Wheels Thread

[LebowskisRug]

I don't think that is normal. Honestly tho, skateboard components are designed for people that weigh 70-100lbs less so naturally you're going to have a few more issues.

Wheels do have residue from the mold releaser on them. Bones washes their wheels after they're molded which gets the super white appearance. I don't know if Spitfire does. This is not uncommon- PU indoor rock climbing holds also have this coating and it's enough to where all holds should be washed with soap and water or scrubbed with isopropyl when they're new because they can be decently slippery.

[OhioGuy]

Confirmed. It’s the RFs. Went out with new bearings, new truck, hell, new setup and they still slowed down on me. Sending a video off to Deluxe.

This happens after I do a few shuv-its. And it can’t even be my weight cause I just did it a bunch without jumping on to test is out. I’d only catch them with one foot.

Super bummed that this shape and size appears to be a bust. Oh well, at least I know my Indy’s and Swiss aren’t the issue 😁

[LebowskisRug]

Sounds like it's not weight and the issue I had with a set of Classic Fulls. I could grab the wheel with my hand and lightly twist it and bind the wheel completely. I could skate in a straight line, lightly chirp the wheel, and it would bind. Shit happens and hopefully your next set, like all mine have been since, are great.

I'm not bringing up weight to shame or be an asshole. When I was into bikes people would often post about breaking things or components not being stiff enough and would leave weight out then when it's disclosed you realize they were near or over the recommended design limits and it wasn't a faulty component.

[rocklobster]

I have a suspicion the Radial or Radial Full mold at the factor need to be replaced or re-calibrated, I recall when the Spitfire Oski Scorched Radial wheel first came out (late 2021 / early 2022) some guys on here reported their bearing seats were uneven. A friend of mine even showed me a video of his and his wheel was spinning unevenly, looked like it was wobbling and way slower than usual.

[OhioGuy]

I have a suspicion the Radial or Radial Full mold at the factor need to be replaced or re-calibrated, I recall when the Spitfire Oski Scorched Radial wheel first came out (late 2021 / early 2022) some guys on here reported their bearing seats were uneven. A friend of mine even showed me a video of his and his wheel was spinning unevenly, looked like it was wobbling and way slower than usual.

Think mine did too. I stared at them, but was unsure if it was the paint job or the wheels being off, but to the naked eye they looked wobbly as hell. Thought it was my OCD so I didn’t bring it up here lol

[JM]

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One thing I noticed about these RFs is the bearings came out really easily. Contacted support again and gonna troubleshoot them this weekend. Will put in a different set of bearings and toss ‘em on my Thunders.

I don’t have high hopes though. So I’ll look for another wide wheel as a replacement. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[close]

Just checking (as per that other thread) if you cleaned off the outside of the bearings and bearing seats with alcohol based something, just so there was no residue of lube, oil or anything else?

I feel like this worked for a few other 97 duro and softer wheels I had, after reading that thread and trying it.

Seemed to work better than what I had initially done, which was use Race Reds or similar fitted bearings with built in spacers that could be run with no play and keep the wheels spinning, no matter what they did.


Guessing it would vary from set to set too, but on the few sets of those I have had and set up / skated / passed on to others, I didn't find that I had too many issues like that with them, but I know how easily it happes, especially with softer duro wheels.

[close]

Didn’t clean inside the wheels cause they’re new, but the bearings have no grease on them. I bathed them in alcohol yesterday before installing them. I’ve ordered some lock-in fulls since they were $35 with free shipping on TGM. I’m hoping that they use a different mold for them. No other pair of Spitfires has ever given me issues. Just the RF shape. It’s odd.

My bearings are two month old Bones Swiss 6, so I know they’re not the issue. They worked flawlessly with the OJ Hardlines last week. But the RFs locked up again ten minutes into my session. It’s wild. They must have a defect issue.

Sorry if you already answered: do you use bearing spacers?

What happens with my bones Swiss on always one wheel, is that the bearing will come out a bit and push against the but… “locking” it. I have to turn board on side and push the wheel so it goes back the half mm, and it loosens up again.

I tried without spacers and it helped, but what helped the most was tightening the bolt so that there is only a hairline (I mean HAIRline) space of play in the wheel so it barely moves at all… and now when I power slide or Skitch out, most of the time it doesn’t pop out and lock the wheel. 

I think the bearing spacers on both F4 and bones wheels causing the issue because it doesn’t sit perfectly as it should in the wheels.

Just a thought

[OhioGuy]

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One thing I noticed about these RFs is the bearings came out really easily. Contacted support again and gonna troubleshoot them this weekend. Will put in a different set of bearings and toss ‘em on my Thunders.

I don’t have high hopes though. So I’ll look for another wide wheel as a replacement. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[close]

Just checking (as per that other thread) if you cleaned off the outside of the bearings and bearing seats with alcohol based something, just so there was no residue of lube, oil or anything else?

I feel like this worked for a few other 97 duro and softer wheels I had, after reading that thread and trying it.

Seemed to work better than what I had initially done, which was use Race Reds or similar fitted bearings with built in spacers that could be run with no play and keep the wheels spinning, no matter what they did.


Guessing it would vary from set to set too, but on the few sets of those I have had and set up / skated / passed on to others, I didn't find that I had too many issues like that with them, but I know how easily it happes, especially with softer duro wheels.

[close]

Didn’t clean inside the wheels cause they’re new, but the bearings have no grease on them. I bathed them in alcohol yesterday before installing them. I’ve ordered some lock-in fulls since they were $35 with free shipping on TGM. I’m hoping that they use a different mold for them. No other pair of Spitfires has ever given me issues. Just the RF shape. It’s odd.

My bearings are two month old Bones Swiss 6, so I know they’re not the issue. They worked flawlessly with the OJ Hardlines last week. But the RFs locked up again ten minutes into my session. It’s wild. They must have a defect issue.

[close]

Sorry if you already answered: do you use bearing spacers?

What happens with my bones Swiss on always one wheel, is that the bearing will come out a bit and push against the but… “locking” it. I have to turn board on side and push the wheel so it goes back the half mm, and it loosens up again.

I tried without spacers and it helped, but what helped the most was tightening the bolt so that there is only a hairline (I mean HAIRline) space of play in the wheel so it barely moves at all… and now when I power slide or Skitch out, most of the time it doesn’t pop out and lock the wheel. 

I think the bearing spacers on both F4 and bones wheels causing the issue because it doesn’t sit perfectly as it should in the wheels.

Just a thought

Yeah I use spacers and ride the wheels with a little play. These are the only wheels to ever give me trouble.

[LebowskisRug]

Delete the spacers as a first order. I have found they can be too long for Spitfires and the bearings never seat. They are completely unnecessary for skateboard wheels and often cause more issues than they prevent.

[OhioGuy]

Took the spacers out of the other ones and they still locked up. I just ordered a bearing press from Amazon. On the off chance that I install my bearings wrong. Doubt that’s the case, but it’s annoying using the trucks.

[Trail]

Has anyone here tried Sabbath wheels?

https://sabbathwheels.co.uk/

[JM]

Took the spacers out of the other ones and they still locked up. I just ordered a bearing press from Amazon. On the off chance that I install my bearings wrong. Doubt that’s the case, but it’s annoying using the trucks.

Right on. Try the tightening nut all the way until the wheel stops spinning easily, and then give it a quarter turn looser, so there’s juuuuuust enough play in wheel for it to spin freely.

I’ve found that when the wheel has more play between truck and nut, it allows the bearings to pop out under stress.

[Mbrimson88]

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Took the spacers out of the other ones and they still locked up. I just ordered a bearing press from Amazon. On the off chance that I install my bearings wrong. Doubt that’s the case, but it’s annoying using the trucks.

[close]

Right on. Try the tightening nut all the way until the wheel stops spinning easily, and then give it a quarter turn looser, so there’s juuuuuust enough play in wheel for it to spin freely.

I’ve found that when the wheel has more play between truck and nut, it allows the bearings to pop out under stress.

Yes, that and Race Reds were the go to I had done before for wheels that have loose bearing seats, as in any wheel that the bearing either falls out of or moves.

At least the wheel has centered bearing seats, unlike some other faulty wheels where the bearing seat on one side is a little off center, which means you can't get the wheel on fully - instant return for exchange, etc.

The biggest issues with the loose bearing seat usually mean that the person with the issue is often none the wiser, just like OhioGuy here, first thinking is it axle slip (which hasn't really been an issue for a while now in most trucks) or that the bearings are bad, or something else is going on.

Ideally, having no movement will lessen the slip and still allow the wheel to spin, if not freely, at least somewhat, compared to almost zero wheel movement in some other wheels I have had and seen, which is why I had used the bearings like Race Reds with extended middle spacer bits before.

From the thread about bearings moving in bearing seats, it was established that any truck, any bearing, just different wheels, could have this problem, or no problem at all, so one solution another guy did was clean out the inside of the wheel bearing seat and clean off the outside of the bearings and this resolved some wheel problems for some sets, but not others.

I would just say that these wheels have that issue, and best to send them back, more so than try and try again with any other fix, only to have them maybe do the same thing or worse further down the line, maybe at a time when you can't send them back.


That other thread:

https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=125264.0

[Mbrimson88]

Got my replacement wheels. Let’s hope these also don’t lock up. I love this shape. Hopefully it being slightly softer helps too in this cold weather. I only skate smooth tennis courts, but there’s lots of leafs and those spinner things on them lately since it’s fall.

So just checking, which wheels did you have before - Kader puffs in what size?

I see you now have Radial Full 97 duro 54 mm, which are having the same issue?


The set of the Radial Full 97 duro 54 mm wheels I have are doing fine, as are some Kader puffs I got too (thankfully) but it is definitely something to check and make sure, as per other sets I have that I am yet to skate / setup, which I am going to just make sure the bearings are seated correctly, rather than sit on them indefinitely and then realise that there is a problem with them later on.

[Cthulhu!]

Speaking of Loophole...
Since they are very probably using hlc, thank you for posting the catalog a few pages ago,
https://mfg.hlcdist.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogos/hlc-oem-catalogue-skateboard.pdf

I couldn't help but notice that on Loophole's site they're saying all of their new wheels are 100a. Cross checking with the catalog, the MT shape for example, only comes in at 98a. But what does a Butter formula feel like? I sent them a message but they didn't answer of course. Shops around here don't carry them, so ordering and getting an unwanted surprise isn't much fun. How conflicting. I may just end up buying F4s again.

[Gandito405]

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I’m so confused. My new RFs started doing the same thing, then they got lose again. It’s like I had to ride them in different directions, like I ride switch using my nose as the tail.

I want to try for another pair, but I don’t have time to keep sending them back. May just swear off this shape for good 😫

[close]

the only problem with mine is they will chuck off some.

[close]

I must be having bad luck. Makes me want to get multiple pair and just combine the good wheels, but that’s madness.

———————

Any other brand make a wide wheel like the RFs? You know, besides OJ Chubbies.

this guy has like 4 setups with them he does a pretty good breakdown of the issues hes faced.

[roba]

Speaking of Loophole...
Since they are very probably using hlc, thank you for posting the catalog a few pages ago,
https://mfg.hlcdist.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogos/hlc-oem-catalogue-skateboard.pdf

I couldn't help but notice that on Loophole's site they're saying all of their new wheels are 100a. Cross checking with the catalog, the MT shape for example, only comes in at 98a. But what does a Butter formula feel like? I sent them a message but they didn't answer of course. Shops around here don't carry them, so ordering and getting an unwanted surprise isn't much fun. How conflicting. I may just end up buying F4s again.

jart sent a blank set of 98a butter formula wheels to the shop for us to try out, they were 54mm and conical shape. i gave em to a homie but skated em on his set up and they felt like a slightly worse f4 (99). good grip, decent slide (comparable to a f4 on smooth ground, worse on not so smooth ground - if i remember them right, even the 97a f4 broke into slides easier on harsher ground, but these butters slide ok too, it just takes more effort), they hold speed well, the slides have a loud and satisfying sound and they work alright on shitty ground, maybe even a little better than the 99 f4, but worse than the 97 f4. never had dragons or x formulas or anything bones in the last 10 years so nothing to say there. basically they're pretty good wheels. i think that's the closest a wheel felt to a f4 i've ridden, but they still don't feel like f4s.

oh yeah and they flatspotted on him later, but it evened out pretty quick.

[goodatmeth]

Any insider information about more bones X formula shapes coming soon? I'm waiting for the two shapes they left out so far, V2 or V3.

[Banned from the room]

I just noticed that dragons have trouble sticking to barriers.

I'm over it. GD this sucks

[OhioGuy]

Let’s hope third times a charm:



Gonna do a bunch of shuvs and hope they don’t lock up again. I have a feeling they’ll be fine. No way I’ll get three defective sets of Spitfires back-to-back-to-back.

[Mbrimson88]

Let’s hope third times a charm:



Gonna do a bunch of shuvs and hope they don’t lock up again. I have a feeling they’ll be fine. No way I’ll get three defective sets of Spitfires back-to-back-to-back.

Got my replacement wheels. Let’s hope these also don’t lock up. I love this shape. Hopefully it being slightly softer helps too in this cold weather. I only skate smooth tennis courts, but there’s lots of leafs and those spinner things on them lately since it’s fall.

So just checking, which wheels did you have before - Kader puffs in what size?

I see you now have Radial Full 97 duro 54 mm, which are having the same issue?


The set of the Radial Full 97 duro 54 mm wheels I have are doing fine, as are some Kader puffs I got too (thankfully) but it is definitely something to check and make sure, as per other sets I have that I am yet to skate / setup, which I am going to just make sure the bearings are seated correctly, rather than sit on them indefinitely and then realise that there is a problem with them later on.


I think that post got lost - last post on the last page, so I am guessing you didn't see it.


Hopefully they work nicely for you!

[OhioGuy]

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Let’s hope third times a charm:



Gonna do a bunch of shuvs and hope they don’t lock up again. I have a feeling they’ll be fine. No way I’ll get three defective sets of Spitfires back-to-back-to-back.

[close]

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Got my replacement wheels. Let’s hope these also don’t lock up. I love this shape. Hopefully it being slightly softer helps too in this cold weather. I only skate smooth tennis courts, but there’s lots of leafs and those spinner things on them lately since it’s fall.

[close]

So just checking, which wheels did you have before - Kader puffs in what size?

I see you now have Radial Full 97 duro 54 mm, which are having the same issue?


The set of the Radial Full 97 duro 54 mm wheels I have are doing fine, as are some Kader puffs I got too (thankfully) but it is definitely something to check and make sure, as per other sets I have that I am yet to skate / setup, which I am going to just make sure the bearings are seated correctly, rather than sit on them indefinitely and then realise that there is a problem with them later on.


I think that post got lost - last post on the last page, so I am guessing you didn't see it.


Hopefully they work nicely for you!

I had the Kaders in 54, the 97a in 54 too, both RFs. Both locked up. My new ones are the Lock-In Fulls in 55. Gonna test them in a few hours 😃

Glad yours work!

[OhioGuy]

Happy to report that the Lock-In Fulls work flawlessly! Did 50 shuvs to test them and rode my board both ways. They’re great for going over leafs and debris 🍁

[Mbrimson88]

Happy to report that the Lock-In Fulls work flawlessly! Did 50 shuvs to test them and rode my board both ways. They’re great for going over leafs and debris 🍁

Yeah, glad for that.

I also like the fact that the newer ones, both regular and full shapes are not completely flat backed, like the regular ones used to be, so they do feel a lot more like the OJ Mini Combo shape, slightly more rounded almost like a Radial on the inside edge and more like a Conical Full on the outside edge.

[Vexed]

Any insider information about more bones X formula shapes coming soon? I'm waiting for the two shapes they left out so far, V2 or V3.

Response I received from skateone:

“ As of now, we are still discussing the shapes and sizes to manufacture. I will go ahead and report your feedback to the manager to see if that shape is something that will be produced in the future.”

[evan.tuazon]

loophole wheels are hella grippy

coming from skating spitfire f4s literally all the time,

I tried to powerslide in front of my homie and i ate it hahaha

[iw0]

loophole wheels are hella grippy

coming from skating spitfire f4s literally all the time,

I tried to powerslide in front of my homie and i ate it hahaha

from the newest batch im assuming?

[evan.tuazon]

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loophole wheels are hella grippy x

coming from skating spitfire f4s literally all the time,

I tried to powerslide in front of my homie and i ate it hahaha

[close]

from the newest batch im assuming?

yeah they were these ones



i just got too obsessive with branding i guess... i just wanted to support local brands (sf) but i didn't really think about the function of it. they're all hand made which is really impressive, they have a lot of imperfections but are still a functioning wheel. i just wouldnt take them down our steep ass sf hills.

maybe if i was skating a super slippery LA park, i'd def rock them...

[iw0]

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loophole wheels are hella grippy x

coming from skating spitfire f4s literally all the time,

I tried to powerslide in front of my homie and i ate it hahaha

[close]

from the newest batch im assuming?

[close]

yeah they were these ones



i just got too obsessive with branding i guess... i just wanted to support local brands (sf) but i didn't really think about the function of it. they're all hand made which is really impressive, they have a lot of imperfections but are still a functioning wheel. i just wouldnt take them down our steep ass sf hills.

maybe if i was skating a super slippery LA park, i'd def rock them...

ah yeah technically the second newest batch, they switched up wheel manufacturers again

[Texas_Tone]

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loophole wheels are hella grippy x

coming from skating spitfire f4s literally all the time,

I tried to powerslide in front of my homie and i ate it hahaha

[close]

from the newest batch im assuming?

[close]

yeah they were these ones



i just got too obsessive with branding i guess... i just wanted to support local brands (sf) but i didn't really think about the function of it. they're all hand made which is really impressive, they have a lot of imperfections but are still a functioning wheel. i just wouldnt take them down our steep ass sf hills.

maybe if i was skating a super slippery LA park, i'd def rock them...

Yea these are from acid wheel co I think, that coke white is a giveaway

[Banned from the room]

The good homie sending some rescue spits in 58.

Gonna celebrate with trying to film a line. I have trouble asking people to film me.

To get like a good trick in a line that's exciting at 45 is almost afools errand.

Unless you got like a whole day with the perfect like two ledges in a row and a down ass filmer.

Get some 270 action going. That's allit really takes. Try to mirror that shit or something.

Now you're being a true skate board artist in my opinion.

I hope some fresh wheels will ignite that within my future.