Wheels Thread

[manysnakes]

It was bold of Powell to put a dead child on their boards. Very metal.

[fakiefs180]

I (still) like skulls and skeletons but I won't buy anything from Powell or Bones. Too many bad experiences with Mini Logo decks and Reds. But I am not saying they are bad products or anything, they just didn't hold up that well for me. Buy whatever you like, it's your money.

[Xen]

I still dig skulls and bones, Powell, zero, TECHNÊ….way better than 90% of the hipster clip art dogshit everyone uses these days.

Bones fell from grace, after years and years at the top, with the the release of the F4s and haven’t been able to bounce back.

Their marketing is no better or worse than the flame boy wannabe spit logo…the team however, doesn’t hold a candle to the spitfire crew, especially when it comes to ‘current’ skaters in the spotlight….soty winners…you think gravette or decenzo are selling wheels?

Maybe the bones x formula in 95/97a might get some traction, but &&, rog and that hick with the YouTube channel aren’t going to drive sales from the core market.

[MysticalTypeExperience]

I still dig skulls and bones, Powell, zero, tenche….way better than 90% of the hipster clip art dogshit everyone uses these days.

What are you talking about man, doodles that look like they were done by a fucking 3 year old are so rad




Seriously can't stand that shit for real. Give me some real, quality psychedelic art

https://www.totemical.com/

[FuzzGNU]

I still dig skulls and bones, Powell, zero, tenche….way better than 90% of the hipster clip art dogshit everyone uses these days.

Bones fell from grace, after years and years at the top, with the the release of the F4s and haven’t been able to bounce back.

Their marketing is no better or worse than the flame boy wannabe spit logo…the team however, doesn’t hold a candle to the spitfire crew, especially when it comes to ‘current’ skaters in the spotlight….soty winners…you think gravette or decenzo are selling wheels?

Maybe the bones x formula in 95/97a might get some traction, but &&, rog and that hick with the YouTube channel aren’t going to drive sales from the core market.

I like skeletons, monsters, and stuff (Zero, Toy Machine, Blind, World Industries, late 90s Birdhouse). But how Powell does them is so unappealing to me.

I also really like Spitfires aesthetic too. The eternals look sooooo good while rolling especially. Great design.

Just something about those illustrations are so boring. And they have no sense of color to them. The classic Ripper drawing is pretty cool, but I wouldn't want it on a board or a wheel. Maybe a shirt.

Like I think my complaint is... More detail does not mean better art. I don't care how detailed and technically talented your illustration is if the overall piece is uninspired.

On the flip side look at how great the Anti Hero space junk art is. Has some detail, but not overboard. It says something and looks pretty in the process. Very inspired. https://www.oldskullskateboards.com/antihero-taylor-space-junk-deck-8-50/

It's got white space that lets the details pop. An amazing sense of color. And some contrast to make that color pop. It's not just a whole entire deck of lines and details like Powell does.

[Painted Baby]

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I have the wheels, they're good, and along with Swiss bearings are the only bit of Powell-Peralta which I own or would ever consider buying. That said, I appreciate the marketing, the skulls and the same graphics for a decade at a time - it's obviously working for them. If they went and hired some young buck designer from RISD or Parsons to freshen up their image, would anyone care? It would only alienate their current clientele of weirdos, and I can say for certain that no one who collects complete sets of Baker decks or rides a Sci-Fi board is suddenly going to start caring about Powell after three decades. They'd probably do better if they started selling blank Flight Decks.

They could certainly do something to freshen up the image of Bones, which literally was spun off from Powell to attract riders outside of the Powell universe and did a halfway decent job of it for about a decade before Spitfire just lapped them.

[close]

They tried to innovate their graphics once and fucked up and created half of the World art department. Feels like there's been a never again policy since.

[close]

If you're talking about Angel Boy... I actually have a soft spot for those decks. A lot of them were awful, but some of them had a bit of charm to them. I would rather skate an Angel Boy deck than a dragon deck personally.

I never bought one but I would look at them and go "ah okay that's kinda neat I guess".

Their logo isn't even that bad... They could have some decks in the style of their logo and put something decent out. I just can't stand the dragons and skeletons and swords. It's seriously some of the worst art in skateboarding imo.

Nah I was talking about how Powell hired Cliver outta art school. Rocco specifically scooped him because he liked the Ray Barbee Ragdoll graphic. Like 18 months later, you've got Dear George.

[Xen]

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I still dig skulls and bones, Powell, zero, tenche….way better than 90% of the hipster clip art dogshit everyone uses these days.

[close]

What are you talking about man, doodles that look like they were done by a fucking 3 year old are so rad

Seriously can't stand that shit for real. Give me some real, quality psychedelic art

https://www.totemical.com/

Still one of my favorite runs. I don't dig AH 'pigeon' graphics, or that 'comic' style they use, but this was top tier and exactly what I'm talking about. The fucking asshole graphics, amazing. The BIG SQUARE, the clip art...they successfully bashed 90% of the industry graphics at the time in one run. "Boutique" Bloody Brilliant.



I do, however, like their 'flyer' style.

[GardenSkater77]

Quick green dragon review

Age: old
Size: bigger than most
Style: carvy/pushy
Type: 56mm
Deck: 8.6
Trucks: new ace 55

These are not F4 replacements. There is a lack of connection with the ground. They also don’t power slide as good but are icy on metal ramps.

They are faster, for me, than F4 but I may just be used to softer wheels.

They remind me of my rough riders just a little harder.

You can dig your nail in. They are a true 93a.

I think I’m gonna love um’ but I’m 44. If I were 22 no way I would use these as my primary. I may even move them over to my Dane 1 which I running rough riders on.

Verdict: great cruiser old skool wheel. Can’t see skating ledges with them. I even think I would prefer slappies with Spitfire’s but I skated a park with metal ramps.

[DERBY]

Dragon is an awful name and AndAnd is not enough to motivate me to try Powell/Bones again. Havent skated Bones since a set of STFs in 2012. They gotta do better to pull me. More lesbians on the team, more little characters, fuller shapes, change the annoying angle they take product photos at that doesn't reveal the shape whatsoever and obscures the graphic

Edit
Im serious about the lesbians. Im skating a set of Breezy conical fulls rn

YES

[backinaction]

Bones X Formula 95 and 97 now pushed until October.  V5 shape in the drop.

Source: Kam at SkateOne

[FirstBlood82]

Quick green dragon review

Age: old
Size: bigger than most
Style: carvy/pushy
Type: 56mm
Deck: 8.6
Trucks: new ace 55

These are not F4 replacements. There is a lack of connection with the ground. They also don’t power slide as good but are icy on metal ramps.

They are faster, for me, than F4 but I may just be used to softer wheels.

They remind me of my rough riders just a little harder.

You can dig your nail in. They are a true 93a.

I think I’m gonna love um’ but I’m 44. If I were 22 no way I would use these as my primary. I may even move them over to my Dane 1 which I running rough riders on.

Verdict: great cruiser old skool wheel. Can’t see skating ledges with them. I even think I would prefer slappies with Spitfire’s but I skated a park with metal ramps.

i tried my set today and i skate ledges alot. they work great, cant see me going back to f4 99 again :S

[Xen]

Bones X Formula 95 and 97 now pushed until October.  V5 shape in the drop.

Source: Kam at SkateOne

Man, that's far....but V5, fuck yea!

[Murge]

Bones X Formula 95 and 97 now pushed until October.  V5 shape in the drop.

Source: Kam at SkateOne

Will more than likely try the 95 or 97a. Especially cause v5 is the best wheel shape.i debate on putting a counter sink on my f4 classics to try and mimic it.

[Xen]

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Bones X Formula 95 and 97 now pushed until October.  V5 shape in the drop.

Source: Kam at SkateOne

[close]

Will more than likely try the 95 or 97a. Especially cause v5 is the best wheel shape.i debate on putting a counter sink on my f4 classics to try and mimic it.

Yes.

Ricta 'mids' are close in shape to the V5.

[rocklobster]

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Bones X Formula 95 and 97 now pushed until October.  V5 shape in the drop.

Source: Kam at SkateOne

[close]

Will more than likely try the 95 or 97a. Especially cause v5 is the best wheel shape.i debate on putting a counter sink on my f4 classics to try and mimic it.

The 95a are really good, zero complaints with my prototype set, not sure if I could go back to F4 or NFG after these. I'd try a set of the 97a out of curiosity, but right now the 95a is the truth for me.

[Murge]

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Bones X Formula 95 and 97 now pushed until October.  V5 shape in the drop.

Source: Kam at SkateOne

[close]

Will more than likely try the 95 or 97a. Especially cause v5 is the best wheel shape.i debate on putting a counter sink on my f4 classics to try and mimic it.

[close]

The 95a are really good, zero complaints with my prototype set, not sure if I could go back to F4 or NFG after these. I'd try a set of the 97a out of curiosity, but right now the 95a is the truth for me.

From the reviews I’ve seen on here. I feel like 95a or 97a will be the Goldilocks wheel for me.  I’m excited to try them.

[FuzzGNU]

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Bones X Formula 95 and 97 now pushed until October.  V5 shape in the drop.

Source: Kam at SkateOne

[close]

Will more than likely try the 95 or 97a. Especially cause v5 is the best wheel shape.i debate on putting a counter sink on my f4 classics to try and mimic it.

[close]

The 95a are really good, zero complaints with my prototype set, not sure if I could go back to F4 or NFG after these. I'd try a set of the 97a out of curiosity, but right now the 95a is the truth for me.

I'm curious, were your prototypes with or without a core/hub?

With the hub the 95a were usable, but struggled with pebbles/cracks more than a typical wheel should. The 97a (with hub) struggled even worse. I would say my 97a were basically unusable outside of smooth spots due to how hard they were. Essentially a gimmick wheel (but really fun in the spots they did work). The 97a were probably the fastest wheel I've skated? Just not many spots I can skate them with around here. Weirdly enough they had an AMAZING revert/spin... but they really struggled with powerslides for some reason? Very strange.

If anyone wants to trade for my lightly used hubbed 54mm 95a and 97a prototypes, pop me a DM. I also have 52mm V2 (lock-ins) in 93a and 90a (both with cores) still in plastic that I would trade as well.

[Xen]

Let me get this straight, you are saying that the 95a and 97a are worse than a 'typical wheel' on cracks/pebbles?  What duro are these 'typical wheels'? 101/103?

That seems to be the exact opposite wanted result for a wheel whos whole existence is to make it easier to skate on rough terrain (let alone the feedback we're seeing from everyone but you).

Would you say the 101/03 would be just as 'unusable' at these spots your skating?

[FuzzGNU]

Let me get this straight, you are saying that the 95a and 97a are worse than a 'typical wheel' on cracks/pebbles?  What duro are these 'typical wheels'? 101/103?

That seems to be the exact opposite wanted result for a wheel whos whole existence is to make it easier to skate on rough terrain (let alone the feedback we're seeing from everyone but you).

Would you say the 101/03 would be just as 'unusable' at these spots your skating?

It's been a while since I've skated 103a at this point (it used to be my go-to), but the hubbed 95a feel like 101a or so? The hubbed 97a feel like 103a?

They don't reduce vibrations at all, they just let you maintain speed while those violent vibrations are happening.

The 95a are manageable... But the 97a (again with the hub) are a joke with how vulnerable they make you to pebbles and sidewalk cracks.

Most wheels "bounce" up cracks fairly easily (like F4 99a) but these "clack" on the cracks and you lose speed (or get ejected).

They maintain speed on streets with a rough TEXTURE... But not rough GEOMETRY... if that makes sense.

If you like 103a the 97a might work for you, but they vibrate like hell.

Maybe without the hub they won't be as extreme. I have high hopes for 95a without a hub... But doubt I could personally find a use for the 97a except as a "park only" wheel.

[tzhangdox]

I have the hubless v1 95as, and some really wide hubbed 95as, both 54mm and prototype. The hubbed 95as feel hard as fuck, like between an f4 99a and 101a. The hubless v1 95as feel similar to the production dragons, a bit quieter but pretty similar. All the same issues.

Put on my production coreless 95as today (didn't wanna push hard, tired) and had a weirdly good session. Had to put a strong layer of wax on the metal coping of the ledge, and waxed the top a bunch when I wanted to some blunt tricks. Still catches more than a hard wheel and have to push them differently especially for like reg/sw crook.

And also just gotta accept that long slappies are a bit more unpredictable and don't feel as good, but I have like ten slappy tricks that I do over and over again so its not like I'm being held back from trying a new learn and sticking.

For times like today when I didn't wanna deal with more pushing and rough ground... it was worth it.

Kam from powell said the preproduction 95a should be the same as the production 95a, but they feel basically super similar to the production 93as.... so not sure what the deal is there.

[FuzzGNU]

I have the hubless v1 95as, and some really wide hubbed 95as, both 54mm and prototype. The hubbed 95as feel hard as fuck, like between an f4 99a and 101a. The hubless v1 95as feel similar to the production dragons, a bit quieter but pretty similar. All the same issues.

Put on my production coreless 95as today (didn't wanna push hard, tired) and had a weirdly good session. Had to put a strong layer of wax on the metal coping of the ledge, and waxed the top a bunch when I wanted to some blunt tricks. Still catches more than a hard wheel and have to push them differently especially for like reg/sw crook.

And also just gotta accept that long slappies are a bit more unpredictable and don't feel as good, but I have like ten slappy tricks that I do over and over again so its not like I'm being held back from trying a new learn and sticking.

For times like today when I didn't wanna deal with more pushing and rough ground... it was worth it.

Kam from powell said the preproduction 95a should be the same as the production 95a, but they feel basically super similar to the production 93as.... so not sure what the deal is there.

Yeah maybe he's just not "in the know" on the specific small changes, because I have two 93a V6 56mm, one preproduction and one commercial release... And they have slightly different color, and the commercial release ones are definitely a bit faster.

The 95a sound promising from your description. Will have to eventually try those as well.

[LebowskisRug]

Wait I thought you said a few pages ago you tried the 95 and the 97 too?

[FuzzGNU]

Wait I thought you said a few pages ago you tried the 95 and the 97 too?

I've said it multiple times on THIS page, the 95a and 97a I have both have hubs (cores) in them, and skate pretty terribly. I have not skated 95a without cores: which people have said feel more like the 93a.

97a and 95a with hubs both majorly struggled with pebbles and sidewalk cracks. But it sounds like 95a without hub will be worth giving a chance to based on what I'm reading in here.

[LebowskisRug]

Got it, I couldn't keep it straight. Thought the 95 were all coreless like the ones I got.

I'm going to try my 93 again at a couple spots and make sure the wax is even.

[goodatmeth]

In case anybody in europe wants to get rid of their prototype wheels, I'm very interested.

Ideally 95a no cores, but I'd be down to try anything.

Sad about the october release, but very happy about the V5

[bbk]

I just bought the new ricta 95a shanahan wheels, I'll report back in a couple of weeks.

[tzhangdox]

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I have the hubless v1 95as, and some really wide hubbed 95as, both 54mm and prototype. The hubbed 95as feel hard as fuck, like between an f4 99a and 101a. The hubless v1 95as feel similar to the production dragons, a bit quieter but pretty similar. All the same issues.

Put on my production coreless 95as today (didn't wanna push hard, tired) and had a weirdly good session. Had to put a strong layer of wax on the metal coping of the ledge, and waxed the top a bunch when I wanted to some blunt tricks. Still catches more than a hard wheel and have to push them differently especially for like reg/sw crook.

And also just gotta accept that long slappies are a bit more unpredictable and don't feel as good, but I have like ten slappy tricks that I do over and over again so its not like I'm being held back from trying a new learn and sticking.

For times like today when I didn't wanna deal with more pushing and rough ground... it was worth it.

Kam from powell said the preproduction 95a should be the same as the production 95a, but they feel basically super similar to the production 93as.... so not sure what the deal is there.

[close]

Yeah maybe he's just not "in the know" on the specific small changes, because I have two 93a V6 56mm, one preproduction and one commercial release... And they have slightly different color, and the commercial release ones are definitely a bit faster.

The 95a sound promising from your description. Will have to eventually try those as well.

I marginally prefer my production 93as to my prototype 95as, purely for the slightly louder, some bark, if not for anything else. But I gave those away. Still the same opinion, but just was willing to deal with it given the circumstances. Think these are going to be a good "crust" and/or "tired" wheel. But not when I'm trying to learn new tricks or work on grinds/slides I don't have down very good.

I'm hoping the production 95s feel more like a proper hard wheel. If the 97s perform like a f4 99a, but are a tad more forgiving on soft ground, I'll be really hyped. Could totally see that being the case but won't find out for a while I guess

[Ok]

Hat off to the three posters that have made the last several pages an enjoyable read. I like opinions, too much group think with skateboard products.
(I’m part of the problem, I’ll stick with the f4s).

[Xen]

Here's another annoying paid for promotional dragons vids

[Xen]

I'm hoping the production 95s feel more like a proper hard wheel. If the 97s perform like a f4 99a, but are a tad more forgiving on soft ground, I'll be really hyped. Could totally see that being the case but won't find out for a while I guess

This is what I've been hoping for/saying all along only to have that concept get shit on in favor of the second coming of christ in 93a form because someone skates in a fucking rock quarry.