Wheels Thread

[Ol Nick]

I just took the 93a to a parking lot that has given me trouble in the past. Slick blacktop with tons of rocks everywhere.

These things are shitkicking wheels. Its like the Spitfire 97a where it just shoots rocks away from you like a field goal kicker. I was actually laughing out loud while skating because of the amount of rocks it was shooting without really slowing down, where other wheels would send me fucking flying. Even at low speeds I was just rolling over rocks fine. I usually get tossed off my board by rocks and slip outs in this parking lot.

I also was wrecklessly skating TRYING to slip out to find their limit, and I couldn't get them to slip out. I was going full speed and powersliding, taking sharp turns... these things grip so much better than F4 99a. Even F4 97a slip out in this lot. That's going to be the closest thing I can give to a "indoor park" test.

I really hope I'm not overhyping these things for anyone. I'm sure people will find issues with grinding (again haven't been able to test myself)... but as far as everything else is concerned, these things are amazing.

I also skated another parking lot that is really rough and had to retrain myself to not have to push as many times at the spot as I usually do on F4 99a because these manage to maintain speed over the shitty lot better. There's also streets to and from spots where I usually pick up my board (except on F4 97a) and these tackle it like a champ.

I don't know what else to say. They're like if F4 97a slid amazingly, didn't feel bouncy/muted, and weren't as slow.

I’m drooling over this review.

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

Coming out with those durometers it’s going to end this stupid incessant need for something a bit softer and not so slippery!  Thank goodness…..

[GT]

Expand Quote

167 pages is bit much.

Any brand makes smaller wheels that are under 99a?

I have 53 spits I think they are 97a, but could not find any other brand.

[close]

There are a lot of small cruiser wheels, eg 90 duro or less which are really soft, but are you after that soft or just a little bit, eg still a normal wheel only not as hard, such as more in the 92, 95 or 97 duro range?

Santa Cruz / Slimeball normal wheels come in lower duro and size, down to 52mm which are maybe the most common around.

Ricta clouds come in smaller sizes too, medium to soft duros.


I guess if you had roughly size and duro options, I could look for some more too.

Thanks man! Yea I'll go to the shop and see what's available. I don't think at 50,51 they make anything else but  99a.

[bombsaway86]

OK finally got to skate the Bones/PP SSF 90a 54mm V6.

They definitely cross into the realm of feeling like cruiser wheels, but can still do tricks. I would definitely recommend the SSF 93a if you are purely trick skating. I've never owned anything softer than Spitfire F4 97a, but from my recollection these feel softer than those. These felt pillowy soft but still had some ground feel too which was nice. If I had to guess, these maybe feel like a traditional 94-95a wheel maybe? I'm just guessing.

The SSF 90a are a little bouncy (like the F4 97a) and are harder to slide and revert (which is to be expected) than hard wheels, just into the point of being annoying... but not bad at all for such a soft wheels. They slide better than F4 97a for sure.

They also have a bit of a smooth mushy slide? Doesn't have the bark that the harder wheels like the 93a-97a have. It actually felt like it kept slipping out a bit when sliding unlike the 93a which I couldn't get to slip out even once. I never fully slipped out, but I can definitely feel that it is a possibility.

I can't complain about them tackling rough terrain though. They were handling rough sidewalks and streets even better than the 93a (which already do a great job)... however the wheel was noticeably slower (again, all to be expected with a softer wheel). I actually rode up this fucked up crusty "ramp" thing that I hadn't even attempted to do with other wheels.

If you're looking for a cruiser wheel that slides, these things definitely slide and revert. I was able to do tricks on them just fine, but they ARE a bit sticky though.

I'm going to be honest... I'm not familiar enough with soft wheels to make a proper evaluation on them vs. other mainstays. I've skated Spitfire F4 97a, and those were okay. I would choose the SSF 93a as a bit of a "best of both worlds" hybrid of the best parts of the F4 99a and F4 97a. The SSF 90s are softer than the F4 97a, so its hard to compare the two, but obviously I would choose the SSF 90a if the SSF 93a wasn't cruisery enough. I would describe these as a cruiser wheel you can do tricks on and slide, and still have a little ground feel.

Overall from what I've tried:

97a hub/cored - I wouldn't recommend unless you skate super smooth terrain and like 103a wheels. Struggled with pebbles and sidewalk cracks even. Maybe they are better without the hub and not as hard feeling. Amazing revert, but struggled with powerslides? Very fast.

95a hub/cored - I would recommend to people who like hard wheels. They feel like 101a or so. They struggle with pebbles though. Amazing revert but struggled with powerslides? Almost as fast as the 97a.

I suspect a lot of the issues I had with the 97a and 95a have to be related to the core, because:

A) It makes no sense that the 93a and 90a would be better at powersliding than the 97a and 95a.

B) The 95a felt so much harder and vibratey than the 93a. It felt like there was a greater leap than 97a cored to 95a cored.

93a no core - My favorite wheel of all time. Feels like a 99a or a tad softer. Great slide, amazing grip. Tackles all the terrain you can throw at it, and kicks pebbles out of the way like crazy. I seriously think these things are going to be super popular.

90a no core - A soft cruiser wheel that can slide. Don't have much to compare it to. The 93a tackles rough stuff so well, that I would only choose these over those in purely transport situations.

If the 95a without the core is a bit softer and powerslides better, I could see that being a great wheel too if you don't need the the extreme crust tackling of the 93a... but having not tried the uncored version, I would just tell everyone to stick with the 93a V6.

Great write up!

[thanksgiving]

the @ function doesn’t work for me...


fuzz gnu, got any photos of these wheels?

[FuzzGNU]

the @ function doesn’t work for me...


fuzz gnu, got any photos of these wheels?

Sure!


Left to right: 90a 54mm V6, 93a 56mm V6, 95a 54mm ATF hub, 97a 54mm ATF hub


Left to right: 90a 54mm V6, 93a 56mm V6, 95a 54mm ATF hub, 97a 54mm ATF hub


Left to right: 93a 56mm V6, 90a 54mm V6, 95a 54mm ATF hub, 97a 54mm ATF hub


Left to right: 93a 56mm V6, 90a 54mm V6, 95a 54mm ATF hub, 97a 54mm ATF hub

Hard to tell but the ATF wheels are actually asymmetrical... they are sort of flat like a Lock-in/Tablet on the other side with the bearing closer to the surface, while on the radial side, the bearing is several milometers inset.

For real... the more I skate these 93mm V6, the more I'm impressed by them. They let me just skate without having to think about what surface I'm skating over.

I've been laughing this week thinking about how many of us are going to be skating some dorky ass dragon wheels because of how amazing these things are lol. Hopefully they also let Bones make some more tasteful graphics in 93a too.

Oh something I forgot to mention. I haven't gotten any of these to flat spot at all... but the 90a did chunk a tiny bit in the short time I was skating them (not pictured)... nothing major, and it wasn't on the edge so not an issue. When I see wheels with chunk on the edge, it psychs me out. 93a haven't chunked at all though.

EDIT: actually I just noticed the 90a had multiple chunks from that session. I guess that is too be expected from that duro, but the 93a hasn't chunked at all and I've been skating them for hours daily.

[Mbrimson88]

Seriously great effort with all of this!!!

I know I prefer Spitfire, but of all the Bones sets I have had and still have, some of the softer versions are the most comfortable of almost any brand wheel - super fast and not feeling like other slower softer wheels.

[jimgrude]

[Xen]

Wonder which duro he's riding. I skate some rough spots so I'm in for a set of the 97s

[Swimming]

I was tryna get some wheels to bomb dirt hills or grass, and was wondering if any1 knew of what wheels would work best?

Sorry if this has already come up, but couldn't find it anywhere on here.

[diplodocus]

Anyone else want to skate other wheels besides Spitfire Formula 4s? I love the wheel because the urethane really is unparalleled, but i’m bored of them. Snot as a company is cool. So is dial tone. but I know the wheels would probably be worse. Decisions decisions…

[FuzzGNU]

Anyone else want to skate other wheels besides Spitfire Formula 4s? I love the wheel because the urethane really is unparalleled, but i’m bored of them. Snot as a company is cool. So is dial tone. but I know the wheels would probably be worse. Decisions decisions…

I've been hyping them in this thread but the Bones/Powell wheels that are coming out soon are the best wheel I've skated. Specifically the 93a, it feels like 99a but handles any terrain you throw at it ... The other duros aren't as amazing from my experience, but the 93a is special.

For real Powell about to take over with those wheels in any city that's crusty.

[Xen]

Anyone else want to skate other wheels besides Spitfire Formula 4s? I love the wheel because the urethane really is unparalleled, but i’m bored of them. Snot as a company is cool. So is dial tone. but I know the wheels would probably be worse. Decisions decisions…

I do all the time. BONES STF, Ricta, OJ Elite. Plenty of other options (especially if you want harder wheels); tough to beat the F4 101a slide tho.

[iw0]

Anyone else want to skate other wheels besides Spitfire Formula 4s? I love the wheel because the urethane really is unparalleled, but i’m bored of them. Snot as a company is cool. So is dial tone. but I know the wheels would probably be worse. Decisions decisions…

i enjoy nfg/loophole personally, if you wanted another company to throw on the decision pile. had good & fun experiences on the v-cuts and square shapes. and as always ymmv

[FuzzGNU]

Wonder which duro he's riding. I skate some rough spots so I'm in for a set of the 97s

Expand Quote

[close]

I have a big summary in this thread of all the duros in this formula that I've skated.... If you're skating crust, get the 93a... The 97a with a core in this formula are way too hard for crust from my experience. Like skating a 103a.

93a is the sweet spot... I have a feeling they are going to shoot themselves in the foot by even offering the 97a because obviously people will think that's the duro they should be skating. Only bad marketing will keep the 93a from taking off imo.

[manysnakes]

Someone was asking about softer small wheels - Boardycakes has 43.5mm 97a.

https://www.boardycakes.com/product/boardy-cakes-43-1-2mm-97a-jr-gutterballs

[diplodocus]

Tried a friend's board who had the new formula snot wheels. They slide way, way more than the old formula and have a totally different, higher-pitched bark.

so anyone else skate the new snot formula before i bite the bullet and try them anyway?

edit: got em anyway

[Xen]

Expand Quote

Wonder which duro he's riding. I skate some rough spots so I'm in for a set of the 97s

Expand Quote

[close]

[close]

I have a big summary in this thread of all the duros in this formula that I've skated.... If you're skating crust, get the 93a... The 97a with a core in this formula are way too hard for crust from my experience. Like skating a 103a.

93a is the sweet spot... I have a feeling they are going to shoot themselves in the foot by even offering the 97a because obviously people will think that's the duro they should be skating. Only bad marketing will keep the 93a from taking off imo.

Rough isn't crust to me, so the (95a?) 97a is going to be what I'm after.

[FuzzGNU]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Wonder which duro he's riding. I skate some rough spots so I'm in for a set of the 97s

Expand Quote

[close]

[close]

I have a big summary in this thread of all the duros in this formula that I've skated.... If you're skating crust, get the 93a... The 97a with a core in this formula are way too hard for crust from my experience. Like skating a 103a.

93a is the sweet spot... I have a feeling they are going to shoot themselves in the foot by even offering the 97a because obviously people will think that's the duro they should be skating. Only bad marketing will keep the 93a from taking off imo.

[close]

Rough isn't crust to me, so the (95a?) 97a is going to be what I'm after.

I posted about it earlier in this thread, but to reiterate...

From what I know, the cored versions might have just been a test and probably won't be officially released? I wish I got to try the non-cored versions of 97a and 95a.

The 97a (cored) felt like 103a and was awful for any sort of difficult terrain like cracks (even sidewalk cracks), twigs, pebbles, etc. The most vibratey wheel I've ever ridden. I wouldn't recommend these except for park skating. They were very very fast. Amazing revert... so fun to revert and spin around on. Even without the core, I suspect they will be a very niche wheel. Maybe like a STF 103a but with better grip? They maintained speed over rough ground better though, which was interesting... but still vibrated your feet to hell.

The 95a (cored) felt like a 101a and were so close to being a great wheel... I suspect the core was sabotaging the wheel... they were very vibratey and I constantly got ejected by even small pebbles. I bet without the core these would be worth checking out. They were still very fast. Still had a really fun revert. I can recommend this wheel if you know for sure you're not going to be dealing with pebbles and such. I suspect it will deal with that stuff better without the core though? But I have no way of knowing. A good wheel for what it is, but the 93a without a core is so amazing, that I would err on the side of caution and recommend that instead to 90% of people until I know for sure.

The 93a (no core) felt like a 98a/99a is my favorite wheel of all time, hands down. Its like the best aspects of the F4 99a and the F4 97a all in one wheel. AND it grips better than both of them. I actually like the slide/revert on these better than F4 99a. Seriously these things are amazing. My only major complaint is that the slide takes a bit more to initiate than F4 99a. All the other positives are worth that trade off. I've also heard they might struggle with grind/slides, but I haven't gotten to verify so that is worth noting.

90a (no core) is a cruiser wheel essentially. It slides well for a cruiser wheel, but honestly the 93a tackles terrain good enough that I don't think I would ever want to use the 90a. The 93a is really THAT good.

[FuzzGNU]

I finally got around to watching this video... trying to figure out which duro he is skating. He said the wheels are quiet so I don't think its the harder ones.

The 97a (with core) were the loudest wheels I've ever skated... actually a bit too loud, but it was fun for slides. The 95a (with core) were fairly loud, but in a good way... reminded me of Bones 103a with a typical "Bones bark".

The 93a are a bit quieter and sound similar to a F4 99a in volume. Not too quiet, just a standard wheel volume. Meanwhile the 90a are almost silent when sliding, which threw me off.

He also said you can feel with your fingers that they are a bit softer... The 93a its softer to the touch but in a subtle way, the 90a is very obviously soft to the touch.

Those two factors are making me lean towards he is possibly skating the 90a (which feel like a cruiser wheel to me) in this video but its hard to tell.

I think the 90a are a bit overkill for street skating, and would just recommend 93a. However, the 90a wheels could probably unlock some absolutely unskateable spots. As he said in the video, it would have to be another wheel "in your quiver" because you probably don't want to skate the 90a normally. However, the 93a is absolutely an "every day" wheel. They work well for park, street, transport and feel unmistakably like a harder wheel.

The one thing I haven't gotten to try is grinds. The fact that he didn't have any problems with grinds (possibly even on the 90a which slide worse than the 93a!) is crazy. If that's true, these things are going to be a bigger leap forward for wheels than the STF/F4 were by a mile.

The thing he said that I don't know if I've underscored enough... these things slide well AND grip well. It seems like that is contradictory, but its true. I haven't slipped out a single time on the 93a and I've been skating these things hardcore for about 3 weeks now. I also haven't gotten bucked by a rock a single time either. He said the wheels turned a really slippery park into a normal slightly slippery park. I had the exact same experience with these turning a really slick blacktop parking lot into just a normal easy to slide parking lot.

I'm starting to feel like a broken record but seriously, these 93a are like a dream wheel to me.

[theloniousmonk]

Expand Quote

[close]

I finally got around to watching this video... trying to figure out which duro he is skating. He said the wheels are quiet so I don't think its the harder ones.

The 97a (with core) were the loudest wheels I've ever skated... actually a bit too loud, but it was fun for slides. The 95a (with core) were fairly loud, but in a good way... reminded me of Bones 103a with a typical "Bones bark".

The 93a are a bit quieter and sound similar to a F4 99a in volume. Not too quiet, just a standard wheel volume. Meanwhile the 90a are almost silent when sliding, which threw me off.

He also said you can feel with your fingers that they are a bit softer... The 93a its softer to the touch but in a subtle way, the 90a is very obviously soft to the touch.

Those two factors are making me lean towards he is possibly skating the 90a (which feel like a cruiser wheel to me) in this video but its hard to tell.

I think the 90a are a bit overkill for street skating, and would just recommend 93a. However, the 90a wheels could probably unlock some absolutely unskateable spots. As he said in the video, it would have to be another wheel "in your quiver" because you probably don't want to skate the 90a normally. However, the 93a is absolutely an "every day" wheel. They work well for park, street, transport and feel unmistakably like a harder wheel.

The one thing I haven't gotten to try is grinds. The fact that he didn't have any problems with grinds (possibly even on the 90a which slide worse than the 93a!) is crazy. If that's true, these things are going to be a bigger leap forward for wheels than the STF/F4 were by a mile.

The thing he said that I don't know if I've underscored enough... these things slide well AND grip well. It seems like that is contradictory, but its true. I haven't slipped out a single time on the 93a and I've been skating these things hardcore for about 3 weeks now. I also haven't gotten bucked by a rock a single time either. He said the wheels turned a really slippery park into a normal slightly slippery park. I had the exact same experience with these turning a really slick blacktop parking lot into just a normal easy to slide parking lot.

I'm starting to feel like a broken record but seriously, these 93a are like a dream wheel to me.

You have sold me on the 93a. It’s crazy how long these have been in development for. The George Poulos video is from 2018, so at lease since then and probably longer.
Where did you get them from? I skated a rougher street spot yesterday and am really hyped to get a set of the 93s!

[FuzzGNU]

These 93a Bones sound absolutely perfect for the crustiness of where I live, any idea when they'll be for sale? Can't wait to get my hands on them. 

It sounds like the final products are actually being produced now, so I would guess this summer? But I don't know.

In the video recently posted here, the wheels actually had a graphic on them (unlike mine) so that tells me those are probably the final product and it's just a matter of them having enough stock produced for a full release.

[skateviewer]

Expand Quote

These 93a Bones sound absolutely perfect for the crustiness of where I live, any idea when they'll be for sale? Can't wait to get my hands on them. 

[close]

It sounds like the final products are actually being produced now, so I would guess this summer? But I don't know.

In the video recently posted here, the wheels actually had a graphic on them (unlike mine) so that tells me those are probably the final product and it's just a matter of them having enough stock produced for a full release.

how heavy are they? the 97a spitfires were noticeably heavier than the 99s

[FuzzGNU]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

These 93a Bones sound absolutely perfect for the crustiness of where I live, any idea when they'll be for sale? Can't wait to get my hands on them. 

[close]

It sounds like the final products are actually being produced now, so I would guess this summer? But I don't know.

In the video recently posted here, the wheels actually had a graphic on them (unlike mine) so that tells me those are probably the final product and it's just a matter of them having enough stock produced for a full release.

[close]

how heavy are they? the 97a spitfires were noticeably heavier than the 99s

The 56 93a V6 are about 10% lighter than 56mm F4 99a Conical Full. I don't know if F4 97a were actually heavier or just "felt" heavier. I don't think a small durometer change really affects mass from the side by side measurements I've taken recently.

[LebowskisRug]

I'm thinking of building up a mini Beach Bum when they drop next week- it's 8, 13.5, 30 or so. Any recs for wheels? Thinking something a tad softer than normal, preferably colored, maybe a nice radial-ish shape.

[Murge]

Legit putting off buying new spits to try these new bones.

I’m hoping bones releases like an intended use for each hardness. Cause 93 sounds good but maybe 95 with out the core would be better idk. I’m so curious

[manysnakes]

I'm thinking of building up a mini Beach Bum when they drop next week- it's 8, 13.5, 30 or so. Any recs for wheels? Thinking something a tad softer than normal, preferably colored, maybe a nice radial-ish shape.

Probably softer than you're looking for, but I picked up some of the OJ Mini Juice wheels the other week and I can't believe how much fun I am having ripping around on the neighborhood on them. If you only want something in the ~90 range in colors, Mini Logo made some 90a wheels in fun colors. They discontinued them, but you might still be able to find them out there.

[thanksgiving]

spitfire lock-ins are back in shops. 97 radial fulls on the way

[GardenSkater77]

@FuzzGNU

Excellent work above.

I have been skating Bones Rough Riders on my Dane 1 for a month now and recently I switched to Spitfire Classics 60mm F4 and they felt dry and slow. I think at this stage in my skating I am over 99a wheels.

The Rough Riders are the best wheels for cruising I ever had but they are a little too soft and clunky for a true old skool set-up. I am interested in the 90a or 93a wheels. The only issue is I like a wide contact patch. If you have the chance could you please measure the contact patch? Thanks ahead of time…

Also, for all of y’all, the sml succulent dream is a fantastic wheel and I might wind up buying a set of 56mm if the Bones wheels have a more narrow contact patch. The sml wheels are cut like Classic Fulls for comparison.

https://www.tactics.com/sml/succulent-cruisers-skateboard-wheels/sun-up-92a

I would buy the 95a Slimballs but I don’t trust OJ products anymore.

Any other 90a-95a wide wheels that people swear by?

[FuzzGNU]

@FuzzGNU

Excellent work above.

I have been skating Bones Rough Riders on my Dane 1 for a month now and recently I switched to Spitfire Classics 60mm F4 and they felt dry and slow. I think at this stage in my skating I am over 99a wheels.

The Rough Riders are the best wheels for cruising I ever had but they are a little too soft and clunky for a true old skool set-up. I am interested in the 90a or 93a wheels. The only issue is I like a wide contact patch. If you have the chance could you please measure the contact patch? Thanks ahead of time…

The 93a are just the 56mm V6 Bones shape, 90a are the 54mm V6 Bones shape: https://bones.com/why/shapes/

56mm are 20.5mm to start, but of course will widen as you ride it down. Its the perfect width for me personally since I do street skating rather than cruising, but will definitely be narrower than the rough riders which are listed at 32mm and 33mm.