This fall at Go Goats freeride I got introduced to new European longboard wheels called THING Wheels. There was a bunch of French riders skating these and their slides looked really smooth. That sparked my interest and I talked to some of them to learn more about this new wheels made in France.
According to what they were saying and from what I’ve seen, you can expect the THING wheels to have a smooth consistent slide with easy initiation and controllable hookup. In general, they should be great longboard wheels for freeride.
Photos by Maxime Lassale via Laféedesrations Derideàroulettes, Rider Hugo Besset at Go Goats freeride 2016.
The wheels are also promised to be durable, but it’s hard to judge without skating them myself. I’ll try a set when I get the chance, until then I’ll just have to trust our French friends 🙂
At this time THING wheels are not available for purchase yet, but the word is that they will start to sell them soon and the price is expected to be 67,90 Euros.
THING Wheels Features
As their first model, THING plans to introduce THING ’01’ LF longboard wheels.
THING ’01’ LF longboard wheels are 70mm in diameter with overall width of 52mm and 38mm contact patch. They have round edges and thick solid lips (17.5 mm) and a big centerset core.
For the past four years, THING was developing and testing their own urethane formula called LEVEL FORMULA (LF) which is now used to produce 01 LF wheels in three colours and hardness levels.
- THING 01 LF Violet
Hardness 2 – Recommended for downhill and fast freeride - THING 01 LF Yellow
Hardness 3 – Recommended for downhill, fast freeride and freestyle - THING 01 LF Green
Hardness 4 – Recommended for freeride and freestyle
*Hardness scale from 1 (softest) to 6 (hardest).
They fit a standard 10mm spacer or any other skateboard bearings with built-in spacers and the complete set of four wheels weights 730g.
Overall, THING wheels seem to be a great freeride wheel and the only improvement from my standing point could be a stone ground finish.
As mentioned earlier, THING Wheels will come with a price tag of 67,90 euros. Not the cheapest wheel on the market, but according to rider testimonials these are definitely worth trying out.
Check out more longboard wheels brands from Europe here.
Watch the video
A couple of days before they hit Go Goats freeride, a group of French riders enjoyed some fine hills in the area. Here’s a clip of Hugo Besset chasing Thib La Roulette down a tight and fast mountain road and showing off new longboard wheels from France – THING Wheels ‘O1’ LF.
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