecut as they call it) in 99a. I have very mixed feelings on their 99a though. They are faster than F4 99a, and tackle crust better too... but their slide is very suspect. I've heard their previous version of 99a that were bright white slid really well, but I never got to try them. They discontinued those and replaced it with a "natural" color, and they stick pretty bad. The good news is Bones wheels go on sale for super cheap. I got some Bones STF for like $21 each from Tactics a couple months back because they were on clearance and they had a % off coupon that worked on clearance items. Could be a cheap experiment next time there is a sale.

[close]

I've been skating OJ Elite 101a hardlines for the past few days....I forgot how fast/hard (they rattle you like SPFs on street do) they were but also how FUCKING GRIPPY...dropping to 99a....I dunno man..I'd only ever skate these in a park setting (and a slippery one at that), which is why I shelved them, again.

When it comes to 99a, Spitfire is the way to go. As noted Radial Fulls are big boys, if you don't need that much hesh, just grab radials or conicals.

I'm a broken record, but the first wave of Bones EZ 99a streets were fucking sick (the white ones, not those dirty birds to compete with spitatos) they slide waaaaaay better than the current 99a and dare I say I'd pick them over spits 99a as they handled rough shit just a tad better but without losing anything.

I'm back on 103a STFs full time now, the V5 just work for me.

[close]

I found the 99a Elite Hardlines in 58mm for sale so I pulled the trigger, I'll give a little review once I've worn them in.

I'm currently riding 92a ricta clouds at 56mm and they're nice but I wanted something harder that will still ride smooth, so I'm excited for these to get here and to try something new.

If you are bumping up from 92s you'll do fine, just don't expect to powerslide like you are riding STFs =D OJ Elites are seriously underrated and provide more grip than either Spit or STFs, and as I mentioned, harder and faster too...my issue with them is for blunt/tail/nose slides or reverts, they have to be pushed hard at speed to match the other two...it's like night and day.

[FuzzGNU]

I actually put my Bones STF 99a (Natural Color) V5s 55mm on my main board to see if they would feel any better than on my rainboard.

The main word I would use to describe them is DANGEROUS. They do NOT initiate a slide easily. I have to really crank my hips and put some weight behind them to initiate even the smallest slide. They're harder to get to slide than F4 97a BUT the MAIN issue with the STF 99a is that once they start to slide, they can easily become ICE CUBES. I'm talking, hydroplaning with no traction.

Its like when people do those ghost-riding boomerang tricks with the board rotating along the ground in front of them... except ALL of your weight is on the board-- RELYING on the board... but the board has no traction to support you.

The margin of error between "no slide" and "no traction" is so insanely narrow. I really can't recommend these wheels for that reason alone. Even reverts are noticeably sticky and require more effort. Which of course when it comes to powerslides, this extra muscle you put into it makes that small margin of error very easy to blast past.

For comparison, F4 97a's grip is consistent. It sucks for sliding, but it consistently sucks for sliding in a reliable way that is never overtly dangerous. For the STF 99a, It feels like I have to put so much extra effort into overcompensating, even for something as simple as a revert. Even just popping 180s, there is less margin for error on the rotation because they stick when you land.

I wish the slide wasn't so bad, because as Xen said, they handle rough stuff better than F4 99a without feeling soft/bouncy like F4 97a. That's a pretty notable achievement, and makes me want Bones to give this formula another overhaul. In general, they are noticeably faster than F4 99a too (something Bones wheels don't get enough credit for).

As for the shape, these V5 wheels have such a narrow contact area compared to everything else I skate. It felt like my board was "on its tip toes". People like to compare Bones wheels to Spitfire wheels by width, rather than contact patch, and I really discourage people from doing that. These things are really narrow at 16.5mm of contact which is equal to Spitfire's absolute thinnest wheel at this size (Classic). Conicals at this diameter are about 20.2mm in contact.

I might give the 56mm V6 a try if I can find those for for $20, but for now, I think I'm putting these on the shelf.

+ Rolls faster than F4 99a.
+ Handles rough streets *much* better than F4 99a, but not quite as well as F4 97a.
+ Feels like a hard responsive trick wheel without the slightly bouncy/muted feel F4 97a have.
+/- Have a deeper muted sound compared to F4 99a and STF 103a.
- Extremely sticky. Hard to initiate even small slides. Reverts require more effort.
- Completely lose traction easily. The margin between the force required for initiation and slip-out is very narrow.
- Less margin of error for board orientation when landing due to stickiness.

6.5/10. I can't say I recommend these. I love everything about this formula except the slide, but the slide is really THAT BAD.

If you're a skate nerd (I use the term lovingly) they are a unique wheel worth checking out on clearance just for curiosity sake: due to being a hard and fast 99a wheel they can handles rough stuff more closely to a 97a wheel. But otherwise, I would say stay away and recommend the (unexciting but useful) F4 97a for a wheel that handles crust.

I wish I got to try the white 99a Easy Streets, because those sound right up my alley. Until then, I guess I just have to wait for the "Experimental Formula" that Bones/Powell-Peralta have been teasing for years now.

[vicious cycle]

Expand Quote

Anyone ever had Oj Keyframes and noticed a strange vibration on smooth ground ?
Can't figure out where it comes from .
They are new so maybe it will go away after a few hours.
At least i hope so.
I use 2 speedrings on the inside and one on the outside.
With fresh cleaned and oiled Bones Swiss.
It's a more high frequency vibration that feels distracting.

[close]

interesting, like rough ground or like a weird steady hum vibration?

More like a steady hum , kind of. In a high frequency.  Hard to explain in english.
But it vibrates into my feed like someone puts a massage gun under your shoe sole. And you can hear it. A high tone.
It's weird and I hope it goes away.
I hoped people say it's normal and they need to break in.
We will see.
Other than that, those weels are great. I tried them om the crust hill I use to bomb with my mini juice wheels and they hold up pretty well. After that I pushed to the park to try them out on transition and ledges and you can make them work there too. Flip tricks also are doable.
A really nice wheel so far. Now all they have to do is stop vibrating..

[pops]

What is the difference between Oj super juice vs hot juice? Both 60mm and 78a.

[iw0]

What is the difference between Oj super juice vs hot juice? Both 60mm and 78a.

someone mentioned the super is a newer formula and less prone to chunking etc i wanna say?

[intendedreceivers]

Yeah, the mold and/or lathing/shaping is definitely different, maybe a newer core design on the Super Juice, too? Not sure about the urethane.

Hot juice are like a true vintage shape. Perfectly straight, sharp, 90° cut on the inside, molded “OJ III” in the cone, and a skinny little lip.

If I had to describe a difference in ride, I think Hot Juice feel softer because of how that thinner lip grips the crust (especially when turning/carving), and I think Super Juice feel a little more rigid and fast.

[pops]

Yeah, the mold and/or lathing/shaping is definitely different, maybe a newer core design on the Super Juice, too? Not sure about the urethane.

Hot juice are like a true vintage shape. Perfectly straight, sharp, 90° cut on the inside, molded “OJ III” in the cone, and a skinny little lip.

If I had to describe a difference in ride, I think Hot Juice feel softer because of how that thinner lip grips the crust (especially when turning/carving), and I think Super Juice feel a little more rigid and fast.

Expand Quote

What is the difference between Oj super juice vs hot juice? Both 60mm and 78a.

[close]

someone mentioned the super is a newer formula and less prone to chunking etc i wanna say?

Thanks to both of you. I think I'm leaning more towards the Super Juices then.

[yourbreakfsat]

What is the difference between Oj super juice vs hot juice? Both 60mm and 78a.

They both ride the same but Super Juices are the updated design where it doesn't chip so easily, where as the Hot Juice is an old design that'd super prone to chipping. There's zero reason to get Hot Juices unless you're trying to replicate a 70's style board.

[fakiefs180]

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What is the difference between Oj super juice vs hot juice? Both 60mm and 78a.

[close]

They both ride the same but Super Juices are the updated design where it doesn't chip so easily, where as the Hot Juice is an old design that'd super prone to chipping. There's zero reason to get Hot Juices unless you're trying to replicate a 70's style board.

Yeah, don't get the Hot Juices, I accidentaly took off a huge chunk with a bailed heelflip.

[sk8n hugon]

Not sure if it’s common knowledge and just new to me, but the professor posted on instagram about riding the new bones wheels. 93a! Kinda surprised they’re going that soft. I’ll still try them though.

[FuzzGNU]

Can anyone anecdotally speak to how much the width of a wheel's contact patch affects speed? I know the wisdom is that thinner wheels go faster due to less friction, but how noticeable have you all found that it is?

I like wider wheels keeping stable while riding fast and maintaining speed through rough streets... but I'm wondering how much speed I am missing out on by going so wide.

[Frank and Fred]

It depends on the surface among other factors. Narrower wheels should go faster on perfect smooth ground. Wider wheels eat up rough ground  more efficiently... if everything else about the wheel is the same (diameter, durometer etc.)

[FuzzGNU]

Not sure if it’s common knowledge and just new to me, but the professor posted on instagram about riding the new bones wheels. 93a! Kinda surprised they’re going that soft. I’ll still try them though.

I've seen the new Bones/PP formula referred to as SSF so I will call it that.

I've gotten to ride the SSF 97a a bunch. They feel almost exactly like a 101-103a wheel. They feel unmistakably harder than F4 99a.

They have the ground-feel of a 103a wheel in pretty much every way, but they don't just grind to a halt on rough streets. You know how your feet vibrate on really rough streets with 101a+ wheels? These still do that, except you maintain your speed better while its doing that? Its weird, it took me a while to realize that despite the vibration, I wasn't slowing down as much as the vibrations were communicating to me that I should be?

The SSF 97a slide much better than F4 97a. They take a little bit more effort to break into a powerslide than F4 99a, but they slide well once it does break into it. They maintain a healthy traction during slides too, so they don't turn into ice cubes like some other wheels (STF 99a naturals, I'm looking at you). They actually revert/180-powerslide better than Spitfire 99a, which is interesting. Really fun to spin around on. I was trying to master 360 powerslides on them, haha. Spent a lot of my time riding them doing that.

I've heard the technology behind the formula is relying on vibration for slide rather than slickness. Its really interesting... it has a unique slide because of that reliance on vibration. They also have a nice "Bones bark" to them too. A loud crisp wheel. Doesn't sound like a soft wheel at all.

The SSF 97a was too hard for me as someone who lives in a neighborhood that probably realistically warrants F4 97a wheels. For context, F4 99a barely get the job done here, so a harder wheel is a no-go for sure. Hardness aside, I was really impressed with the wheel. If you were to just look at it as a traditional 103a wheel, its a solid 103a wheel in every respect.

I could see whichever durometer ends up "feeling like 99a" could have real potential to become a serious F4 competitor. A wheel that feels like 99a but maintains speed over rough streets and rough spots? Seems pretty useful in a country that's a capitalist austerity hellhole with a crumbling infrastructure.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt since I only got to ride the most extreme end of the spectrum. I have no idea if any or all of the above will still be relevant to the 90a, 93a, and 95a... but I have a feeling either 93a or 95a could have potential to be that "sweet spot".

[goodatmeth]

Expand Quote

Not sure if it’s common knowledge and just new to me, but the professor posted on instagram about riding the new bones wheels. 93a! Kinda surprised they’re going that soft. I’ll still try them though.

[close]

I've seen the new Bones/PP formula referred to as SSF so I will call it that.

I've gotten to ride the SSF 97a a bunch. They feel almost exactly like a 101-103a wheel. They feel unmistakably harder than F4 99a.

They have the ground-feel of a 103a wheel in pretty much every way, but they don't just grind to a halt on rough streets. You know how your feet vibrate on really rough streets with 101a+ wheels? These still do that, except you maintain your speed better while its doing that? Its weird, it took me a while to realize that despite the vibration, I wasn't slowing down as much as the vibrations were communicating to me that I should be?

The SSF 97a slide much better than F4 97a. They take a little bit more effort to break into a powerslide than F4 99a, but they slide well once it does break into it. They maintain a healthy traction during slides too, so they don't turn into ice cubes like some other wheels (STF 99a naturals, I'm looking at you). They actually revert/180-powerslide better than Spitfire 99a, which is interesting. Really fun to spin around on. I was trying to master 360 powerslides on them, haha. Spent a lot of my time riding them doing that.

I've heard the technology behind the formula is relying on vibration for slide rather than slickness. Its really interesting... it has a unique slide because of that reliance on vibration. They also have a nice "Bones bark" to them too. A loud crisp wheel. Doesn't sound like a soft wheel at all.

The SSF 97a was too hard for me as someone who lives in a neighborhood that probably realistically warrants F4 97a wheels. For context, F4 99a barely get the job done here, so a harder wheel is a no-go for sure. Hardness aside, I was really impressed with the wheel. If you were to just look at it as a traditional 103a wheel, its a solid 103a wheel in every respect.

I could see whichever durometer ends up "feeling like 99a" could have real potential to become a serious F4 competitor. A wheel that feels like 99a but maintains speed over rough streets and rough spots? Seems pretty useful in a country that's a capitalist austerity hellhole with a crumbling infrastructure.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt since I only got to ride the most extreme end of the spectrum. I have no idea if any or all of the above will still be relevant to the 90a, 93a, and 95a... but I have a feeling either 93a or 95a could have potential to be that "sweet spot".

Hell yeah finally someone who rode them. Thanks for letting us know, I'm so hyped to try these. Probably would have gotten the 97a ones but now I'm gonna go lower.
Did you try them on any slick surfaces?

[FuzzGNU]

Expand Quote

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Not sure if it’s common knowledge and just new to me, but the professor posted on instagram about riding the new bones wheels. 93a! Kinda surprised they’re going that soft. I’ll still try them though.

[close]

I've seen the new Bones/PP formula referred to as SSF so I will call it that.

I've gotten to ride the SSF 97a a bunch. They feel almost exactly like a 101-103a wheel. They feel unmistakably harder than F4 99a.

They have the ground-feel of a 103a wheel in pretty much every way, but they don't just grind to a halt on rough streets. You know how your feet vibrate on really rough streets with 101a+ wheels? These still do that, except you maintain your speed better while its doing that? Its weird, it took me a while to realize that despite the vibration, I wasn't slowing down as much as the vibrations were communicating to me that I should be?

The SSF 97a slide much better than F4 97a. They take a little bit more effort to break into a powerslide than F4 99a, but they slide well once it does break into it. They maintain a healthy traction during slides too, so they don't turn into ice cubes like some other wheels (STF 99a naturals, I'm looking at you). They actually revert/180-powerslide better than Spitfire 99a, which is interesting. Really fun to spin around on. I was trying to master 360 powerslides on them, haha. Spent a lot of my time riding them doing that.

I've heard the technology behind the formula is relying on vibration for slide rather than slickness. Its really interesting... it has a unique slide because of that reliance on vibration. They also have a nice "Bones bark" to them too. A loud crisp wheel. Doesn't sound like a soft wheel at all.

The SSF 97a was too hard for me as someone who lives in a neighborhood that probably realistically warrants F4 97a wheels. For context, F4 99a barely get the job done here, so a harder wheel is a no-go for sure. Hardness aside, I was really impressed with the wheel. If you were to just look at it as a traditional 103a wheel, its a solid 103a wheel in every respect.

I could see whichever durometer ends up "feeling like 99a" could have real potential to become a serious F4 competitor. A wheel that feels like 99a but maintains speed over rough streets and rough spots? Seems pretty useful in a country that's a capitalist austerity hellhole with a crumbling infrastructure.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt since I only got to ride the most extreme end of the spectrum. I have no idea if any or all of the above will still be relevant to the 90a, 93a, and 95a... but I have a feeling either 93a or 95a could have potential to be that "sweet spot".

[close]

Hell yeah finally someone who rode them. Thanks for letting us know, I'm so hyped to try these. Probably would have gotten the 97a ones but now I'm gonna go lower.
Did you try them on any slick surfaces?

No, I haven't tried them on slick surfaces. Only street and sidewalk.

Oh also, I haven't grinded on them yet, before anyone asks.

[Xen]

Expand Quote

Not sure if it’s common knowledge and just new to me, but the professor posted on instagram about riding the new bones wheels. 93a! Kinda surprised they’re going that soft. I’ll still try them though.

[close]

I've seen the new Bones/PP formula referred to as SSF so I will call it that.

I've gotten to ride the SSF 97a a bunch. They feel almost exactly like a 101-103a wheel. They feel unmistakably harder than F4 99a.

They have the ground-feel of a 103a wheel in pretty much every way, but they don't just grind to a halt on rough streets. You know how your feet vibrate on really rough streets with 101a+ wheels? These still do that, except you maintain your speed better while its doing that? Its weird, it took me a while to realize that despite the vibration, I wasn't slowing down as much as the vibrations were communicating to me that I should be?

The SSF 97a slide much better than F4 97a. They take a little bit more effort to break into a powerslide than F4 99a, but they slide well once it does break into it. They maintain a healthy traction during slides too, so they don't turn into ice cubes like some other wheels (STF 99a naturals, I'm looking at you). They actually revert/180-powerslide better than Spitfire 99a, which is interesting. Really fun to spin around on. I was trying to master 360 powerslides on them, haha. Spent a lot of my time riding them doing that.

I've heard the technology behind the formula is relying on vibration for slide rather than slickness. Its really interesting... it has a unique slide because of that reliance on vibration. They also have a nice "Bones bark" to them too. A loud crisp wheel. Doesn't sound like a soft wheel at all.

The SSF 97a was too hard for me as someone who lives in a neighborhood that probably realistically warrants F4 97a wheels. For context, F4 99a barely get the job done here, so a harder wheel is a no-go for sure. Hardness aside, I was really impressed with the wheel. If you were to just look at it as a traditional 103a wheel, its a solid 103a wheel in every respect.

I could see whichever durometer ends up "feeling like 99a" could have real potential to become a serious F4 competitor. A wheel that feels like 99a but maintains speed over rough streets and rough spots? Seems pretty useful in a country that's a capitalist austerity hellhole with a crumbling infrastructure.

Take everything I say with a grain of salt since I only got to ride the most extreme end of the spectrum. I have no idea if any or all of the above will still be relevant to the 90a, 93a, and 95a... but I have a feeling either 93a or 95a could have potential to be that "sweet spot".

Sign me up for some 97a!

[manysnakes]

Does anyone have a clue when these Bones wheels might be available? Living in the Northwest, I have been a big proponent of the 97a Spitfires - they unlock a number of spots for me that were otherwise unskateable, but I'm not brand loyalist, and if something works better, then you can sign me up.

[FuzzGNU]

Does anyone have a clue when these Bones wheels might be available? Living in the Northwest, I have been a big proponent of the 97a Spitfires - they unlock a number of spots for me that were otherwise unskateable, but I'm not brand loyalist, and if something works better, then you can sign me up.

From what I've heard, its going to be sometime this year... but I don't know anything beyond that.

I think from a business perspective it would probably make sense for them to release during the summer when everyone is skating the most, but who knows what logistics might get in the way of that.

Its also worth noting that the same formula will be used by Powell Peralta. I think they will be tackling the softer formulas 90a and 93a (like Andy Anderson skating the 93a on PP's Instagram) while Bones handles the 95a and 97a? So you might have to get a PP wheel to get a soft enough feeling wheel for your purposes.

Again, if 97a feels like 101-103a, the 95a might feel like 99-101a? If you want the type of smooth ride a 97a gives, that might not kick in until 93a. But I'm completely talking out of my ass. We will have to wait and see when people get their hands on the other duros.

[Xen]

Back in the stone-age when petro was the base for wheels, 97a were actually hard and slid great (the feel that is most associated with F4s); beyond 85s you had 95a or 97a as your 'hard' wheels. It'd be great if this 97a acts like a 101+, and slides well/better than current 95/97a offergins...but you'd have to have something pretty damn special to topple the 99a spits for all terrain skating.

[FUBAR]

I have been skating some curbs on some not so smooth ground lately. I put on a new set of 53mm Spitfire OG Classics, in the non formula 4. Wow…they are great on this rough ground. Like, as in ‘I’ll probably skate non formula 4 spitfires from now on’ kind of great. I tried a set of F4s there to compare and they didnt handle the ground as well. Am I the only one who has ever noticed this? Maybe I got some mislabeled shit.

[Frank and Fred]

Yeah OG formula is surprisingly good in the streets. Spitfire did actually tweak it a couple of years ago. I found it still wears  quicker than F4 though. I think I still prefer the 97a F4 for a rugged terrain wheel.

[Ok]

The sfw manderson shape and duro was rad for rough ground.
I liked og formula, I stopped skating them when stfs came out because the bones lasted so much longer (without flat spots), but the stfs always felt like shit: hard plastic.
I’d try the original formula again.
I have some 97a f4s and they are great, outside of the skatepark.

[Mbrimson88]

I have been skating some curbs on some not so smooth ground lately. I put on a new set of 53mm Spitfire OG Classics, in the non formula 4. Wow…they are great on this rough ground. Like, as in ‘I’ll probably skate non formula 4 spitfires from now on’ kind of great. I tried a set of F4s there to compare and they didnt handle the ground as well. Am I the only one who has ever noticed this? Maybe I got some mislabeled shit.

There were two very distinct differences in people with regard to Spitfire wheels - one group who hated them and said they always flatspotted and the other group who loved them.

I was in the second group (and still have a lot of OG formula Spitfires on the go) but the main thing to note was the first few sessions or wear in period was the most important.  Straight from the factory bright white were always a bit softer and more likely to flatspot or wear faster than older more weathered (yellowed) wheels, so when I used to go places and shops would have the old stock often on clearance I would buy it all and be happier for it.  Once it had that cured and sometimes more than others yellowed look, those wheels were the best for hardness, longevity and minimal to no flatspots.  Sure I could still flatspot them if I tried hard enough, but they felt better to me than any other wheel I could get my hands on.

When Formula Four came out, it was a weird change, but I got used to it and that is what I have been on for the last however many years now, minimal to no issues, right out of the packet and perfect, so I hadn't really used the older Spitfires a whole lot on my normal boards, but they still go great on any other boards I am setting up and mixing / matching with when I do use them.

[Ok]

Expand Quote

I have been skating some curbs on some not so smooth ground lately. I put on a new set of 53mm Spitfire OG Classics, in the non formula 4. Wow…they are great on this rough ground. Like, as in ‘I’ll probably skate non formula 4 spitfires from now on’ kind of great. I tried a set of F4s there to compare and they didnt handle the ground as well. Am I the only one who has ever noticed this? Maybe I got some mislabeled shit.

[close]

There were two very distinct differences in people with regard to Spitfire wheels - one group who hated them and said they always flatspotted and the other group who loved them.

I was in the second group (and still have a lot of OG formula Spitfires on the go) but the main thing to note was the first few sessions or wear in period was the most important.  Straight from the factory bright white were always a bit softer and more likely to flatspot or wear faster than older more weathered (yellowed) wheels, so when I used to go places and shops would have the old stock often on clearance I would buy it all and be happier for it.  Once it had that cured and sometimes more than others yellowed look, those wheels were the best for hardness, longevity and minimal to no flatspots.  Sure I could still flatspot them if I tried hard enough, but they felt better to me than any other wheel I could get my hands on.

When Formula Four came out, it was a weird change, but I got used to it and that is what I have been on for the last however many years now, minimal to no issues, right out of the packet and perfect, so I hadn't really used the older Spitfires a whole lot on my normal boards, but they still go great on any other boards I am setting up and mixing / matching with when I do use them.

The curing time rings true. I remember the myth (or was it?) of putting the wheels in the freezer before using them. Definitely did that.
I have for sure been an unnecessary dick to some folks on here about breaking in trucks/bushings. I used to want to circumvent this process, swap bushings to some aftermarket’s straight away, and/or crank the bushings down. So I should have compassion. Never considered breaking in the wheels.