The 88 Wheel Co Maverick is the brand’s premier downhill wheel, designed for speed, grip, and a fun riding experience. This review dives deep into the Maverick’s performance, exploring its design, ride feel, slide characteristics, and overall value. Let’s see how these wheels stack up against the competition.
88 Wheel Co Maverick Specifications
Before we get into the performance, here’s a rundown of the key specs:
- Brand: 88 Wheel Co Mavericks
- Diameter: 80mm
- Width: 66mm
- Contact Patch: 65mm
- Durometer: 76a High Rebound
- Core Position: Offset
- Core: Proprietary (similar appearance to the Kegel core)
- Price: $85
Design Insights with 88 Wheel Co’s Jeremy
To better understand the Maverick, we spoke with Jeremy from 88 Wheel Co. Here are some of the key design goals and features:
Design Goals
Jeremy explained that the main goal was to create a fast, grippy, and enjoyable downhill wheel. The Maverick’s design was initially inspired by the 80mm Boa Sigma, a wheel primarily developed for electric skateboards. After seeing riders successfully slide and push the Sigmas, 88 Wheel Co decided to develop their first dedicated downhill wheel.
maverick prototypes on Jacko Shapeiras longboard
The development process involved a new urethane formula tested over six months, with prototypes sent to top riders like Jacko for feedback. After a year of testing and iterations, the final Maverick design was established.
What Sets the Mavericks Apart?
According to Jeremy, the Mavericks stand out for two main reasons:
- Core Design: The core features a precision bearing seat that ensures the wheel stays true and centered, promoting even wear and enhanced control.
- Urethane and Manufacturing: 88 Wheel Co uses a proprietary manufacturing process that keeps the wheel skin as pure as possible, resulting in exceptional grip and smooth slides.
prototype maverick
Future Plans
88 Wheel Co has plans for more shapes and formulas in the future, including race-focused options. They are currently testing new prototypes.
88 wheel co maverick longboard wheels product shots
For a deeper look into their design process, you can check out the full interview here on YouTube.
88 Wheel Co Mavericks Performance Review
Rolling Speed and Acceleration
The Mavericks aren’t the fastest wheels on the market. They have a slightly gummy feel compared to race wheels like the Alphas or Magnums, and their acceleration isn’t as quick. However, once they reach a certain speed, the difference is less noticeable. They’re not designed for top speed records but perform well in a straight line, maintaining a good pace.
88 wheel co maverick squish
Performance on Rough Roads
These wheels shine on rough roads, absorbing a lot of road vibrations, offering a fairly comfortable ride. They’re a solid option if you value comfort and rideability on less-than-perfect pavement, making cracks and road imperfections less noticeable.
Sliding Performance
Initial Grip
The Maverick’s skin is exceptionally grippy, providing significant slowing-down power while still breaking into a slide relatively easily. While this is a somewhat controversial opinion, with some skaters finding them less grippy, the reviewer found them to be among the grippiest wheels he’s used, comparing them to Magnums and Cheetahs. However, it’s important to note that individual experiences may vary. The skin doesn’t last too long, wearing away after a few slides.
Sliding Without the Skin
After the initial skin wears off, the Mavericks transition into a sugary slide with a defined edge feel. This slide is consistent, not too aggressive, and allows for a mix of hands-up and hands-down riding. They feel similar to green Krimes after the skin has been broken in, providing a smooth, predictable slide.
riding the maverick
Grip Without Skin
Without the skin, the Mavericks have less stopping power and don’t hold lines as well as some other downhill wheels, such as Magnums or Cheetahs. They feel more like a large freeride wheel than a dedicated downhill wheel, allowing for comfortable stand-up slides and relaxed riding. While they don’t offer the same level of grip, they still slow you down enough to tackle open roads and corners, albeit with a bit more scrubbing.
Tips for Stand-Up Slides
For stand-up sliding, it’s recommended to:
- Lean up the hill more, particularly for toesides.
- Be aggressive with weight placement.
- Don’t focus too much on feedback.
- Be confident in your slides, as these wheels respond well to a confident skater.
Consistency Over Different Pavements
The Mavericks perform consistently on different surfaces, feeling slightly grippier on new pavement. They also felt more grippy on tarry, slick roads. Overall, they perform well on both smooth and rough pavement, with the rider feeling comfortable sliding over imperfect surfaces.
Temperature Effects
The wheels’ grip is affected by temperature, feeling grippier in colder conditions than in the heat. This means you might experience more bite on cold days.
toeside slide on the maverick wheels
Durability
The Mavericks aren’t known for their durability, wearing down quickly. Riders can expect to go through them faster than other wheels, with the reviewer noting a reduction to 75mm after just two months of moderate use. The wear rate depends on factors like heat, rider weight, and sliding frequency.
Flat Spot Resistance
Due to their quick wear, these wheels are not highly resistant to flat spots. It is relatively easy to oval or flat spot them if you are not careful with your slides. Beginners should be especially cautious to keep their slides under a 90-degree angle. The reviewer experienced ovaling his set during aggressive slides at high speed.
88 wheel co Maverick outer lip
Chunking
Despite being soft, high-rebound wheels, the Mavericks surprisingly don’t chunk easily. The reviewer skated them hard over different terrains, including chunder and unpaved roads, and they held up remarkably well with minimal lip damage. This is impressive compared to other soft duro wheels like the Venom Magnums, Powell-Peralta Snakes, or Seismic Alphas.
worn down maverick longboard wheels
Thane Lines
While the Mavericks are known to leave thick, visible thane lines, the reviewer strangely didn’t experience this. Others have documented prominent thane lines in videos and reviews, making this experience unique.
88 wheel co Maverick longboard wheels, cheetah hawgs, venom magnums
Should You Buy the 88 Wheel Co Mavericks?
Ideal Riding Conditions
The Mavericks perform exceptionally well on various terrains, particularly on chunder and rougher roads, with a lower chance of chunking compared to other wheels. However, the primary consideration when buying these wheels should be your style of riding.
riding the 88wheel co maverick longboard wheels
Best Use Cases
These wheels are great if you’re looking for:
- A large wheel with great momentum for comfortable stand-up slides.
- A wheel that can provide a fun hands-down riding experience.
- A versatile option suitable for events like Straja, Tepe, or KNK, as well as exploring new spots with uncertain road conditions.
- A wheel that allows you to switch between hands-down and stand-up riding styles.
- A freeride wheel for a slalom-DH or narrow board, providing a solid tracking width.
- A faster freeride wheel that can keep up with DH speeds.
Price Point and Value
Priced at $85, the Mavericks are more affordable than the Magnums, Alphas, and Cheetah Hawgs. While not cheaper than Kegels, their performance justifies the price, offering excellent value for money compared to other high-end wheels.
Potential Drawbacks
The primary drawback of the Mavericks is their lack of durability, making them an expensive option over the long term. Though they perform well, the speed at which they wear down may be a concern for some riders.
9.81 skateboards diego pro model
Final Thoughts
The 88 Wheel Co Mavericks are a versatile and fun downhill wheel that provides a great balance of grip, slide, and comfort. While they might not be the most durable option, their unique ride characteristics and performance on various terrains make them worth considering, especially for riders who enjoy a mix of stand-up and hands-down styles. The Maverick is a high-performance wheel with unique features that caters to many different riding styles, from freeriding to downhill.
We highly recommend trying a set of the 88 Wheel Co Mavericks if you can. Also, stay tuned as 88 Wheel Co may have some exciting developments in the future.
