Review on Centrax?

[Blown_xa]

Just wondering what people's take are on these wheels, compared to say... Gumballs and or flywheels.

[ChrisMcB]

They are too expensive. Of the three wheels the gumballs (or big zigs) are probably your best bang for the buck.

The wheels tend to give you a little more traction. Although some of the lighter standup skaters feel the wheel is actually too big. That they can't get enough weight on the wheel, and it actually slides more.

The wheel doesn't fit directly on a Randal Comp II. You need to add 3 or 4 washers.

[Blown_xa]

Thanx for feedback. Yea I noticed I had to stack washers with the centrax to clear the hanger ends. I used to use gum balls a long time ago, but didn't like the fact that they cone and loose a lot of speed with just minor coning. I'd like to stick with center set wheels because they have less tendency to cone because the bearing load in is the middle, and if they do you can flip them.
If you put centrax and gum balls in the same boat as far as grip, I may just stick with flywheels.

Is there a " noticeable" increase of grip over the flywheels with the centrax?

[tiki alex]

centrax depends on your weight - with guys like chris (sorry ) they work good, because they get enough pressure on it. with light weight guys like me (70kg) centrax don't have enough grip and slide out on european roads (maybe in noram they work also great - don't know). i would also recoment using only 2 trucks with the centrax to get them grip better.
i prefer 83mm flywheels - great wheel for racing if you choose the right duro.

[stevefernando]

I'm about to flog the 83mm Centrax wheels (grn) for the MFoS... I"m big 6'2" and 210lbs 95kg so I'm running 8 0n my TRS 8-Ball on Randal Comp II's (modified) to measure the grip and speed... I'll let you know what I find... personally, I like the 83mm flys but the Centrax might help a big guy like me corner better at MFoS....

[FrankW]

Tall, wide wheels with a square edge are what you want for a dry, twisty course, especially if you're heavy (like me); 83mm Centrax fit the bill perfectly. I ran 77mm Centrax through 4 of the 5 NorAm races last year and I never had a problem in the traction department with a 6 wheel set up; I'm 230+ lbs. However, my risk/line judgement and physical conditioning left something to be desired. I will be riding 83mm Centrax with an 8 wheels set up for most of, if not all, the races I'll be attending in 2012. Because they're heavy they'll take a little more time to accelerate than something narrower and lighter, but you can go into a turn with greater speed and not have to worry about sliding out.

As far as cost goes: yes, they're expensive... but they also last a long, long time. I calipered my 77mm wheels the other day; the ones I raced at Maryhill, WinSport and most of PEC G-fest and they're still just slightly over 77mm. The only reason why I changed them out leading up to the finals of PEC was that I thought fresh wheels would give me a bit more traction on the slippery course. Chances are, if you're just running for fun and you choose Centrax you won't need to change them out for a long, long time.

As far as rain wheels, I'm starting to hear that flywheels, with their narrow contact patch are pretty good. A lot of people swear by Gumballs with rain grooves. For races like Teutonia I would probably try flywheels because I would think the top end speed would be a little better.

On a similar note, the new Nersh Jawbreaker 75mm centerset wheels look very promising. I use Nersh 70mm on my classic luge and they grip well and last forever when running for fun. However, after about 4 hard runs in a racing scenario they tend to lose grip and start sliding; but they're still right at about 70mm and have plenty of practice/fun life left.

I've gotten away from Comp 2s in favor of Buzzed CNC trucks; mostly because acquiring more Comp 2s was becoming difficult and I got tired of all those spacers. The prices are similar.

[Blown_xa]

Good reviews! As far as price, I don't mind cost. If I were one who traveled far to do races and spend thousands in travel costs, I wouldn't mind spending a little extra to have a good wheel. It has been about 10 years since I traveled that much for races though haha.
I'll most likely just stick to the one set of centrax I bought ( for now) until I get to ride. I guess I like to "stock up" on wheels, but wanted more feedback before I order more sets of centrax.

Does anybody have feedback on the classic green urethane vs the " reflex" urethane?

Oh and as far as rain wheels, kryptonics came to mind, are those still made? I remember them being narrow.

[ChrisMcB]

Good reviews! As far as price, I don't mind cost. If I were one who traveled far to do races and spend thousands in travel costs, I wouldn't mind spending a little extra to have a good wheel.

In today's wheel market, pretty much any wheel is a good wheel. Some wheels tend to wear a little better, faster, more consistent. But it isn't like the days of krypto's melting, and cherrybombs not having grip.

The centrax is a good wheel. BUT it is almost twice as expensive, and is much heavier than a big zig. The big zig is a fine wheel, and most likely will be the wheel I race all season. And I am a person who spends time and money travelling. The centrax isn't worth it. I may run it at Maryhill, partially because I don't have to carry my wheels on the plane. Or I might just run pink big zigs like I've done in the past.

I'm not sure where the physics are in regards to a heavier wheel taking longer to accelerate. There is a lot going on (and it isn't the size of the wheel, it is the mass) The fewer rotations a wheel has, the less the bearing friction plays a part. Also when you are talking about a 75mm wheel vs an 83mm wheel you are talking about a radius difference of 4mm, not a whole lot. I am thinking there are more external factors involved in how fast/slow you go, and not the size of your wheel.

[Furlong]

Chris is right on the money about any wheel on the market today can be a good wheel.

After riding, testing, and racing different wheels, and looking at what others race on, I feel that each rider will have his/her own preference for a wheel that works best for him/her.

What may work very well for rider A, may not work for rider B, and vice versa.

[North_Coast]

I know the old, mythical Momo's have nearly an identical shape and size to the current 83mm Centrax...Does anyone know how the two wheels compare?

[ChrisMcB]

My understanding is the momo is a larger wheel. It contains more urethane and is much more expensive. But at the same time it is a better wheel. Of course I've never ridden them, just what I've heard.

[North_Coast]

My understanding is the momo is a larger wheel. It contains more urethane and is much more expensive. But at the same time it is a better wheel. Of course I've never ridden them, just what I've heard.

According to an old promo Momo diagram I snaggled

The dimensions are equal to those of the production 83mm Centrax


Although, looking at them side-by-side, they have different lip profiles and different cores.