Spitfire
SPITFIRE WHEELS
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For over twenty-five years, Spitfire wheels has been known in the industry for their long-lasting, unbeatable urethane formula. Created in San Francisco in 1987, the Spitfire name is synonymous with its skateboard wheels. The brand has a crazy following that won't ride anything else, people get their logo tattooed on them, and most pros choose to ride them if they're not under contract with someone else.
Struggling to choose from their gigantic catalog? We’ll help you out on that.
BUY SPITFIRE WHEELS ONLINE AT BOARDARY
You'll have a hard time flattening Spitfire wheels, it's not impossible but you really have to power slide over concrete or rough asphalt to get flat. Spitfire wheels retain their original shape and size in all conditions, no matter where you skate.
Despite the high price of the wheels, no one I talked to regretted buying them. Sure, new wheels can take some time getting used to, but their performance is on the high tier.
Since 2010, Spitfire has been marketing 3 main types of urethane wheels to appeal to different types of skaters:
Spitfire Formula Four | Spitfire OG Classics | Spitfire Chargers
SPITFIRE “FORMULA FOUR” WHEELS (F4)
Spitfire released their Formula 4 urethane compound in 2013 and it was a game changer. They emerged as an answer to Bones' STF wheels. These wheels are perfect for resisting flat spotting. They offer more speed and control wherever you are, with a non-sticky glide you can count on.
If you're looking for the ultimate all-around wheels, then the Spitfire "Formula Four" wheels are the ones for you! Formula Four models are available in 99A and 101A durometers, in different sizes and in seven different shapes - yes, it's a lot, but let's break it down for you.
Actually we counted 64 (!) possible combinations Shape x Durometer x Size.
We covered size and durometers definitions in our guide “how to choose you skateboard wheels”, so we’ll focus on the shape side of things here.
Useful link: Complete Classification of Spitfire Formula Four Wheels by Shape
Useful link: Compelte classification of Spitfire Formula Four Wheels by Size
FORMULA 4 CLASSIC
It's all in the name! The default option of most street skaters and the most common shape in skateparks. This wheel has all the winning ingredients of the Spitfire Classic shape, with its round edge design and responsive glide. A good all-around wheel for all-around skaters. When in doubt, the Classic shape is a good choice because it is not discipline oriented.
The F4 Classic shape has by far the narrowest running surface of any Spitfire wheel - going from a 19mm surface for the 52mm model, to 21mm for the 56mm. "The #1 shape in the skateboarding world" as Spitfire promotes.
In summary, the Classic is the safest choice for technical street skating.
FORMULA 4 TABLETS
The Spitfire Tablets differ from other Formula 4s in that they have a straight cut and a thin profile, but a wide rolling surface. They are pretty much square wheels with their right angles and wide contact patch!
Tablets have established themselves as one of the most durable speed wheels available.
Ideal for the park and transition, loved by bowl riders. Formula Four Tablets have a remarkably high glide capacity, making them ideal for power slide and lip slide tricks. Their slickness guarantees no flat spots, even after hundreds of slides against the concrete. Definitely unique.
FORMULA 4 CONICAL
A larger ground contact area than the Classics, with a straighter cut angle. Conical shapes are the descendants of the skate wheels popular in the 70s. Dedicated to the street, for easier rolling, sliding and stalling on edges.
The Spitfire Conical is the perfect wheel for ledge and hand skating because of its light weight. The wheel can also be a brilliant choice for smaller and/or lighter skaters who have difficulty getting their tricks off the ground. Its hand-cut conical shape offers amazing feedback and a smooth ride and also helps protect the bearings from shattering.
In summary, the Conical is a great wheel for all skaters who are looking for a lightweight setup.
FORMULA 4 CONICAL FULL
Same concept as the Conicals, but with even more contact area. The wheel with the most grip and control at high speeds.
The Formula Four Conical Full has the largest contact patch of any Spitfire wheel. They offer the highest speed and durability in the Formula Four catalog, making them very popular among bowl riders.
FORMULA 4 RADIAL
Rounded edges with a slightly larger surface than the Classics and an interesting compromise between Classics and Conicals. Radials are perfect for flat terrain and technical skating, with the round cut allowing for effortless tricks. The F4 Radial is one of the roundest wheels on the market, helping limit wheelbytes.. The nearly seamless rim of the Spitfire Radial offers high control and responsiveness, making the setup very easy to maneuver.
FORMULA 4 RADIAL SLIMS
The F4 Radial Slim is a thinner version of the F4 Radial. With a lighter, hand-cut round edge design, Radial Slims offer more control and speed than its bulkier counterpart.
Available in more sizes than the Radial (51mm to 56mm), the Slim version allows for ultra-responsive sliding that will delight street and technical skaters alike.
In summary: light and hyper reactive for sliding. The most playful wheels.
FORMULA 4 LOCK-INS
Spitfire Formula Four Lock-Ins are much less common. The Lock-In shape was specifically designed for skaters who can't get enough grinds in their life. The wheel has an asymmetrical shape for easy locking into grinds. It has a cut profile on the inside to fit perfectly in the coping while keeping a round edge on the outside to help with heavy scoop tricks.
Lock Ins are the ultimate street wheels. But they can also be an amazing choice for mini-ramp aficionados, due to their unique shape that makes it easy to get in and out of the rim. A must try.
SPITFIRE F4 WHEELS | 99A vs 101A durometers explained
About the difference between 99A and 101A durometers of Spitfire Wheels
COMPLETE SIZE GUIDE FOR SPITFIRE F4 WHEELS
We mentioned earlier that there were 64 possible combinations.
Here they are! You’ll notice 32 combo Shape x Size, which you multiply by 2 as each comes in 99A and 101A, of course! We know that you knew if you got to this point in the reading.
Classification by Shape
SHAPE
SIZE (mm)
WIDTH (mm)
RIDING SURFACE (mm)
Classification by Size
SPITFIRE “CLASSICS” WHEELS
The Classics were the first wheels released by Spitfire in the 90s. Since then, they've gone through many editions, but the OG Classics have maintained the same winning formula over the years: a hard wheel with a large tread and a clean cut shape.
The OG Spitfire wheels were designed specifically for street skating, but are widely favored by transition and bowl riders. OG wheels are available in two different hardnesses: 99a, ideal for street skating, and 101a, better suited for park skating.
O.G.Classics: The original shape from the good old days. A wider surface than the modern Classics. A good all-round wheel too.
SPITFIRE “CHARGERS” WHEELS
The Spitfire Chargers are a really soft wheel (80HD). They are not meant for a skatepark as they are as soft and rubbery as a longboard wheel. These wheels are a perfect cruiser board or for riding in a place with super rough surfaces. Chargers come in two shapes: Classics and Conicals (see shape chart above with the Formula Four).
Chargers are the softest wheels in the entire Spitfire catalog. Available in 80HD durometer and in 54, 55 and 56 mm, they are the ideal wheels to ride around town, to roll on cracks and to skate on long distances.
The specificity of these wheels comes from their anti-flexion technology. You see, most soft wheels are very flexible, which is good for riding around but not so good when it comes to doing tricks. The Charger is much stiffer than other wheels of the same durometer, so you get the best of both worlds.
SPITFIRE WHEELS COLOR GUIDE
Classification by Color
Spitfire defined a color classification scheme so you can recognise the durometer of a wheel on a glance.