Orangatang has added a serious splash of colour to its wheel lineup with five familiar shapes now poured in bright pink 83a Happy Thane. The collection stretches from the massive 90mm Bee’s Knees down to the compact 65mm Fat Free, with the 75mm Durian, 73mm Beefcake and 70mm Stimulus filling the space between them. Although they share the same colour, urethane formula and durometer, these wheels are built for very different styles of riding.
The 83a durometer sits on the firmer side of Orangatang’s longboard range. Compared with softer 77a and 80a wheels, 83a urethane gives up a little rough-road cushioning and outright traction in exchange for easier slide initiation, increased durability and faster rolling on smooth pavement. Orangatang’s Happy Thane formula keeps that harder feel from becoming lifeless, delivering lively rebound, dependable speed and smooth, predictable slides. The result is a collection that feels playful and fast rather than harsh or unforgiving.
The largest wheel in the pink collection is the 90mm Bee’s Knees. Measuring 54mm wide with a 44mm contact patch and 21mm of urethane surrounding its core, it is designed for distance pushing, pumping, commuting and electric skateboarding. Its centerset bearing seat allows the wheels to be flipped to encourage even wear, while rounded lips and a surface-skin finish provide dependable grip and help the wheel roll smoothly across cracks and uneven pavement. At approximately 286 grams per wheel, the Bee’s Knees offers substantial road-smoothing mass without reaching the extreme size and weight of a 100mm-plus wheel. In 83a, it becomes a quicker and more energetic option for riders covering smooth bike paths, seawalls and urban pavement.
The 75mm Durian is the big all-around freeride wheel of the group. It measures 52mm wide with a broad 45mm contact patch, an offset bearing seat and rounded, stone-ground lips. That combination provides enough urethane and rolling momentum for faster downhill runs and longer cruises while still allowing the rider to break traction smoothly. The offset core leaves more urethane on the outside lip, helping the wheel feel supportive during hard carving and progressive as it moves into a slide. At 200 grams per wheel, the Durian carries speed well and provides a planted feel, making it a strong choice for riders who want to combine commuting, freeride and faster downhill sessions on one setup.
The new 73mm Beefcake is the most dedicated freeride shape in the collection. It is 48mm wide but uses a relatively narrow 31mm contact patch, making it easier to initiate slides than its broad overall shape might suggest. Large rounded edges and a stone-ground riding surface create a smooth, catch-free release from the first session, while the centerset core allows the wheels to be flipped as they wear. Weighing approximately 170 grams each, the Beefcake offers the speed and lifespan of a larger wheel without feeling excessively heavy. It is well suited to high-speed freeride, technical sliding, linked rotations and riders learning to control stand-up slides with a predictable release and hookup.
The 70mm Stimulus remains Orangatang’s classic do-everything wheel. Its 49mm width, 42mm contact patch, rounded lips, stone-ground finish and offset bearing seat create a balanced platform for freeride, dancing, freestyle, commuting and general cruising. At 160 grams per wheel, it accelerates more quickly than the Durian or Bee’s Knees while still carrying enough urethane to handle everyday pavement comfortably. The offset core provides support through turns, and the stone-ground surface makes the wheel ready to slide immediately. For riders building one board that needs to carve, commute, dance and occasionally break into a slide, the pink 83a Stimulus may be the most versatile option in the lineup.
At the compact end of the collection is the 65mm Fat Free. Measuring 45mm wide with a 37mm contact patch, rounded lips, a stone-ground finish and an offset bearing seat, it delivers the quickest acceleration and lowest ride height of the five pink wheels. Each wheel weighs approximately 130 grams, helping a setup feel light and responsive beneath the feet. The smaller diameter makes it especially practical for compact cruisers, freestyle boards, dancers and traditional skateboard shapes where wheel clearance can be limited. It will not maintain speed or smooth out rough pavement as effectively as the larger options, but it responds quickly, slides easily and keeps a board feeling nimble.
The story behind these wheels begins with Loaded Boards. Loaded developed in Los Angeles during the mid-1990s from a desire to recreate the flowing sensations of surfing and snowboarding on pavement. After years of experimenting with pieces of wood, old snowboards, trucks and available wheels, the company officially launched in September 2000. Its first production board, the bamboo-composite Vanguard, arrived in June 2002 and helped establish Loaded’s reputation for flexible construction, carving performance and unconventional design.
As Loaded’s boards became more specialized, the need for wheels designed around the same approach became increasingly clear. Orangatang was launched in 2008 as Loaded’s dedicated wheel division, allowing the company to develop proprietary urethane formulas, core designs and wheel shapes for carving, downhill, freeride, commuting, dancing and long-distance riding. Orangatang quickly became recognizable not only for its performance but also for its playful names, expressive graphics and bright colour-coded durometers.
The new pink 83a collection brings that history together in one highly visible release. The Bee’s Knees is built for distance and rough-road momentum, the Durian blends speed with substantial freeride capability, the Beefcake concentrates on controlled technical sliding, the Stimulus handles nearly every style of everyday longboarding, and the Fat Free keeps compact setups light and agile. Five wheels, five distinct jobs and one unmistakably loud colour make this one of Orangatang’s most complete coordinated releases yet.
