Wheels Thread

[MichaelJacksonsGhost]

Thanks, all. I'm going to investigate a set of spitfire 93s. Much obliged.

[mynameisnotjeff]

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i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

[close]

The SML OG's are the ones I ride. Obviously I'm extremely bias but they're close to what the F4s would feel like from what I've been told. Def good grip to slide ratio in my opinion after they're broken in.

Great Bunt episode!
Is there an eta of when the wheels you talked about drop?

Finally, any SML wheels tees I can cop to throw money your way?

[rocklobster]

i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

The OG formula does feel like a Bones STF and is fast for smooth terrain, but too hard for anything rougher.

I prefer the AG formula for street skating, grippier and more forgiving for rougher spots.

Both have a good slide.

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what are some decent wheels with a ton of offset?
looking to make a setup with trucks smaller than the deck

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Mike Arnold's Sml. wheels are extra wide but not offset. He loves them and swears by them. 56mm 99A.

(3rd slide shows the width)

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@cliff what does AG formula mean vs. the old formula?

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This. And does one of them work well on slippery wood ramps?

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The new OJs feel way less icy, so now I can blame like 3% of those f4 slams on a personal gear mismatch and keep the madness alive.

Do you know how sml wheels compare to f4 in terms of grip? Cheers

[close]

Ha, yeah definitely got to try some out and see what works.

I have had / seen two different types of SML wheels and both were good / no issues, but I didn't skate them much and passed them on to others who needed wheels, more so because I usually ride and feel most comfortable on Spitfires.

One set was very white, which seemed harder at first, the other set more milky, and was a bit softer / had more grip.  I guess being one of the many brands who use other wheels, it is just one of those things.

See this post for the slight differences, not counting the coloured wheels at the end.

[close]

So the ones with the flowers on the left are our AG formula (made specific Austyn) from Creative Urethane which is closer to a Spitfire Classic. They have a more traditional feel with a little bit easier slide-ability.

The other ones on the right are our OG formula from Aend They are closer to a Bones STF. They have a high rebound so they won't flat spot it doesn't have to do with the hardness as much as the high quality of urethane . So they do take a little more effort on the slide but I personally love them.

The duro is the same 99a on both but they both have their own feel.

I hope this info is helpful and thanks for the support!!

[close]

From what I've read:

AG - Similar to Spitfire OG formula, like a 99a
OG - Similar to Darkstar Master Urethane formula, like a 101a

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This is spot on. Appreciate the love everyone!

[minilogoflow]

I've been switching between one set up with 93a spits and my daily driver with x99 on it. I mostly skate a smooth park and haven't really hit any crusty/street spots lately so not exactly in ideal conditions for the spits. After breaking them in a bit I can say the biggest issue I have with the spits is they have the same problem keeping speed that the dragons have. Also, the slide is really inconsistent on smooth surfaces (just gliding instead of really biting down on slides). Besides those drawbacks, I really like the feel and sound of these a lot better than the dragons. They feel a lot more like a normal wheel in regards to pop and response, dragons on the other hand have that bouncy cruiser wheel feel. On the limited time I've used the spits in their intended environment I can say they are fast on bad ground, slide great on rough surfaces and give you just enough rattle to almost feel like normal f4's. I'd say on crusty areas the spit 93 are more equivalent to x97 than the dragons imo. Personally, I prefer the harder x formulas overall (97+99) but the spit 93's are a great wheel just not for what I typically skate. I'm interested in seeing how the reformulated f4 97's turn out, they might just get me off of the x formulas.

[rikki]

Based on many of the comments here I'm starting to regret drinking the Kool-Aid and buying set of Spit 93 54 Radials.

I mean, I love my X99s – they work pretty much f*cking everywhere. Basically 0% of the comments here have described the Spit 93s as being better than the X99s (with regards to where the X99s work best). From what I've understood, the 93s aren't e.g. as fast on smoother terrain.

But then again, gotta try 'em out for myself of course. Who knows, I might like them a lot. Without X99s in my universe, they could just be what I need. But it's good to have options, right? Right. Right...

[Frank and Fred]

I have some 60mm Rat Bone Dragons, I've been power-drifting through the hills. Fucking fun... My thighs are killing me.

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

I haven’t followed the 93 convo too closely, but is it a new formula?  Can we then expect 95/97/99….and the X/Dragon formulas only have one more gear: 101…..or do they?  The idea was ten years old…..

[Xen]

I haven’t followed the 93 convo too closely, but is it a new formula?  Can we then expect 95/97/99….and the X/Dragon formulas only have one more gear: 101…..or do they?  The idea was ten years old…..

While labeled as 'F4' riding them you can feel they clearly are not the same F4 formula we are used to and I doubt the F497s were either given how far from the 99a they performed...or maybe they were and it just didn't workout as well. F4 may have been used as a base, who knows but the chems.

'F4' is marketing now and the actual chemical formula doesn't mean shit, and rightfully so; I still feel BONES would have done better had their offerings been STFx or SSF (Soft Slide Formula = SSF) along the lines of STF/SPF we're used to - they threw away DECADES of branding probably worried how people would react to a 'soft' STF and splintering their brand and ended up using the worst fucking branding/logos/marketing possible...like they did with Easy Streets (least offensive I feel and for sure a pre-cursory attempt at what we have now) and the fucking Dirty Birds (that dude should be flogged).

My guess is you could easily do a 101 and still have it have more rebound giving it that wheels lines feel but like the x99 you run into user expectations x99 vs 99a / x101 vs 101a (especially in spits case); I'd imagine you would run into diminishing returns.

Dragons, X-Formula, Soft Sliders (and by extension the easy rider decks....ffs just make a 93a spit F4, and a mellow concave R1) are fucking garbage names...right up there with Van's Comfy Cush...

[Slugboi22]

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i’m between SML OG formula in the V-cut shape or OJ chubbies in 99a for my next wheel. Does anyone have experience with either?! i do a lot of slides and skate a parking structure with slick ground so im looking for something with decent grip to slide ratio! i’ve skated Spit f4 in 99a, 101a, and 97a in numerous sizes and shapes but im looking to try something new! :-)

[close]

The OG formula does feel like a Bones STF and is fast for smooth terrain, but too hard for anything rougher.

I prefer the AG formula for street skating, grippier and more forgiving for rougher spots.

Both have a good slide.

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what are some decent wheels with a ton of offset?
looking to make a setup with trucks smaller than the deck

[close]

Mike Arnold's Sml. wheels are extra wide but not offset. He loves them and swears by them. 56mm 99A.

(3rd slide shows the width)

[close]

@cliff what does AG formula mean vs. the old formula?

[close]

This. And does one of them work well on slippery wood ramps?

[close]

Expand Quote

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The new OJs feel way less icy, so now I can blame like 3% of those f4 slams on a personal gear mismatch and keep the madness alive.

Do you know how sml wheels compare to f4 in terms of grip? Cheers

[close]

Ha, yeah definitely got to try some out and see what works.

I have had / seen two different types of SML wheels and both were good / no issues, but I didn't skate them much and passed them on to others who needed wheels, more so because I usually ride and feel most comfortable on Spitfires.

One set was very white, which seemed harder at first, the other set more milky, and was a bit softer / had more grip.  I guess being one of the many brands who use other wheels, it is just one of those things.

See this post for the slight differences, not counting the coloured wheels at the end.

[close]

So the ones with the flowers on the left are our AG formula (made specific Austyn) from Creative Urethane which is closer to a Spitfire Classic. They have a more traditional feel with a little bit easier slide-ability.

The other ones on the right are our OG formula from Aend They are closer to a Bones STF. They have a high rebound so they won't flat spot it doesn't have to do with the hardness as much as the high quality of urethane . So they do take a little more effort on the slide but I personally love them.

The duro is the same 99a on both but they both have their own feel.

I hope this info is helpful and thanks for the support!!

[close]

From what I've read:

AG - Similar to Spitfire OG formula, like a 99a
OG - Similar to Darkstar Master Urethane formula, like a 101a

[close]

This is spot on. Appreciate the love everyone!

[close]

yo thanks for the help! you and @cliff gave some great insight! i’d love to try and support a smaller brand if i can help it! SML it is :-)

[goodatmeth]

In case someone is deciding between X97 and X99, consider this:

While I absolutely love my X99 and they're my one and only wheel now, they get very slippery on dusty (or damn pollen) wooden miniramps. The X97 DO NOT.
Not as slippery as 99a F4 or any other 99a of course, but slippery.

Ngl I'd like a X98 haha, might be perfect for everything. The only reason I'm not skating X97 is sticky crooked grinds on angle iron ledges. X99 solved that

[Creachteach]

In case someone is deciding between X97 and X99, consider this:

While I absolutely love my X99 and they're my one and only wheel now, they get very slippery on dusty (or damn pollen) wooden miniramps. The X97 DO NOT.
Not as slippery as 99a F4 or any other 99a of course, but slippery.

Ngl I'd like a X98 haha, might be perfect for everything. The only reason I'm not skating X97 is sticky crooked grinds on angle iron ledges. X99 solved that

X97 have cured my ailments of slipping out, and I skate a dusty indoor diy.
OJ elite 99a also seems fine and much stickier than Spitfire F499a, but they collect the dust somewhat, and then you have shit eating potential.
But at my level that’s a constant struggle.

[lamfordie]

Just watched the new episode of the bunt with Cliff and he mentioned the Sml wheels is making their own version of the dragon wheels that's gonna be a dual durometer. He said Mike Arnold is the main guy behind it. I am titally down to try them in the v-cut. @cliff any word when they will be released?

[rikki]

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In case someone is deciding between X97 and X99, consider this:

While I absolutely love my X99 and they're my one and only wheel now, they get very slippery on dusty (or damn pollen) wooden miniramps. The X97 DO NOT.
Not as slippery as 99a F4 or any other 99a of course, but slippery.

Ngl I'd like a X98 haha, might be perfect for everything. The only reason I'm not skating X97 is sticky crooked grinds on angle iron ledges. X99 solved that

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X97 have cured my ailments of slipping out, and I skate a dusty indoor diy.
OJ elite 99a also seems fine and much stickier than Spitfire F499a, but they collect the dust somewhat, and then you have shit eating potential.
But at my level that’s a constant struggle.

I second OJ Elite 99s being less slippery (and f*cking fast) at dusty indoors. BUT they feel like absolute ROCKS after X99. Did not enjoy the feel of them at all after getting used to the comfier ride of the X99 (which have worked perfectly for me indoors for the whole winter).

[bombsaway86]

Been going through a bit of wheel madness again lately. For the past year I was on the Spitfire F4 99 conical 56mm and loving them, but I kept getting flat spots and they were getting slow. I went back to F4 OG classic 99 58mm for a few weeks, but my ollies went to shit and they dragged a bit on grinds compared to the conicals. The increased speed from going up to 58mm was really nice though.

Ideally I’d ride an F4 conical 58mm, but Spitfire doesn’t make those. The next closest thing I could find was Bones SPF 81b P5 shape 58mm. It’s been several years since I’ve ridden the 81b, so I didn’t really remember much about them besides that I liked the last set I had. 

After trying the 81b wheels again, I’m surprised they’re not more popular, especially with the soft slide wheel trend right now. They feel like Spitfire made a 98a F4. Speed is about the same as F4s. Slide is grippier than F4, but still great. No issues with dragging on grinds.
The SPFs are lighter too, and my ollies feel even better than they did on the conicals.

I never really liked the 84b SPF because they felt like plastic and they didn’t grip well for me, but now I’m tempted to try them again

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

I noticed with the X99’s and I think this applies to all these new compounds is while you can manual faster…and further….it doesn’t feel the quite the same….its like wearing a condom….but maybe less pushing…

[bombsaway86]

I came across these charts while nerding out over durometer.

According to these charts, 81b=95a and 84b=99a. Bones markets them as 81b=101a and 84b=104a.

I’m sure it’s been said before, but it goes to show how the advertised durometer is based more on marketing than actual science and industry standards.

I also just recently realized that Spitfire markets their wheels as xx duro instead of using the A scale like most other wheel brands.

I’m curious as to what the actual durometer of Bones and Spitfire are. I know there’s some wheel nerds out there with a Durometer tool. I might have to buy some for the sake of science.

[goodatmeth]

I came across these charts while nerding out over durometer.

According to these charts, 81b=95a and 84b=99a. Bones markets them as 81b=101a and 84b=104a.

I’m sure it’s been said before, but it goes to show how the advertised durometer is based more on marketing than actual science and industry standards.

I also just recently realized that Spitfire markets their wheels as xx duro instead of using the A scale like most other wheel brands.

I’m curious as to what the actual durometer of Bones and Spitfire are. I know there’s some wheel nerds out there with a Durometer tool. I might have to buy some for the sake of science.

Please do it, I've been asking/wondering about that information for years. There's just no way that F4 99a and any bones 99a wheels are the same hardness.

[Mbrimson88]

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I came across these charts while nerding out over durometer.

According to these charts, 81b=95a and 84b=99a. Bones markets them as 81b=101a and 84b=104a.

I’m sure it’s been said before, but it goes to show how the advertised durometer is based more on marketing than actual science and industry standards.

I also just recently realized that Spitfire markets their wheels as xx duro instead of using the A scale like most other wheel brands.

I’m curious as to what the actual durometer of Bones and Spitfire are. I know there’s some wheel nerds out there with a Durometer tool. I might have to buy some for the sake of science.

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Please do it, I've been asking/wondering about that information for years. There's just no way that F4 99a and any bones 99a wheels are the same hardness.

I would be hard pressed to find the videos now, but I am sure someone has posted various wheel tests who did have the durometer tool.

Spitfire wheels for the most part were 99 or 98 in videos I saw, other wheels were a little less, even though listed as 99 or 101, like OJ Elites (going back a while, when they were still USA made) and some others had some curious results, although I don't recall seeing many / any Bones wheels duro tests.

It would definitely be interesting to see what the Spitfire 97 or 93 duro wheels came up as too.

For Bones, they are just their own product and I don't think anything can really compare exactly, maybe like the new Spitfire wheels, being so different, so even though you could compare them to other wheels, the properties and even the slide vs stick ratio on them can be so different, so I wonder if durometer is even a single good measure for something like that, after all being just a rubber test, not specifically for skateboard wheels.

From looking them up, funny how it is just a blunt needle sticking into the wheel, or something like that.


One on ebay for not much, although there are some out there for a hundred dollars or more:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/355473730346?

[Mbrimson88]

.

This is NOT the video I was thinking of, but it came up first in a quick search.

[bombsaway86]

.

This is NOT the video I was thinking of, but it came up first in a quick search.

Good video, thanks for sharing that. That confirms my suspicions as well

[rikki]

OJ Elite 99 is definitely harder than Spitfire F4 99.

[Creachteach]

OJ Elite 99 is definitely harder than Spitfire F4 99.

No way bro. My spits feel like marble, and my OJs are way gummier/deader.

[CarcassToss]

Are the X/Dragon/93 formulas basically killing off cruiser wheels? I've got 56 super Juice on my setup and was thinking it would possibly be more fun if I could actually power slide, but these things roll pretty damn fast and smooth. I've only done 54 93's, but maybe a 56 in a wide shape would be the future.

[Jackismydogsname]

Are the X/Dragon/93 formulas basically killing off cruiser wheels?

After two years of riding the Dragons, I don't think so.
I want the sticky grippy feeling for just riding around.
Dragons are sometimes too slick on Southwest rough roads, I have kicked out from pushing on a slight down hill.  I just decided I like the Mini Logo 90a a lot, they are the shape of a street wheel but have that old cruiser wheel feeling.

[mynameisnotjeff]

Super left turn:
Anyone know of any current brands making wheels like the OJ lil doodies or the G&S rollerballs?

[Enrico Pallazzo]

Super left turn:
Anyone know of any current brands making wheels like the OJ lil doodies or the G&S rollerballs?

Not as dramatic, but nano cubics are one I can think of off the top of my head. Nothing in Snot's current catalog but it feels like it'd be right up their alley.

[mynameisnotjeff]

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Super left turn:
Anyone know of any current brands making wheels like the OJ lil doodies or the G&S rollerballs?

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Not as dramatic, but nano cubics are one I can think of off the top of my head. Nothing in Snot's current catalog but it feels like it'd be right up their alley.

Honestly it does. I can see them making a run for fun and it weirdly taking off randomly. Even if it isn’t efficient.

[rocklobster]

Are the X/Dragon/93 formulas basically killing off cruiser wheels? I've got 56 super Juice on my setup and was thinking it would possibly be more fun if I could actually power slide, but these things roll pretty damn fast and smooth. I've only done 54 93's, but maybe a 56 in a wide shape would be the future.

Nah, X-Formula / Dragons / 93 SS are still too hard for cruising, they make rough parks and crusty spots skate-able but I wouldn't use them for a coffee run.

Maybe at 56 or 58 Radials (or Conical Fulls soon) but they'd still feel too chattery to replace a pure cruiser wheel.

[rikki]

I recently tried out Ricta Clouds 86s on my cruiser and they felt surprisingly hard, but without the slideability. Felt like I could just as well use Dragons.

[JimmyFive]

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Super left turn:
Anyone know of any current brands making wheels like the OJ lil doodies or the G&S rollerballs?

[close]

Not as dramatic, but nano cubics are one I can think of off the top of my head. Nothing in Snot's current catalog but it feels like it'd be right up their alley.

Doesn't Snot have an ultra-small wheel that looks like it's come from an in-line mould? I think they're called - "Lil' Shits".