Wheels Thread

[Ok]

the point about the softer wheels helping the knees is a real one.
when were the p2 boards a thing? (i’m not talking polar, way back when ps stix made some performance/hybrid/composite deck). those things were stiff as heck. the timing frequently felt off, but when it worked, the pop was nuts.
but the extra stiffness went straight to the joints and it hurt.

[tzhangdox]

People need to let the x formula do it's crusty thing and stop trying to replace their spit 99s if they can't handle their perceived/experienced drawbacks. Let if fucking go already if SPits 'work better everywhere' for you and your locals.

I mean this would be valid except bones claims they slide and grind just like a harder wheel in all their advertising so it’s fair enough to be disappointed that they squeal and drag on metal when coming from f4s

[LebowskisRug]

People need to let the x formula do it's crusty thing and stop trying to replace their spit 99s if they can't handle their perceived/experienced drawbacks. Let if fucking go already if SPits 'work better everywhere' for you and your locals.

Once you adjust to x99s 'in the streets' it's crazy how hard 99a F4s feel, they might as well be 103 SPFs on cobblestone, covered in loose pebbles.

I'd take a narrower, x [or 99a] over a wider wheel, "less vibration of a wider wheel", to save on weight. Especially since the x-formula is tailored to uh...reduce vibration...it's the whole point of the fucking wheel, thereby making it so you don't need a wide wheel to lessen vibration...but even PP isn't exempt from hesh marketing with their V6s.

One thing is for sure, my knees fucking LOVE the x-formula and prior to them, I wouldn't ride a 99a, 101 spit or 103 stf all day. It wasn't until I got older / had less smooth shit to skate that I even looked at 99a anything.

As an aside, FFS, counter/pick an argument with someone else for a change, it's fucking tired/old...but here we are in multiple threads again (..if the shoe fits...know what I mean). Get off my dick (unless, it is BECAUSE you a so enamored for some reason you WANT this D?).

You're a weird brand of sociopath. Like not cool enough to be in a frat, but the ultimate frat boy. The vibes are so strange. We don't agree about skateboard gear, I could care less if it was you or the Pope being a weirdo about wheels.

X formula is fine I like other stuff better as do others who really cares to the point of getting as mad as you seem to be. Sometimes I think you buy gear just to give it shitty reviews and start debates.

Your reading comprehension needs some work. I'm not saying a wide wheel is better than the x formula but you can get to a good spot with both approaches it just depends what sacrifices you want to make. I like riding them more as do others I know, I'm sure there's just as many who like the X and it's all good either way.

Your take is that whatever gear you ride is "the best" and nothing else can possibly be as highly optimized, whereas I view all this useless shit on a continuum and it's more interesting to hear why people like shit than winning a battle of best wheels.

Seriously tho the dick infatuation is like Superbad but you're a grown adult and have borderline date rape vibes about it.

[tzhangdox]

Ya fr all dude said was sometimes harder wide wheels are preferable over soft skinny wheels for some reasons and u went batshit lol, never said that they were better objectively, or for you

if you can’t skate anything wider than a classic and have to run soft boys then you do you king but you’re definitely in a minority here

Also even if the wheel is softer, if it’s too skinny you still are more likely to get traintracked or caught up and stuck on some terrain over a wider harder wheel… been there

[Ok]

i went for a little night cruise on some radial full, 56, 99s. the wide helped, they still feel like skateboard wheels, which is nice.
many years ago, when i should have been forced to take a breathalyzer before stepping on my board, i setup a wide hill bomber with some soft wheels. went to speed check, instead just carved and accelerated. slam.

the roads in my parts are pretty jacked. should i just stick it out with the 99s, or try something softer?
the majority of the talk around the softer wheels, unless i’ve missed it, seems to come from the perspective of skating parks, curbs, etc.

what would someone recommend for very old roads/hills?

i tried rough riders, long ago, for just flatground long distance, and they were nice enough for that. one of the kids has some powell g wheels, the other has keyframes, all seem a bit too soft for speed checks, but maybe i’m wrong on that

[Xen]

Expand Quote

People need to let the x formula do it's crusty thing and stop trying to replace their spit 99s if they can't handle their perceived/experienced drawbacks. Let if fucking go already if SPits 'work better everywhere' for you and your locals.

Once you adjust to x99s 'in the streets' it's crazy how hard 99a F4s feel, they might as well be 103 SPFs on cobblestone, covered in loose pebbles.

I'd take a narrower, x [or 99a] over a wider wheel, "less vibration of a wider wheel", to save on weight. Especially since the x-formula is tailored to uh...reduce vibration...it's the whole point of the fucking wheel, thereby making it so you don't need a wide wheel to lessen vibration...but even PP isn't exempt from hesh marketing with their V6s.

One thing is for sure, my knees fucking LOVE the x-formula and prior to them, I wouldn't ride a 99a, 101 spit or 103 stf all day. It wasn't until I got older / had less smooth shit to skate that I even looked at 99a anything.

As an aside, FFS, counter/pick an argument with someone else for a change, it's fucking tired/old...but here we are in multiple threads again (..if the shoe fits...know what I mean). Get off my dick (unless, it is BECAUSE you a so enamored for some reason you WANT this D?).

[close]

You're a weird brand of sociopath. Like not cool enough to be in a frat, but the ultimate frat boy. The vibes are so strange. We don't agree about skateboard gear, I could care less if it was you or the Pope being a weirdo about wheels.

X formula is fine I like other stuff better as do others who really cares to the point of getting as mad as you seem to be. Sometimes I think you buy gear just to give it shitty reviews and start debates.

Your reading comprehension needs some work. I'm not saying a wide wheel is better than the x formula but you can get to a good spot with both approaches it just depends what sacrifices you want to make. I like riding them more as do others I know, I'm sure there's just as many who like the X and it's all good either way.

Your take is that whatever gear you ride is "the best" and nothing else can possibly be as highly optimized, whereas I view all this useless shit on a continuum and it's more interesting to hear why people like shit than winning a battle of best wheels.

Seriously tho the dick infatuation is like Superbad but you're a grown adult and have borderline date rape vibes about it.

Yup, I'm the socio - when all you do is follow me around the forum, posting almost right after me, every time, to counter (seriously go look at my posts, there you are.... Your infatuation since the royal thread is weird...x99s...Nb...you just have to get a word in to counter. every time. It's really creepy man. Seek help.

I actually thought you mellowed which is why I bothered to sell you shit, but you're right at it again.

Your MO is so transparent, it's no wonder more people than me call you out on it. Fucking hilarious dude. As for takes? Anything I don't like you feel like you have to white night...if I like it? You have to shit on it. Kettle black you cockholster. Don't bother replying, even tho you have to, cuz you can't resist, you won't get a peep out of me from now on.

[JM]

What's been your most durable and overall best functioning cruiser wheel? I skated the Oj super juices twice, both times they chunked fast so I wont get them again. Keyframes felt a bit too hard for my taste. Is there any soft wheel that actually has lasted you at least a year or two? Paying full price for wheels that last you one summer just cruising feels like a scam.

Not sure if they still sell them but Ricta clouds done me right since six/seven years ago.

[Xen]

STF 99s are pretty trash, they feel like price points these days; better off with spit 99s if you’re not into the 99 x-formula offerings, of course that all being terrain dependent.

Now if you’re daring, the 103stfs actually feel on par with spit 99s (if not softer feeling believe it or not), it’s like the whole Bones line went soft.

[Banned from the room]

Does X99 bounce like a dragon wheel?

[Xen]

Does X99 bounce like a dragon wheel?

Less so, but still way more than a spit F4, or ricta (which are super grippy @99); it’s just the nature of that formula.

[JM]

Expand Quote

Does X99 bounce like a dragon wheel?

[close]

Less so, but still way more than a spit F4, or ricta (which are super grippy @99); it’s just the nature of that formula.

Sold. Thanks. That’s the feedback I was looking for.

[rikki]

I've said it before, but I'm fully on the X-Formula train these days on anything other than perfect terrain. Both the X97 and X99 are just fucking great on anything from rough asphalt to slippy plywood and whatever variations of imperfect/challenging terrain one might have.

I was on the Dragon bandwagon for a bit, but I hate them on smoother terrain – they feel sticky, plus they make no sound and bounce like super balls. None of which are issues with the X97 or X99, be it that they are admittedly a bit "bouncier" than so-called normal hard wheels. But not to an extent of it being a nuisance.

Caveat: in a perfect park and on smooth concrete I still prefer F4s. But my overall menu of terrains is far from perfect.

Big up to Bones, honestly.

[Meathook]

i went for a little night cruise on some radial full, 56, 99s. the wide helped, they still feel like skateboard wheels, which is nice.
many years ago, when i should have been forced to take a breathalyzer before stepping on my board, i setup a wide hill bomber with some soft wheels. went to speed check, instead just carved and accelerated. slam.

the roads in my parts are pretty jacked. should i just stick it out with the 99s, or try something softer?
the majority of the talk around the softer wheels, unless i’ve missed it, seems to come from the perspective of skating parks, curbs, etc.

what would someone recommend for very old roads/hills?

i tried rough riders, long ago, for just flatground long distance, and they were nice enough for that. one of the kids has some powell g wheels, the other has keyframes, all seem a bit too soft for speed checks, but maybe i’m wrong on that

Not sure if you’ve tried any variants of Dragons but I just setup some 60mm Dragon G-Bones on my cruiser because I wanted to cruise around but also be able to grind a ledge when I want to.  I have to say they are really really good for old fucked up roads and spots.  They’re fast on smooth asphalt probably because of the shape and size.  I skated an angle iron ledge into a hill bomb and the ground on that spot I wouldn’t consider rideable on F4’s.  They are really versatile for a cruiser wheel and I honestly think I’ll just keep using these as cruiser and wheels and not mess around with anything softer.

On smooth ground they don’t slide well but on anything rough they slide fine.

[Ok]

Expand Quote

i went for a little night cruise on some radial full, 56, 99s. the wide helped, they still feel like skateboard wheels, which is nice.
many years ago, when i should have been forced to take a breathalyzer before stepping on my board, i setup a wide hill bomber with some soft wheels. went to speed check, instead just carved and accelerated. slam.

the roads in my parts are pretty jacked. should i just stick it out with the 99s, or try something softer?
the majority of the talk around the softer wheels, unless i’ve missed it, seems to come from the perspective of skating parks, curbs, etc.

what would someone recommend for very old roads/hills?

i tried rough riders, long ago, for just flatground long distance, and they were nice enough for that. one of the kids has some powell g wheels, the other has keyframes, all seem a bit too soft for speed checks, but maybe i’m wrong on that

[close]

Not sure if you’ve tried any variants of Dragons but I just setup some 60mm Dragon G-Bones on my cruiser because I wanted to cruise around but also be able to grind a ledge when I want to.  I have to say they are really really good for old fucked up roads and spots.  They’re fast on smooth asphalt probably because of the shape and size.  I skated an angle iron ledge into a hill bomb and the ground on that spot I wouldn’t consider rideable on F4’s.  They are really versatile for a cruiser wheel and I honestly think I’ll just keep using these as cruiser and wheels and not mess around with anything softer.

On smooth ground they don’t slide well but on anything rough they slide fine.

thanks! the majority of the feedback on the wheels that i’ve seen has been more about doing skate tricks, and less about bombing hills.
i’ll gladly give these a shot
i’m going to try some 56 f4 classic 97s tonight

[rikki]

Yes sir, for the sole purpose of hillbombing especially not-so-perfect asphalt large Dragons are the shit. They will be fast as fuck and slide great. 

[Madam, I'm Adam]

Bought a set of X-Formula 97a recently based on the positive feedback in this thread. I'll be skating indoors for the winter, and the ground is indeed dusty and slippery so hopefully they serve their purpose.

[Ok]

Yes sir, for the sole purpose of hillbombing especially not-so-perfect asphalt large Dragons are the shit. They will be fast as fuck and slide great.

this is the information i’ve been needing

[Banned from the room]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

Does X99 bounce like a dragon wheel?

[close]

Less so, but still way more than a spit F4, or ricta (which are super grippy @99); it’s just the nature of that formula.

[close]

Sold. Thanks. That’s the feedback I was looking for.

Dub thanx

[tzhangdox]

Been skating some f4 97 53 classics I got for free, they're pretty good on crusty ground like rockridge curbs and some other places. Don't even really mind or notice the slight decrease in speed on smooth ground.

But again at spots with sharp metal coping that isn't super waxed, waller, and that new UN plaza which has the same marble slab/ledges as waller, they be grippin on crooked grinds, lips, blunts/noseblunts. Also if you're grinding a round rail. Not as bad as the bones x formulas (haven't tried x99) but enough that it was reducing my consistency. If you wax shit its fine, but you really don't wanna be the guy waxing shit when everybody skating.

Tempted to put on my last set of 52 99 radial slims, kind of a prized possession at this point.

Would be really sick to have something thats ever so slightly softer than an f4 99 that doesn't compromise on drag at all, but sadly looks like its kinda not possible. But if its a slightly smoother ride in exchange for taking a few more tries to land my tricks or bailing when I otherwise wouldn't have I'm not taking that deal 95% of the time

[Xen]

I've said it before, but I'm fully on the X-Formula train these days on anything other than perfect terrain. Both the X97 and X99 are just fucking great on anything from rough asphalt to slippy plywood and whatever variations of imperfect/challenging terrain one might have.

I was on the Dragon bandwagon for a bit, but I hate them on smoother terrain – they feel sticky, plus they make no sound and bounce like super balls. None of which are issues with the X97 or X99, be it that they are admittedly a bit "bouncier" than so-called normal hard wheels. But not to an extent of it being a nuisance.

Caveat: in a perfect park and on smooth concrete I still prefer F4s. But my overall menu of terrains is far from perfect.

Big up to Bones, honestly.

The x99s have become sort of a crutch wheel for me in a way...very much like once you get used to skating rails [or a slick] for curb skating as it's a similar terrain dependency/preference; once you get used to them it's really hard to go back. But like you said, smooth park or plaza, F4 [or STF] all the way. And of course, F4s work in those spots too, it's just different strokes.

The smooth ride vs rattle-skating is an underrated feature, especially if you go spot to spot a lot (which I tend to do).

[rawbertson.]

The way I setup wheels is basically to serve each purpose on my 3 setups :s

on my 8.38 setup: as small and slick as possible 51mm f4 classic 99a (i decided to concede to 99a because 101a on an F4 is actually at the point its too slippery and makes me skate worse). best shape for pinched grinds and tilting.

on my egg setup: 54mm conical full. this handles all the spots my other board doesnt. it feels pretty comparable to dragons as most spots when i try them both on crusty asphalt. the speed is very comparable its just the dragons eat a bit more vibration. the f4s eat enough that my feet odnt seem to move much. i would much rather have the forgiveness on the slide, and i love the way they sound and feel. i should probably drop down to 97a and i could go up a tiny bit in size too, maybe 56mm radial full 97a on this setup would be a bit more ideal. but the way it is it seriously works amazing and that shaves a ton of bulk by keeping it that way.

on my cruiser: I just go for the softest most stable thing possible. if i want to powerslide then i would just use the egg setup. so i got 78a OJ Mini Juice 55mm.

[tzhangdox]

^makes sense

problem is ive marie kondo'd my way into having just one setup and trying to not quiver up again

[rawbertson.]

i was thinking about if i went down to 1 setup i would probably just use my 8.38 and then put my 54mm 99a conical full on and i would probably be happy at any spot. 97a 54mm radial full f4 sounds like it could be good + also x formula but from my experience so far on this wheel it will work for 99% of the skating i seem to do so i am scared to mess with it.

[Xen]

^makes sense

problem is ive marie kondo'd my way into having just one setup and trying to not quiver up again

I'm legitimately jealous. I've been slowly selling shit off/giving stuff away to do just that.

[dr.prestige]

The way I setup wheels is basically to serve each purpose on my 3 setups :s

on my 8.38 setup: as small and slick as possible 51mm f4 classic 99a (i decided to concede to 99a because 101a on an F4 is actually at the point its too slippery and makes me skate worse). best shape for pinched grinds and tilting.

on my egg setup: 54mm conical full. this handles all the spots my other board doesnt. it feels pretty comparable to dragons as most spots when i try them both on crusty asphalt. the speed is very comparable its just the dragons eat a bit more vibration. the f4s eat enough that my feet odnt seem to move much. i would much rather have the forgiveness on the slide, and i love the way they sound and feel. i should probably drop down to 97a and i could go up a tiny bit in size too, maybe 56mm radial full 97a on this setup would be a bit more ideal. but the way it is it seriously works amazing and that shaves a ton of bulk by keeping it that way.

on my cruiser: I just go for the softest most stable thing possible. if i want to powerslide then i would just use the egg setup. so i got 78a OJ Mini Juice 55mm.

I organize my setups kind of similarly, I've got 46mm classics on my 9" egg, 50mm conicals on my 7.75" popsicle and 58mm Vs on my ~10" Strangelove Natas board

[pops]

Yes sir, for the sole purpose of hillbombing especially not-so-perfect asphalt large Dragons are the shit. They will be fast as fuck and slide great.

This right here. Loved my 56 and 60mm Dragons so much last summer. Bombed tons of hills and did lots of powerslides and they just go.

[tzhangdox]

Expand Quote

^makes sense

problem is ive marie kondo'd my way into having just one setup and trying to not quiver up again

[close]

I'm legitimately jealous. I've been slowly selling shit off/giving stuff away to do just that.

Don't get me wrong I got stuff on ice

But ya I'm pretty at peace can skate whatever and adjust fairly quick within a certain range, though theres pros n cons that go both ways. Any 8.38-8.5 14.25-14.5 as long as the kicks aren't pointy like a sword or FA type square+steep. 5.8 venture cast hollows stock no adjustments.

Preferably 52-54mm 99 f4s which I have been fortunate enough to get hooked up with here n there, whatever shape is fine but preferably not super wide and not tablets ideally, and if its 52 then classics are a little jarring on rough ground. Even the 97s are good for the most part but get a little annoying skating dry ish ledges n rails. If I didn't have a huge stash of wheels on ice I'd just ignore it and get more used to it.

Basically nowadays I feel anything ya can't do on any given setup that fits within a reasonable range comes down to skill issue

[Xen]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

^makes sense

problem is ive marie kondo'd my way into having just one setup and trying to not quiver up again

[close]

I'm legitimately jealous. I've been slowly selling shit off/giving stuff away to do just that.

[close]

Don't get me wrong I got stuff on ice

But ya I'm pretty at peace can skate whatever and adjust fairly quick within a certain range, though theres pros n cons that go both ways. Any 8.38-8.5 14.25-14.5 as long as the kicks aren't pointy like a sword or FA type square+steep. 5.8 venture cast hollows stock no adjustments.

Preferably 52-54mm 99 f4s which I have been fortunate enough to get hooked up with here n there, whatever shape is fine but preferably not super wide and not tablets ideally, and if its 52 then classics are a little jarring on rough ground. Even the 97s are good for the most part but get a little annoying skating dry ish ledges n rails. If I didn't have a huge stash of wheels on ice I'd just ignore it and get more used to it.

Basically nowadays I feel anything ya can't do on any given setup that fits within a reasonable range comes down to skill issue

Oh ice is fiiiiine, so is having a small quiver, as long at it's not i87162348671235 variants of the same thing.

I'm trying to settle on 1 Pop, 1 shaped and call it a day.

[hiljentaa]

Basically nowadays I feel anything ya can't do on any given setup that fits within a reasonable range comes down to skill issue

True words and a good reminder.

[Richard Skidder]

Expand Quote

Expand Quote

.


I see the new DLXSF.COM / Spitfire wheels catalog is up, with a new one down the far bottom corner...  Sure they are probably a different wheel, pricepoint / beginner wheel as shown, but I wonder what the deal is with them.

Never seen anything out about them before seeing it here, so I am kind of curious if anyone else has seen or heard about them too?


Also the Ryan Lee Spitfire "filmer" wheel is in there too - looks like a Super Juice / Penny type wheel profile, but at least that one I had seen and knew was coming out.




https://www.spitfirewheels.com/fall-2023-drop-2/

[close]

.

I bet
These and the sapphires are factory seconds that got cut and pushed out there.

I think it's the same with the dragons at 93a.

Bones put out what they thought was going to be the weakest product in killer old shapes and with a new gospel for Old timers knees. Then followed up with a slightly stronger one until they arrived at Andy's wheel. Which probably has all the kinks worked out. Or they need his name power to get out from underneath the back stock of soft shit.

Bet spit does it too. Skate the industry probably about to die. It's just going to be us again.

It's a good thing that the worst products of the day are better than the best flat spotted potatoes of my childhood.

I wish spit would do tall and skinny wheel. Clear f4 if possible. Like bones used to do. Hard ass clear wheels.

Or see them do a 66.6mm 99.9a limited run with sane riding surface. Like the Bullet 66s were. Then you can do 7ply risers.

I know of 5 heads around town who would make incredible use of such a tool. They ride speed wheels and reissue bones.

It's gotta be f4 tho or just forget it. Not a soul other than I is going to buy a big vintage shape more than once.

That why I think all else is gotta be factory seconds.
Why fuck around when you got the golden goose and bones dragons ain't even close to #2? Whether people know it or not yet.

I took 4 or so mm off my 58mm dragons. Thats a commitment considering the down sides and I'm 100 street.
I don't wanna die in the morning dew on the way to the bus. I can see it coming.

It is tough going back tho. I miss the coasting.
If dragons weren't so slippery on wet I'd stick it out.
If they had the rat bone two in the x99 I'd try again. I'd try Andy's wheel if it was closer to 60mm

Also
It's probably why they targeted us old folk. We are suckas who bought endless bridge and traction bolts and allowed the industry to sell a standardized version of everything for 30 years.

Besides we need to get these lazy ass 50mm pros flipping in and out at 30 mph ok team big ass wheels. Let's go fuck the ride on grinds too. I wanna see ride on inverts like Gonz in braids but faster

[close]

Here’s my guess, these “Burners” are most likely the old F-1 urethane in 99 instead of the 98 and 100 they used to come in before F-4. Probably an attempt to get some of the market share from Bones entry level 100s.

Just wanted to share an update that I noticed about these for those who might be interested:
Tactics has the images of these up and these new Burners are treaded unlike the old F1 urethane.

https://www.tactics.com/spitfire/burner-skateboard-wheels/white-blue-99d