Wheels Thread

[skatebruh]

X97 for me was too sticky for ledge skating compared to X99 and too hard for cruising and downhill compared to 93a Dragons.

X99 is my favorite urethane right now.

[Boog]

I talked to whoever runs the Loophole insta a few weeks ago and they said they are going to be switching to a formula that is similar to the nfg formula they were using.

[Murge]

X99 is my favorite urethane right now.

Same here.

[Musicaldeath107]

I talked to whoever runs the Loophole insta a few weeks ago and they said they are going to be switching to a formula that is similar to the nfg formula they were using.

Interesting... Who else makes an NFG esque formula?
The Acid REM formula they are on is a very good wheel just very different than NFG

[Xen]

Gave the x99 a quick push around on a friends board today, so quiet and they handled the roughest part of the park with minimal slow down. Couldn't tell if they felt gummy and I was ghost popping or his Thunder were too loose for my liking, no slides too, but I must say I'm impressed.

How do the x97 compare to the x99? Aside from feeling softer, in theory.

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=123816.msg4043911#msg4043911

[Buster_Poosey]

Expand Quote

I talked to whoever runs the Loophole insta a few weeks ago and they said they are going to be switching to a formula that is similar to the nfg formula they were using.

[close]

Interesting... Who else makes an NFG esque formula?
The Acid REM formula they are on is a very good wheel just very different than NFG

Very possible Acid is working on a new formula

[iw0]

I talked to whoever runs the Loophole insta a few weeks ago and they said they are going to be switching to a formula that is similar to the nfg formula they were using.

wonderful news

[rawbertson.]

Now that the dust has cleared somewhat...
How many of you guys prefer Dragons / X Formula over F4?

[Samsquantch]

Now that the dust has cleared somewhat...
How many of you guys prefer Dragons / X Formula over F4?

Count me as one. Keep in mind that I'm older and won't be blowing any minds with my skillz, I just skate transition, curbs and smaller ledges.

Got both Dragons and X97's to try and didn't actually dig them that much at first. Found them weirdly quiet and they felt slower in the park, so went back to skating F4's. X Formula/Dragons were waaay nicer outside of the park, but I barely street skate so it was a non issue.

About a month ago I was bored and decided to try them both again. Not sure if it was breaking/wearing them in a bit more, or just getting use to them, but after a month of alternating between them, I don't see myself going back to F4's. X97's in particular are just the perfect wheel for me, no real speed penalty, more grip, more predictable slide, and now that I've really worn in the sidewalls I don't really get any sticking issues on coping. Someone on here called them "lively" and I think that tracks.

Dragons... a bit rubbery and a bit slower *feeling*, but I still seem to be able to carry speed fine and hit coping without pumping that much harder... they work really well too and I still have fun skating them.

I brought out the F4's again yesterday, and yeah, they're great, but almost felt glassy and skittish in comparison, and didn't really do anything better for me.

So yeah, at this point, X97's are my jam.

[rikki]

It's apples and oranges.

X97s and Dragons are a great, great addition to what's available on the market. Been loving both at my crusty street spots.

However, I don't see the point of switching to them from F4s in smooth concrete parks.

[Samsquantch]

However, I don't see the point of switching to them from F4s in smooth concrete parks.

Speaking for myself: Grip

[Murge]

I’m on X99s. At this point I have no reason to go back to F4. Monday when I was going in on my bushing madness I had a back up set up that had f4 conical on it. And they felt icy and I didn’t slide any easier on them. So until spitfire does something different or better I have no reason to switch. X99 feels like an F4 that skates crust better. I assume x97 handles crust better than x99 but for what I skate x99 works for me

[tzhangdox]

Still on f4s. Dragons and x97s ride nice, handle crust better and are easier on the legs. But something about the feedback of a hard wheel just still sounds and feels more "right" to me.

I skate mostly ledges, flatbars and curbs and all my tricks are just a tad more on point and consistent with f4s vs dragons/x97s... even if I wax up the obstacle plenty.

Even flatground, unless the ground is awful.

Do happily skate dragons some days when I'm feeling really dusted and just want to roll around easier/push less, and have low expectations though

[Samsquantch]

Do happily skate dragons some days when I'm feeling really dusted and just want to roll around easier/push less, and have low expectations though

Yep.

I'm kind of over going super hard and chasing every last bit of edge, my skate sessions are pretty chill and 98% in my comfort zone. Mostly just for fun and fitness. Switching back to the F4's the other day after a month on X Formula, I was surprised how (relatively) icy they felt, and that I needed to be just a bit more "on".

One other thing I've appreciated with the "softer" wheels, is that little bit of extra forgiveness they have getting on and off coping. It's subtle, and probably also helped by how round the V6's are, but you don't get that little moment of hangup I sometimes got with Conicals.

[bombsaway86]

I’ve had a “daily driver” setup and a crust/slippery park setup for a few years now. I switched from OJ nomads to dragons on the crust board almost two months ago. I rarely rode the crust board when it had OJs, but now I ride it a lot since switching to the dragons. I still prefer F4s on a smooth park, but I now use the dragons on parks where I might have still chosen to ride F4s over the OJs. I live in Washington where we have a lot of crusty old parks, so the dragons have been a game changer for me.

F4s and dragons each excel at something different, so you can’t really say one is better than the other. The winning move is to have a set of each so you can skate your best wherever you go.

I’ve been really impressed with the dragons. I didn’t want to like them because the association with old dudes riding Powell Peralta reissues, but they really are great. I’m definitely turning into the guy who encourages people to ride my board so they can experience them.

[LebowskisRug]

Expand Quote

Do happily skate dragons some days when I'm feeling really dusted and just want to roll around easier/push less, and have low expectations though

[close]

Yep.

I'm kind of over going super hard and chasing every last bit of edge, my skate sessions are pretty chill and 98% in my comfort zone. Mostly just for fun and fitness. Switching back to the F4's the other day after a month on X Formula, I was surprised how (relatively) icy they felt, and that I needed to be just a bit more "on".

One other thing I've appreciated with the "softer" wheels, is that little bit of extra forgiveness they have getting on and off coping. It's subtle, and probably also helped by how round the V6's are, but you don't get that little moment of hangup I sometimes got with Conicals.

That is likely due to the side profile, but Conicals also might lock in a bit better.

[Samsquantch]

I’ve been really impressed with the dragons. I didn’t want to like them because the association with old dudes riding Powell Peralta reissues, but they really are great. I’m definitely turning into the guy who encourages people to ride my board so they can experience them.

Haha, I can relate a bit too much...

I may not be the Powell reissue guy, but I've gravitated to pretty much exclusively skating a couple Black Label shaped decks, and I'm totally the guy tossing my board to anyone that shows interest. It's fun, I've a had a few of the young 8" deck, 52mm classics guys be like WTF!? This is amazing!

[tzhangdox]

Most of my friends and people I've let try my setup when I've ridden dragons have been pretty impressed. But also basically all of them were like "this is cool but I couldn't skate this on my normal board it would fuck with me too much, feels wrong, tricks and grinds feel a little off"

[Samsquantch]

Most of my friends and people I've let try my setup when I've ridden dragons have been pretty impressed. But also basically all of them were like "this is cool but I couldn't skate this on my normal board it would fuck with me too much, feels wrong, tricks and grinds feel a little off"

For sure, they're not the wheel I'd recommend for a "tech" skater, but it is fun when they see how good a big wide deck with softer wheels can feel for just carving around and hitting some slash grinds.

[Mbrimson88]

Expand Quote

Most of my friends and people I've let try my setup when I've ridden dragons have been pretty impressed. But also basically all of them were like "this is cool but I couldn't skate this on my normal board it would fuck with me too much, feels wrong, tricks and grinds feel a little off"

[close]

For sure, they're not the wheel I'd recommend for a "tech" skater, but it is fun when they see how good a big wide deck with softer wheels can feel for just carving around and hitting some slash grinds.

Probably said this before, but quite a few of the older guys (and some younger guys / kids too) have jumped on the Dragons and said they are perfect for them, usually as all rounders or for vert / big bowls as the vert ramps are usually metal and the new big bowls are quite slippery, so something like that is good for them, not slipping out and just enjoying the ride.

Not a lot of others have been that keen when people have tried each others boards - I have had a go on a couple of boards with them on - but they are a bit of an acquired taste too.

I have other similar feeling older sets of wheels on a couple of boards I skate on those metal / slippery ramps, but the Dragons do perform really well on the sort of places that more grip is needed, usually not really needing to slide a whole lot for most of the people who ride them, so I can easily see why they like them so much.


Some others are on the X97s and think they are the best for everything, so it is down to how much you want to slip and slide or grip and not slip out too.

[big_kev_215]

On a whim, I ordered the classic formula 51mm bighead shape wheels from the latest Spitfire drop.  I’ve been skating F4’s for basically the past three years.  Has anyone out there gone from F4 to classic formula wheels recently?  Was the difference that noticeable?

[mynameisnotjeff]

Not recently but 2 years ago I bought a set of 56mm from someone on here. They were grippier and a bit slower.

[rikki]

Expand Quote

However, I don't see the point of switching to them from F4s in smooth concrete parks.

[close]

Speaking for myself: Grip

I hear you – this is the only thing park-wise for me that might steer me towards the X97s once winter sets in and I have to hit the dusty indoors which can be super slippery. But as for good ol' outdoor concrete, I feel I don't need more grip compared to what F4 provides. Anything else feels kinda weird.

[rawbertson.]

On a whim, I ordered the classic formula 51mm bighead shape wheels from the latest Spitfire drop.  I’ve been skating F4’s for basically the past three years.  Has anyone out there gone from F4 to classic formula wheels recently?  Was the difference that noticeable?

yes there is a huge difference imo. the classic formula is kinda trash if you ask me... there is nothing special about it at all, feels like basically every other wheel on the market. F4 (from my perspective) was invented to compete with Bones STF to offer a slightly grippier, but still super slidey wheel for long powerslides / noseslides without needing so much wax.

that being said. some top pros actually PREFER the classic formula like Brian Anderson. if you want a way grippier wheel at a significantly cheaper price point, it is a solid option because the classic shape is amazing. he obviously donest have any issue with needing to get the wheels to slide...

[Frank and Fred]

On a whim, I ordered the classic formula 51mm bighead shape wheels from the latest Spitfire drop.  I’ve been skating F4’s for basically the past three years.  Has anyone out there gone from F4 to classic formula wheels recently?  Was the difference that noticeable?

Yeah and won’t do it again.

[yourbreakfsat]

On a whim, I ordered the classic formula 51mm bighead shape wheels from the latest Spitfire drop.  I’ve been skating F4’s for basically the past three years.  Has anyone out there gone from F4 to classic formula wheels recently?  Was the difference that noticeable?

They're slower and I flatspotted my set bad in the first hour, then again after a couple days. Deluxe does not cover flatspots on Spitfire classic formula wheels. Never getting them again.

[LebowskisRug]

They're the reason people used to call the brand "Shitfire"

[big_kev_215]

Alright, sounds like a made a disastrous drunk online purchase.  Can’t wait!

[macho taildrop]

Counterpoint: I like the classic formula. I think they perform better on crust, particularly in the smaller sizes. I prefer F4 but if they were to disappear I'd run classics. I only ever flatspotted 1 set of the several I've had in my life.

[AlumarX]

Alright, sounds like a made a disastrous drunk online purchase.  Can’t wait!

Honestly I enjoyed mine when I had it, right after FF Conical fulls. They are a fun wheel when the pavement is hot. They feel like slick tires lol

Powell sent me another dragon spare, god bless their souls. It is 1mm wider than the other 3 but who cares.