Bearing Wheels Review
by Xi Jin
I have been fingerboarding for about 10 years on and off although my involvement with the online scene is limited. This set of Close Up bearing wheels are the 9th set of bearing wheels I have owned. I have been skating these wheels as part of 2 setups: Initially, I had the wheels with a Tech Deck and China trucks; I now have them set up on a Redemption X Unite deck and Ytrucks X3 with microwashers and wheel washers. I have been using these wheels for just under 2 weeks as part of non-main setups. It's less than I would normally give for a review but it was requested by Rafi and I also have my older model wheels to comment on. I have had the older Close Up bearing wheels for 3 years and has been set up on various boards. This is my fifth fingerboard product review and I hope it is sufficient in detail and interesting to read. I am unsponsored with no affiliation to any fingerboard company and will attempt to give an unbiased review. I personally prefer text-based reviews as opposed to video reviews as the reader can choose to read it at their own pace instead of being forced to follow the speed of the reviewer and who can often trail-off topic.
I apologise for the cameraphone pictures which do not focus on such small wheels very well.
Setup
Company ProfileClose Up is a French company that mainly produces complete fingerboards (decks, grip/rip, trucks, bushings+washers, wheels, screws, bolts with tools + stickers) but also offers bearing wheels, coffin curbs, bike racks and shirts. They have been well established for many years and have had many co-branding fingerboard products with various skateboard companies and other companies too. Many events and contests are sponsored by Close Up as they actively support the scene.
Website:
http://www.closeup-fingerskate.fr/Wheel StatisticsDiameter: 7.5-8mm (hard to measure)
Width: 4.5mm
Another setup picture
Transaction DetailsPrice: €14.90, equivalent to around £13.18/$21.33
Shipping cost: €2.70, around £2.39/$3.87
Time to arrive from France to UK: 1½ weeks
The wheels came in a little baggie as standard and I also got 2 raw branded G4 hangers, 3 half sized sticker sheets, 2 medium sized stickers and a le site du skateboard sticker. I am not sure if all orders will come with these but it was definitely a pleasant surprise. Everything was packed in a larger card envelope.
CraftsmanshipI have not much knowledge about how fingerboard wheels are made but overall, these wheels are very good. There are some minor issues with the wheels although not every wheel has these issues. One issue is that since the wheels are made in 2 parts and stuck together, the part where it joins may have nubs sticking out around the outside of the wheel. You can fix this by just riding it out until they wear away or you can carefully use some sandpaper (be careful if you don't want flatspots). The other minor issue is that there may also be excess material in the back of the wheel. This is fine if you're using some standard trucks but if you have Ytrucks + microwashers, you can easily fix this by scraping it out with a tool. Other than these small issues, which are only in some of the wheels, the bearings are straight, secure and smooth. The shape of the wheels are consistent. The printing on the side of the wheels is not often seen in fingerboard wheels since they are so small but it is very well done and the text is clear and legible.
Wearing of text
One thing I noticed with these wheels and mentioned in other reviews is that the text will wear quite easily. I do a lot of railstand/primo tricks so I am not expecting this to last very long. It has begun to fade already with my wheels.
Compatibility with trucksI wasn't able to fit my original version Close Up bearing wheels on the Close Up G4 trucks but the current version of the wheels will fit. They're a snug fit but they come on and off safely.
Both of my sets of Close Up wheels are now set up on Ytrucks X3 trucks. Due to the standard shape of the wheels, the hole on the back of the wheels will fit right into the Ytrucks hangers. This leaves the axles exposed. Some people are happy to ride trucks/wheels like this but if you are like me and prefer wheels being in line or past the axles, you can easily remedy this by putting micro washers or pivot cups in the back of the wheel. Although I've not tested them on shaped trucks or BRTs, I think this may also occur on them.
I originally had the wheels set up on China trucks and they fit those fine.
Set up on China trucks
Close Up bearing wheels compared with Close Up metal core wheels
Backs of the bearing wheels and metal core wheels
Compared with the metal core wheels, you will see that the text is different to reflect that they are bearing wheels. You will also notice the backs are different. Size, shape and material of the wheels are the same though.
Stock photo from Close Up website
This is a stock photo from the site but I believe these are an older version where the text is different. Be aware they now say "AUTHENTIC CLOSE UP BEARINGS".
Comparison of Close Up bearing wheels and No Comply Roll9s
As you can see here, the wheels have a traditional shape and size similar to other available wheels.
Comparison of original Close Up bearing wheels and the current version 
Another comparison
I did not take a comparison picture with my Oak V2s but I still prefer these wheels over any model of Oaks since Close Up wheels wont leave the axle or nut exposed, potentially causing damage to fingerboard surfaces. All Oaks have a centralised design compared to Close Up's off-set design.
I am unsure if they changed the material of the wheels but they should be the same. The original versions did not have printed text on them but the shapes are the same. The older wheels are becoming discoloured but I think this adds to the realism of skateboard wheels and I like this very much. I have also noticed my older wheels have gained more grip with age.
PerformanceIf you've tried the metal core wheels that come with the Close Up completes (any generation from 1-4), they're the same material and size. If you haven't tried them, these wheels are significantly different from the most popular wheels as they're much softer and grippier. The bearing wheels are even smoother than the metal core wheels for cruising or doing tricks. The extra grip from the normal wheels, in my opinion, is much better for rolling in your intended directions but still allow for easy reverts and powerslides when needed. They use a standard off-set wheel design with the wheels rounded off at the edges similar to most wheels so they allow for flip tricks to be performed normally.
Overall, I think these wheels are possibly the best wheels I own. I had been a fan of Substance Ivories for a while but the traditional shape with additional grip of the Close Up bearing wheels makes me believe that these wheels are better than any other wheels. The softness of the wheels also make them great for cruisers since they are so smooth as well as outdoor setups since there won't be horrible scratch marks in them. They're very comfortable to ride and much cheaper than a lot of bearing wheels sold. I'd definitely recommend these wheels for any fingerboarder. The material and eventual discolouration is also very realistic and a good reflection of skateboard wheels.
You'll be glad to hear that's the end of another long ass review.
I must mention that this review is just what I think about the wheels. Reading/watching multiple reviews by different people is definitely recommended. I won't link to any in particular but there are a few if you search Google/YouTube.
You can buy Close Up bearing wheels by purchasing directly from Close Up for €14.90:
http://www.closeup-fingerskate.fr/4-bearing-printed-wheels-zipbag-4-wheels-4-real-bearings/Additionally, you can purchase the bearing wheels and a Close Up G4 complete in any of these sets for €33:
http://www.closeup-fingerskate.fr/closeup/shop-produits/pack-gen4-bearing-wheels/There may also be other places that sell these wheels but buy at your own risk.
You may use this review and pictures, in part or in full, as long as you credit it to me and get permission from me in a PM.
Miaow.
