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.