I've been spending a lot of time lately on oj 111 wheels, and honestly, they've completely changed how I look at my setup for crusty pavement and park sessions alike. If you've been skating for more than a week, you know that wheels are one of those things people get weirdly defensive about. Everyone has their "ride or die" brand, but I figured it was time to step outside the usual bubble and see if the hype around the OJ Elite formula—specifically the 111s—actually holds water when you're out there hitting real-world spots.
The first thing you notice when you get these things out of the shrink wrap is that they don't feel like those plastic-y, cheap wheels you find on a budget complete. There's a certain density to them. OJ has been in the game since the 70s, so they aren't exactly the new kids on the block, and that experience shows up in the urethane. The oj 111 wheels are part of their Elite series, which is basically their top-tier performance line. They're designed to be fast, and man, do they deliver on that promise.
The feeling of the Elite urethane
One of the biggest complaints skaters have with hard wheels is that they can feel "dead." You know that feeling where you're pushing as hard as you can, but the ground just seems to suck all the momentum out of your bearings? I didn't get that at all with these. The 101a durometer on the oj 111 wheels provides a level of rebound that feels lively. When you land a trick, there's a distinct "pop" and a solid "thud" that tells you the wheel is absorbing just enough of the impact without turning into a marshmallow.
I took them to a local park that hasn't been resurfaced since the mid-90s. It's got that rough, exposed aggregate that usually rattles your teeth out of your head. Surprisingly, the Elite formula handled it way better than some of the other "hard" wheels I've tried recently. They didn't just skitter over the surface; they actually gripped when I needed them to but let go the second I wanted to kick the tail out for a powerslide.
Let's talk about the slide
If you're someone who likes to throw a lot of reverts or you're working on your blunt slides, the slide-ability of a wheel is everything. Some wheels are "icy," meaning they slide way too easily and you end up washing out on basic turns. Others are "grabby," which is a recipe for a nasty high-side. The oj 111 wheels seem to hit that sweet spot right in the middle.
When I first took them to a waxed marble ledge, I was a bit nervous. Sometimes new wheels need a "break-in" period where you have to scrub off that initial shiny coating before they slide predictably. With these, it took maybe ten minutes of riding around and doing a few flatground powerslides to get them feeling perfect. Once that top layer was gone, the slides were buttery smooth. They have a very predictable "bark" to them—that sound a wheel makes when it's resisting just enough to stay controlled but sliding enough to look cool.
Flat spots are the enemy
We've all been there. You're having a great session, you catch a little too much weight on a powerslide, and suddenly your board sounds like a helicopter. Thump-thump-thump. Flat spots are the quickest way to ruin a set of wheels and your afternoon.
I put the oj 111 wheels through some pretty heavy abuse to see how the flat spot resistance held up. I'm not the lightest skater, and I tend to be pretty heavy-footed on my slides. After a solid two weeks of daily skating, I haven't noticed even a hint of a flat spot. The urethane is hard enough to resist that "melting" feeling that happens during high-friction slides, which is a huge plus if you're skating a lot of concrete or rough asphalt.
Why the 111 shape matters
It's easy to think that a wheel is just a circle, but the shape (or "cut") makes a massive difference in how it interacts with the ground and your trucks. The oj 111 wheels usually feature a more classic, slim-to-medium profile. This isn't one of those super-wide "conical" shapes that lock into every pebble, but it's also not a "skinny" wheel that feels unstable at high speeds.
Because the profile is a bit more traditional, you get a lot of response. Flip tricks feel a bit more effortless because there's less rotational weight out at the ends of your axles. I noticed my kickflips felt a bit "zippier" compared to when I was riding wider, heavier wheels. Plus, the way the edge of the wheel is cut makes it really easy to lock into 50-50s without the wheel "pinching" against the side of the ledge or the rail.
Versatility across different terrains
I'm the kind of skater who likes to hit a bit of everything. One day I'm at a polished indoor park, the next I'm in a crusty DIY under a bridge, and the day after that I might just be cruising down a hilly sidewalk. The oj 111 wheels are surprisingly versatile for a 101a wheel.
Usually, a wheel that hard is a nightmare on sidewalks, but because the Elite formula is so high-quality, it doesn't feel as harsh as a cheap 101a wheel. You still feel the cracks—let's not lie, these aren't longboard wheels—but the vibration isn't nearly as fatiguing. On the smooth stuff, they are absolute rockets. You can really feel the speed stay with you through carves and transitions.
Durability and aging
One thing I've noticed with some other brands is that the wheels start to "yellow" or get brittle after a few weeks of exposure to the sun and dirt. So far, the oj 111 wheels are holding their color and texture remarkably well. They don't seem to "chunk" out easily either. I've hit plenty of sharp metal edges on poorly maintained curbs, and the sidewalls are still relatively clean.
The graphics on OJ wheels are also a nice touch. They have that classic, slightly retro aesthetic that looks good on pretty much any deck. Even as the graphics inevitably start to wear off from grinds, the wheel itself stays functional and keeps its shape. They don't seem to "coning" (wearing down unevenly on one side) as fast as some of the softer formulas I've tried in the past.
Final thoughts on the ride
At the end of the day, you want a wheel that you don't have to think about. The best gear is the stuff that just does its job so you can focus on not falling on your face. That's exactly what I found with the oj 111 wheels. They're fast, they slide when you want them to, and they don't turn into squares the first time you do a revert.
If you're looking for a solid all-around street and park wheel that leans toward the harder side of things, these are definitely worth a look. They might not have the same massive marketing machine behind them as some other "big" wheel brands, but the performance is right there at the top of the pile. Whether you're trying to learn your first power slides or you're just tired of your wheels feeling slow on the local concrete, giving the 111s a shot is a pretty safe bet.
Honestly, I think I might be an OJ convert for a while. There's just something about the way these wheels "hum" on a smooth floor that makes you want to keep skating until the sun goes down. It's a classic wheel for a reason, and it's nice to see that the quality hasn't dipped over the years. If you see a set at your local shop, grab them—your setup will thank you.