For the last five years, I have been just handed over my $50 for Spitfire Formula Fours without ever really looking for an alternative. Like most of us, I just thought if I wanted a no hassle, non-flatspotting, wide conical shaped wheel, you just get the Spitfire Formula Fours, and you’d be set. (And it’s true because Formula Fours are a no nonsense wheel that’s fast, durable, and worth its price.)
However, a few weeks ago, I noticed something that seemed like it was worth testing out for its price alone. The OJ Hardline Elite 99a wheels started to go on sale for $30.96 here, and they have the exact same wide shape and dimensions as the Spitfire Formula Four Conical Full.
I bought them to test here and expected them to turn into flat squares after a few bluntslides. That isn’t what happened, though. I am 30 days in on the 53mm size, and there isn’t any sort of flattening.
These wheels aren’t just a cheap alternative. They are a close alternative to Formula Fours that holds up. There are some small details you should know about the grip levels and how they slide compared to Spitfire, and I have officially reached the point where I can’t justify spending an extra $18 just for a flaming logo.
Here is exactly how they feel to skate.
When Are the OJ Hardline Wheels Not as Good as Spitfire Formula Four Wheels?
So let’s just cut to the chase. There is one important detail where I still prefer my Formula Fours over OJ Hardline wheels.
It’s for bluntslides and powerslides.
The OJ wheels don’t bluntslide as well as the Spitfire Formula Four. This is because the OJ Wheels have a textured, tread-like level of grip on their rolling surface.
The extra grip is nice for some added stability at speed. However, they just don’t bluntslide as well as Spitefire Formula Four.
Are OJ Hardline Wheels Able to Blunt and Powerslide At All?
Yes, but their grippiness makes it so they won’t slide as far as a Spitfire Wheel. They can still bluntslide powerslide. It’s just a more controlled feeling, grippy slide.
Photo by Travis Antoniello
I’d say I can bluntslide about half the distance on my OJ Hardline Wheels that I can on my Formula Fours. If I really go hard with waxing the ledge, I can slide a little further.
Does the Grippiness Make Other Ledge Tricks Harder?
No. These wheels still tailslide, noseslide, and crook just as well as a Spitfire or Bones wheel. The only trick that seemed more challenging was a bluntslide. This is due to the grippiness of the wheel, adding an extra level of friction that the other wheels don’t have.
Does the Grippiness Wear Down Over Time To Help Them Slide?
I would say a little bit, but not enough to see a drastic difference after you break them in.
Photo by Travis Antoniello
I am about 30 days in, and the wheels still feel very grippy still. I am noticing the textured surface is starting to wear. The overall grippy feel is still there. There are no flatspots, tears, or anything worth noting yet.
Other Than Their Grip, Are OJ Hardline Wheels Comparable to Spitfire Formula Four Wheels?
Yes, the note on the grip, these wheels are so similar to each other. Their dimensions compare closely to the Conical Full Formula Four 99a wheels. The flat spot resistance worked well, and they feel equally as fast to a 99a Formula Four.
Here is the comparison table for my notes.
|
Feature | OJ Hardline Elite 99a |
Spitfire Conical Full 99a |
|
Shape |
Wide Conical |
Wide Conical |
|
Grip Level |
High (Treaded) |
Moderate |
|
Slide Feel |
Grippy / Controlled |
Slick / Easy |
|
Price | $30.96 |
$48.95 |
What Are the Benefits of OJ Hardline 99a Wheels?
OJ Hardline 99a wheels are fast, durable, and flatspot-resistant skate wheels that are also ridiculously cheap. These wheels skate similarly to a Spitfire Formula Four, but they cost around half the price (they’re on sale for $30.96 here.)
Photo by Travis Antoniello
Performance Features
The 99a OJ Hardline Elite wheels offer these performance features:
- Value for the price: These wheels are only $30.96 which is $18cheaper than most premium flatspot resistant wheels (Spitfire Formula
Four, Bones STF, or Bones X-Formula Wheels) - Flat spot resistance: The Elite urethane is resistant to flatspotting, so it keeps its round shape even after heavy sessions of powersliding.
- Extra Traction for Grip: The wide Hardline shape is textured which adds some added grip for stability. This helps add confidence while carving or landing tricks at speed.
- Versatility: The 99a hardness balances the vibration dampening of a softer wheel with the speed of a hard wheel.
Who Are the OJ Hardline Wheels for?
The skater who already likes the Spitfire Formular Four Conical Full or Bones STF v5 wheels, but they want a comparable wheel at half the price.
They also come in a few different size if the Hardline shape is a bit too wide for you.
Review Score of the OJ Hardline Elite Wheels
| Consideration Category | Score Out of 5 | Score Out of 100 | Importance to Score (Weight) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 4.8 | 96 | 10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.2 | 84 | 10 |
| Durability | 4.6 | 92 | 10 |
| Grip | 4.7 | 94 | 10 |
| Rough Spots / All Terrain | 3.7 | 74 | 10 |
| Skatepark Skating | 4.8 | 96 | 10 |
| Street Skating | 4.2 | 84 | 10 |
| Ledge Tricks / Grinds | 4 | 80 | 10 |
| Powerslides | 3.8 | 76 | 10 |
| Overall Feel While Skating | 4.5 | 90 | 10 |
| Total Score | 4.33 | 86.6 |
In our weighted scoring system, the OJ Hardline Elite skate wheels earned a review score of a 86.6 out of a possible 100 points. These wheels are very comparable to Formula Fours, but the real perk is their price.
So Are the OJ Hardline Wheels Worth Trying?
Definitely. For half the price of a Formula Four, you can’t go wrong with these wheels. They skate just like a Formula Four, they are just a bit grippier while being a very comparable wheel otherwise, at half the price.
Also Check Out the Other Wheel Reviews
Steve Weber is the passionate snowboarder, skateboarder, and author behind Board of the World. He understands that most gear reviews focus on having the perfect snow conditions, but his testing methodology is different. Living in Pennsylvania, Steve describes exactly how a board performs when the conditions aren’t perfect. His reviews cover performance on ice, hardpack, and flat-out brick conditions. In other words, he reviews boards for the conditions that East Coast riders actually face.
Bringing 27 years of East Coast snowboarding and 21 years of skateboarding experience, Steve is a 42-year-old intermediate park rider. His recommendations are informed by decades of battling icy conditions, ensuring every review accounts for the board’s performance on the roughest of terrain.
For the last five years, Steve has poured his passion into writing in-depth, unbiased reviews that help riders make informed decisions about the gear they’ll use. He also works part-time at a snowboard shop in Northeastern Pennsylvania, which gives him a direct line to learning about the new gear tech months in advance. When he’s not writing reviews, Steve is often found riding at Montage Mountain and testing out new boards.
Steve’s goal with Board of the World is simple: to help every reader find the right gear so they can have fun outside from the first time they use it.