Wheels Thread

[FuzzGNU]

Because people keep asking a bunch of random wheel questions, I'll just rattle off what I know.

Spitfire -> Bones
Classic = V1
Tablets/Lock-Ins = V2
Classic Slim/Radial Slim = V3
Radial = V4
Conical = V5
Conical Full = V6

There are differences, but those are the ones to compare.

STF 99a WOULD be pretty great overall BUT the slide is so abysmal, unreliable, and honestly dangerous, that I say avoid them at all costs. Apparently the old bright white ones used to slide great? But the natural color ones they make now are unskateable for me. I would probably wait for the Bones 95a/97a wheels to come out if you're really curious about something like STF 99a. It really shocks me whenever I see or hear a pro riding STF 99a. My experience was truly awful in terms of the slide randomly going from extremely sticky to zero friction at all.

I love a Conical Full, but I've literally only skated the F4s in 101 and 97. I've got my 101s worn down from 54 to probably ~50mm now, so I'll probably want some freshies soon - should I fuck with 99a? I almost have a hard time believing there would be a noticeable difference between 101 and 99.

F4 99a are a lot more fun than F4 97a in my opinion, but definitely will struggle with the really crusty spots unlike 97a. They slide A LOT better than 97a from my experience. If you're doing typical street skating at some relatively clean spots, they are some of the best ~99a range wheel you can get alongside Dragon 93a (which feel somewhere in between those two wheels to me).

I haven't skated F4 101a, but F4 99a are definitely a more appropriate wheel for any slight crust than say STF 103a or OJ Elite 101a are. I definitely recommend them to take the edge off, but don't expect to be able to skate to and from every spot with them like you can with F4 97a... but once you're at the spot, you will be glad you're not on F4 97a anymore IMO.

[mj23]

Clayton Graul did a little review of the Powell dragon formula on his ig

http://www.instagram.com/reel/ChT0udeAeiK/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

This guy has made a ton of fun DIYs around LA and he isn’t some YouTuber kook. His basic takeaway is that the dragons work great as a cruiser wheel that can actually slide, but they aren’t going to magically replace most serious street or transition skaters’ current favorites

[LebowskisRug]

I find that the wheel shape really effects F4 performance on certain ground types. I loved 54 conical fulls and OG classics when I commuted and hit a few pretty gnarly spots. While not the same diameter 52-53 Classics were definitely more harsh and would slow over really bad crumble.

Right now I have 54 Classic Fulls worn down to 52. They're 34 wide, 22.5 contact patch and kinda like a slightly worn Radial. Basically a perfect wheel.

[BMCsteve]

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

[GardenSkater77]

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

Temperature can be a factor with soft wheels also. I did notice that I could push my bearings in with my thumb and that is not a great start for new wheels. Now I am running my wheels with less play in the axel than I like, but hopefully the bearings won’t shift.

[BMCsteve]

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Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

[close]

Temperature can be a factor with soft wheels also. I did notice that I could push my bearings in with my thumb and that is not a great start for new wheels. Now I am running my wheels with less play in the axel than I like, but hopefully the bearings won’t shift.

Good point about the temperature.  It was in the low 90's out when this happened.  I'll continue skating them to see if this keeps happening

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

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All this dragon talk got me on some V3 STF’s…..

[close]

Been on some V2s since they are nearly identical (just a tad slimmer) to radial slims - which until today were hard as fuck to find and I am pretty sure will continue to be - and a set of V5s. Fucking love that shape.

I find I blunt slide better on 103 STFs than 101 F4s ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I always thought the tablets were the same no?  That’s why I always liked v2’s because they look like tablets.  I got v3’s because I figure they will wear down nicely into just really small wheels…

[manysnakes]

Expand Quote

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

[close]

Temperature can be a factor with soft wheels also. I did notice that I could push my bearings in with my thumb and that is not a great start for new wheels. Now I am running my wheels with less play in the axel than I like, but hopefully the bearings won’t shift.

This is very true. My 97a Spitfires would become super mushy feeling (more so than they already did) at any temperature over ~80°f, and god help you if they get wet. On the other hand, skating on a 40°F day and they could actually bark on skatepark concrete.

[Xen]

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All this dragon talk got me on some V3 STF’s…..

[close]

Been on some V2s since they are nearly identical (just a tad slimmer) to radial slims - which until today were hard as fuck to find and I am pretty sure will continue to be - and a set of V5s. Fucking love that shape.

I find I blunt slide better on 103 STFs than 101 F4s ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[close]

I always thought the tablets were the same no?  That’s why I always liked v2’s because they look like tablets.  I got v3’s because I figure they will wear down nicely into just really small wheels…

Yeah, they are super close, V2s have a more rounded lip like the Radial slim and height being equal (52mm), a smaller riding surface than either tablet or RSlim. 52 V2/V3 are identical width and contact, just different lip.

The Ricta Nyjal Super Slim is still [was] the best. Slimmer than all of the above in all aspects. Shame they're gone for good since he's not on the team anymore/the ricta super slim natural isn't the same as the nyjal.

[fakiefs180]

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

Do you use spacers in these wheels?

Sometimes the spacers can be too long which then cause the bearings to shift and your wheels getting stuck over time. Just my experience with other softer wheels.

[BMCsteve]

Expand Quote

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

[close]

Do you use spacers in these wheels?

Sometimes the spacers can be too long which then cause the bearings to shift and your wheels getting stuck over time. Just my experience with other softer wheels.

No spacers because having previously used them in other wheels, I experienced the same issue.  Wheel tolerances are terrible so spacers rarely work as intended

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

[close]

Do you use spacers in these wheels?

Sometimes the spacers can be too long which then cause the bearings to shift and your wheels getting stuck over time. Just my experience with other softer wheels.

The bearings can definitely move, even with spacers. but tightened down will not move as much.  I normally have a lot of play in my wheels, but some like that set, I had to have almost no play and make sure the spacers were a good length too.

I had some softer Spitfire wheels that I rode on a slippery ramp I used to skate all the time.  Whenever I did certain tricks like pushed hard into smith grinds, that pressure on the wheel would push it off center on the bearings, which took me a bit to work out, but after every run, I would push and pull the wheels to get the bearings back in to where they were supposed to be to get them freely spinning again.

That overall was such a pain, but I got used to doing it after a while, so it was not too bad.  Have a run, stop, push and pull (click click) and have another run.

When I had the chance to change wheels, I never looked back though.



* Re spacers, I almost forgot, but I found with some brands, I could tighten the nuts down equally on both sides, then tighten it another half turn or so which crushed the spacers in a bit, which made them fit in the wheels better.  Not recommended for any and every situation (as I could see bearings being crushed too) but it did work when there was too much length in the spacers and they fit better as a result.

I used to do that to even up axle slip on older trucks, which was a common problem once, so just happened on it by mistake really, but it worked.

[Banned from the room]

i likely got in the habit of spacers sometime in the 92-97a era. late 80s. i never had a wheel kick the bearings out till the late 90s. i seen it happen extreamly bad to the homie. all four Omar OJ sigs would push out. if you tried to tighten the axles the wheels wouldn't roll. he road them for like 2 years anyway. loose and funny looking

[rocklobster]

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All this dragon talk got me on some V3 STF’s…..

[close]

Been on some V2s since they are nearly identical (just a tad slimmer) to radial slims - which until today were hard as fuck to find and I am pretty sure will continue to be - and a set of V5s. Fucking love that shape.

I find I blunt slide better on 103 STFs than 101 F4s ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[close]

I always thought the tablets were the same no?  That’s why I always liked v2’s because they look like tablets.  I got v3’s because I figure they will wear down nicely into just really small wheels…

[close]

Yeah, they are super close, V2s have a more rounded lip like the Radial slim and height being equal (52mm), a smaller riding surface than either tablet or RSlim. 52 V2/V3 are identical width and contact, just different lip.

The Ricta Nyjal Super Slim is still [was] the best. Slimmer than all of the above in all aspects. Shame they're gone for good since he's not on the team anymore/the ricta super slim natural isn't the same as the nyjal.

Have you tried Satori? They have some very skinny wheels, with a narrow contact patch.

[CaptainCheeks]

Looks like Nick Boserio is testing the OG combo shape in 56 mm with same width and contact patch as the 60mm hopefully OJ makes enough because these would be a fun set of wheels to skate

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

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

Maybe that’s why they ran the test ones with cores?  Not sure why they would switch back if this is an issue.  Bones historically have the most accurate cores but maybe with the new formula there is some give….

[saltusnaut]

Looks like Nick Boserio is testing the OG combo shape in 56 mm with same width and contact patch as the 60mm hopefully OJ makes enough because these would be a fun set of wheels to skate

the graphic clearly says 60mm.
Maybe they're 56mm wide?

[TwisT]

Expand Quote

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Expand Quote

All this dragon talk got me on some V3 STF’s…..

[close]

Been on some V2s since they are nearly identical (just a tad slimmer) to radial slims - which until today were hard as fuck to find and I am pretty sure will continue to be - and a set of V5s. Fucking love that shape.

I find I blunt slide better on 103 STFs than 101 F4s ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[close]

I always thought the tablets were the same no?  That’s why I always liked v2’s because they look like tablets.  I got v3’s because I figure they will wear down nicely into just really small wheels…

[close]

Yeah, they are super close, V2s have a more rounded lip like the Radial slim and height being equal (52mm), a smaller riding surface than either tablet or RSlim. 52 V2/V3 are identical width and contact, just different lip.

The Ricta Nyjal Super Slim is still [was] the best. Slimmer than all of the above in all aspects. Shame they're gone for good since he's not on the team anymore/the ricta super slim natural isn't the same as the nyjal.

[close]

Have you tried Satori? They have some very skinny wheels, with a narrow contact patch.

The satori’s felt soft for 101s. They’re fine, but personally didn’t find the slide as smooth as a 99f4 or bones 99, but they rolled on the DIY ground well enough.

Crupie also has some very slim wheels but they are prone to flat spot.

[CaptainCheeks]

Expand Quote

Looks like Nick Boserio is testing the OG combo shape in 56 mm with same width and contact patch as the 60mm hopefully OJ makes enough because these would be a fun set of wheels to skate

[close]

the graphic clearly says 60mm.
Maybe they're 56mm wide?

Nall messaged him they are gonna be 56 mm also if you zoom in they drew a 56 on the wheel they just reused the graphic

[saltusnaut]

Ok then

[Esquivel]

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

I used to have this problem really bad with bones wheels (V1, V3) and this is why I switched to F4s. With the bones, it would get to the point that after 1-2 months of skating the bering seats where so slack that when I took the wheel off the truck, the bearings would fall out of the wheel without any force- just by tipping the wheel sideways. I have been getting this issue with F4 radial slims and classics, though not to the same extent as with bones, but it will still happen at least twice every session. My theory is that they (the manufacturers) make the bearing seats too loose to start with (to make things easier for when the user sets their wheels up) and that makes it more prone for the bearing to begin slipping. Once it begins to slip, it only gets worse with time. I used to really like the classic formula wheels from back in the day (minus the flatspotting) when the bearings used to be a nightmare to insert or take out of the wheel. I believe that this is how all wheels should be made. If someone is a child or generally too weak to insert their bearings in their wheels they can always ask their parents or a stronger friend to do it for them.
I found that if I use a cloth to wipe the oil off the outer surfaces of new bearings, the lateral shift takes longer to start happening.

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

Cross post from the other Dragons thread to see if I'm the only one experiencing this -

After a 3 hour session, it seemed like I was having to push more or the wheels just weren’t as fast.

The bearings were shifting around slightly and causing my wheels to get tight.  I would have to use my thumbs to push the outside of the wheel against the hanger or axle nut in order to get them seated and spinning correctly.

I’ve only had this issue with Radial Slims previously.  I’m not sure if it’s a bearing seat issue or how soft the wheels are.

Anyone else had this happen?

[close]

I used to have this problem really bad with bones wheels (V1, V3) and this is why I switched to F4s. With the bones, it would get to the point that after 1-2 months of skating the bering seats where so slack that when I took the wheel off the truck, the bearings would fall out of the wheel without any force- just by tipping the wheel sideways. I have been getting this issue with F4 radial slims and classics, though not to the same extent as with bones, but it will still happen at least twice every session. My theory is that they (the manufacturers) make the bearing seats too loose to start with (to make things easier for when the user sets their wheels up) and that makes it more prone for the bearing to begin slipping. Once it begins to slip, it only gets worse with time. I used to really like the classic formula wheels from back in the day (minus the flatspotting) when the bearings used to be a nightmare to insert or take out of the wheel. I believe that this is how all wheels should be made. If someone is a child or generally too weak to insert their bearings in their wheels they can always ask their parents or a stronger friend to do it for them.
I found that if I use a cloth to wipe the oil off the outer surfaces of new bearings, the lateral shift takes longer to start happening.

It shouldn't matter in the slightest, but I found some bearing brands have a tendency to slip out a whole lot more easily than some others.

Just curious what you are running in your wheels?

All the same brand of bearings, or have you had multiple sets of bearings do the same thing?

[Esquivel]

^It has happened with bones swiss (normal ones & super 6), bones reds, spitfire cheapshots, and my friend had the same issue with bronsons. He could spin the wheel with the bearing staying stationary and the wheel spinning around the bearing. It has happened in hot and cold weather, and I have been having this issue since around 2010. So it has been happening on different ground, different conditions as I travel a lot, and on multiple sets of wheels.
I also forgot to say that I don't go mad on the powerslides and that when the bearings slip it is usually after bailing a trick and the board goes tumbling around. Very strange thing..

[Xen]

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All this dragon talk got me on some V3 STF’s…..

[close]

Been on some V2s since they are nearly identical (just a tad slimmer) to radial slims - which until today were hard as fuck to find and I am pretty sure will continue to be - and a set of V5s. Fucking love that shape.

I find I blunt slide better on 103 STFs than 101 F4s ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[close]

I always thought the tablets were the same no?  That’s why I always liked v2’s because they look like tablets.  I got v3’s because I figure they will wear down nicely into just really small wheels…

[close]

Yeah, they are super close, V2s have a more rounded lip like the Radial slim and height being equal (52mm), a smaller riding surface than either tablet or RSlim. 52 V2/V3 are identical width and contact, just different lip.

The Ricta Nyjal Super Slim is still [was] the best. Slimmer than all of the above in all aspects. Shame they're gone for good since he's not on the team anymore/the ricta super slim natural isn't the same as the nyjal.

[close]

Have you tried Satori? They have some very skinny wheels, with a narrow contact patch.

[close]

The satori’s felt soft for 101s. They’re fine, but personally didn’t find the slide as smooth as a 99f4 or bones 99, but they rolled on the DIY ground well enough.

Crupie also has some very slim wheels but they are prone to flat spot.

Yeah, creative/mearthane gets a full pass from me...everything is grippy, soft and just sort of meh.

[dmtr]

 If I can blame my setup for my lack of skill, I always will.
So I just switched out my Spitfire classic shape 54 mm wheels for the dragons 54 mm and skated for 2 hours in a concrete skatepark.

They ride very smooth and silent, and they have like a spongy/bouncy feel to them.
Other than that, I have nothing to say about them. Didn’t even think of doing powerslides, cause I’m not doing them with my spitfires if I don’t have to…landed nothing but some ollies and a shove-it.

Point is, while my reply is totally useless… they are just fine wheels. Just like the spits but different. I really should stop buying new shit and focus more on skating. They are just wheels… and I didn’t skate better. Leaves me wondering how good some people must be to actually promote/bash new products.

But hey, I’m also an adult and spending money on toys is fun. Now I have 2 sets of totally fine wheels. I just ordered new trucks btw,so I can set up 2 boards. Cause…it was probably the indys that didnt match the dragons very well. Once I get my new Thunders and pair ‘em with the Dragons… oooh boi.

[LebowskisRug]

Dude, don't do Thunders and Dragons. I ride Thunders and have adapted to the lack of baseplate, but got fucking bucked on my Dragons when I got a bit lazy and didn't lift my tail as high on a nose slide at the skatepark. It was my first hit of the tall box for the day and rightfully put me in my place.

Also, if you want to believe the internet you can't ride crust, wheels over 50mm, and carve transition on Thunders and their kingpin is going to impale you.

[CaptainCheeks]

Looks like im wrong nick said oj wont make em he made em custom

[beandemon]

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Looks like Nick Boserio is testing the OG combo shape in 56 mm with same width and contact patch as the 60mm hopefully OJ makes enough because these would be a fun set of wheels to skate

[close]

the graphic clearly says 60mm.
Maybe they're 56mm wide?

[close]

Nall messaged him they are gonna be 56 mm also if you zoom in they drew a 56 on the wheel they just reused the graphic

Have some Orange 56 95a mini combos from a few years ago. Same shape as a 56mm slime ball. Good wheel, for sure. Curious about about the round instead of cross shaped innermost hole. That’s usually on the US made NHS wheels, whereas the squarish cross ones are China.

[Mbrimson88]

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Looks like Nick Boserio is testing the OG combo shape in 56 mm with same width and contact patch as the 60mm hopefully OJ makes enough because these would be a fun set of wheels to skate

[close]

the graphic clearly says 60mm.
Maybe they're 56mm wide?

[close]

Nall messaged him they are gonna be 56 mm also if you zoom in they drew a 56 on the wheel they just reused the graphic

[close]

Have some Orange 56 95a mini combos from a few years ago. Same shape as a 56mm slime ball. Good wheel, for sure. Curious about about the round instead of cross shaped innermost hole. That’s usually on the US made NHS wheels, whereas the squarish cross ones are China.

I thought I saw somewhere that they still make limited runs of the OG 95a and 97a wheels with the same compound in the same molds and even the same dudes making them as they did way back in the day, but only for those special edition wheels now, with everything else including all the new normal 60mm Slimeballs and Elites being made in China.

They might be some of those ones.


Like this:


https://www.nativeskatestore.co.uk/skateboards-c7/skateboard-wheels-c8/ojii-elite-combo-95a-white-skateboard-wheels-60mm-p16656






Was this what you had:


https://www.nativeskatestore.co.uk/skateboards-c7/skateboard-wheels-c8/ojii-elite-mini-combo-95a-orange-skateboard-wheels-56mm-p38333

[dmtr]

Dude, don't do Thunders and Dragons. I ride Thunders and have adapted to the lack of baseplate, but got fucking bucked on my Dragons when I got a bit lazy and didn't lift my tail as high on a nose slide at the skatepark. It was my first hit of the tall box for the day and rightfully put me in my place.

Also, if you want to believe the internet you can't ride crust, wheels over 50mm, and carve transition on Thunders and their kingpin is going to impale you.

Ha, thanks for the heads up!