Spitfire Formula Four Classics 54mm Review

[@fernandoreyes680]

1:49 That noseslide nollie heel was as proper as proper gets.

[@fernandoreyes680]

@Lyle Oakley yeah idgaf

[@user-pg1wm8qy4d]

@@fernandoreyes680 It's just a spam account going around commenting on every old skate video. Idk why.

[@fernandoreyes680]

@@user-pg1wm8qy4d Yeah I've seen them on so many videos

[@las10plagas]

I am happy with my formular fours. the only thing that scares me a little bit, is when I go very fast around a tight corner, I tend to "drift"/ make unintentional powerslides. but because they are so hard, they make a very nice and crisp sound when landing :) it is like my wheels applaud me after every trick ^^

[@treehavn]

Dude The bones slide even more lol

[@mushlove6933]

EXPOSUREDIMEPRODUCT bones are more predictable

[@naswinney]

I'm a huge fan of the F4 "sounds" as well. Huge selling point lol

[@las10plagas]

hehehe

[@arianewell6252]

Do you like drifting? Check out Remember wheels. They have some called remember collective lil hoots. They are super slidy.

[@keithrobinson2281]

I have been kicking around getting a 54mm wheel for a little more speed. I've been a loyal Bones rider for trick boards, but I was curious about the Spitfire wheels and have been for a long time. Your review compelled me to pull the trigger. I always enjoy your reviews and your skating. Thanks Ben!

[@kevinsnyder1390]

0:35 Here in Canada, the only aggressive type of people you have to worry about at your local park are the 7 year old Bike Bell Jinglers.

[@proudtobestraight9053]

Not true at all

[@NessaDarps]

Noseslide nollie heel was so smooth 👌🏻 great review

[@phantomhotty4439]

i've been using 54's for a little while and they definitely wear down over a long period of time so they feel perfect now

[@benjaminfitzgerald7839]

My recent set of spitfires are my favorite by far, They're 56mm conical slims, & they are perfect.

[@kylemcleanreeve7398]

I love 54mm I like 101 duro I tried 99 on the lock ins and they got eaten up quick , right now I have 101 full conical and they are pretty sweet . I love the added pop factor on the bigger wheels but I do agree it take a little extra effort .

[@CarltonSeven]

Funny. Today I saw these Spitfire wheels in the skate shop (in Amsterdam). I like the color but noticed the size is a bit bigger then I used to skate (52). I'm happy you made a review on it. Great skating! Thanks.

[@bendegros]

:)

[@jessenewton8568]

I had the 53mm f4 classics 99 du, and they are the best wheels I've skated in a while.

[@cades.clips101]

Are they good on transition?

[@jessenewton8568]

@@cades.clips101 yessir

[@felix2805]

What wheels for tricksing and also cruising?

[@skarceoneafd9609]

I’m still here watching your reviews in 2020! Your skate reviews are the best happy belated new year everyone! Peace ✌🏼

[@jasoncastledine1012]

Awesome to see a new video bro. Thanks for your hard work on these reviews

[@FirelordRob76]

i have a ten year old set of F1 streetburners in green that i love. i used to live and die by the f1 urethane back in the 2010s. i would do anything for them to bring back streetburners.

[@Doorito_]

0:34 made me subscribe

[@yokaibyte2133]

The first spitfire wheels that they sold were sold as a set of six. I’m not sure why, however, everyone said it was because of the small size (56m I believe). At the time everyone was riding 66m or bigger and using risers and then the new school era arrived... I bought them because 6 for the price of 4, hell yeah! 😄

[@bendegros]

Thats before my time!

[@Zeal808]

Justin Mc gnarly

[@banksyofword]

it was sold as six to get you to buy two sets as a deal and then in reality you'd have 3 sets equaling 12 wheels from the price of just purchasing 2 sets

[@crazyjakie9972]

Watching you from when you started and your progression is insane

[@bendegros]

Part of it is I am re-learning things. So the muscle memory is there and I am finally getting conditioned enough to do my old tricks again. There are only about a dozen I can't seem to wrangle back.

[@davidleeashkenazi8992]

Again, only wheels that didn't flatspot on me and I've been riding a set of 99a conicals for more than a year now on all terrains with no problems! Unlike Bones SPF's 84b and 81b which both have flatspotted under a week and offered less grip (I know they're harder, but the formula should be matters too), STF's seems a little bit harder to flatspot than SPF's but really - You can't go wrong with Spits Formula Fours 99 or 101a!

[@jefftennis1275]

54 99 F4 classics are my fav go to wheel, I tried to run some waywards the other day and they were just terrible in comparison. F4s are built like tanks and have the perfect amount of slide/ control!

[@henry5123]

Love the videos Ben. Ok, so you can only choose one setup to skate for the rest of your life. What does it consist of? Deck brand, size, trucks, wheels, bearings.. you get the point...your reviews are so in depth, I am very interested to hear what your answer is. Keep up the great work dude!

[@bendegros]

I don't think I've found it yet. Also, I bet my gear will scale up in size as I age. But let's choose it from my current preferences and experiences. Deck - Real(or other deluxe brands) Can't decide between 8.125 and 8.25( Although I've never seen any Real 8.125s) Trucks. This ones tough! - Indy hollows 144 or titaniums ( I skate marginally better on Thunders but I like the way indys feel the best) Wheels - Spitfire Formula Four 52mm( do I have to choose a shape?) Bearings - Bones Swiss (old faithful)

[@kierandyer-LeavingAtDawn]

Thanks for the review Ben! I’ve been wondering what these wheels are like and will probably get them as my next set of wheels. Would love to see you try Wayward Wheels. They have an amazing team but I haven’t really heard what they’re like.

[@timknapen]

the flatspot test in the street looked like sooo much fun!

[@michaeljohn8905]

It’s funny how this generation are testing out for flat spots. I hate to break it to you guys. I’ve been skating for 30+ years and I have never seen a wheel that could not be flat spotted. Now the question is how fast and how bad of a flat spot does that companies urethane leave that is something that would interest me but just seeing if it’s possible to make a urethane wheel that doesn’t flat spot is really like looking for a unicorn. The only thing you could really do to prevent this is by making carbon fiber wheels or go back to the 60s and ask for their metal wheels back 😂 Still, I respect the testing that you guys are doing good job keep up the good work. PS. The classic wheels are called Classics for a reason they just work really well I will tell you one thing I would like to see some testing done on trucks because what I’m seeing these days and maybe it’s always been there but the cats in axels and when I say, can’t, I mean the bending up of the axle to produce a sharper turn is something that I don’t really like I’m an aircraft mechanic and we love straight metal. There doesn’t seem to be a real rational reason for the axle to be bent up. It wears your wheels at a different pace from the inside to the outside yes, you can flip them like your car and rotate them but it seems like cheating, the hanger itself all seems differ and I really haven’t seen a truck company yet that has made consistent straight hangers and straight axles with a good turn radius. They’re using the bend in the axle to make turn radius and that’s cheating. And jack up your wheels .

[@AdventuresInSkateboarding]

Just set up a new complete. I was riding the Bones full conical but just wen to a Bones V4 83b/103a. We will see if I lose my 50-50s at all without the lock-design of the full conical. I have never skated anything other than bones and old school OJs.

[@vinceamir7236]

Great review again!!!! I tried the Radial Slim 101Du 51mm and i really like it, they roll a lot faster then the classic 51mm 101du and when they get some wear on them they keep a lot more speed because of the wider contact but i get some hard time with my smith grind the classic are esaier maybe because of the square shape on big round rail. Next time i probably try 52mm radial slim or classic(so far my best two wheels).I forget to precise that i always roll on asphalt.

[@bendegros]

I have 52mm radial slims 101 next.

[@kanescrimes4848]

As usual, great review.

[@joebotz1243]

I've been writing those Wheels a few years recently went back to OJ bloodsuckers 97a, 99s are just too hard for me nowadays in my forties

[@kcsloan1984]

Thanks for the vids Ben. Always look forward to your next video

[@kcsloan1984]

I’m a cruiser from des moines. 78 ricta clouds is where it’s at

[@sethnicholls7861]

Yes more vids Ben!

[@arianewell6252]

The a durometer rating scale only goes to 100. There are other durometer scales that allow for higher, or harder rating such as the the b scale. There are other numerous rating scales available for other rating needs but I can’t remember what they are are off the top of my head. Pretty sure one of the is the O scale, but I don’t know how that one works.

[@brettdavis6361]

Ben, don't you think the noseslide difference had more to do with your trucks (Indy's w/ Bones vs Thunders with Spits)? Indy's just nose/tail slide easier in my experience.

[@bendegros]

That's exactly what it was. I just hadn't experienced it that many times yet at the time of this video.

[@jackstraw5527]

I just got a set of 56mm full conical formula 4s. It looks like a danny way megaramp board to me, I have never had such big wheels. But I want to start skating "vert" more so I figured why not go big.

[@linnsterlingcurebeliefinad1725]

Spitefires is all i ride.i skated 56mm I love them been 25yrs they remjnd me of my favorite wheels of all time Blockhead wildthings yo u should try them someday.get the 97s best wheels i ever shredded in my life i skated 95s but i used to do power slides for like 25 to 30 feet.tryem ben.

[@micr0ray]

Hi, just want to know if you use riser pad and if you do, what’s the size of it, I just start skate 56mm and want to get some advise or opinion about it. Thanks.

[@ashton35]

I use 1/4" risers with any wheel bigger than 54mm

[@bgoutdoors802]

I’ve rode 42mm boardy cake wheels. I’ve ridden spitfire 56mm wheels. I’ve ridden high trucks, low trucks. Thunders, indys, krux, ventures. Basically been threw the main staple brands of skateboarding. I like indys with super small wheels. I’ve always liked a lower board but not to low and I hate wheel bite so I ride 48mm wheels with Indy stage 11s. Keeps my board low and little to no wheels bite. I feel like higher boards pop weird

[@calebwilson6298]

I was thinking “don’t be so mean to your wheels”... but then again, your review wouldn’t be so good without those crazy flat spot attempts! Nice review! And that nose slide nollie heel...BOOM!

[@bendegros]

I had to try. I was actually worried to try because they are a skinnier contact patch but it's good proof of how resistant they are. I can't flatspot them even if I try my hardest.

[@calebwilson6298]

Well I want to by a set now👌

[@mardoggyo6712]

Have you tried the Santa Cruz Crystal Balls wheels? I have a unopened pack. I haven’t seen any reviews on how they skate and I’m pretty curious.

[@chriss.1593]

They are called “Classics” for a reason.

[@_freedumb]

Spitfire is back on track with the f4s, great wheels imo. Which ones do you like the most personally, 99 or 101? Havent tried the 101s yet but I'm assuming theyre only great on smooth concrete as to where the 99s are a pretty great overall wheel..?

[@AnthonyTran]

Formula 4 for the win! I actually like the cream color but maybe I'll be adventurous and try some of their colored wheels now.

[@bendegros]

I like the colour too. I have gotten used to it. They don't photo well though.

[@naswinney]

The color thing trips me out. They used to say "No dyes cuz it's pure urethane" and all the f4s were that dirty off white color. And now they have all sorts of color swirl options. I realllyyyy want a clean looking white f4... #spitfire

[@BLVCKSEA]

Bro youve been hitting hard on my youtube algorithim in the past two days or so. Everytime i refresh my feed one of your old videos pops up at the top of my feed. How much you paying youtube for this? 😂

[@skarceoneafd9609]

I’m late but I notice my wheels rub more on thunders and indys I grind down the baseplate and the wheels are further in so it tends to slide much better imo.. sry I’m a year late but love watching the old reviews

[@michaeljohn8905]

I really think that a lot of people attribute the wheels to a lot of their problems and this could be argued for sure, but you have to factor in what the wheels are on and if those things that the wheels are on are straight or turned, just like a car, it can produce a lot of negative effects, and when your wheels start to wear either because The truck axles are beveled in or by the fact that the person doesn’t rotate their wheels can definitely add to the wheel, not producing what you wanted to produce.

[@Pandorios]

I have some wheels called Moska wheels and they are labeled as 83D which would be something like 103A ish...? anyway, I've never seen any other wheels harder than this.And they are great for slides!

[@nekro9t2]

Surprises me to hear people say that 54mm is a big wheel coming from an era when people skated T-bones and Bullet 66mms!

[@bobburbanks7718]

Aggressive bell jingling should be outlawed (along with riding new wheels with the graphic on the outside). ;)

[@MrSwitchblade327]

Poser

[@NHAFFFF]

What's with people putting the graphic inside

[@NHAFFFF]

It's there for a reason

[@roccy5735]

You should start a new series. Maybe a series where you learn a new trick you’ve wanted to learn for a while. Whether it be on flat ground or ledge or whatever is up to you😀

[@fabianSito123]

Noseslide heelflip out...nice improvement mahn!

[@JJ-rp5ck]

I like the yellow white color wheels

[@jasonwillis8264]

I see that flight deck, so ready for the review on that bc I’ve been thinking about buying one for awhile now

[@bendegros]

One more week.

[@tylerschrage1654]

Can you do the classics just the regular non f4

[@IntergalacticMath]

You should try a nollie frontside heelflip to switch manual. You got that.

[@rwirtz77]

I've found what your saying to be true, i've been skating back and forth 53mm Conical Full and 56mm Classic. They kind of skate the same but the 56mm Classic is better for covering distance, i don't drive so i have to push to get to spots, sometimes miles so i like the 56mm more. Oh, i'm running 97a 56mm and the Conical are 99a 53mm. I prefer the 97a 56mm of the two. I gave up Bluntslides years ago and i only Lipslide if it's a rail. No flatspots and lets be real those tricks are kind of lame. I havnt waxed a curb since i was 12 lol of course downtown Chicago is all marble. ✌

[@mauriceflores4326]

Bro your terminology is so technical I actually have to wonder whether or not it is a whole lot of jargin or if I'm such an uncultured simpleton that I couldn't ever fathom the nuance that is your connoseur

[@bobbyparson9229]

Thx Ben. You said something that caught my interest. I ride vert, would you say a classic or a full conical would be better for pools with smooth concrete ? Thx. great vids as always.

[@mr.jamster8414]

Bobby Parson classic 60mm 99a, has the most wall for pool coping and is the tallest for speed.

[@BHonest]

Can you do an x formula review? Those are my current favorite

[@valskates7833]

I skate with a Santa Cruise Everslick Frankenghost deck with 54 mm wheels I prefer more of the bigger wheels but it’s always your choice

[@usafan96soren20]

The only thing I noticed with 99a f4s (I got the conical) is they tend to really really absorb the impact on the landing... isn't like they're way softer. Much love from Italy ❤️ keep killing it Ben

[@mechanikjoe]

Good review! I have the 54 classics also and I reaaally like them. Moreso after I've ridden them for a while and they've worn down some. I've been skating mine for like 6 months now and still don't have flat spots, which is awesome. I've always wondered how my skating would be with a smaller wheels, I generally would ride 54's my whole life just because that's what size wheel my friend had so I thought that was best and never really thought about it much. lol Could this be the reason I seem to have a harder time learning flip tricks?!

[@bendegros]

A slightly smaller wheel can help crisp up flip tricks but it won't be the primary reason. Just keep riding those 54's down and you will find out.

[@anthonygross3876]

I had a set of 50mm spitfire that was red. My favs

[@chriss.1593]

Ben, did you have Indys with those Bones wheels? I’d bet that whole wheel clearance with axle placement was part of the reason the classics were “sticking” when they were on the Thunders, and the bones were sliding on the Indys.

[@londys]

It's hard to compare bones and spitfire sliding on ledge because on thunder, the wheels lean toward the outer while on indy, your wheels rarely touch the ledge.

[@bendegros]

True. A few people mentioned that. It slipped my mind while reviewing.

[@slappycrook]

Noseslide heelflip...so good.

[@henry5123]

Also, would love to see a review of a Pizza deck.

[@pi55drunx]

Weird about the nose slides. I feel like the Spitfires powerslide better than Bones. I recently switched from Bones to the Formula Fours. The yellowness still kinda bums me out but they ride so well, I don't see myself going back.

[@patski7105]

yuri bordas everytime I see a yellow wheel it just gives me a nostalgic classic wheel feeling.

[@bendegros]

I have gotten used to the yellow and now I kind of like it. I like these better for powerslides than bones. It was only the noseslides.

[@Pandorios]

Nice video and ss Tre!

[@kainhowse8988]

Love formula fours

[@JoshuaRyanNerez]

got no problem on wheelbites with the 54s with them thunders? i changed my originally attached forged with the old casts that i have.

[@rohannr2609]

Actually riding the 53mm classics On my island mauritius its kinda hard to get speed etcc..but they are good wheels tho

[@mr.jamster8414]

Roan R “actually riding” is the best way to put these things. They are almost as fast as good cruiser wheels but have that street wheel feel and are light and slide so good. Best wheel for street street skating.

[@Rickyswoop]

Thanks for the vid! Are these the thunder highs?

[@bonksmusic1]

I've tried spits FF classics in both 99du & 101du and preferred the 101du at the time, because it gave me a fun revert, but generally riding on 99du was fun because it felt softer. I switched to bones stf which are harder and didn't have any complaints about it. Now I'm gonna try ricta 99du because I noticed micky papa and sewa have pro models that only come in 99du, so I suspect they only ride 99du and they are a couple of my favourite skaters and would love to skate like them so I'm giving it a shot to understand how they feel their preferences and how that might affect my skating. I guess at first it might be something I have to get used to but I think there must be a reason why they only skate 99du.

[@kevinsnyder1390]

No disrespect but i find it comical when people refer to durometers as 99du instead of 99a. Like duhhh. Lol

[@bonksmusic1]

Kevin Snyder cool story bro

[@thomashenshaw8798]

Love these wheels

[@kotymccallister5150]

I have these! They're a different color though

[@IntergalacticMath]

You should review the Ricta Slix if you get a chance. I bet they’d be great for your crooked grinds.

[@JorgeRodriguez-fy1kj]

What's the difference between the cheap spitefires over the more expensive ones of the same durameter?

[@naswinney]

were your trucks same brand when you were doing your noseslide test? because (and im sure you know) the thunder baseplate is pushed back a bit so you slide on your wheels, whereas, the indy baseplate is more to the outside and hits during nose/tailslides.

[@bendegros]

Ooh good point. You were right about that. It probably did have a bit to do with it.

[@finnnorko6546]

Hey Ben dergos I have been looking all over and would like to know what you think is the best wheel to use if I am mostly skating mini ramps made of wood and concrete parks please respond

[@claudious7874]

Hey Ben, why do you usually skate 8.25 decks with 8.5 trucks? I’ve been told not to do this by people but I don’t know why not. What is the advantage or disadvantage of having slightly wider trucks?

[@bendegros]

That's a good topic for a video. I just like the feel of the trucks being a bit wider. If you measure the wheels they will still be skinnier than the deck.

[@chriss.1593]

Claudious Until 8.25 trucks (recently) came out, almost everyone rode 8.5 trucks on 8.25 decks. There is NO specific reason why you should / should not do it...just personal preference.

[@woollybugger725]

Dude you’re crazy 4:07

[@toynazi]

I will never stray from Bones wheels again.

[@bendegros]

Wheels are totally a preference thing. I can see why many people prefer Bones.

[@cameronbowman8686]

What deck is that love the look of the nose and tail

[@patski7105]

Might cop those.. how do people make you're bearings looks like without bearing covers I never understood how to do that. With the ball bearings just showing looks cool too

[@patski7105]

Great wheels review and noseslide as usual

[@mushlove6933]

Get a staple pin and pop the cover off

[@tylerschrage1654]

DO A BONES AND SPITFIRE COMPARISON

[@bendegros]

It will come. Probably in the next month.

[@fatlinesofcode]

Try the radials slims 99a. They feel like these but have the shape of a bones stf.

[@bendegros]

Coming soon but in 101

[@danielborges.]

Man, did you still have this wheels? I'm looking for this one in green and I can't find it anymore. ;)

[@justvlogs3554]

ey benn can i suggest ricta high energy or ricta sparx ? i would like to know ur comments on them

[@SkateGirlAndrea]

I skate Bones Stf 54mm. I skate street and transition. So I find the bones 54mm perfect.

[@sadhvacman7238]

I'm partial to the spitfire conicals. I like the classics too though. I take it, pronouncing asphalt as ashphalt, is a Canadian thing. I've never noticed that before.

[@bendegros]

Nope, just an error. I know the right way. Maybe it's because us polite Canadians don't want to say ass!

[@sadhvacman7238]

Hence my never noticing you pronounce it that way. Wasn't trying to imply that you didn't know better or that were even saying it wrong. But, I get it now. Well mannered Canadians say it that way.

[@bendegros]

I do think a lot of people here say ashphalt and I often do as well. I think its one of those words where the spelling makes you a bit dyslexic. Your brain kind of wants to move the h over to make it easier to say. I definitely was unaware how to pronounce it correctly for many years.

[@bendegros]

LOL! I was just browsing and a pizza skateboards video was titled Ashpalt Romance😂 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJ-VY4d7opurZqs

[@calvinhodge4536]

So I’ve been Riding 99a spitfire. What do you recommend for the sliders

[@p.brendan6794]

i used to love spitfire formula four 56mm but after getting some OJ insanathane 55mm wheels idk i cant go back its not the same ahah

[@naswinney]

P. brendan that good?

[@MrMusicfreak95]

Late but how would you compare the 99a vs the 101a? Say for someone that likes to do lots of nose slides like yourself.

[@bendegros]

99's were noticeably stickier on noseslides but for some reason seemed to powerslide really well. Go figure!

[@skatertrash4205]

That's my small tech set up 😆

[@catarinabakker8405]

Is there a difference between the 54’s and 53’s?

[@sebastian15yearsago60]

Yes, 54 is 1mm bigger than the 53's and the difference is 1. Glad I could be of help!

[@ThoseVeganAussieBlokes]

Ring Ring.... Ring Ring.... Ring Ring.... RING RING!!!!

[@mulldriftyr]

gling gling gling gling

[@vinceamir7236]

What about the wheelbite with the thunder?

[@bendegros]

I didn't get it as often as I thought I would.

[@petepete9831]

Can you try the new ojs that compare to formula fours

[@fernandoreyes680]

I hate these wheel companies lying about their wheels’ durometer. Like, they’re already super successful companies. They don’t really need that marketing bullshit.

[@themoose7402]

So what wheels are the best?

[@stephenaleman5257]

I can get some Drywall carpentry tips while getting motivation to skate 🤘

[@bobbyparson9229]

You said something in the end of this video. That the color of the dingy white/yellow has better performance ? Is this true ?

[@bendegros]

I'm not sure.

[@bobbyparson9229]

7:20 u talk about the color about it yellow having better performance ? lol. Did i hear that wrong ? thx

[@bendegros]

@@bobbyparson9229 I mentioned that the pigment didn't seem to affect the performance.

[@bobbyparson9229]

@@bendegros sounded like u said had your favorite performance. Either way, I really appreciate you and all your vids. Thx Ben.

[@kkfarmedkk]

54mm way too big for me. I prefer 50mm :D

[@runningtimelabs]

mark hubbard deck?

[@dandelcastillo8176]

Man 54mm wheels and 149 trucks and he thinks thats these are big dimensions, skating seems to always be changing on what is normal. i have seen it change from 1970's to eighties and so on and i have to say the small wheels big pants era was the worst, mainly because skaters were not very well rounded. you as a skater should be able to go to a park and rip all of it up. if you want to be good that is, those are the best skaters.