Monday

The Best Skateboarding Bearings



What are the best skateboard bearings?

This is a question (one of many) that plague skateboarders of all kinds. Assuming that the fastest bearings are the "best skateboard bearings" seems to be the general consensus, but how true is that assumption? Honestly, the best skateboard will vary from person to person. There are many skateboarders who don't like the really fast ones, and there are some good reasons for it. Every skateboarder has different styles, different wants, and different needs.

In this article, we are going to discuss how you can figure out what the best skateboard bearings are for yourself, by briefly going over the pros and cons of each type as well as which type of skateboarders would benefit the most from each individual kind.


ABEC 3 Skateboard Bearings

Best for: Beginners/Intermediate skateboarders
Speed: Low/Medium
Durability: Average

Pros:

ABEC 3 skateboard bearings are usually best for young kids and beginners to the sport. They are very affordable and come standard with most complete skateboards you buy. ABEC 3s can also be found at any skate shop both online and in the real world. You can always have piece of mind knowing that all of the best skateboard bearing manufacturers make ABEC 3s at very good prices.

Cons:

Probably the worst part about ABEC 3s is that a lot of skateboarders don't like how much slower they are compare to the higher rated ones. ABEC 3s are also far from the best skateboard bearings in terms of durability. They don't react well at all to water and they need lubricated every so often to keep them from locking up. Skateboard bearing lubrication can be found at skate shops online and around town. It costs a few bucks to buy but if you don't use it when needed, what could be the best skateboard bearings for you will soon become worthless.



ABEC 5 Skateboard Bearings

Best for: Beginners/Intermediate/Advanced skateboarders
Speed: Medium
Durability: Average

Pros:

ABEC 5 skateboard bearings are considered by some skateboarders as the best skateboard bearings because they are not too fast and not too slow. ABEC 5s seem to have that happy medium that satisfies most skateboarders who use them. They are also pretty affordable compared to the higher rated ones and many complete skateboards come standard with them installed. Since they are so standard, it's easy to find them made by the best skateboard bearing companies in the business.

Cons:

There are really not too many bad things to say about ABEC 5s because they are just so "medium" that they don't go to any extremes on either the positive aspects or the negative ones. ABEC 5s are also a little more durable than ABEC 3s, but they still need maintenance more than the higher rated ones and still don't seem to react well with water. Some skateboarders may not think they are fast enough for them, but they are still faster than ABEC3s or ABEC1s (which you rarely see on any skateboards).



ABEC 7 Skateboard Bearings

Best for: Intermediate/Advanced skateboarders
Speed: High
Durability: Above Average/High

Pros:

ABEC 7 skateboard bearings are always an upgrade for skateboard bearings as they are a lot smoother and noticeably faster than their lower rated counterparts. The lifespan of ABEC 7s are also better and they don't require as much re-lubrication as ABEC 3s, and can handle water better as well. You can find ABEC 7s made by several reputable companies and most consider Shorty's Black Panthers ABEC 7s as the best out there, but there are a few other really popular brands to choose from as well.

Cons:

Some skateboarders simply wouldn't benefit too much from ABEC 7s because they may be too fast for them. Some people think that the best skateboarding bearings are ones that make you go super fast, but this isn't always true. If you're still in the process of learning tricks, gaps, or grinds, then ABEC 7s may cause you to have trouble keeping your balance after you land because of how fast you're still going. The prices on ABEC 7s can also pose a problem for many skateboarders.

ABEC 9 Skateboard Bearings

Best for: Advanced skateboarders/cruiser boards/longboards
Speed: SUPER FAST!!
Durability: High/Excellent

Pros:

Skateboarders of all styles, ages, shapes and sizes look at ABEC 9s as the best skateboard bearings available for several reasons. For one, they are extremely smooth and allow you to go really fast, making it easier for you to pick up speed without exerting a whole lot of energy. ABEC 9 are also famous for their durability and how long they tend to last. You could get away with skateboarding though puddles quite a few times (though I don't recommend it) because ABEC 9s are the best skateboarding bearings when it comes to staying durable and handling wet conditions. Rarely will you ever have to re-lubricate them either, which saves you both time and money. You can order your ABEC 9s skateboard bearing or you can request to modify according to your requirements HERE

Cons:

ABEC 9s may be extremely fast, but as I mentioned earlier about the ABEC 7s, fast bearings do not always equate to the best skateboard bearings. The prices on ABEC 9s are far from the best as well. Sure, there are ways of finding cheap skateboarding bearings and lot's of other cheap skateboard stuff, but sometimes you end up sacrificing quality for those discount sale prices. ABEC 9s are not recommended at all for children or those who are still new to skateboarding. They don't make you a better skateboarder and in fact can sometimes have the opposite effect as I explained earlier.

So what are the best skateboarding bearings?

Now that we have gone over what all of the different kinds there are to choose from, the best skateboard bearings could be any one of them, but which ones are best for you? It's obvious that it's impossible to proclaim one type of skateboard bearing as the "best", because they all have their ups and downs, and it just depends on your personal preferences and skill level. If you still can't decide what the best skateboard bearing is for you, try taking a look at BearingDirect more in-depth.

Wednesday

How To Replace In-line Skate Bearings

If your in-line wheels seize up or spin slowly and vibrate, they might need new bearings. Rust around the outside of the wheels and/or the sound of dirt grinding inside are also signs that it is time for a change.

Instructions :

1. Use an Allen wrench to remove the axle from the front wheel.

2. Pull out the front wheel.

3. Remove the old bearings from either side of the wheel. They should pop right off if you use a bolt or something similar.

4. Place new bearings on either side of the wheel. If necessary, use a flat surface for extra leverage.

5. Place the wheel in the wheel frame.

6. Use the Allen wrench to replace the axle. If your spacer is aluminum, tighten the axle bolts as far as they will go. If your spacer is plastic, tighten the bolts as far as they will go, then loosen them slightly.

7. Spin the wheel to see how easily it rolls. If it doesn't spin freely, loosen the axle. If it wobbles, tighten the axle.

8. Repeat the steps for the remaining wheels.

Buying Guide For Skate Bearings :

Bearings made in Switzerland have the best reputation, or at least those bearings labled as "Swiss Bearings". There are many Bearing Distributors At LA who use the term "Swiss Bearings" and supply skate bearings in wholesale price. So, before placing your bearing into the cart just make sure that you have chosen the right size.


Tips & Warnings.

  • Consult the manufacturer's instructions for information about your specific type of skate.
  • If you skate through water or sand, you'll want to change your bearings every year. If you cover terrain that isn't as rugged, change the bearings approximately every three years.
  • Select proper size and high performance skateboard bearing every time you change. For replacing your bearing I would recommend BearingsDirect . They supply high quality bearings in affordable price, where normal people can easily afford it.


Monday

How To Clean Skateboard Bearings

I'm going to show a way to clean your skateboard bearings - it's a bit complicated and a long way but it is far better for your bearings than a simple way ( Also, it will cost you little ) .

You should clean your skateboard bearings if your bearings have slowed down, seem kinda mucky, or if they make a gravely, junky sound when you spin your wheels. To avoid getting to that point, you should really clean your bearings fairly often, even when they are only a little dirty, or just haven't been cleaned in a long time. Cleaning your skateboard bearings like this from time to time will increase your bearing's lifespan, and improve your skateboarding experience.

First, you'll want to remove your skateboard bearings. You can clean your bearings without removing them, but you won't get them very clean that way. To clean your skateboard bearings well they need to have been removed from your skateboard wheels. Not sure how to do that? Pause for a second and read How To Remove Your Skateboard Bearings It's quick and easy.

Now, if you know the process of removing a bearing already then you can proceed reading ...

Best Method To Clean Your Bearings

The best method to clean your skateboard bearings, is to give some love to your bearings. What you will need is Kerosene or Mineral Spirits, 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and some good quality skateboard bearing lubricants .

The first step is to wash your bearings with the Kerosene or Mineral Spirits. Your bearings likely have a rubber shield that you will need to pop out with a small pin - but be careful not to force anything, or damage the bearings. For the wash, you want to soak your bearings in the Kerosene or Mineral Spirits. Gently swish the solution around to get some movement inside the jar or can that you are using to soak the skateboard bearings.

Then remove the bearings, and rinse them off with the 99% Isopropyl Alcohol. If you used a skateboard bearing cleaner, then you don't need to rinse with the alcohol (unless the instructions on the cleaner say to - read the instructions!).

After rinsing them off, dry your skateboard bearings quickly! A can of compressed air is perfect for this.

Now, lubricate your bearings! The lubricant you bought should have instructions for how much to use, but just a little should be fine.

Some skaters say it's best to ride your skateboard bearings without lubricant, in order to go faster. This is a terrible idea. The lubricant helps keep the bearings spinning freely, and helps to keep there from being any freezing up, not to mention lessening wear and tear and friction. Without lubricant, one of your bearings might just stop spinning ... which means that you would eat pavement. Use lubricant in your skateboard bearings.

Replace the shields you removed.

You're done! Now, put those bearings back in your wheels - and enjoy your slick, clean ride!

Note : If you're looking to Buy / Replace skateboard bearings, then I would recommend BearingsDirect.Com bcoz these guys are very prompt and also they got a large inventory stock where you can find any sizes of bearing you want .. I also do follow their online bearing catalog wherever I get confused about the bearing sizes, also they help every time I have any queries .. Appreciate their services ..

Interesting Facts : Blair Watson of Speed-Dealer Distribution says, "Rockin’ Ron, who makes Rocket Bearings, is an Aerospace Bearing Engineer of 24-years (Boeing, NASA etc.) and a skater of over 30 years—his are the only bearings designed by a skater, ever. His lube is hands down the best on the market. I’ve toured his facility, it’s amazing."


Friday

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings

Replacing your skateboard bearings, installing new skateboard bearings, and putting your cleaned skateboard bearings back on can be quick and easy, once you know the tricks. Read though these simple step by step instructions to find out how.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Installing

First, simply place the new or cleaned bearing into the wheel. Most skateboard bearings have one side with a colored shield. I recommend placing this side facing out. However, you don't need to do it this way.

Either way, the bearing won't fit all the way into the wheel - the fit will be too tight. So first, simply set the bearing into the wheel.

Next, press the bearing down into the hole, applying pressure on the outside metal rim of the bearing. DO NOT press on the shield, or the center of the bearing. You should be able to press the bearing down to where it is flat with the edge of the wheel.

Repeat this process with all 8 bearings, putting one on each side of each wheel. I recommend having the shielded side of the bearing facing out on each. If you are using Spacers, make sure to put one in each wheel, between the bearings. If you are worrying about the bearing size then here is the online bearing catalog for you.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Washers

Just like the optional spacers, some skateboarders like to use bearing washers to help reduce friction and let your wheels spin faster. If you don't use washers, then skip ahead to step 3.

The washers are very small metal rings that fit on either side of your bearings. Put one on your axle trucks before you put the wheel on, and then one on after the wheel has been slid into place.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Wheels in Place

With all the bearings set into the wheels, put your wheels on your trucks. It doesn't matter if you have the graphic side of your wheels facing out or not - that's up to you.

Next, fit a nylon inserted ½" lock nut on the end of your trucks. These nuts usually come with your trucks, but if not, head to a hardware store and get a set of 4. Each wheel should be set up as seen in the photo. Don't worry about tightening each nut right yet.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Tighten Softly

Using your skate tool or a socket wrench, tighten each nut down slowly. This will push the bearings down into the wheels. Make sure you take your time and don't crank too hard or fast on the nuts, or you can damage your bearings. Tighten each nut down until it feels snug, and then STOP. Don't crank on the nuts too hard - you want the nuts to fit on snuggly, and to be done turning. That's it.

How To Replace Skateboard Bearings - Loosen to Jiggly

Now here's the secret. Once the nut has been tightened up, and the bearings are all sunk into place, you want to loosen the nut a little. Loosen it, and then jiggle the wheel a little, back and forth on the trucks. You want a small amount of play, just enough so you can feel it. When you pull the wheel from side to side, you want it to make a little clack sound, just a little. This will help your wheels to spin faster and more freely.

And with that, you are done! You have successfully replaced and installed new skateboard bearings!
Now, the very first thing what you have to do is purchasing a high performance skateboard bearing from Skateboard Bearings store by verifying the sizes you want and you are on.
Given link is the standard size 608-ZZ ABEC3 Bearing 8x22x7 Skateboard Bearing that works in most of the Skateboards & Long board.

Note : I recommend BearingsDirect bcoz these guys are very prompt and also am one of their customer .. I also do follow their online bearing catalog wherever I get confused about the bearing sizes, also they help every time I have any queries .. Appreciate their services ..

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