Bones Clear Wheels Review

Bones Clear Wheels Review

Bones SPF Clear wheels have been formulated to prevent flatspotting on smooth surfaces without sacrificing slide-ability.  If you’ve been skating Bones SPF(Skatepark Formula™) wheels, then these are what you’re used to, just packaged in translucent urethane.

Intended Use: Smooth surfaces and transition (parks and ramps)
Recommended for: Rolling fast… so you can focus on having fun skating, not pushing
Review Date and Location: April – September 2016, Colorado

Review:

bones-clear-wheels-review-5-0 grindAfter riding autobahn and spitfire wheels for awhile, a good friend mentioned I should try Bones SPF (Skatepark Formula™) wheels. Designed to rule smooth surfaces like your local skatepark or even on ramps, I was up for trying out some Bones SPFs. The urethane in Bones SPF formula is designed to stand up and resist flatspotting; its 84B durometer (hardness) makes it frickin’ hard, so the wheels roll faster and are very responsive. After trying some SPFs and liking them, I was intrigued when Bones Clear SPF wheels were released. I decided to pick up a set to compare the SPF clear urethane to the white SPFs I already was riding. The clear urethane comes in different shades (natural, blue, red, and purple) and different diameters (54-60; my preference = 58mm wheels). I wasn’t sure how the Bones SPF wheels got made, so I did a little research and read that these wheels actually start out as clear urethane, and then a pigment is added for the desired color, making for a solid color wheel. So are these wheels more natural? Maybe, who knows… but they look cool, and after riding them for several months I can tell you they feel just the same as the white SPF formula Bones I was using previously. I have had no issues with flatspotting with these wheels, and I use them mainly in skateparks (bowls and Bones Clear Blue Skatboard Wheelssome street sections). They have a great mix of hold and slide. I haven’t felt like I’ll slide out when carving frontside in a bowl, and I also have found pushing into a powerslide is easy too, so they give a great mix of hold and slide-ability when you need it. These wheels work well on skatelite as well; they may slide a bit more due to their hardness, but I’ve found they will hold their own in this area as well. I picked up a second pair recently on another deck (blue, 58mm), and they feel great and look amazing. If you primarily ride smooth surfaces, skateparks, or ramps, this is a great wheel that brings a cool look to your set-up. With the trademarked Bones SPF formula, you won’t have to worry about flatspots, so check out the Bones SPF Clear wheels if you’re looking something a bit different!

Pros

  • Transulcent wheels look cool
  • Hard and fast, just what you want in a wheel for smooth surfaces
  • Smooth, consistent ride over time
  • Grip when you need it, slides well too
  • Maintain their shape (no flatspots)

Cons

  • Cost is slightly higher than other wheels, but you get what you pay for
Price:4.3 out of 5 stars (4.3 / 5)
Construction:4.8 out of 5 stars (4.8 / 5)
Performance:5 out of 5 stars (5.0 / 5)
Overall:4.7 out of 5 stars (4.7 / 5)