Wheels Thread

[WashingtonNECKTIE]

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I cant explain it and don't have any good reason, but something about the shape of the nano cubics deeply offends me

[close]

Then you're effectively hating on 40 years of skateboarding history. The cubic shape is classic, and was a really important wheel for the progression of street, slappies, and more technical transition skating.

they can perform all the better but I'm not putting them on my set-up.
im glad they were used to get to this point, but they don't look good imo. superficial i know, but there's at least two other posters that have said similar about the shape

plus, i'm not really "progress(ing) street, slappies, and more technical transition skating" - I'm riding the wheels I like

[DERBY]

the dragons look like they’ve gotta nice shape but i refuse to ride them after hearing “george powell reinvented the wheel 🤪” one too many times. like that shit wasn’t even clever

[WashingtonNECKTIE]

Maybe unpopular, but i think "hybrid" wheels are a needless compromise.

if they fit your bag, awesome, I won't talk shit on things that work. But for me, I want them shits hard as fuck for park, and I've been liking Radial Fulls - 97a 56mm F4s for street, but any other set-up is gonna be soft wheels exclusively. Guess I'm in a min-max kind of mindset on wheels.

[dr.prestige]

the dragons look like they’ve gotta nice shape but i refuse to ride them after hearing “george powell reinvented the wheel 🤪” one too many times. like that shit wasn’t even clever

ok well i can understand annoying marketing turning you off to things but you're missing out on some actually great urethane

[And_so_it_goes22]

the dragons look like they’ve gotta nice shape but i refuse to ride them after hearing “george powell reinvented the wheel 🤪” one too many times. like that shit wasn’t even clever

Yeah, and he also brought us treasured gifts such as Boneite and rat nuts.  No one takes that shit seriously so who cares?

 If you’re going to throw brands out of the boat based on one terrible ad / marketing puffery, I’m kind of curious what companies are left. 

[yourbreakfsat]

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the dragons look like they’ve gotta nice shape but i refuse to ride them after hearing “george powell reinvented the wheel 🤪” one too many times. like that shit wasn’t even clever

[close]

ok well i can understand annoying marketing turning you off to things but you're missing out on some actually great urethane

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

Powell has arguably done more with urethane than any other company/person, so if you invented the wheel....when you re-invent it....make there is something to it...

[logjammin]

Formula fours even at a 97a need to be 56mm+ to actually handle some supercrust and it's still pretty rough. Dragons at any size can go anywhere and stop your teeth from rattling and powerslide like you're on some F4's or whatever. Had enough wheel madness to try a lot of different sizes and companies in softer durometers and they can't touch the formula. Powell/Skate One lacks in cool guy points severely, but they put out quality stuff, period. If Powell made the sapphires and Spitfire made the dragons, they'd be the shit even more.

[Banned from the room]

The dragons are ok. Sometimes I hate um.

The rat Bones 2 shape feels like rollerblading wheels.
You ever do that? It's fun af

[rikki]

On a side note, the X97s just get better and better the more one skates 'em. I prefer them over Dragons for a more lively and "real wheel" feel.

Can't wait to test the X99s soon.

[Lessfillingtastegreat]

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the dragons look like they’ve gotta nice shape but i refuse to ride them after hearing “george powell reinvented the wheel 🤪” one too many times. like that shit wasn’t even clever

[close]

Yeah, and he also brought us treasured gifts such as Boneite and rat nuts.  No one takes that shit seriously so who cares?

 If you’re going to throw brands out of the boat based on one terrible ad / marketing puffery, I’m kind of curious what companies are left.

ACID PLY

[Creachteach]

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I have a sort of simulator question.

I’m putting together a new small setup.
For that I’m looking at 52 mm Bones wheels.
As I see it I have 3 options.

1. STF99A V4 - on clearance. Saves the money. And is wide enough to have grip.

2. X97 V5. Saves weight. Provides grip from lower duro. Cost more than twice of STF. Jaws put out eyeball graphic.

3. PP && nano cubics. Sure is wide and grippy. Costs even more than x97.

WWYD?

[close]

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probably already been asked buuuuuuuut: what’s better for adverse riding surfaces, wide and short, or tall and narrow?

[close]

Definitely go wide over narrow wheel contact patch when it comes to chunky/rough concrete. I find a wider wheel rolls much smoother over the rough stuff than a narrow wheel of the same duro/same mm diameter.

[close]

This response should help with your decision making.

I'd avoid the 99a (formerly known as Easy Streets) because of how slow and sticky they feel. If you're skating spots that are smooth they will hold up fine, and I'm a sucker for a good deal, but if you're dealing with any crust and money is available then I'd go for the X97. Bones finally gave Spitfire some legitimate competition with their new 93 / 97 / 99a, plus the V5 is a versatile wheel being a slimmer conical shape.

Can't speak for Nano Cubics but I don't like the shape and how they'd look on my deck.

I’m not going to skate super crust on 52s. I know some guys like to, but I already fall too much as is. 

I already own STF 99a 54mm V6 and X97 56mm V6, but both sets are too big for the Thunder 149 lights I copped for the tech setup.
I adore the V6 shape, but they don’t come in smaller diameters.

The nano cubics are somewhat enticing, but I’m not so sure about me liking that they’re asymmetric.
I mostly skate relatively smooth Crete but also wooden ramps, and I already know STF99 being wide enough will grip, and X97 too. But I’m not too sure about the skinnier tyres I’m looking at.
X97 V5 52mm has 14,5mm patch
And STF V4 52 has 17.

If anyone happens to be curious as to what 53mm Dragons in V4 shape look like up close, here are some (not the best quality) pictures of a set next to some slightly worn Spitfire Classic 97d 53mm. The yellow Enuff truck is used as my tool to get bearings and spacers on/off btw!
My digital callipers aren't working at the moment so just going off the printed/manual scale on the side of them they measure slightly over advertised at what looks like 53.5mm diameter, compared to the Spitfires that are now measuring 52.5mm (they're now slightly worn down of course). If I remember correctly the Spitfires were more or less bang on 53mm diameter when new.
Width-wise the Dragons look like they're around about 34.5mm (they're advertised at 34mm wide).
I weighed them at 36G each minus bearings and spacers.
P.S. The millimetre measurements are approximate of course so please bear that in mind! They certainly feel/seem a fair bit chunkier than the Spitfires and I look forward to wearing them in a bit to get that glassy finish off them.
Cheers all

That V4 shape ain’t half bad tho. Looks pretty close to spit classic shape. Little thicker.

[Nymphicus hollandicus]

That V4 shape ain’t half bad tho. Looks pretty close to spit classic shape. Little thicker.

Definitely chunkier for sure. I rode some V4 54mm STF 99a's over a year ago and thought that for a firm wheel they were decent for just rolling about and fairly forgiving on moderately rough surfaces (I didn't try any sliding on them at the time so couldn't vouch for them in that regard).
Gutted I've not been able to try out these new Dragons just yet, its been raining for the past few days so I'm just waiting for things to dry out (a few bits I've read on them suggest that they're not very good in wet/damp conditions).

[rikki]

Bones V5 is pretty much the perfect shape. Not too slim, not too wide. Having them in now both X97s and X99s should cater for my appetite for Spitfire Radial Slims which seem to be nonexistent these days, at least if you want them in 54/55mms.

[Xen]

That's the beauty of x97/99s, you can skate crust with a small wheel with no issues.

Once I tried the x99s I've not gone back to dragons/x97 or stf/spit 99s for out in the wild, real world street skating (especially skating spot to spot) it's a no compromise wheel.

If I was a park rat it'd be 101s all day - probably SPFs or OJ elite hardlines; plaza skating? 101 spits or 103 stfs..

These days I find zero need for 99a stf or spits (looks over at that box of 99a spits).

Nano cubics? Meh....I'll pass for now, but I DO like the increase hanger room concept...but have no issue with axles as I run washer to net flushness and they're not gonna help landing primo...only primo tricks...which only a few are doing these days...wonder if mullen is checking them out.

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

Yeah that seems like a great application of the wheel.  If I skated DIY’s or crusty parks I’d roll with something bigger but for curbs or small street stuff the 99’s in a smaller size seems like something I’d run.  That said, I skate mostly newer parks so I see no need…..

When I hear skaters tell me how slippery wheels are in newer parks, for the most part I dismiss it because eventually you get used to it and a hard wheel work….

I am somewhat sympathetic to those who say super hard smaller wheels are harder to skate in the streets……

[LebowskisRug]

Personally I don't see a need for 101 Spits and will likely go back to my 99 in a wider shape. I never found a huge difference between 99 and 101 and even at some smoother spots just preferred the slight bit of extra grip of the 99. Although it seems counterintuitive my 101s seemed to wear faster.

I'm messing with the X99 again for a specific rough park to re-learn more transition skills and seeing how I like them at curb spots. Its petty, but I still don't like the way they feel reverting or just the sound. Maybe the hollow axle/kingpin combo accentuates the sound? I swear that for some reason they seem harder to break into a slide than my Dragons and 97s were, but maybe they need to wear in? They're definitely faster in the V5/53 shape than my 52 Classics, but I think my Radial 53s are on par. The v5 shape is absolutely great and the closest shape I have found to the much vaunted grail Spitfire Classic Full that they rarely make and I keep on ice perpetually as I know they will be the last pair of that shape I will get to skate and I'm weird.

I've skated them at a much smoother park and they're pretty close to my 99 F4 52mm Classics. The difference is likely negligible and comes down to preference. It could be in my head, but it feels like they slide fine on waxed coping, but if there is a dry spot or at the end of say a crook when the grind slows down they slow a bit faster and I have to mildly adjust timing popping out. At one park on transition you can hear them squeal on the coping at the end of a grind. I have found on hurricanes that I tend to scoop with my back foot and slide the rear truck into the stall/grind, which takes a bit more work on these. At a red curb spot that is quite chunky they've been a bit challenging with Ventures (thanks to the rough grind and sticky paint), but ultimately being able to learn how to adjust my skating has been beneficial skills-wise.

TL;DR- I think I prefer the sound and feel of what I am used to, which is 99 F4 as I am not as picky about wheels in general, but I do think the X99 are the closest of this new Powell/Bones formula to what I would likely want to ride. With Dragons or X97 I found myself wanting to switch wheels between spots/types of skating but with these I could definitely leave them on

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

I couldn’t agree with you more….it’s all very nuanced…..I think even the sounds or lack there of affects your pop. 

[Banned from the room]

Personally I don't see a need for 101 Spits and will likely go back to my 99 in a wider shape. I never found a huge difference between 99 and 101 and even at some smoother spots just preferred the slight bit of extra grip of the 99. Although it seems counterintuitive my 101s seemed to wear faster.

I'm messing with the X99 again for a specific rough park to re-learn more transition skills and seeing how I like them at curb spots. Its petty, but I still don't like the way they feel reverting or just the sound. Maybe the hollow axle/kingpin combo accentuates the sound? I swear that for some reason they seem harder to break into a slide than my Dragons and 97s were, but maybe they need to wear in? They're definitely faster in the V5/53 shape than my 52 Classics, but I think my Radial 53s are on par. The v5 shape is absolutely great and the closest shape I have found to the much vaunted grail Spitfire Classic Full that they rarely make and I keep on ice perpetually as I know they will be the last pair of that shape I will get to skate and I'm weird.

I've skated them at a much smoother park and they're pretty close to my 99 F4 52mm Classics. The difference is likely negligible and comes down to preference. It could be in my head, but it feels like they slide fine on waxed coping, but if there is a dry spot or at the end of say a crook when the grind slows down they slow a bit faster and I have to mildly adjust timing popping out. At one park on transition you can hear them squeal on the coping at the end of a grind. I have found on hurricanes that I tend to scoop with my back foot and slide the rear truck into the stall/grind, which takes a bit more work on these. At a red curb spot that is quite chunky they've been a bit challenging with Ventures (thanks to the rough grind and sticky paint), but ultimately being able to learn how to adjust my skating has been beneficial skills-wise.

TL;DR- I think I prefer the sound and feel of what I am used to, which is 99 F4 as I am not as picky about wheels in general, but I do think the X99 are the closest of this new Powell/Bones formula to what I would likely want to ride. With Dragons or X97 I found myself wanting to switch wheels between spots/types of skating but with these I could definitely leave them on

I love the 101 but yeah I agree 99 definitely sounds better.

My 101s are faster that's about it.

I'd sell a soul (not mine) for a 58-60mm 101a F4 in the og shape.

In fuckin ORANGE!

In my opinion orange is the best wheel colour. Unfortunately I'm sure if want big ass orange wheels I gotta do Speed wheels and I'm addicted to F4/ bones park formula too.

I been riding the dragons because I have no wheels bigger than 54. I like them but it's moist out here almost everyday now. Massachusetts is turning into Florida. Not even slowly either.

I was about to post a long hopper post complaint till I saw your post and my delivery arrived from orchard.

I fuckin love my shop. I was thinking horrendous stuff and they and you pals pulled me back in.

That wheels thing and all my friends are dying. My family's triple funeral is eating me up.

I gotta get to the curb. Hopefully I'm not too old for these dragons. I feel like these was designed for people who are new to eating shit.

Anyway I was thinking of getting rid of some old nos 7.5-7.75 stage 7s and maybe I'd get rid of the old 30 whatever mm buttered tablets I got.

If anyone has some old 58-60mm og classic F4 I'd trade in a heartbeat. Any 57+mm f4 I'd trade the trucks or wheels for.

[Banned from the room]

But yeah

Dragons and the smallest amount of ground sweat (dew) your slipping out like you trying to 101a tre on the Rye Airfield vert ramp's flat bottom.

[Creachteach]

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That V4 shape ain’t half bad tho. Looks pretty close to spit classic shape. Little thicker.

[close]

Definitely chunkier for sure. I rode some V4 54mm STF 99a's over a year ago and thought that for a firm wheel they were decent for just rolling about and fairly forgiving on moderately rough surfaces (I didn't try any sliding on them at the time so couldn't vouch for them in that regard).
Gutted I've not been able to try out these new Dragons just yet, its been raining for the past few days so I'm just waiting for things to dry out (a few bits I've read on them suggest that they're not very good in wet/damp conditions).

I might have to bite the bullet and get dragons at some point. Just to try them and I guess they’re good to have in any arsenal.

Bones V5 is pretty much the perfect shape. Not too slim, not too wide. Having them in now both X97s and X99s should cater for my appetite for Spitfire Radial Slims which seem to be nonexistent these days, at least if you want them in 54/55mms.

I might really have to check them out. Been intrigued for a while.

Still hoping they put out a V4 or V6 X97, in a 52.

That's the beauty of x97/99s, you can skate crust with a small wheel with no issues.

Once I tried the x99s I've not gone back to dragons/x97 or stf/spit 99s for out in the wild, real world street skating (especially skating spot to spot) it's a no compromise wheel.

If I was a park rat it'd be 101s all day - probably SPFs or OJ elite hardlines; plaza skating? 101 spits or 103 stfs..

These days I find zero need for 99a stf or spits (looks over at that box of 99a spits).

Nano cubics? Meh....I'll pass for now, but I DO like the increase hanger room concept...but have no issue with axles as I run washer to net flushness and they're not gonna help landing primo...only primo tricks...which only a few are doing these days...wonder if mullen is checking them out.

I like your comparisons/uses of different duros. I might try X99 for my bigger setup. To have that width. But I think for a V5 52, I’d better stick with the stickier X97.

[And_so_it_goes22]

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Personally I don't see a need for 101 Spits and will likely go back to my 99 in a wider shape. I never found a huge difference between 99 and 101 and even at some smoother spots just preferred the slight bit of extra grip of the 99. Although it seems counterintuitive my 101s seemed to wear faster.

I'm messing with the X99 again for a specific rough park to re-learn more transition skills and seeing how I like them at curb spots. Its petty, but I still don't like the way they feel reverting or just the sound. Maybe the hollow axle/kingpin combo accentuates the sound? I swear that for some reason they seem harder to break into a slide than my Dragons and 97s were, but maybe they need to wear in? They're definitely faster in the V5/53 shape than my 52 Classics, but I think my Radial 53s are on par. The v5 shape is absolutely great and the closest shape I have found to the much vaunted grail Spitfire Classic Full that they rarely make and I keep on ice perpetually as I know they will be the last pair of that shape I will get to skate and I'm weird.

I've skated them at a much smoother park and they're pretty close to my 99 F4 52mm Classics. The difference is likely negligible and comes down to preference. It could be in my head, but it feels like they slide fine on waxed coping, but if there is a dry spot or at the end of say a crook when the grind slows down they slow a bit faster and I have to mildly adjust timing popping out. At one park on transition you can hear them squeal on the coping at the end of a grind. I have found on hurricanes that I tend to scoop with my back foot and slide the rear truck into the stall/grind, which takes a bit more work on these. At a red curb spot that is quite chunky they've been a bit challenging with Ventures (thanks to the rough grind and sticky paint), but ultimately being able to learn how to adjust my skating has been beneficial skills-wise.

TL;DR- I think I prefer the sound and feel of what I am used to, which is 99 F4 as I am not as picky about wheels in general, but I do think the X99 are the closest of this new Powell/Bones formula to what I would likely want to ride. With Dragons or X97 I found myself wanting to switch wheels between spots/types of skating but with these I could definitely leave them on

[close]

I love the 101 but yeah I agree 99 definitely sounds better.

My 101s are faster that's about it.

I'd sell a soul (not mine) for a 58-60mm 101a F4 in the og shape.

In fuckin ORANGE!

In my opinion orange is the best wheel colour. Unfortunately I'm sure if want big ass orange wheels I gotta do Speed wheels and I'm addicted to F4/ bones park formula too.

I been riding the dragons because I have no wheels bigger than 54. I like them but it's moist out here almost everyday now. Massachusetts is turning into Florida. Not even slowly either.

I was about to post a long hopper post complaint till I saw your post and my delivery arrived from orchard.

I fuckin love my shop. I was thinking horrendous stuff and they and you pals pulled me back in.

That wheels thing and all my friends are dying. My family's triple funeral is eating me up.

I gotta get to the curb. Hopefully I'm not too old for these dragons. I feel like these was designed for people who are new to eating shit.

Anyway I was thinking of getting rid of some old nos 7.5-7.75 stage 7s and maybe I'd get rid of the old 30 whatever mm buttered tablets I got.

If anyone has some old 58-60mm og classic F4 I'd trade in a heartbeat. Any 57+mm f4 I'd trade the trucks or wheels for.

The Speedlab Juggernautz are 60/99 and come in orange.  But they’re more of a classic shape, not OG classic.  I’ve never skated these specific wheels but I love the Fastplants and Jason Adam’s wheels.

I don’t know if it’s because their team is so much more vert oriented than most other companies, but speed lab seems to offer more taller wheels than the other companies.

[Twig88]

I know they've been out for a while but I enjoyed reading both of your assessment of Dragons, I've just grabbed my first set of 53mm V4 shape Dragons from one of my local shops and hope to have them set up by the end of the week. I'll be changing from Spitfire 97d 53mm classics so I'm looking forward to comparing those myself!
PS Twig88 The comparison with Ricta Clouds was really useful to me as I'd been considering trying them for a while, I'm curious did you have the Cored or Standard 56mm 92a's? As a side note, have you had any experience with Rictas 95a Crystal Cores? I've only caught the odd review of them here and there online but the feedback on them looks good. The largest size they make of those is 54mm which might be limiting for some.
Cheers!

Super slow reply, sorry. I have had uncored 86A, uncored 92A and cored 92A clouds. The 86A is soft enough to roll better on rough stuff than the Dragons but has terrible slide. I've never tried the 95A Rictas but my guess, based on the other formulas, is the Dragons both slide better and roll better than 95A Ricta. I'm toying with the idea of trying X97 but that seems super hard for what I usually ride.

[Nymphicus hollandicus]

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I know they've been out for a while but I enjoyed reading both of your assessment of Dragons, I've just grabbed my first set of 53mm V4 shape Dragons from one of my local shops and hope to have them set up by the end of the week. I'll be changing from Spitfire 97d 53mm classics so I'm looking forward to comparing those myself!
PS Twig88 The comparison with Ricta Clouds was really useful to me as I'd been considering trying them for a while, I'm curious did you have the Cored or Standard 56mm 92a's? As a side note, have you had any experience with Rictas 95a Crystal Cores? I've only caught the odd review of them here and there online but the feedback on them looks good. The largest size they make of those is 54mm which might be limiting for some.
Cheers!

[close]

Super slow reply, sorry. I have had uncored 86A, uncored 92A and cored 92A clouds. The 86A is soft enough to roll better on rough stuff than the Dragons but has terrible slide. I've never tried the 95A Rictas but my guess, based on the other formulas, is the Dragons both slide better and roll better than 95A Ricta. I'm toying with the idea of trying X97 but that seems super hard for what I usually ride.

No worries at all and thanks for the reply! I'm going to give my new Dragons a good run before trying anything else but cheers for the Ricta cloud insight as I've always been interested in them. I'm the same regarding the X97's, I wanted to go a touch softer from Spitfire 97d's so will see how the Dragons fair before going back up in durometer.

[Banned from the room]

I'm going to maybe switch it soon. I noticed bones has a 60x34 in 99a with a monster truck on the graphics.

Spit needs a 60mm wheel besides the classic

[scab]

Spit needs a 60mm wheel besides the classic

I'm guessing you want a 99A, but there's a 97A 60mm radial full out there: https://www.spitfirewheels.com/tfunk-savie/

Those bad boys have a 29mm contact patch.

[FrenchSkater]

Back on wheels (Haze, very good brand) in 51 mm.

For me this is part of the perfect size, it's really the size that I accept directly on my setup. 52 is very good, versatile, but new, a little too big for me haha

I plan to use the 51 mm on independent forged hollows! Even if on high trucks, you often need big wheels, I like this kind of setup, like in the years 2005/2010 when the pros skated indy with 50 mm haha

[Mbrimson88]

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Spit needs a 60mm wheel besides the classic

[close]

I'm guessing you want a 99A, but there's a 97A 60mm radial full out there: https://www.spitfirewheels.com/tfunk-savie/

Those bad boys have a 29mm contact patch.

There is also the Kader 59 mm in 99 duro, which is pretty close and still big and fast feeling, which I just tried.

Also there was the Kanfoush 60 mm 99 duro Conical Full, hard hat graphic, which I still see around, but might be sold out everywhere else.

A few more big wheels might be coming out in future drops too, so keep an eye out and stock up while you can if they are a shape you like.


Classics do skate very well in the 60 mm size though, quite wide 39 mm and full feeling, 25 mm or so riding surface on this set I have, which feel a bit more normal to me than Conical Full, Radial Full or OG Classics.  I guess everyone is different, and sometimes a 58 mm or even 59 mm wheel is just not quite enough, although there are a lot more in those sizes in different shapes.

[Orangepulp1000]

Can anyone give some feedback on the oj prototypes?

[pops]

Can anyone give some feedback on the oj prototypes?

The dual duros? I think they were confirmed to be shitty.
https://youtu.be/yDRtTtCQne4?feature=shared