Inspiration

As we collectively started to dabble in new directions in sliding, we found ourselves in want of a new and different wheel. Our existing lineup of freeride wheels (the Durian, Stimulus, and Free of fat) maintained a conservative balance of traction and driftability that is meant for downhill freeriding. The existing emphasis is about the capability to grip and hold a line through corners as fast as possible. The slide part of these wheels is centered on losing speed (inside a pragmatic fashion) or even begin exploring progressive freeriding.

The Balut is the consequence of our desire to investigate the other end from the grip-slip spectrum: a freestyle slide wheel that allows longer drifts and quicker, more numerous rotations with minimal speed loss. This can be a initial step in the new direction for all of us, and we’re excited to find out where it takes us.

Baluts is going to be available worldwide on Thursday, February 2nd at $54 per set (MSRP).

Specs

Diameter: 72.5 mm

Contact patch: 35 mm

Width: 44 mm

Durometers: 80a, 83a, 86a

Weight: 4.7 oz (per wheel)

Bearing seat: centerset

Design

The Baluts are centerset and symmetrical, permitting maximum flexibility when rotating and flipping to advertise even wear on all wheels. By using a larger spoked core and removing significant amounts of urethane involving the bearing seat and outer side of the core, i was in a position to decrease the overall wheel weight for increased agility in slides and freestyle tricks alike.

The core used in the Balut is pretty wide in comparison to the wheel. Coupled with a stiff and rounded lip profile, the core provides lots of rigid support for that contact patch and facilitates smooth slides having a predictable release and hookup.

Urethane

In the development process, we quickly realized that the first protos with this shape lent themselves to unreasonably long standup slides and thus demanded a urethane that could withstand the inevitable abuse and was right for this unique (narrow) shape. The form was dialed almost a year ago, but we’ve been delaying on the release to discover this magic thane. And so the Euphorethane formula was made, offering exceptional durability and flatspot resistance while still retaining a smooth, predictable drift and reliable (albeit nominal) speed control.

Loaded Balut

Wheel Rotation

Good rotation habits might help even out wear patterns and dramatically extend the life span of one's wheels. Bear in mind, though, that wheel rotation could possibly get a little confusing, especially since wear patterns often differ from rider to rider.

The best suggestion to consider is to swap your most worn wheel along with your least worn wheel, swap the other two wheels, and flip when appropriate.

Beyond that rule, here are a few suggestions and info tidbits that we’ve found useful when you are our sideways smile sessions:

Uphill wheels (on your own heelside rail for heelside/frontside slides as well as on your toeside rail for toeside/backside slides) often cone (faster wear on the inside lip), while downhill wheels often reverse cone (faster wear on the exterior lip).

On a board using a centered stance (snowboard style) a lot of the rider’s weight is typically on the front truck, so expect the front wheels to put on faster compared to rear wheels. Over a board using a rear stance (e.g. ridden with the back foot totally on the kicktail) there is usually far more weight applied to the trunk truck, and so the rear wheels tend to wear faster compared to front wheels.

On a directional setup (ridden mostly in a orientation) we generally recommend rotating your wheels diagonally (front still having rear right, front right with rear left). Over a symmetrical setup (ridden equally in the orientations) we generally rotate wheels for a passing fancy hanger (front playing front right, rear playing rear right).

Best wheels for sliding

A symmetrical centerset shape also allows you to flip each wheel to counteract coning. If you rotate your wheels, check to see if all of your wheels start to cone and flip them as required. Make sure to consider the wheels’ new positions around the board and your personal riding habits (should you more heelside slides than toesides, you will probably have your heelside wheels to cone as well as your toeside wheels to reverse cone).