Wheels Thread

[Xen]

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On the other hand, does anybody at all care about wheel graphics? Pretty sure most people buy wheels for the shape and durometer, no matter the graphic. All my bones wheels had ugly graphics and they're gone after a few sessions anyway.

I wonder if the bones will still be called SSF (soft slide formula) or something like that, but I hope they'll be called epic dragon sliderinos

[close]

graphics are nothing a bit of Acetone (nail varnish remover if your other half lets you borrow.) wont remove.

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From a riding them perspective, I have no issues with any graphics and will happily remove them if I am not into them, given the wheels are the right size, shape, duro or whatever else I want to ride, because to me the graphic is less than 1% of the interest in said set of wheels.


From a shop perspective, it is oh so very frustrating that some wheels that would be the best brand, size, shape and duro just do not sell if they have a less than marketable / appealing graphic and some I have even "blanked" for people who didn't want a certain name / pro rider or something on the wheels, just to make them happy, even if they were going to ride them graphic in and wear them off in the first session.


Razor blades are just as good removing Spitfire wheel graphics as per this set from not too long ago, just scraped off like a scratchie.  Very quick and easy and no wet mess to clean up.

A few slappies with the graphic is cleans off bad graphics quite well; I tend to use steel wool...especially on any bones I decide to ride...I'll take anything spit over bones graphics.

I agree, the graphics on wheels, especially when most ride them in, seems like a marketing blunder most of the time. Sure, there is a small contingent that feel wheels graphics are cool...but I can't for the life of me figure out why both Spit and Bones did gremlins/gizmo wheels. WTAF?

[Sundaynuggets]

@FuzzGNU pmed

[LebowskisRug]

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I think what will kill them is that they don't live up to the claims of 2 Slap posters who only seem to talk about them rolling on rough ground. It seems for grinding, slides, and smooth surface speed they're not providing an advantage over the current market leaders.

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Maybe skate faster. Sounds like you're the only one not going fast enough to grind in this thread. I know skateboarding is scary, but I believe in you.

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Definitely not the only one. I skate plenty fast and notice the same issues, just not as versatile as f4s in basically every way that involves any degree of slide. I'd go out on a limb and say that either your coreless 93as are basically a completely different wheel to the cored 93 or coreless 95 that I was sent (which is entirely possible), or you haven't tested them out on nearly enough of a range of scenarios and obstacles to notice some of these differences.

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Yeah, it's exactly this.

I was just giving him shit because he doesn't seem to have the functioning logic part of the brain that you have.

I skated the same types of stuff and had the same comments. I didn't write as verbose of a write-up but it's identical AND I also threw out some simple objective tests and my own theories about the hubs. I'm not saying they're bad- I really like them for a lot of stuff, but frankly it seems like the experience you've had is different than what everyone else has had with regards to metal coping and sticking on slides. Personally I had no issues with slappies but my curb spot is painted and much more waxed than Rockridge and I didn't mind the sound.

So I'm not sure what your issue is, but I was pretty hyped on your write ups and based on my own experiences really don't agree but hope that the 95q productions are the ones for me. As it stands now I could easily ride the 93a cored at a lot of spots happily.

As my last test today I took them out today to a mix of extremely smooth cement, rough ground, and tile with these square bumps. They gripped really well but I definitely didn't like the slide on the tile as I can't lean into it as hard with good control. This was the first time they felt like they slid slow on curbs and ledges. I skated this spot yesterday on F4 and while the vibrations were worse, there was no issue. I didn't wax anything yesterday and even after a hefty application today stuff didn't feel quite as good near the end of slides.

Rational enough for you?

[yourbreakfsat]

Dragon wheels are listed on Skateone but not yet available for purchase. $44.95 MSRP

https://www.skateone.com/skateboard-wheels/dragons

[backinaction]

Kam says the 95a are being manufactured now and should be available at the beginning of next month. Per previous conversations, these will be Bones and not Powell.

[iw0]

so they are called dragons because b/c they spit fire, yes?

[Plan9Customs]

so they are called dragons because b/c they spit fire, yes?

[sk8_cat]

had my third short session on the loophole 54 v shapes today. still not really into em, I find them super grippy, especially considering how they are still relatively unforgiving on rough pave.

will give em another shot or two because i really want to like them. getting bored of only looking at f4 when i wheel shop.

I have been riding some 54s my self for a couple of months now and I am having the exact same experience, coming from f4s the slide seems to be super grippy even though they are fast and seem to grind well, kind of surprised that their team seems to be ripping SF on these wheels doing powerslides all over the place - for me these are really hard to powerslide well on.

[Texas_Tone]

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had my third short session on the loophole 54 v shapes today. still not really into em, I find them super grippy, especially considering how they are still relatively unforgiving on rough pave.

will give em another shot or two because i really want to like them. getting bored of only looking at f4 when i wheel shop.

[close]

I have been riding some 54s my self for a couple of months now and I am having the exact same experience, coming from f4s the slide seems to be super grippy even though they are fast and seem to grind well, kind of surprised that their team seems to be ripping SF on these wheels doing powerslides all over the place - for me these are really hard to powerslide well on.

This is exact opposite for me, they slide well for me on crusty spots and the messed up ledge at my park, I’m not a speed demon but I have had some controlled power slides going downhill street skating here in Austin, but I’m also skating the teardrops haven’t messed with the vee shape yet

[CannerSpaghetti]

Not sure if this is the best thread for this, but does anyone know how to remove graphics from soft wheels? Tried rubbing it off with sandpaper like I usually do on harder wheels but didn't seem to work.

[tom]

Acetone/nail polish remover

[Mbrimson88]

Not sure if this is the best thread for this, but does anyone know how to remove graphics from soft wheels? Tried rubbing it off with sandpaper like I usually do on harder wheels but didn't seem to work.

Have you tried scraping it with a razor blade?

I was surprised how well that worked, was dry, minimal mess and very easy to do with all the wheels I did it on, both hard as per the instagram post above with the Spitfire Foy wheels and others, but I guess it depends on the wheel itself.

Hold the razor blade like you are holding a coin to a scratchie and just rub back and forth across it.

After doing this for the first time recently, I have to laugh at whatever else I had tried and done for so many years before, which included sanding, using a scraper tool, even rubbing chemicals with a rag when I was a whole lot younger.

Acetone/nail polish remover

This definitely works though.

[Ok]

Any guesses on how long it takes f4 99s to go from 520 to 50? I’m sure there are tons of variables…

[Mbrimson88]

Any guesses on how long it takes f4 99s to go from 520 to 50? I’m sure there are tons of variables…

From 52mm to 50mm you mean?

A few guys I know can take about a mm off a week if they are really skating hard on fairly rough concrete that they have to carve into things, which is not normal at all compared to everyone else.

Most I think are about a month or more per mm, with some lasting a whole lot longer than that usually, with all these new parks with super smooth concrete around here one set lasted over a year with less than a single mm worn off, compared to the crusty old parks or places that really eat wheels (and skin if you come off) but it will vary depending on surface, how much you slide or carve into things, or even some specific places that just seem to eat the wheels a lot more than others.

I feel like raw concrete will wear the fastest, more so than bitumen / road surfaces.  There are some crusty old skateparks I go to that always clean my wheels, but even some outdoor concrete carparks can have the same effect.

[Ok]

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Any guesses on how long it takes f4 99s to go from 520 to 50? I’m sure there are tons of variables…

[close]

From 52mm to 50mm you mean?

A few guys I know can take about a mm off a week if they are really skating hard on fairly rough concrete that they have to carve into things, which is not normal at all compared to everyone else.

Most I think are about a month or more per mm, with some lasting a whole lot longer than that usually, with all these new parks with super smooth concrete around here one set lasted over a year with less than a single mm worn off, compared to the crusty old parks or places that really eat wheels (and skin if you come off) but it will vary depending on surface, how much you slide or carve into things, or even some specific places that just seem to eat the wheels a lot more than others.

I feel like raw concrete will wear the fastest, more so than bitumen / road surfaces.  There are some crusty old skateparks I go to that always clean my wheels, but even some outdoor concrete carparks can have the same effect.

Ha, yeah my bad: 52 to 50. I alternate between two different lo(w) trucks, 52 is kinda the max. I don’t see many wheels being produced in the smaller sizes. I can try stfs, but I’ve been pretty dedicated to f4s (would also try bigheads m and/or classic formula)…not sure if it’s the same or different).
Thanks for the response!

[Mbrimson88]

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Any guesses on how long it takes f4 99s to go from 520 to 50? I’m sure there are tons of variables…

[close]

From 52mm to 50mm you mean?

A few guys I know can take about a mm off a week if they are really skating hard on fairly rough concrete that they have to carve into things, which is not normal at all compared to everyone else.

Most I think are about a month or more per mm, with some lasting a whole lot longer than that usually, with all these new parks with super smooth concrete around here one set lasted over a year with less than a single mm worn off, compared to the crusty old parks or places that really eat wheels (and skin if you come off) but it will vary depending on surface, how much you slide or carve into things, or even some specific places that just seem to eat the wheels a lot more than others.

I feel like raw concrete will wear the fastest, more so than bitumen / road surfaces.  There are some crusty old skateparks I go to that always clean my wheels, but even some outdoor concrete carparks can have the same effect.

[close]

Ha, yeah my bad: 52 to 50. I alternate between two different lo(w) trucks, 52 is kinda the max. I don’t see many wheels being produced in the smaller sizes. I can try stfs, but I’ve been pretty dedicated to f4s (would also try bigheads m and/or classic formula)…not sure if it’s the same or different).
Thanks for the response!

Happy to help.

The original formula for Spitfire wheels does wear down a lot faster for new, straight out of the packet wheels and often just doesn't hold up anywhere near as well either, but they are fun to try once in a while again, just to remember what they were like.

I feel like the Lil Smokies supply might have dried up a whole lot, but they were a good wheel in the small sizes, coming out in most shapes too, Classic, Tablet, Conical / Conical Full, etc.

Been a while since I even looked up what Bones were offering, so not sure of their product options, sizes, etc but Bones were always a good one and a close second behind Spitfire Formula Four for decent wheels.  They also seemed to last a whole lot longer overall too, so getting some smaller Bones wheels in the size you prefer might be a good option, when it comes to cost and value for money.


I could never justify buying small wheels when I know I have access to so many used wheels with all the dealings with others, in the swap and trade market, but there is always something so nice about brand new wheels too, not just someone's old wheels I reshaped to be a bit more what I wanted, but it is also very hard to get smaller wheels in a fat / wide but still semi rounded profile, so I don't mind having a bit of fun with old wheels from trade ins, as well as helping people with bigger new wheels to start with anyway.

[goodatmeth]

Dragons are in stock

https://powell-peralta.com/skateboard-wheels/dragons

[FuzzGNU]

Dragons are in stock

https://powell-peralta.com/skateboard-wheels/dragons

Cheers! Grabbed a set of the V6 56mm while there were only a handful left in stock! Thanks a ton.

Wild that it was $45 + shipping for this shape though. I really am kicking myself that I didn't just buy the 5 for $100 of the pre-release ones ones I realized how much I liked them.

My current set is still going strong. They had some slight coning so I rotated them, but besides that they're lasting really well. No flatspots or chunking.

I hope they are still working on improving the other duros!

[sk8_cat]

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had my third short session on the loophole 54 v shapes today. still not really into em, I find them super grippy, especially considering how they are still relatively unforgiving on rough pave.

will give em another shot or two because i really want to like them. getting bored of only looking at f4 when i wheel shop.

[close]

I have been riding some 54s my self for a couple of months now and I am having the exact same experience, coming from f4s the slide seems to be super grippy even though they are fast and seem to grind well, kind of surprised that their team seems to be ripping SF on these wheels doing powerslides all over the place - for me these are really hard to powerslide well on.

[close]

This is exact opposite for me, they slide well for me on crusty spots and the messed up ledge at my park, I’m not a speed demon but I have had some controlled power slides going downhill street skating here in Austin, but I’m also skating the teardrops haven’t messed with the vee shape yet

That's interesting, I got the square shape which is just slightly fuller than the teardrops , I am wondering if it could be that their formula is inconsistent between batches or some shit like that. Even though the wheels I have are still pretty decent overall.

[LebowskisRug]

Am I dense or is each diameter listed twice with no reference to shape?

[Texas_Tone]

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had my third short session on the loophole 54 v shapes today. still not really into em, I find them super grippy, especially considering how they are still relatively unforgiving on rough pave.

will give em another shot or two because i really want to like them. getting bored of only looking at f4 when i wheel shop.

[close]

I have been riding some 54s my self for a couple of months now and I am having the exact same experience, coming from f4s the slide seems to be super grippy even though they are fast and seem to grind well, kind of surprised that their team seems to be ripping SF on these wheels doing powerslides all over the place - for me these are really hard to powerslide well on.

[close]

This is exact opposite for me, they slide well for me on crusty spots and the messed up ledge at my park, I’m not a speed demon but I have had some controlled power slides going downhill street skating here in Austin, but I’m also skating the teardrops haven’t messed with the vee shape yet

[close]

That's interesting, I got the square shape which is just slightly fuller than the teardrops , I am wondering if it could be that their formula is inconsistent between batches or some shit like that. Even though the wheels I have are still pretty decent overall.

That may be the case, I got one of the first batches and they had bubbles and stuff

[goodatmeth]

Zach testing the 93a and 95a, comparing it to 103a stf.



The 93a powerslide at 6:50 is kinda insane.

Crooked grind tests starting at 9:55
Feeble grinds at 14:12
Bs tails at 16:45

Edit: I'm fully convinced about the 95a

[Xen]

Been set on the 97a but it looks like the 95a when they hit will be my first pick up.

[LebowskisRug]

Ya but what am I gunna do with all my spitfire stickers if I switch?

[FuzzGNU]

Am I dense or is each diameter listed twice with no reference to shape?

They don't list the shapes, but they list the width of the wheel which you can cross reference on this page: https://bones.com/why/shapes/

I think the 54's are V1 and V4... the 52 is V1? I could be wrong about one of them.

Their pre-release page earlier in this thread actually had the shapes listed out... but I can't remember what they were besides the V1 and V4.

[Murge]

Ya but what am I gunna do with all my spitfire stickers if I switch?

Garbage? The flame boy looking as head is wack. I say that as a spitfire fan.

[Joe Davola]

I just want Spitfire to make some orange 52mm 99a Classic F4s.

[FuzzGNU]

Zach testing the 93a and 95a, comparing it to 103a stf.

The 93a powerslide at 6:50 is kinda insane.

Crooked grind tests starting at 9:55
Feeble grinds at 14:12
Bs tails at 16:45

Edit: I'm fully convinced about the 95a

As I said earlier in the thread, the 95a and 97a were really hard feeling. Keep in mind that he is skating a skatepark. Even though its a "rough" skatepark, he said its smoother than the street. And like most of the people in these test videos, he is used to STF 103a.

This video is long so I'll summarize.

He said...
The 95a crooks on ledge as well as the STF 103a, but the 93a gave a little bit of resistance.
The 95a and 93a feeble on a square rail as well as the STF 103a.
The 95a and 93a tailslide on a square rail as well as the STF 103a.

Then he did a test on a cruuuuuuuusty/rocky path where he did a bigspin switch hillbomb test...
93a "felt fine"
95a "definitely noticeably" worse. "didn't feel as good."
103a "almost ran out of speed" before doing the bigspin. Bumpy ride. "would not want to do that on purpose". And was suggesting his feet were vibrating.

He basically said he is switching to 95a, and there is no reason for him to skate his favorite wheel (STF 103a) anymore.

In terms of my personal observations... I still have yet to get ejected from my board by a rock on the 93a... they are pretty insane in that regard. The 95a (and especially the 97a) WITH a core/hub got ejected by rocks more than a F4 99a. Hopefully without the core they are more forgiving in that regard. It looked like that path he was skating was rocky, so they must be somewhat better without the core/hub, which is nice to know. Again though, there was a pretty huge chasm between 93a and 95a in my tests.

I'm curious if the 97a are going to be released? Here is a 103a skater saying he is going to switch to the 95a. The 97a would just tackle stuff worse than the 95a? The 97a seems like it would be a bit of a Catch 22 wheel? The 97a was sliiightly faster than the 95a (which was fast in its own regard) but that speed probably isn't worth the trade-off.

My two cents...
If you normally skate F4 99a, go with the 93a. These things basically make F4 97a obsolete for trick skating. I've never skated NFG 95s, but I can't imagine a world where those skate better than these 93a.
If you normally skate STF 103a (or another 101+ wheel), probably go with the 95a to start. But I would still recommend checking out the 93a because they are pretty mind-blowing and will unlock previously untennable spots (and make troublesome spots feel normal). I feel like even really hard wheel skaters should have the 93a in their quiver. If you are able to make 103a work where you live, you probably don't *need* the 93a.

[tzhangdox]

Tempted to try the production 93as with no cores, but after buying and testing the prototype cored 93as, coreless 95as and being disappointed by them both, not sure if dropping 45 bucks on a wheel is a wise decision.

Disappointed is probably a bit harsh, they're very very good for some things, but neither of them could replace even a 97 f4 in my experience.

Not sure that the tests in the video are nearly comprehensive enough. Probably should have done some sort of lipslide/bluntslide test. And even if they slide comparably on concrete/rails, that might not be the case for other materials like wood or granite

[fakiefs180]

I agree, the graphics on wheels, especially when most ride them in, seems like a marketing blunder most of the time. Sure, there is a small contingent that feel wheels graphics are cool...but I can't for the life of me figure out why both Spit and Bones did gremlins/gizmo wheels. WTAF?

Gremlins are cool.

So, I want to cruise around with my girlfriend and her daughter on their bikes. A long time ago I tried some Ricta Clouds 78a. Does it make sense to get these in 52mm? Anything bigger as 54mm feels weird to me.