Wheels Thread

[Existential Pie Sitch]

X95 exist now? I’m spending way too much money on wheels just to see what they feel like.

I’m surprised dragons are being mentioned as fast.  I find them slower and cloud-like, but they function really well when it comes to slides and pop

Spitfire 93 feel different than normal FF but in a way that there are almost no negative impacts on your skating.  Maybe they are also lighter than normal FF? Someone breakout the scale

[pops]

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@JM I agree with the above.  I've got the 50mm Dragons and they are great same width as 52's i believe
They are Fast for a 50mm

I'm looking at the 52 x 34mm 97a nano rats just wondering if anyone skating these ?
Curious how they slide??

[close]

I've been skating the 54x34 97a nano rats (V4 shape - big radial outside lip) and they are faster, whiter and harder feeling than the x97s (54mm v5s) I have. I'm really enjoying them. Slide great, right up there with spit 99s/x99s.

In hindsight, I do wish I had gotten 52s as the 34 width is too hesh for my terrain, and eat up too much 8.25" hanger but oh well. Better bark and slide than the x97s, feel more like x99s - they don't squeal on pinch friends either, they def refined them a bit or it's just a fluke run of the formula.

Robbie has some comments on them


Do be aware they have no labeling (except on the back in the bar code area) if you are getting a V5 or V4 shape (even tho they are both the same innder edge wheels shape); it's the outer that's different. So be aware if you are buying on line and be sure to look very carefully. Only the V5s nanos come in 30 width (V4 are 34 wide). the inner lip is essentially the V2 'lock-in' shape.

They do what they are advertised to do, roll on easy and lockin great; if you go for the V5 shape just know that you can get spit lock-ins in a harder duro if that's your pref and get the same results for rolling on and locking in but they will be a tad wider.



They also have a 51x31 nano rat coming soon.

Interesting. Makes me wonder, I hope they didn't change the formula because I love the 93a. I always thought x97 == PP97.

[bombsaway86]

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@JM I agree with the above.  I've got the 50mm Dragons and they are great same width as 52's i believe
They are Fast for a 50mm

I'm looking at the 52 x 34mm 97a nano rats just wondering if anyone skating these ?
Curious how they slide??

[close]

I can understand why people don’t understand the reason for x97’s. (Or x95 now.) does one really need THREE (four) sets of wheels? Not me. I have street missions and park skating figured out now (dragon 93 and x99 respectively)

[close]

That's what I've been doing and it's great. Swapping wheels doesn't take too long and the difference in feel between the two for different spots is worth the trouble for me. I think I prefer 99a Formula Four overall for most parks but the x99's are perfectly fine as well.

[close]

99 FF are just about the most perfect "normal" skate wheel for just about anything you can think of.  Not surprising at all you prefer it.

Two areas that the X/dragons do better I've found: roll faster on smooth skatepark concrete, and roll faster (with less chatter) on really rough ground.  They're like a less barky (and more grippy) SPF wheel, that rolls like a soft wheel over chunky asphalt (and also quieter).

So if going as fast as possible at the skatepark, or skating chunky asphalt, isn't really something you're interested in; then the 99 FF's are simply angelic.  (And Ben D. approved, which is almost the same thing)

I wonder sometimes if back in the heyday of youth, would formula four or x/dragon formula win out.....

X formula is definitely not faster than F4s on smooth concrete. I have a set of X99, they do well on older parks, but F4 is the clear winner on the smooth stuff

[JimmyFive]

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@JM I agree with the above.  I've got the 50mm Dragons and they are great same width as 52's i believe
They are Fast for a 50mm

I'm looking at the 52 x 34mm 97a nano rats just wondering if anyone skating these ?
Curious how they slide??

[close]

I've been skating the 54x34 97a nano rats (V4 shape - big radial outside lip) and they are faster, whiter and harder feeling than the x97s (54mm v5s) I have. I'm really enjoying them. Slide great, right up there with spit 99s/x99s.

In hindsight, I do wish I had gotten 52s as the 34 width is too hesh for my terrain, and eat up too much 8.25" hanger but oh well. Better bark and slide than the x97s, feel more like x99s - they don't squeal on pinch friends either, they def refined them a bit or it's just a fluke run of the formula.

Robbie has some comments on them


Do be aware they have no labeling (except on the back in the bar code area) if you are getting a V5 or V4 shape (even tho they are both the same innder edge wheels shape); it's the outer that's different. So be aware if you are buying on line and be sure to look very carefully. Only the V5s nanos come in 30 width (V4 are 34 wide). the inner lip is essentially the V2 'lock-in' shape.

They do what they are advertised to do, roll on easy and lockin great; if you go for the V5 shape just know that you can get spit lock-ins in a harder duro if that's your pref and get the same results for rolling on and locking in but they will be a tad wider.



They also have a 51x31 nano rat coming soon.

I also found the 97a Nano Rats to be a tad harder and faster than my old X97s.. I reckon they've refined the formula. Were as fast as the X99s I have on my other setup.

[JM]

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@JM I agree with the above.  I've got the 50mm Dragons and they are great same width as 52's i believe
They are Fast for a 50mm

I'm looking at the 52 x 34mm 97a nano rats just wondering if anyone skating these ?
Curious how they slide??

[close]

I can understand why people don’t understand the reason for x97’s. (Or x95 now.) does one really need THREE (four) sets of wheels? Not me. I have street missions and park skating figured out now (dragon 93 and x99 respectively)

[close]

That's what I've been doing and it's great. Swapping wheels doesn't take too long and the difference in feel between the two for different spots is worth the trouble for me. I think I prefer 99a Formula Four overall for most parks but the x99's are perfectly fine as well.

[close]

99 FF are just about the most perfect "normal" skate wheel for just about anything you can think of.  Not surprising at all you prefer it.

Two areas that the X/dragons do better I've found: roll faster on smooth skatepark concrete, and roll faster (with less chatter) on really rough ground.  They're like a less barky (and more grippy) SPF wheel, that rolls like a soft wheel over chunky asphalt (and also quieter).

So if going as fast as possible at the skatepark, or skating chunky asphalt, isn't really something you're interested in; then the 99 FF's are simply angelic.  (And Ben D. approved, which is almost the same thing)

I wonder sometimes if back in the heyday of youth, would formula four or x/dragon formula win out.....

[close]

X formula is definitely not faster than F4s on smooth concrete. I have a set of X99, they do well on older parks, but F4 is the clear winner on the smooth stuff

This is interesting. Because I stopped skating FF99’s because the SPF’s were faster on smooth concrete (which I skate 95% of time).

Then when I got X formula, I was surprised that I didn’t really lose any speed compared to SPF.

Then when I tried FF99 again they felt really slow in comparison. And like… gummy.

I don’t know… that’s just my experience.

[Bror]

I just saw some 56mm x 40mm dragon wheels in 88a, anyone tried the 88a formula?

I'd love a cruiser wheel that I could do regular tricks on

[JM]

I just saw some 56mm x 40mm dragon wheels in 88a, anyone tried the 88a formula?

I'd love a cruiser wheel that I could do regular tricks on

Well, just took another 1.5 mile roundtrip skate to the grocery store on a variety of concrete types (anywhere from medium-smooth concrete to heavy chunk asphalt.)

The dragons were fast(er than normal wheels) over everything including the foot massaging heavy chunk.

And the weird things still “felt” like hard wheels.

I bet the 88’s are still fine for tricks. I don’t know, give them a shot and report back!

[Musicaldeath107]

I just saw some 56mm x 40mm dragon wheels in 88a, anyone tried the 88a formula?

I'd love a cruiser wheel that I could do regular tricks on

Back in the dragon prototype days I had a set of the 90A ones and to me they felt like cruiser wheels already at that duro. I would imagine the 88s would satisfy that cruiser wheel to do tricks on role for ya.

[Xen]

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@JM I agree with the above.  I've got the 50mm Dragons and they are great same width as 52's i believe
They are Fast for a 50mm

I'm looking at the 52 x 34mm 97a nano rats just wondering if anyone skating these ?
Curious how they slide??

[close]

I can understand why people don’t understand the reason for x97’s. (Or x95 now.) does one really need THREE (four) sets of wheels? Not me. I have street missions and park skating figured out now (dragon 93 and x99 respectively)

[close]

That's what I've been doing and it's great. Swapping wheels doesn't take too long and the difference in feel between the two for different spots is worth the trouble for me. I think I prefer 99a Formula Four overall for most parks but the x99's are perfectly fine as well.

[close]

99 FF are just about the most perfect "normal" skate wheel for just about anything you can think of.  Not surprising at all you prefer it.

Two areas that the X/dragons do better I've found: roll faster on smooth skatepark concrete, and roll faster (with less chatter) on really rough ground.  They're like a less barky (and more grippy) SPF wheel, that rolls like a soft wheel over chunky asphalt (and also quieter).

So if going as fast as possible at the skatepark, or skating chunky asphalt, isn't really something you're interested in; then the 99 FF's are simply angelic.  (And Ben D. approved, which is almost the same thing)

I wonder sometimes if back in the heyday of youth, would formula four or x/dragon formula win out.....

[close]

X formula is definitely not faster than F4s on smooth concrete. I have a set of X99, they do well on older parks, but F4 is the clear winner on the smooth stuff

[close]

This is interesting. Because I stopped skating FF99’s because the SPF’s were faster on smooth concrete (which I skate 95% of time).

Then when I got X formula, I was surprised that I didn’t really lose any speed compared to SPF.

Then when I tried FF99 again they felt really slow in comparison. And like… gummy.

I don’t know… that’s just my experience.

I know what you mean by spits feeling gummy, but they're not, they only feel that way coming off the plasticy STF/SPF feel (and you are comparing SPF 81b or 84b?).

I also found the 97a Nano Rats to be a tad harder and faster than my old X97s.. I reckon they've refined the formula. Were as fast as the X99s I have on my other setup.

A couple of days ago I switched to some V5 x99s as the 54mmx34mm nanos are just to chonk (will get some 52x30s during black friday), didn't notice any difference in pinch/slide or feel; only  difference is I miss that lock-in style shape in a big way, easily lost 1/4 of my distance at speed on certain tricks.

[JM]

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@JM I agree with the above.  I've got the 50mm Dragons and they are great same width as 52's i believe
They are Fast for a 50mm

I'm looking at the 52 x 34mm 97a nano rats just wondering if anyone skating these ?
Curious how they slide??

[close]

I can understand why people don’t understand the reason for x97’s. (Or x95 now.) does one really need THREE (four) sets of wheels? Not me. I have street missions and park skating figured out now (dragon 93 and x99 respectively)

[close]

That's what I've been doing and it's great. Swapping wheels doesn't take too long and the difference in feel between the two for different spots is worth the trouble for me. I think I prefer 99a Formula Four overall for most parks but the x99's are perfectly fine as well.

[close]

99 FF are just about the most perfect "normal" skate wheel for just about anything you can think of.  Not surprising at all you prefer it.

Two areas that the X/dragons do better I've found: roll faster on smooth skatepark concrete, and roll faster (with less chatter) on really rough ground.  They're like a less barky (and more grippy) SPF wheel, that rolls like a soft wheel over chunky asphalt (and also quieter).

So if going as fast as possible at the skatepark, or skating chunky asphalt, isn't really something you're interested in; then the 99 FF's are simply angelic.  (And Ben D. approved, which is almost the same thing)

I wonder sometimes if back in the heyday of youth, would formula four or x/dragon formula win out.....

[close]

X formula is definitely not faster than F4s on smooth concrete. I have a set of X99, they do well on older parks, but F4 is the clear winner on the smooth stuff

[close]

This is interesting. Because I stopped skating FF99’s because the SPF’s were faster on smooth concrete (which I skate 95% of time).

Then when I got X formula, I was surprised that I didn’t really lose any speed compared to SPF.

Then when I tried FF99 again they felt really slow in comparison. And like… gummy.

I don’t know… that’s just my experience.

[close]

I know what you mean by spits feeling gummy, but they're not, they only feel that way coming off the plasticy STF/SPF feel (and you are comparing SPF 81b or 84b?).

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I also found the 97a Nano Rats to be a tad harder and faster than my old X97s.. I reckon they've refined the formula. Were as fast as the X99s I have on my other setup.

[close]

A couple of days ago I switched to some V5 x99s as the 54mmx34mm nanos are just to chonk (will get some 52x30s during black friday), didn't notice any difference in pinch/slide or feel; only  difference is I miss that lock-in style shape in a big way, easily lost 1/4 of my distance at speed on certain tricks.

84b. Their hardest.

Makes sense.

And fuck yeah! Return of the helmet skull. I remember that pic.

[logjammin]

I just saw some 56mm x 40mm dragon wheels in 88a, anyone tried the 88a formula?

I'd love a cruiser wheel that I could do regular tricks on

I have these exact ones equipped on my board but haven't been able to put them to the test, have to wait for the weekend. Jayson Dagner did a YouTube review on them and they seem really good.

[roba]

who?

[back smith]

who?

He's a tobacco pipe maker who hawks his wares with a skateboarding channel aimed at the 40+ crowd.

[logjammin]

I was too lazy to embed the video, no idea who he is outside of that review.

Anyway, I skated the 88a dragons yesterday at my smooth local park and for the most part, I hated them.

Pros: They felt amazing rolling the crusty parking lot, if you're not trying to skate anything involving metal coping or metal anything, and need 'em for crust, it probably doesn't get any better than these. They powerslide just fine. No slippage. I remember actually slipping out pretty easy on 93a dragons. The speed on the 88a's was great, too I will say. Even in the smooth park.

Cons: As I mentioned metal coping, they completely sucked. Couldn't hold a long standup grind whatsoever, stuck and got tossed every time. We have a perfect metal slappy curb and they made the worst nails on a chalkboard loud squeak and tossed me every attempt. I got lucky and landed a couple but had to make sure I was like completely set on the hanger without the wheels touching.

These would work great for not slipping at a dusty indoor, which was my main intention, but since they perform so horrible on metal coping they're basically useless.

Conclusion: I would say these wheels are for crust and concrete only. I'll probably have to try the x97 formula now or maybe those x95 cowtown wheels for the winter indoor season.

[pops]

Thanks for the review. Well, that was expected as they're softer than the Og Dragons and they stick a bit on metal as well. I have no issues with 93s though, they slide where I want/need them to and no slipping out when powersliding. They're also much more tolerable than any hard wheel where I skate.

[logjammin]

Glad to help! Yeah I don't hate the 93a's but my problem with those is I had multiple sets where the bearings kept slipping out of the seats within the wheels, even warranty ones they sent me. It wasn't as bad as the 88a's, but I definitely had to be careful on metal coping cause those tossed me if I leaned too hard a certain way.

I'm just trying to find a goldilocks wheel for indoor season that will allow me to not slip out on ramps but also not stick on metal coping. Spitfire 97a's are great wheels but indoors they slip badly.

[Reese Bruno]

Has anyone had both the lock in fulls and the nano cubics/nano rats (the really wide ones that cover the axle nut)?

Looking for a wide wheel and wondering how they compare

[back smith]

Old formula Spitfire F4 97A is pretty good on wood. Better than 95A Elite OJ's, less icey (those were new though and the Spits used).

[drinny]

Spitfire 97a's are great wheels but indoors they slip badly.

The new 97’s, are you saying they are slippier than old formula on wood/indoor?

[Xen]

Has anyone had both the lock in fulls and the nano cubics/nano rats (the really wide ones that cover the axle nut)?

Looking for a wide wheel and wondering how they compare

@Reese Bruno

Not cubics (ew) or lock-in fulls bit just regular lock-ins once at 53mm 99a the other at 52mm 101a and Nano rats 97a at 54mmx34mm (.1 wider than the widest lock-in I skated).

Both work as intended. I felt the nano rats (v4 shape) rolled up and over easier with less effort, especially at speed, than the lock-ins which are like the V5 nano shape. Tried both back to back, same spots, 52spit vs 54nano, both locked in about the same on ledges and curbs but I'd have to give the edge to the nano rats on curbs as I guess the 2mm height was helping to stay in the grinds longer and farther; taller lockins would probably net the same result.

Then, of course, there is durometer and and what/where you are skating. I've found that the 97a nanos have a super consistent slide and/or are more forgiving on pinch grinds (less getting pitched).

[Too Frank To Fred]

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Spitfire 97a's are great wheels but indoors they slip badly.

[close]

The new 97’s, are you saying they are slippier than old formula on wood/indoor?

Agreed, the new ones are slipperier on indoor slick surfaces than the old ones.

[Troubadour26]

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Has anyone had both the lock in fulls and the nano cubics/nano rats (the really wide ones that cover the axle nut)?

Looking for a wide wheel and wondering how they compare

[close]

@Reese Bruno

Not cubics (ew) or lock-in fulls bit just regular lock-ins once at 53mm 99a the other at 52mm 101a and Nano rats 97a at 54mmx34mm (.1 wider than the widest lock-in I skated).

Both work as intended. I felt the nano rats (v4 shape) rolled up and over easier with less effort, especially at speed, than the lock-ins which are like the V5 nano shape. Tried both back to back, same spots, 52spit vs 54nano, both locked in about the same on ledges and curbs but I'd have to give the edge to the nano rats on curbs as I guess the 2mm height was helping to stay in the grinds longer and farther; taller lockins would probably net the same result.

Then, of course, there is durometer and and what/where you are skating. I've found that the 97a nanos have a super consistent slide and/or are more forgiving on pinch grinds (less getting pitched).

I just took off my Grimple Stix Lock In Fulls 54mm, they were wide for sure. I did enjoy them but I would not buy another set of asymmetrical wheels. Once they begin to cone, I did not like the idea of rotating them. They’re good wheels, they worked, there were many times I found myself locked the fuck in grind on a round rail or coping.

I just set up 55mm Classics and I haven’t skated the classic shape in years. I’m stoked on them after the first night.

[Fifty8mm]

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Has anyone had both the lock in fulls and the nano cubics/nano rats (the really wide ones that cover the axle nut)?

Looking for a wide wheel and wondering how they compare

[close]

@Reese Bruno

Not cubics (ew) or lock-in fulls bit just regular lock-ins once at 53mm 99a the other at 52mm 101a and Nano rats 97a at 54mmx34mm (.1 wider than the widest lock-in I skated).

Both work as intended. I felt the nano rats (v4 shape) rolled up and over easier with less effort, especially at speed, than the lock-ins which are like the V5 nano shape. Tried both back to back, same spots, 52spit vs 54nano, both locked in about the same on ledges and curbs but I'd have to give the edge to the nano rats on curbs as I guess the 2mm height was helping to stay in the grinds longer and farther; taller lockins would probably net the same result.

Then, of course, there is durometer and and what/where you are skating. I've found that the 97a nanos have a super consistent slide and/or are more forgiving on pinch grinds (less getting pitched).

[close]

I just took off my Grimple Stix Lock In Fulls 54mm, they were wide for sure. I did enjoy them but I would not buy another set of asymmetrical wheels. Once they begin to cone, I did not like the idea of rotating them. They’re good wheels, they worked, there were many times I found myself locked the fuck in grind on a round rail or coping.

I just set up 55mm Classics and I haven’t skated the classic shape in years. I’m stoked on them after the first night.

I freaking love the lock in fulls. Been skating them in 57mm for a couple of weeks. They slide great, lock in, and feel so smooth.

I'm not surprised people dislike them. Even the regular lock ins dont sell well.

[pinkeye fieri]

Has anyone had both the lock in fulls and the nano cubics/nano rats (the really wide ones that cover the axle nut)?

Looking for a wide wheel and wondering how they compare

the 39mm nanorats are better than cubics, the only substantial difference is that the nano rats have urethane on the inside of the bearing seat so the ground feedback is more evenly distributed across the bearings, instead of lopsided, so they just feel more sturdy/natural and less squishy under foot. this also causes the rats to cone less and wear more evenly. only advantage of nano cubics is they increase your hangar space for grinds, but that requires adjustment and can be a drawback depending on ur preference. imo if you want to increase grind space its worth it to just get wider trucks if its in the budget.

39mm nano rats are just lock-in fulls with more formula options

[rikki]

IMO the new duro Spit F4 97s are great on indoor plywood. WAY less slippier than F4 99s and also less slippier than the Spit 93s.

[pops]

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Has anyone had both the lock in fulls and the nano cubics/nano rats (the really wide ones that cover the axle nut)?

Looking for a wide wheel and wondering how they compare

[close]

the 39mm nanorats are better than cubics, the only substantial difference is that the nano rats have urethane on the inside of the bearing seat so the ground feedback is more evenly distributed across the bearings, instead of lopsided, so they just feel more sturdy/natural and less squishy under foot. this also causes the rats to cone less and wear more evenly. only advantage of nano cubics is they increase your hangar space for grinds, but that requires adjustment and can be a drawback depending on ur preference. imo if you want to increase grind space its worth it to just get wider trucks if its in the budget.

39mm nano rats are just lock-in fulls with more formula options

Yup, not really fan of the nano cubics but I'm going to wear down my current set. Nano rats seem like a good option.

[flocke]

prod on bones wheels

[Xen]

prod on bones wheels

Didn't see that one coming (even tho he's been riding x-form off and on)...but 95s?

[TwisT]

Paul hasn’t had a no board company pro wheel since what, Hubba?

[back smith]

Maybe Reynolds inspired him with the old man 93's.