The longboard wheel market is constantly evolving, and dual-durometer wheels are the latest innovation to capture the attention of riders. Today, we’re diving into a comprehensive review of the Cheetah Hawgs longboard wheels, a dual-duro offering designed to combine the grip of softer wheels with the roll speed of harder ones. Despite the disruption caused by COVID-19, preventing a full showcase of these wheels on the race circuit, this review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of their performance.
Cheetah Hawgs Wheel Specs
- Diameter: 77mm
- Width/Contact Patch: 71mm
- Core Placement: Offset
- Durometer Options: 76a, 76/85a, 76/90a
- Price: $90 USD (76/85a and 76/90a), $65 USD for the 76a option.
Note: The reviewer is sponsored by Hawgs but aims for an unbiased review.
Cheetah Hawgs: A Unique Hybrid
The Cheetah Hawgs wheels stand out as a hybrid, blending the characteristics of Venom Magnums and Seismic Alphas. Their acceleration is comparable to the Alphas, while their turning and engagement feel similar to the Magnums. However, they retain the inertia and sluggishness expected from larger, heavier wheels.
Where they truly shine is in their slide and downhill performance. These wheels provide a crisp slide with considerable braking power, all while remaining controllable. Whether they have their initial skin or not, riders can maintain confidence and comfort during slides. When going downhill, these wheels offer a unique experience, setting them apart from the competition.
While they come with a higher price tag ($90) and an inner core that reduces the usable urethane, their performance is undeniably worth the investment for those seeking top-tier results.
Cheetah Hawgs wheels
Speed and Acceleration
The Cheetah Hawgs are among the fastest wheels available, outperforming the Venom Magnums in overall speed. While they might feel slightly slower than the Alphas initially, this can depend on the rider’s push and the hill’s characteristics. In some cases, the 76/90a Cheetahs have even rivaled the Alphas in straight-line speed. However, the Alphas generally maintain their edge in raw speed.
When considering overall downhill performance, including grip, responsiveness, and straight-line speed, the Cheetahs emerge as the fastest wheels tested by the reviewer. These wheels retain speed exceptionally well, making them ideal for steep descents.
However, they do have their limitations on less steep hills. They don’t excel in slow-speed conditions or on mellow inclines, such as parking lots, where they may feel sluggish and slow to accelerate. If you don’t push hard, these wheels are likely to feel slow on hills below 30mph.
Momentum and Inertia
Once the Cheetah Hawgs get going, they maintain their speed like a steam train with a jet engine. They do require a significant push to overcome their weight and rolling resistance, making them hard to push off the line. This weight results in substantial inertia, meaning they don’t easily change direction quickly, as the wheels tend to want to continue in their current trajectory.
Grip and Braking Power
The Cheetah Hawgs provide impressive grip and braking power, even when sliding. They offer more stopping power than the Magnums, maintaining control through the slide. However, the grip can vary depending on the truck setup and riding conditions. For example, the reviewer noted that with dialed 2020 Smokies, the Cheetahs felt gripper than Magnums, but with other setups the experience varied.
This considerable braking power and traction-like slide gives the rider the feeling of being pulled back up the hill when sliding.
toeside slide – cheetah hawgs wheels
Slide Characteristics
The slide is remarkably crisp and smooth. The wheels maintain their rigidity, ensuring the urethane doesn’t smear across the pavement. Even without their skin, they retain impressive braking power.
These wheels don’t offer a pronounced edge feel. However, the updated 2021 Cheetahs are designed to increase this sensation, providing more control through the slide.
Durability
While not as durable as wheels like the Seismic Alphas, the Cheetah Hawgs are sufficiently durable. They wear down quicker but can still last for several months of regular use. The wheels also resist chunking, especially when compared to Magnums under the same rough conditions.
However, the dual-duro construction means that as the wheel wears down, riders will eventually be skating on the harder inner core. The inner duro is about 65mm in diameter, meaning that riders may choose to reshape the wheel, or simply accept a harder wheel experience.
cheetah hawgs 76/85a lip
cheetah hawgs wheels 76/90a lip
Rough Road Performance
Even the 85a option transmits a fair amount of road vibration. Riders will feel more feedback from the road, which is more noticeable over rough terrain. As the wheel wears, the vibrations become more pronounced, as less of the 76a urethane remains.
85a vs 90a Inner Duro
The 90a version offers faster roll speed and quicker acceleration than the 85a option. The 90a version will also transmit more road vibration, particularly as you wear down to the core.
both dual-duro cheetah hawgs wheels
For versatile open-road riding, the 76/85a is recommended, while the 76/90a is ideal for racing and smooth roads.
Downsides of the Cheetah Hawgs
The primary drawbacks are their weight, the road vibration they transmit, and fit issues with some trucks. The weight can be a challenge for some riders initially, though they usually adjust after a few sessions. The road vibration increases as the wheels wear, offering more feedback from the road. Finally, the inner duro of the wheels can rub on the hanger of some trucks.
Are They Worth the Price?
The Cheetah Hawgs are worth the price for riders seeking top-tier performance or those wanting to experience the latest in wheel technology. However, they might be overkill for casual open-road riding. For racing and pushing the limits, they are an excellent choice.
cheetah hawgs price
Who Should Buy Cheetah Hawgs?
Buy these wheels if:
- You want maximum performance.
- You need a fast wheel for downhill runs.
- You’re looking for a competitive edge in races.
- You want to try cutting-edge wheel technology.
Who Shouldn’t Buy Cheetah Hawgs?
Don’t buy these wheels if:
- You’re primarily a freerider.
- You find the price too high.
- You want to fully utilize every bit of urethane.
Dual-Duro Wheels: The Future?
Other dual-duro options like the Cuei dual-duro Killers are already proving to be very fast and capable wheels. Dual-duro wheels, such as the Cheetah Hawgs, may well be the future of longboard racing, offering a combination of roll speed and grip. However, the increasing specialization of race-focused products may lead to a separation between racing and casual downhill skateboarding.
Where to Buy
You can purchase the Cheetah Hawgs on the Landyachtz website. Use the code “AroniSkate&Explore15” for 10% off.
Test Setup
- Deck: Small Blind
- Trucks: 2020 Bear Smokies
- Baseplate Angles: 50/20
- Bushings: 74/78a, 95/97a Venom bushings
- Washers: Flat washers road side front, Cupped road side back
- Bearings: Bear Spaceballs
- Griptape: Seismic 36 grit
small blind with cheetah hawgs
Final Thoughts
The Cheetah Hawgs are an exceptional wheel that every downhill skater should experience at least once. They offer unique performance characteristics that set them apart from other wheels on the market. If you have a conflicting experience with these wheels, feel free to share in the comments below!
