Wheels Thread

[rikki]

It's funny how for once something really lives up to its hype. Dragons are amazingly versatile wheels for pretty much anything that is not smooth concrete, as e.g. explained above. My local park has a lot of rough-ish asphalt, and I was powersliding my Dragons there the other day. A random gentleman came up to me and asked what wheels as I was using and was blown away by the fact I had 93s. He said he thought I was on 101s or something as my powerslides seemed impressive to him.

That said, a noticeable downside (yes, nothing is perfect) to Dragons is the stickiness to metal coping.

But as for e.g. Bones X97s vs. Dragons, for me the latter take the win hands down, there's really no contest.

[goodatmeth]

Is anybody here still riding 103a bones stf? I don't know where that's coming from but I'm somehow really in the mood to skate super hard wheels again. They obviously suck on skatelite and similar surfaces, but how bad is it really?
I don't want to have more than one setup, so if they're absolutely unrideable on skatelite I'd have to pass.

[FUBAR]

I’m REALLY leaning towards a set of Dragons for my neighborhood cruiser/curb spot board. Thanks for all the input on them! Prob not the green joints tho.

[rikki]

I’m REALLY leaning towards a set of Dragons for my neighborhood cruiser/curb spot board. Thanks for all the input on them! Prob not the green joints tho.

Pretty sure you won't be disappointed.

[144p]

I set up the nano cubics as the hype online and at my shop was next level so i wanted some perspective,
I have skated dragons extensively on all terrains and love them on the streets but at the parks they are just too slow/soft sounding. These sound closer to 99a wheels and still give me the same slide along with not feeling as slow as normal 52mm wheels. For reference i prefer the speed of 54-56 but they often feel heavy for flip tricks for my old legs.
I really like the edge of the wheels being out farther and protecting the nuts/axles.
I've been on them a few days and they feel great and I plan to keep skating them.
 

[rawbertson.]

my friend gave me some dragons where 1 wheel is significantly larger than the others... i can probably just set it up on the front right wheel and it should even out eventually... but wondering if anyone has any other suggestions on how i would equal it out? i dont really have any power tools besides a drill.

[skatebruh]

Put the larger wheel on your back heel for better lock-in on smith grinds.

[GetItStraitRideKrooked]

my friend gave me some dragons where 1 wheel is significantly larger than the others... i can probably just set it up on the front right wheel and it should even out eventually... but wondering if anyone has any other suggestions on how i would equal it out? i dont really have any power tools besides a drill.

I'd say put it on your back toe side and find a hill, then just fs powerslide until it wears down

[Samsquantch]

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

[bombsaway86]

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

I was a long time Speedlab rider for the same reason. The 57mm Bombshells were my favorite. They’re fast and grip well.

I’ve only briefly ridden the x97s on somebody else’s board, but they gripped well. They still have that soft feeling like dragons, but I think they’re fine for bowl riding

[schralp pal]

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

Cherrys
Smokebombs 56mm 99s
Felt softer than 99 and performed well on smooth concrete

[GetItStraitRideKrooked]

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

X97s could be what you're looking for. They make a 56mm conical full shape, I think it's called V6.

A couple vert dudes I know have been swearing by the X99s for slippery vert ramps and bowls too. Think they make a 56mm V6 in that too.

It's weird, I've got a set of both formulas and it seems like the X97s slide easier than the X99s

[Creachteach]

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

Sam, Sam, Sam. I know we aren’t the same person, but seriously. Did you just take my story?
I used to slam from slipping out in plywood ramps and bowls on Spit Radial F499A. Check my damn post history.
It’s uncanny.

I got on 56mm X97 V6, and so far, I really, really like them. They’re grippy enough on the plywood as I wanted. They don’t seem to collect dust like my SPFs. They take me to the indoor on shittier and nicer asphalt, and the worst kind of cobbled cement stones.
On the relatively nice concrete between the ramps and banks of the indoor they roll too silent, but I’ll take cause I can still slide whenever.

If you wanna save a buck I know OJ Elite Hardlines come in 56mm 99a, and they are a somewhat grippier 99 than F4s. It’s a good wide Conical full shape.

F4s can’t be a 99a if the spitfire Classic formula is 99a.

[iw0]

Expand Quote

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

[close]

Cherrys
Smokebombs 56mm 99s
Felt softer than 99 and performed well on smooth concrete

someone refresh my memory - cherrys are poured by acid or am i getting that wrong?

edit: found this

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Felt like changing something so I got some cherries 99 56mm classic shape.

F4s are pretty much the feeling of skateboarding to me, but these feel great enough to skate them down and get my moneys worth. Nice creamy color, feel softer than 99 f4s but they slide without too much effort.  not sure who pours them says made in USA

[close]

Man I really want to try some cherries. I’m curious but most seem to be 101 but I was curious about the slide on the 99 they have. I thought I read they was poured in TX. I could be wrong.

[close]

Poured out of aend industries in hutto Texas

[Samsquantch]

Thanks all!

And @Creachteach,  yeah, I'd say we definitely share the same taste in setups!

I wouldn't have thought 4mm of contact per wheel would make much difference but dang, those Radials seemed much slicker than my conical fulls. I'm most definitely also being a big pansy bit holy moly I slammed hard, completely knocked the wind out of myself, pulled my neck, lower back hurts, right hip still hurts, took a bunch of skin off my elbow, laying in the bottom of the bowl groaning... really don't want to do that again.

Unfortunately my locals are all sold out of 97a F4's but they do have X97's. No speedlab dealers locally but really intrigued by the Bombshells. Was also looking at 99a F4 Radial fulls or Lock in fulls or just another set of conical fulls,  but kind of want to try something new.

[chris.]

Hard and grippy is SML OG formula all day.

[Mbrimson88]

I set up the nano cubics as the hype online and at my shop was next level so i wanted some perspective,
I have skated dragons extensively on all terrains and love them on the streets but at the parks they are just too slow/soft sounding. These sound closer to 99a wheels and still give me the same slide along with not feeling as slow as normal 52mm wheels. For reference i prefer the speed of 54-56 but they often feel heavy for flip tricks for my old legs.
I really like the edge of the wheels being out farther and protecting the nuts/axles.
I've been on them a few days and they feel great and I plan to keep skating them.
 

I just set up some Spitfire Radial Full 97 duro 54 mm wheels - also have the 97 duro Classic 56 mm and Conical Full 54 mm size / shape wheels - mainly for a slippery new park in my area, so although they are almost silent on new bearings as well, they don't feel particularly slow and still do everything I would usually do on the normal 99 duro F4 wheels.

Curious if you had tried any F4 97 duro wheels in any shape / size and how they compare to those ones you have, especially these Radial Full 54 mm wheels which are symmetrical, but still cover the nuts just nicely.  Might be a little too much inside as I can see they reduce the hanger width considerably though.


When I tried them on a very slippery wood / skatelite type surface, they held up well too, but I can understand not everyone would find them to their tastes.

Thinking that would be good info for @Samsquantch and @Creachteach too.

[Mbrimson88]

.

To add to that, this is worth a look, even if most of you have already posted there or seen it:


Bones X formula thread

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=123816.150

Expand Quote

Anyone tried spitfire 97a and x97? I'm curious if I should try spitfires 97a option after my x97 are done.

[close]

I have both, and for me, the spits just feel  soft and a bit gummy. Like a basic 97a without any kind of other benefit.

X97 feel ‘lively’. To me they feel way faster (I think others have tested this), slide better, and just all round feel better.

The only downside to them (I’ve been told) is when they rub on unwaxed metal- the consensus is they are stickier.

But I don’t, and I really enjoy them.

[rikki]

I was a long time Speedlab rider for the same reason. The 57mm Bombshells were my favorite. They’re fast and grip well.

I’ve only briefly ridden the x97s on somebody else’s board, but they gripped well. They still have that soft feeling like dragons, but I think they’re fine for bowl riding

The X97s don't feel moderately as soft as Dragons. They def have more of a hard wheel feel.

[rikki]

Oh, and someone mentioned OJ Elite Hardline 99 – I second them being pretty awesome on plywood / slippery indoors as they do grip more than F4 99s but are still fast as. One of my favorite wheels for bowl riding.

[BALARGUE]

Have the Powell Nanocubics been discussed here ?



It was painful to watch the whole thing. It looks like Powell acknowledged the wide wheels trend and pushed it a little further and has a solution for these wide wheels making your hanger so tiny (radial full are too big for me).
With a new 97A Dragon formula.

Any feedback ?

[Steely Daniel]

I'm not fully sold on them. I'm certainly not trying to do coconut wheelies and don't want to skate anything below 54 mm. Plus you gotta ride em graphics out to utilize them properly from my understanding quickly skimming through that video. That being said at least it's just blue text and not some corny green dragon. And I did skate them for like 30 seconds on my friends board the other day and they felt okay but didn't do enough with them to form a proper opinion. Yet here am I still posting it... What  a bunch of wasted text

[Texas_Tone]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

[close]

Cherrys
Smokebombs 56mm 99s
Felt softer than 99 and performed well on smooth concrete

[close]

someone refresh my memory - cherrys are poured by acid or am i getting that wrong?

edit: found this

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Felt like changing something so I got some cherries 99 56mm classic shape.

F4s are pretty much the feeling of skateboarding to me, but these feel great enough to skate them down and get my moneys worth. Nice creamy color, feel softer than 99 f4s but they slide without too much effort.  not sure who pours them says made in USA

[close]

Man I really want to try some cherries. I’m curious but most seem to be 101 but I was curious about the slide on the 99 they have. I thought I read they was poured in TX. I could be wrong.

[close]

Poured out of aend industries in hutto Texas

[close]

I assume! I asked the cherries insta and they kinda danced around telling me. They said it was the same people that make autobahn, hazard, snot and some other bs, and then when I asked if it aend they just didn’t reply, so I assume it’s the same scooter wheel factory in hutto

[iw0]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Let's say a person was skating their new (but broken in) F4 99a Radials, slipped out in the bowl and slammed HARD, is now spooked, and is looking for something really grippy that still carries speed, in 55 to 57mm range, what would Pals recommend?

This person isn't super keen on SPF's, too hard outside of the park, or Dragons,  too soft and boring in the park.

Speedlabs? X97's? Bones shapes all have super narrow contact patches. Need GRIP!

[close]

Cherrys
Smokebombs 56mm 99s
Felt softer than 99 and performed well on smooth concrete

[close]

someone refresh my memory - cherrys are poured by acid or am i getting that wrong?

edit: found this

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Felt like changing something so I got some cherries 99 56mm classic shape.

F4s are pretty much the feeling of skateboarding to me, but these feel great enough to skate them down and get my moneys worth. Nice creamy color, feel softer than 99 f4s but they slide without too much effort.  not sure who pours them says made in USA

[close]

Man I really want to try some cherries. I’m curious but most seem to be 101 but I was curious about the slide on the 99 they have. I thought I read they was poured in TX. I could be wrong.

[close]

Poured out of aend industries in hutto Texas

[close]

[close]

I assume! I asked the cherries insta and they kinda danced around telling me. They said it was the same people that make autobahn, hazard, snot and some other bs, and then when I asked if it aend they just didn’t reply, so I assume it’s the same scooter wheel factory in hutto

ah bless, thank you for doing the legwork on that

[Samsquantch]

After much deliberation, went in a bit of a different direction...

I really like my F4 56mm Conical fulls,  and I've never had them slip out, so I went down to the local and grabbed spitfires widest wheels: 57mm lock in full. These things are beastly hunks of urethane, should be decent.

[Mbrimson88]

After much deliberation, went in a bit of a different direction...

I really like my F4 56mm Conical fulls,  and I've never had them slip out, so I went down to the local and grabbed spitfires widest wheels: 57mm lock in full. These things are beastly hunks of urethane, should be decent.

Going the full 40+ mm width wheels just works so well on wider trucks too.

I got the Radial Full 58 mm (which went to someone else) but then have the 54 mm on 149s and they just look a little big for the width of the truck and board, so I am thinking they will go on at least 159s or more likely 169s on something like your current setup.

Those Lock In Fulls really do look good and well sized on that setup!!!

[Samsquantch]

Expand Quote

After much deliberation, went in a bit of a different direction...

I really like my F4 56mm Conical fulls,  and I've never had them slip out, so I went down to the local and grabbed spitfires widest wheels: 57mm lock in full. These things are beastly hunks of urethane, should be decent.

[close]

Going the full 40+ mm width wheels just works so well on wider trucks too.

I got the Radial Full 58 mm (which went to someone else) but then have the 54 mm on 149s and they just look a little big for the width of the truck and board, so I am thinking they will go on at least 159s or more likely 169s on something like your current setup.

Those Lock In Fulls really do look good and well sized on that setup!!!

Thanks! I agree, love the look of this setup, the Radials weren't doing it for me.

Messing around on the front street and these things feel fantastic, I've never had more predictable powerslides. Board didn't feel like a total hog either, still ollied nice.

Headed to the park tomorrow morning. Be taking it easy though, back is still a bit buggered from slamming. 

Picked up some rails too

[bombsaway86]

I joined the old man club and impulsively bought some 58mm dragons. Skated them for the first time at Marginal Way and I was pretty impressed with them. They grip really well and I had no problem going as fast as I do on my F4s.

I also skated my driveway which is a crusty asphalt hill.  This was a blast because I could bomb the hill then power slide at the bottom with ease. It’s such a weird and fun feeling being able to power slide a soft wheel so well.

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

i was disgusted to see prod skating x formulas.......

[GS77]

Thought some of you may not have seen this and would be interested…

How stuff is made skateboard wheels.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2OeJdvl3fig&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY&feature=emb_logo