Initial review on the Bont G4 wheel

[tdellaringa]

I picked up a set of Bont G4 High Rollers for the weekend at Squiggy. I used them brand spanking new on the 7 mile time trial, and the next day in the marathon.

The wheels I got were still the gray, not red version, but I assume they are the same as the reds. I used the 100mm size. My setup includes the Hyper Genesis frame with BSB Swiss Lite bearings.

Speed: My first impression of them is that they do seem to be fast wheels. The roll seemed good and I got nice glide.

Grip: There was a 90-degree turn halfway through and the "Y" turn at the start, which is over 90 degrees, both requiring a few crossovers. I had no problem with grip at any point in either race, no slippage at all. The course was dry and pristine however, so I wouldn't really expect slippage from any decent wheel.

Comfort: This is where I am no so impressed. I seemed to "feel a lot of the road" as it were. I was expecting a 84a wheel to be a bit more shock absorbent I guess. At the end of the time trial my feet were killing me from the vibration... and Squiggy is renowned for its smoothness. I made some adjustments to my skates before the marathon, and while it seemed slightly better, I still think it was a rougher ride than I hoped for.

Since this was my first real skating outdoors in months, I have to withhold final judgment until I can get out more and compare it to some other wheels. I will say I liked them much better than the Matter yellows I wore at Duluth last year, they are definitely more nimble and faster than Matters in my book.

I'd be interested to hear other opinions of people who have used them so far. Now I really want to get a set of Am-Wings and compare the two.

For $15/wheel, I was really expecting a lot, I'm not ready to say they deliver.

[Drella]

I think it's because you've become so spoiled from skating on the glass-like surface of your hometown rink. Welcome to asphalt...

[CKmost]

I was thinking the same thing, you just haven't had much time outdoors lately to remember how it feels. I thought my G4s were noticeably smoother than my Hyper wheels and would hope the ride is better than Matter yellow 87a.

Come to think about it have you been outdoors much at all with your new boots?

[skaterdog]

I'm thinking it's the transition to outdoors too. I've got the same wheels waiting for this #$%%ing snow and ice to melt.

[excelsk8]

T, more than the transition to outdoors from indoors you have to remember that as I see it this is your first outdoor venture (real one) on your hyper speed boots, and as much better as they are for your feet, they are also a lot more stiff, and not nearly as padded as the K2's that you were using, that is the compromise that you have to get when you go to performance products, you can feel every bit of the road on them... think about it, I know it'll make sense.
to review a wheel I advise to first skate in a couple of different wheels first in your new set up, that changes the whole equation, you can not compare how a wheel felt on your nicely padded fitness K2 boot to how they fell in your super performance Hyper sincros.
Just my opinion of course, I hope your wounds are healing well and good job at squiggy I read about your PB. congratulations!
Fran

[tdellaringa]

I hear what you guys are saying, and it was in the back of my mind actually. I was out one other time in this setup in January, when I skated on half Storm Surges half Matters at our normal practice area. From what I remember it was a pretty comfortable experience.

I guess what I have to do now is take out my G4s on that same course and compare, then I think I'll have a better perspective.

It's not like I've forgotten what it's like to skate on asphalt, even granted it was a more padded skate, I've put in enough miles over the years to remember

I should be able to get out next week if the weather continues as it is (off this week on Doc's orders) and then I'll report back.