Has Anyone Tried The 71mm Bennett Alligators?

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:27 pm

These wheels at first glance appear to be AWESOME.

The best wheel I've ever found is the shaved Avalon. Mine are 68mm X 50.8mm. Well, these big Alligators are 71mm x 51mm. A little more roll speed and what I consider a perfect width.

They are shipping in perfect slalom duros (78, 79, 80 and 84) with composite bearing seats. I guess the one question is the quality of the 'thane and the characteristics of the inner/outer lip and bearing seat positioning. (I say perfect but an 82, 85 and 86 option would also be great.)

At first glance these wheels offer all the advantages of a shaved Avalon with a little larger diameter without going overboard. I've got the 69mm Hot Spot in different duros but they just don't do for me like the shaved Avalon. After watching Carrasco run the tight slalom at the Worlds on Blast Waves, I'm starting to rethink my notions of what's the best performing wheel diameters.

Martin Drayton · Post by **Martin Drayton** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:58 pm

Wesley Tucker wrote: After watching Carrasco run the tight slalom at the Worlds on Blast Waves, I'm starting to rethink my notions of what's the best performing wheel diameters.

Wes, I think that may have been a 'one-off' to carry speed through the last section of that particular course and the way it was set (also long course)...Using a larger diameter wheel can be a viable alternative for a racer not wanting to use a longer wheelbase, especially when the start of the course has some tight spacings.
Big wheels are faster, but only once they spool up...the person on faster accelerating 70mm's may already be gone...(esp on short course)

Interesting to hear what people think about the Alligators though, I think some of the Colorado boys are into them....its always good for everyone to have lots of choices.

Ron Barbagallo · Post by **Ron Barbagallo** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:15 pm

not that I'm any indication of quality, but I rode 78 bottle greens at Dixie.

They were fast and real grippy, and I'm gonna run the harder duros for next season - they got delivered after I left for NC

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:19 pm

Ron,

I'll probably get some this winter. I like an 84/80 or 86/82 combo, so Bennett has what I want.

One question.

I can't see from the product placements at Mile High Skate and other websites the inner lip. Could you offer up a comparison?

Ron Barbagallo · Post by **Ron Barbagallo** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:06 pm

I'll take some pics tonight

Rick Floyd · Post by **Rick Floyd** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:06 pm

Wes - Joe Mac's raced on 'em...

http://www.ncdsa.com/3/Skateboard-Wheel-Reviews.htm

...give him a shout too.

FB...Joe said he's trying to put together a snowboard weekend for skaters...which begs the question...kilts on snow too laddie? Best to you and Sassy over the holidays!

Miguel Marco · Post by **Miguel Marco** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:19 pm

Wesley Tucker wrote:I'll probably get some this winter. I like an 84/80 or 86/82 combo, so Bennett has what I want.

From what I've seen, there's no 86a and 82a. They offer 78a, 79a, 80a, 81a, and 84a. A bit weird, not quite sure most people will notice a 1 point increment...

I've tried the 84's on Danilo's board and they feel way harder then that. Probably due to the thick outer and inner lips. I didn't try them in a course but they felt really fast. I will give them a try next spring.

Miguel Marco · Post by **Miguel Marco** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:23 pm

Rick Floyd wrote:FB...Joe said he's trying to put together a snowboard weekend for skaters...

Keep me in the loop for that one!

Rick Floyd wrote:Best to you and Sassy over the holidays!

Same from me Fatty! And to you too Rick. In fact, to everyone on ss.com!

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:34 pm

Miguel Marco wrote:
Wesley Tucker wrote:I'll probably get some this winter. I like an 84/80 or 86/82 combo, so Bennett has what I want.
From what I've seen, there's no 86a and 82a. They offer 78a, 79a, 80a, 81a, and 84a. A bit weird, not quite sure most people will notice a 1 point increment...

They got 84/80s. That's what I meant.

Miguel Marco · Post by **Miguel Marco** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:42 pm

Wesley Tucker wrote:They got 84/80s. That's what I meant.

Sorry Wes. I thought you meant that Bennett covered both your favorite combos...

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:48 pm

I found there's little difference between the original Avalon 80s and 85s compared to the newer 82s and 86s. Plus, an 84 Hot Spot feels just the same. I can feel, though, the difference between a 78 and an 86.

I'm not going to fret, though. One set of 80s and 84s are certainly worth a try.

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:34 am

I told Karr this afternoon I was going to get a set of 84/80s. He said get him some also.

Oh, the 84s are on sale at Mile High Skates at $34 for a set of four.

Marty Schaub · Post by **Marty Schaub** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:13 am

Wes,

I have some, fast and grippy. They will definetly be in the bag for the travel circut next year. Lynn Kramer rides them and loved them, that's why I tried them. Glad I did.

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 4:47 am

You know, Hollien's the one who should be riding Alligators.

Ron Barbagallo · Post by **Ron Barbagallo** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:47 pm

so you're ALL gonna jump on MY bandwagon and I'll receive no credit!

Bastards, one and all!!!

Soon the course will be littered with kilts..............

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:54 pm

Why does imagery of everyone jumping on you and then kilts littering the scene bother me in so many ways?

Earl Cephas · Post by **Earl Cephas** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 5:18 pm

Do they make kilts with built in hip pads? Hmm...

Rick Floyd · Post by **Rick Floyd** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:42 pm

Ron Barbagallo wrote:so you're ALL gonna jump on MY bandwagon and I'll receive no credit!

Bastards, one and all!!!

Soon the course will be littered with kilts..............

Take heart, Ron...you are still the only guy I know with "dingle balls" on your racing board - WAAAY ahead of your time...the way they disrupt the air flow and add to your speed is just not understood by the average slalom racer!

Wesley Tucker · Post by **Wesley Tucker** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:13 pm

Ron Barbagallo wrote:I'll take some pics tonight

Well, since Ron dropped the ball, failed, disappointed us, can't live up to expectations and probably forgot after getting drunk on excessive kerosene space heater fumes, I've decided to just do it myself:

The lip is as thick as the front lip with a small cornice around the edge.

Ordered them from Mile High on Thursday and they got here today. Didn't get them set up yet so as to how they actually ride is still to be determined.

Stay tuned.

Ron Barbagallo · Post by **Ron Barbagallo** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:52 pm

sorry Wes, I took them......................

but I don't know how to post them

Chris Iversen · Post by **Chris Iversen** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:52 pm

I got some Alligators a few weeks ago in 81a and 84a. First session with them on a very mellow nearly flat grade and I wasn't impressed, they felt "klunky" if that's a technical term, I hope you know what I mean. That night I was thinking they will likely end up on one of my longboards. Keep reading though, it gets better

The next day I went out to our regular practice spot, which is a 60 km/hr hill when just bombing it. HERE is where the Alligators really performed. We sat up a nice fast hybrid course, with some tighter sections at speed. These wheels are smoking fast and grippy! The "klunkyness" seemed to disappear at speed. They accelerated quickly, and I was pumping them hard through the tighter section of our course and they didn't feel like they were going to break loose in the slightest, and I'm a big dude (6'1, 225) so I put a lot of strain the wheels in my turns.

Last week we set up a big GS from the top of the hill and I was cranking them hard around the cones again, I did slightly break loose on a heelside turn, but it felt controlled and I was able to continue through the course without blowing out due to spookage. I've heard they are releasing a 76mm version so that will be rad for sure!

These are going to be my primary wheel to start this season as they've affected me greatly. After some timed runs in a racing situation we'll see if I'm a total convert, but I'm confident I will be.

My recommendation: GET SOME!!!! But don't use them if you ever wind up head to head with me, I need all the help I can get!

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Has Anyone Tried The 71mm Bennett Alligators?

Has Anyone Tried The 71mm Bennett Alligators?

Re: Has Anyone Tried The 71mm Bennett Alligators?

Got em