Canadian Roll Reviews

Ground Control Formula One Review

I received a pair of Ground Control (G.C) Formula One frames roughly a month ago, and to be quite honest, the only reason why I bought them was because I wanted to test them to see if the hype floating around the internet was true. Also, I wanted to see if they were worth the higher price tag over the G.C Featherlites in terms of performance. Lastly, I tested the Formula One frame with the flat H-block as opposed to the freestyle H-block.

Weight

Well lets get one thing strait, these are not Featherlite frames. With all the hardware put in these frames feel substantially heavier in my hands then feather lights do. If you want exact numbers, Aggressivemall states that the Formula One frame comes in at 12oz, which means that it comes close to the weight of a Dual Injection frames, 14oz, which are considered some of the heaviest frames G.C ever produced. In fact, when I held both my Duel Injection frames and my Formula Ones in my hand they felt nearly identical. What this means is that the Formula One is substantially heavier then the Featherlites, which weigh in at 7oz. However, when I switched from Featherlites to Formula Ones I did not feel the weight play any factor while grinding or gaping, so weight should not deter you from picking up these frames. **NOTE** I believe all frames that are weighed at Amall are done so before hardware is put in, but I could be wrong.

Design

The side walls have held up decently after a month of winter skating. They are about as thick as Featherlite frames, which I have stated in the past could use a bit more thickness to increase the longevity of the frame. However, the Formula one does provide something that the Featherlite did not, which is the large replaceable H-block. This cheap and easily replaceable part increases the longevity of the frame substantially, because once the part begins to become to worn down to skate you can replace it for roughly 30 dollars and the frame will roll like new.

It seems like G.C took my advice for recessing the holes for their bolts (because you know I have so much pull in the industry…) and I am happy to say that they have been recessed a fair amount when compared to the Featherlite frame. This is beneficial because within a couple of months time I will not be grinding on my bolt, so this increases the performance and longevity of the frame. Although G.C has taken steps to protect the hardware, I would still like to see their bolt holes recessed as much as Kizer Fluid frames, which will ensure that your frames could last a year or more before you see bolt damage. With these frames bolt damage is important, because they use a unique bolt that you will not be able to easily replace if you damage it, which could be an annoyance, but more on that later.

The H-block on the Formula one frame sticks with G.C’s raised and angled H-block mold, which I am glad because it works extremely well. As stated before it makes H-block tricks easier to lock and hold and also makes them feel extremely responsive. The H-block is not as wide as other G.C frames such as the Duel Injections, but resembles the Featherlite H-block in terms of width, which is great because it stops grinds from shifting around and feeling sloppy. However, unlike the Feathlite frames, the H-block is just a little higher, which creates a bit more of an angle on the side of the H-block, this allows you to sit lower on your grinds when initially breaking in the frames. Overall, the H-block is designed well and makes tricks easier to lock and hold with minimal shifting in grinds. Also, I liked the little graphic of a sickle they put on the H-block although it is pointless and will scrape off with a few good sessions.

The overall design of the frame is quite ingenious, it has an H-block that covers a majority of the frame, which gives it the ability to be constantly recycled and still feel like your riding a new frame. Not only that, but they actually made replacement parts that are actually available, instead of just stating that the frame has replaceable parts, then never making them after market products, or making the number of them limited (I am looking at you Kizer and Fifty/50…). Not only is the overall design great, but also the subtle decorative features of the frame give it a certain style, from the Sickle on the H-block, to the Sickle as a bolt, there is no denying that the formula 1 frame is a good looking frame. Also, when you add to that the different colored replacement parts (black, red, white, and grey) you have a winner!

Overall Wear

Because I am reviewing these frames in the winter they have not undergone the rigorous testing that all my frames go through in the summer, but having said that I have tried to put these frames through their paces. The frame has held up well, both the H-block and the side walls show very little wear, which would lead me to believe that the plastic used for this frame is different then that of the Featherlite frame, because Featherlite’s showed substantial wear after a month of rolling. This is not the only good factor for these frames, as mentioned above, the H-block is replaceable for 30 dollars and covers 80% of the frame, which increases the longevity factor. Also, when you ad that these frames are symmetrical and can be switched around, you have a frame that should last you for a long duration of time. So the overall wear is very good for these frames.

Hardware

Well there is good and bad news for the hardware. I will start you off with the good news, it is 8mm and there is no spacers to worry about thanks to the raised plastic inside the frame which holds your wheels. The last point about the raised plastic can be seen as either good or bad, because if you somehow managed to wear that down, then the frame would become useless because it would not be able to hold your wheels, but really I do not see how a person would do that, so that is not a big concern. However, the real bad news lays in the bolts, G.C has decided it would be a good idea to make one end of the bolts a sickle. I really have no idea why they did this, but if I had to guess I would say for aesthetic reasons, but really lets be honest, it is a bad idea. When you loose, break, or damage a bolt what do you do? That’s right, you go through the thousands of others you have and replace it with no problems. Well G.C has decided that that is a dumb idea, so now if you loose a bolt you have to buy a whole new set for 8 dollars (plus shipping depending where you live) because sickles look cool. Aren’t you Happy? While I’m not. If anyone from G.C ever reads this, I would like to state that the ability to change a bolt with one allan key is not as appealing as being able to easily replace parts.

Feel

These frames feel really quick while grinding, in fact, I would say even quicker then my Featherlite frames. However, after you account for the speed there really is not a difference in feel when compared to the Featherlites, they are both equally as responsive, both slide well, and both are great for soul and H-block tricks. In conclusion, the Formula One frame is the quicker version of the Featherlite, which some people may find good and other may find bad. I personally enjoy the feel though.

Overall

Do these frames live up to the internet hype? Well to be quite honest, no, but that really is not the frames fault. The way this frame was hyped I thought it was going to be a gift from God handed down to rollers, and who could blame me with quotes from Haffey stating “It’s the best frame I ever skated; They are really fast — even on un-waxed ledges; There is zero friction, very limited pressure on the bearings; No clacking noise and the height and groove make a perfect platform to balance on.” And other quotes stating that people never wanted to take them off. Honestly, If you like riding the flat, and are strapped for cash and do not know whether to get the Formula Ones or the Featherlites, get the Featherlites. The ride is extremely similar and the price tag is about 20 dollars cheaper. However you will be missing out on some factors that may be important to you such as replaceable parts that ad longevity, a slightly quicker grind, the ability to switch from flat to freestyle quickly, and sickle bolts (which you should be thankful for not having). Overall, this is an extremely great riding frame with a lot of options for riding it differently or customizing it, but with the hype surrounding it I was expecting a frame like nothing I have experienced before, and I did not receive that.

Random Pictures

Overall Score

The overall score for the Ground Control Formula 1 frames is 7.4 out of 8 ( 93%)

-Nick. D