Spitfire Lock-In Review(Formula Four 54mm 99a)

[@MyLostToys]

Ben talk's real skate and is very helpful explaining lots of details we wouldn't know.

[@EarthtonesCymbals]

I agree. Well said.

[@Ytruckerfb]

Ben has really helped me a lot with pretty much everything I need to know about skateboarding, he helped me choose my trucks, wheels and decks. I personally like anti hero, spitfire and independent trucks. I watch bens videos literally every single day. Ben if you read this comment you have helped me become the best skater I can possibly be!

[@bendegros]

Thank you!!!!

[@argenslucasfadelpires8997]

as soon as I saw Ben's channel I subscribed, videos very well explained. Despite skate parts not being so cheap in Brazil!

[@apealeal3973]

"...they helped me lock into my fs crooked grinds." I'M SOLD

[@apealeal3973]

I ended up buying these yesterday, I got the 53mm ones. They're super grippy wheels and they really do help A LOT when locking into grinds. I did a fs crook like 3rd try when normally it takes me like 7-10 So if you're thinking about getting these you should do it

[@Bob-ic2lr]

Brennon Meadows are they still good for some power slides

[@apealeal3973]

@@Bob-ic2lr they're one of the best for power slides. Its like having 4 wheel drive. I got the 101a duro so even at that hardness I still had amazing grip. I would image the 99a would be even better for powerslides.

[@doko9157]

@@apealeal3973 and what is with flip tricks?

[@apealeal3973]

@@doko9157 I never noticed any difference in wheel size and flip tricks. Still loving these wheels btw.. highly recommend

[@FrankAlienCo]

nothing like a good skate video at midnight

[@kyleharlick2303]

franxxjavixx im not even gonna lie i looked at the time j now and it says 00:00

[@arkku8822]

its now 3.26 i hate the mornings

[@BlackLightning522]

2am for me

[@carl2614]

11:58

[@LimblessS]

Thanks for making great reviews, straight to it, no BS. This is what I need.

[@Gerritvdijken]

I've got these wheels with a blue graphic. The wheels are really smooth indeed. To bad I'm not really using the lock-in feature cause I can't grind yet.

[@splurski]

Gerrit van Dijken I have a question r they good for riding in rough spots cause i have trouble for those spots and i want to find good wheels that are still f4 that is still street but can easily go on rough ground

[@davidtoth1425]

@@splurski they work perfectly on rough streets

[@splurski]

Dávid Tóth Thx

[@itaronin]

Spitfire wheels are good for power sliding

[@SkarryTerry]

@@splurski try Ricta Cluds 87A, great balance of soft and hardness of urethane, and come in 52mm-58mm range. I personally daily on OJ Mini Super Juices 55mm, 78A, literally a baby cruiser wheel. But man, you ROLL FOR DAYS.

[@pharmztko]

I love this channel so much! All the technical nerdy stuff is the best :-)

[@bendegros]

Thanks Patrick:)

[@timknapen]

I'm convinced they are impossible to flatspot. I'm living on top of a hill and I ride these (to be precise: i have the "Conical Full" shape) to work every day, so I need a few powerslides every morning just to get down the street, which is rough asphalt. I've been riding these for a few months now and haven't got one single flatspot yet. None. No coning either. I've had other wheels that flatspot within one session in a smooth skatepark! Small correction: The "Conical Full" shape has a wider riding area than the lock-ins (I own both types, love them almost equally :). I don't know about the regular "conical".

[@Solaxer]

tim k Since you travel on them, how bad are pebbles/cracks?

[@intraw831]

I have flatspotted mine but It was minor

[@oskargarden4559]

@@Solaxer .. everything is bad on pebbles and cracks but really soft cruiser wheels :)

[@gorryman]

@@oskargarden4559 Classic F1 formula is good for commuter trick hybrid and the big heads are the more conical version

[@gorryman]

@@intraw831 99 or 101 , feel like 101 are pretty hard to cone even let lone flat spot

[@ANGRYBOYAARON]

What time do you usually go to the skateparks that they're so vacant? That's dope

[@erichanhauser3190]

I thought the same thing

[@billymullins1357]

I appreciate your honest reviews, saves a lot of trial and error for other people.

[@bentolleson2585]

I bought the 53mm lockins. I live in Texas & skate a lot of rough ground. I really enjoy them. Thanks for the good videos.

[@usafan96soren20]

The best good morning I can have a review by Ben Edit: actually remeasured the f4 and they only shrunk 2mm... actually so surprised... Much love from Italy ❤️

[@slappycrook]

I just really started understanding fs 5050 grinds and I just got these. I’ve been in a grinding binge lately. Can’t wait to try them out!

[@connor_skateboarding4871]

Ben thanks for making all of these reviews I have skated krux and bones and I have a feeling my next setup is going to look a lot different I have been stubborn to switch but after riding some on my friends setups I saw the problems you have mentioned in your videos. Thanks for making these hopefully the changes will help

[@gunnermurphy6632]

I think the wheels squeaking might be less noticeable if you skate them for a bit on rougher ledges, the weird coating wears off on the part that touches. I skated the 101a and i loved how smooth everything felt compared to other formulas.

[@gavinw6692]

Nice party cannon pfp lol

[@kennychang9003]

Wow this is exactly the video I was looking for! Thank you so much for the effort and all the reviews on three different wheels in two different seshes 👍

[@arunasrimkus1922]

Morning coffee with a new video - what could be better?

[@bendegros]

It's midnight here. I'm almost off to bed.

[@ThoseVeganAussieBlokes]

A coffee and a not so vegan sweet treat

[@Christofur]

Chai tea and a j? Lol...I gotta grow up or as my gf puts it...adult. Adulting. I must adult. Getting back into skating after 17 odd years at 31 IS adulting. Right!?

[@bendegros]

Totally!! :)

[@SillagorillaSkates]

Good review! I'm riding a wider wheel now and I think I miss my classic shape ones.. I barely do any grinds so I've just kept them on till they wear out..

[@AnthonyTran]

Another great review! It's just insane how durable these are. I tried for 15 minutes to flat spot my F4 classics and got nothing. I'd be interested to hear if those colored spitfires feel any different. Some people say adding color makes wheels softer.

[@bendegros]

I'm not really sure if they feel softer or not. They do feel different but I think that's a contact patch width thing. I tried to flatspot them on rough and smooth asphalt last night. Nothing.

[@Flanigan3088]

This was very helpful. Thank you for putting in the effort to make this review

[@boogie..]

My favorite wheels for sure. I like the 101a.

[@JordanIsBadAtGames]

Recently got a set of 53mm lock-ins. At first the 99A felt a bit soft but I got used to them really quick.

[@jefrey5578]

I should send you some of my old steel and rubber wheels from the 70s for you to try out. See what little we had to deal with back in the day.

[@olibrown8296]

Jef Rey I would have them I love old boards there so dope lol only joking

[@chriss.1593]

Hah. Ben, this is absolutely spot on in every capacity. I ride spitfire classics, and tried a pair of these out on street and ramp awhile ago. Every single point you make was the exact same conclusion I came to, on both ramp and street. The place I really noticed the difference on transition/coping was on stuff like pivot to tails, pivot to fakie, etc...you had to really "push" a bit more to get the lock-ins (or conicals for the matter) to disengage from the lip. I didn't like it. Likewise with something like a 5-0 to tail/tailslide on street. The classics just seem to work better, at least for me. And I'm loving the No Rain videos!

[@bendegros]

I am still riding the green wheels. I can still skate pretty tech on a 54mm classic shape. I was pretty surprised how much different they felt just from shape alone.

[@chriss.1593]

Over time I have tried Lock-Ins, Conicals, Radials, and Radial Slims on tranny and street. And, well, let's just say they call them "Classics" for a reason. :)

[@Dystopia1111]

Heya Chris. Thought that name and face looked familiar from somewhere else on the interwebz (I'm Jasonn from the ODSC group FB page). Good breakdown on the Spitfire Lock-ins. I've been riding these since January and agree with both your points and Ben's about them. They've got a lot of features I really like, but I've noticed the same issue with having to 'shove' them a bit extra to get loose on lip tricks. First noticed this re-learning BS 50-50s to tail on a quarter, I was having to really wind up and twist to get my rear backside wheel to pop back over the coping. Similar issue getting FS Laybacks to come back to tail. No problem getting into and through the grind right until the rear frontside wheel would try to catch on the coping. Seems like the Lock-ins give in some ways, kinda take away in others. That said, I've been happy with them in about every other way. 6 months of rolling pretty hard on these (mostly skating street, just a little transition) and they're holding up remarkably well. I don't have much tech game so I can't really comment on that, but I've been punishing these things with powerslides and grinds for months and they amazingly still haven't coned out with no flat spots to be found. Overall I love these wheels - except for this 1 'hang up' issue, but may end up going back to some SF Classics again after these myself. Good analysis on the Lock-ins, take care man.

[@keithg1313]

I was looking into a conical full. I've always liked the wider wheel for any surface. I might try 52s to cut down on weight.

[@keithg1313]

feriruzu I'm riding really worn in 57s. Great cruiser wheels, I want something that lightens my set up and gets me into a more technical stuff.

[@MaxnochWeniger]

I just love the Spitfire Classics. I had some F4s Conicals which were great and I had a lot of fun with but the Classics are just perfect for me. Also I like that they wear a bit faster. I like old wheels, they just feel so good because they're "broken in". Nice review as always Ben!

[@bendegros]

Thanks Max. I really like the classics too. Even on 54mm I can still skate pretty tech.

[@thisismyname2591]

They seem like theperfect wheel for me. Love big square shaped wheels. I ride some 55mm bones pool shapes atm. I think they are 95 A. On the softer side but they work great for my grind addiction.

[@berendbotje6629]

Great vid, and an excellent channel, regards from Holland. Btw, gratz on the 50K subs! :-)

[@Anonymous-kr3cj]

ive learned alot from your videos and for that i cant thank you enough, id love to hear your thoughts on a review of the tensor mag light trucks

[@NessaDarps]

I’d like to try these sometime. Great review as usual 👍🏻

[@handywithshovels]

Good video. Never heard of this particular wheel, but by your description, I’d probably like skating them.

[@joshuapatterson8976]

i love your reviews bro but i only have one complain, thats the description. Your description is super plain and doesn't involve any links to the product your reviewing, and sometimes certain skate products can be hard to find especially if they rent very well known, so for future reviews i think you should put the product link, it is gonna help people who want the product. i am now a sub tho keep it up

[@chrischow7398]

I ride radial slims as it has a balance shaped of square and round, and also thin contact patch. I personally like the sharp lipped shape and it's response to locking in on coping. Rounded classics was a little tricky to lock on coping. Definitely all about the personal preference.

[@arzy7922]

These are the key to crooked grinds gentleman

I love your videos, you know a lot about skateboarding

[@bendegros]

Thanks Ary:)

[@luis-iw5jj]

you’re the kid that did the 1 year progression videoooo , dope video bro

[@patski7105]

i might get these or OJ .. im kinda tired of going slow and being so loud. might get these

[@marlethiphopbeats7055]

Thanks for the review , first noticed the wheels in your videos and you may convinced me to get them .

[@bobbyparson9229]

Great Review thank you so much... What do u think a newbie should use to learn 50/50 stalls.

[@gunnermurphy6632]

The form improvement on crooks might have to do with the larger diameter

[@bendegros]

Possibly. But I struggle to hang onto that ledge on every setup I have tried.

[@vinceamir7236]

Amazing review as always!!!

[@AdventuresInSkateboarding]

In my last video you can actually here my wheels rubbing against the ledge. So I completely understand the friction point. I am skating to bones full conicle wheel.

[@j.r.goepper9789]

Where is that indoor skatelite park? It looked like a warehouse or something.

[@miles__davis]

Watching this on my work days before work

[@bor696]

Solid review on these wheels. I guess I'm gonna try them after using f4 99d conicals.

[@mp3sefu]

Which one is better? Plz respond

[@intraw831]

I’ve always skated 101d but want to try some 99d. Seems like the 99d would roll easier for street skating being softer. I have noticed all the pro models are 99d.

[@TheAlfone1]

Hey man, could u try them? I am currently skating 101d, and I feel like 99d could be better for slippery surfaces but I don't want to sacrifice too much responsiveness. Thank you!

[@intraw831]

@@TheAlfone1 Been skating them for two months now, honestly not much difference in smoothness. I would rather skate 101's, my power slides were better with those. 101's on slippery surfaces are easy to get used to anyways.

[@TheAlfone1]

@@intraw831 thank you for your answer !! Might try to 101's; local parks in Madrid are slippery as hell

[@juanshady7949]

Nice review 😎😎

[@blockshoe5689]

As a starter this all looks sick af still

[@Christofur]

I really dig your videos man.

[@HEATHANSKATEBOARDS]

So lock ins r better for parks and ramps? tablets r better for street?

[@IntergalacticMath]

Could you do a video comparing the 99 and 101 durometers?

[@bendegros]

I will when I have two of the exact same wheel in the different duro. I'm learning that wheel shape plays such a big role in how they feel I can't really tell the difference in the duro's because they are all different shapes or sizes.

[@pharmztko]

I wouldn’t expect to notice such a small difference in duro. On the rough streets and parking lots I skate I can immediately tell the difference between 78, 85, 92, 99+ duro. Higher the number the slower you’re going and harder you’re gonna vibrate lol. I skate 78-85 duro large wheels (54-60mm) because I can’t do tricks yet and I hate pushing every 2 seconds

[@Lenny-zn8hn]

There is a seller on ebay who has some sets for 40€ free shipping worldwide from Australia. - a great deal! Ordered mine today but I believe he hasn't much sizes left.

[@jgvtc559]

Have you tried Mullens magnesium trucks

[@fkylw]

… do you have these backwards? They're supposed to be offset on the inside so you can primo slide…

[@nothingmarket-undergrounds6572]

Good honest review. A great wheel for sure.

[@christopherrobinson9690]

So this is a old vid. Still though what was the trucks specs deck specs etc. I missed that on this .

[@robolinoschmidt8676]

Real deck thunder trucks and spitfire wheels.. the whole Denis busenitz package

[@elverdaderoMAXCRIS]

ME GUSTAN MUCHO TUS VIDEOS, ME INSPIRAN APRENDER A ESCUCHAR EL INLES, PORQUE LAS GANAS DE PATINAR DESDE QUE ME LEVANTO EXCELENTE VIDEO, SIGUE ASI

[@JRuss97]

Whats a good wheel that has enough grip for indoor parks but still slick enough to get some decent powerslides and reverts?

[@1analist]

Wich are easier to slide the radials, classics, lock-ins or conicals?

[@Gameboy-Unboxings]

So lock ins are street wheels? Weird cause Shredz Shop did a video on a guide to spitfire formula 4's & they said they were for skating bowls i think.

[@wiggibow]

"formula 4" applies to basically every wheel spitfire makes. They can be for a variety of purposes depending on the shape, size, and hardness.

[@argenslucasfadelpires8997]

What truck do you use ? Thunder , Indy or ACE ?

[@mco3834]

Just bought some lock ins hope they treat me well

[@tonyspark2663]

hey ben, have you ever tried Ricta Slix, they are pretty nice

[@nathana.4752]

What about the bones SPF V5 conical wheels? The 103a's feel the best

[@bendegros]

I have a pair. They are 51's

[@hamellsk8]

Great video Ben! How do you like that real deck? I’ve been riding the same 8.4 deck on mini ramp now for a couple months and love it.

[@bendegros]

I really like it. The wheelbase and deck are 1/4" long for my preference but I am managing pretty well on it.

[@tias9687]

i got a 55mm instead of 54mm on accident do you think it would make a big difference if i’m skating loose trucks?

[@JoshuaRyanNerez]

might be wider than a conical full when the riding surface reach like the edge of the lockin side? correct me if im wrong. they might have possibly be the same when new - the riding surface, i mean.

[@bendegros]

I think they are by maybe 1 or 0.5 mm. Its a tiny amount but As they were down they will keep a wider riding surface.

[@3juliano680]

i have these with the blue pattern, the only wheels ive ever had on my board, (first one but i still have it) they are amazing. i cant really rate them cuz i cant grind or have a large space to skate on, but i really like them.

[@davidleeashkenazi8992]

I've used to be a Bones guy, all have changed since Formula Four!

[@lordfarquaad5274]

Can you do ollies and tricks with spitfire wheels because I bought them with my board

[@SLVGGER-ym9bw]

thats what theyre designed for

[@Chxfevo]

I’m about to spend 100-250$ on a skateboard setup, not sure if I’m too old to start though... I’m 24 and really wanting to but don’t know if it’s worth it :( have skateboarded here and there on friends boards but want to do as a hobby ... is 52mm good size with lock-in wheels?

[@khris1107]

Great review, don't forget Tensor trucks. Thanks

[@stevegalili355]

Very informative thanks for the tips

[@FrankAlienCo]

are you skating the nyjah's at the end?

[@bendegros]

Yup

[@saturdaymorning329]

I've been debating spitfire for a while now. Been using Santa Cruz 97a. 99d is a foreign concept to me I feel like their going to be too hard of a wheel. Next set I get I'll highly consider spitfire.

[@DeTixXs]

Ben can you do a review of bones wheels v2 53mm?

[@phill93]

i Think the locking side is the orange one.. no?

[@AustinHartwig]

Good channel dude, kind of rediculous that you can still backside tailslide at 37 years old

[@anthonybrazzil1263]

I got a pair of locked ins in 52mm 99a haven't seen a better wheel yet. I haven't tried the radial Slim's yet but I will

[@ar1essullivan188]

yoo,are they good for powerslides?

[@BlazeNightflame101]

I honestly can't find an answer for this question but which way are the wheels supposed to face since they aren't symmetrical is the flat side supposed to face out or not.

[@bendegros]

Flat side in:)

[@ruddegh]

Hey Ben, where did you find the 54mm locks ins? I'd like to buy some but can't find them anywhere.

[@bendegros]

They were sent to me by a viewer. I have noticed they don't seem to make them.

[@ruddegh]

Must be a special set for you lol. I got some 53mm based off this review, can't wait to try them. Keep up the great videos.

[@ruddegh]

Thanks for getting back to me, but my order has been shipped already, too late to back out now!

[@Premium_Skate_Shop]

What is your ideal setup

[@hipmantis8908]

Great review Ben, most comprehensive I could find on the web! Thanks. I am a 45 year old beginner skater of three months and just starting to hit the coping at the local skate parks and almost ready to begin to learn some grinds. Will be upgrading my very mediocre set up soon to an 8.38 deck with 149 Indy’s and was thinking of this wheel in the 55mm. Suitable do you think in your wisdom? P.s. Age has leached my dexterity for flip tricks and is leaning me to transition and grinds. Thanks again, great videos!

[@bendegros]

Any of the spitfire shapes would be fine in that size.

[@hipmantis8908]

Cheers Ben👍

[@skateordiedev]

Damn, I'm getting new wheels soon and dont know if i should continue skating formula fours, or try conicals or lock ins

[@SK8_Mike21]

Conicals and lock ins are both still formula four material. Just a matter of what shape you prefer.

[@johnosskatevlog913]

want to see some street rail grindage

[@landonkane1795]

All my friends ride spitfires but after a week they get not flat spots but holes it’s rly weird

[@lullaby8012]

i dont know if you have ridden conical or conical fulls but based on the lock ins what could you say about the shape and how the opposite side of the lock ins compares to the classic

[@bendegros]

The classic is totally different than either side of the lock-in. The lock-in was just too bulky for me and I'm sure a conical full would be too. I was't struggling to lock in on classics so I actually found the lock-ins too aggressive.

[@las10plagas]

hey! can't you maybe make a tutorial on how to nollie up onto something or/and maybe how to nollie up a london gap? I don't know if it is me not having confidence in doing this or if I just do them wrong (especially the london gap one) *I can't really find a tutorial on that* ;-)

[@bendegros]

I will see what I can do. It really comes down to going twice as fast popping twice as high and holding it for twice as long as a switch ollie. They just take a lot of speed, force and confidence.

[@las10plagas]

heya, thank you for answering :) I'll keep that in mind and I guess I should be prepared for some hang ups at high speed :D

[@bendegros]

Actually, for nollies up a euro gap or a ledge the trick is to land in nose manual and hold it for a second until the back wheels clear. You should only need to do this if you can't get the clearance to fully nollie onto something.

[@las10plagas]

hey, I didn't think of that. great idea, thanks! :) funny thing is, maybe the third time I stepped on a board after my pause, I rolled up a deck-high ledge and just nollied up and switch ollied it first try but couldn't do it again :D I really think it is the lack of confidence, since I usually just shoot up the obstacle without my board following me.

[@AspiringSpaceWizard]

Conical fulls are my favourite wheels

[@matthewwilson3399]

I personally think lock-ins works great, that's the only kind of wheels I ride now

[@weldskaterepeat7379]

Bring wax, lean back, and dont be a baby 😂 Ben, that needs to go on a shirt immediately!

[@miles__davis]

Enjoy all your videos

[@eddiegonzales6869]

i skated the lock ins for a while and then they got small so i decided to try to try some stfs even though i honestly should’ve got some more lock ins because after a while i realized i like the feel on formula fours a lot more than stfs. i just regret buying stfs lol

[@bendegros]

I've become a spitfire fan too. They feel less plasticy.

[@ronaldhickman9953]

Mandatum Skatus Do Vobis Unum? and what happens next ?

[@hugoarthur7794]

Good video Could you explain me how to lock in for fs 50 50 on flat rail ? I love your video ,from France

[@bendegros]

That would be a good tutorial. I will work on it.

[@killsw1tch151]

what size trucks do these wheels fit on?

[@bendegros]

Any.

[@bendegros]

But because these were 54mm they are better on bigger trucks like 149 indys.

[@MarkPuke13]

your rule bud...thanks for the info!!! hello from guam

[@itsmez3p]

i need that wheels

[@TheMetaldudeX]

So what is your go to wheel?

[@bendegros]

I like the spitfire F4 classics. I have only tried the 51mm. Before that I rode bones V3 shape a lot.

[@Premium_Skate_Shop]

Review a revive skateboard deck ? Maybe force wheels too ?

[@crystal-dn5ig]

revive for life 🤘😤