Red vs Yellow centre sets (part 1)

This is called part one because the subject of wheels will always be up for discussion... Seriously. Just like in auto racing where drivers and pit crews are so closely paying attention to tire pressure and compounds, we too are starting to let durometers and compounds play a major role in what wheel we choose to ride and where we choose to ride it. Hot Day? Choose a harder wheel...the road will heat up the urethane to ride just like the softer wheel you chose on a more mild day.

What is a durometer you may ask? Its alright to ask those questions, because really not a lot of people know exactly what it is, they just know the typical 78a/82a numbers that get placed next to it. Well, a durometer is a tool in which hardness is measured, with hardness being the ability to resist indentation. Science is cool kids! I believe it comes in 4 scales (well, for what we have use for anyways) with A being the softest base compound and D being the hardest. With that being said, what is an easy way to describe the difference in Duro's without getting too nerdy with the response? Well...lets play a little game called "Recal the difference between a run down Giants head on 78a Yellow Centre sets and a run down the same road on 82a Red Centre Sets." Although the numbers only jump four spots, the difference it makes is the world.

If your anything like me, when you are skating a super quick, technical road you expect your wheel to help slow you down by drifing, doing stand up slides, pendy slides, colemans...anything...you name it, to slow down without ever laying that dang foot on the ground. The Centre Set 78a Yellow race formula wheel provides the perfect medium for riders who skate fast but like to feel like they are actually doing something to slow down when purposely scrubbing speed. The 82a red wheel on the other hand does not really slow you down, it maintains your speed and comes with a whole new set of advantages if you are skilled enough to make use of them. Still with me here? Okay.

78a (yellow) Noticeable Characteristics

• actually slows your speed down when you release the wheel for a drift
• Super grippy, catches its edge back like it never lost it in the first place
• Due to the awesomeness of the centre set, you can rotate them to the core
• You can use them as a race wheel if you know there is a big pre-drift and you dont want to screw up and catch the edge of the lipped version
• They don't get sketchy until you've worn them down significantly (as long as you've rotated evenly)

82a (red) Noticeable Characteristics

• Fast
• Harder Compound makes them wear less than the softer wheel
• longest slides on soft wheels in your life
• Its drift will maintain your speed and stop you from further acceleration, instead of slowing down when doing stand up slides/pre drifts/colemans' etc.
• Catches its edge back pretty decently
• Rotatable to the core

The above observations are all at (25+ mph )(50+km/h) and based on my 135 pound body weight, but I haven't been disagreed with on the subject...

Just released back into the sector 9 wheel line up is my old Favorite...80a! It will be a blue compound urethane and as soon as I get a set on board, you can bet I will be bringing my findings to you. Until then, post any questions in the comments section and I'll get back to you!

Click HERE to watch a video of me killing these wheels down Giants head.