Buying Guide for Skateboard Bearings
A skate bearing is a small circular device that allows your wheels to roll and determines how fast and smoothly they rotate. There are five main parts to skating bearings: the shield, the inner race, the balls, and the retainer. There are eight bearings in a skateboard, two in each wheel.
You will need sensible Bearings to keep your wheels rolling smoothly. There are two bearings on every skateboard wheel. The space between them can be filled with a spacer if you like. Soft wheels, also known as non-core wheels, would benefit from spacers.
Benefits of Skateboard Bearings
Less Heat Conductors
As a result of their high quality material and the ability to endure high friction, skateboard bearings are known to be less heat conductors. When friction is too great, cheap bearings made out of low-quality metal will expand and fall out.
Easy To Clean And Maintain
Most high-end bearings have removable plastic shield retainers that can be removed for access to the bearings and relubricating them for better speed performance. This is unlike cheap bearings that do not have a removable shield, so it is impossible to clean or lubricate them, which is essential to speed boost.
Fast And Consistent Speed.
The speed of skateboard bearings is about 34,000 rpm, whereas good quality bearings are about 48,000 rpm, which means that they are about 80% faster. Besides being designed with an innovative rubber shield to keep out debris, good bearings have a nylon ball retainer that allows them to accelerate faster and have greater strength to withstand any physical impact. A good bearing is also self-lubricating, unlike traditional cheap bearings that are lubricated using speed cream to reduce friction.
Operate Smoothly, Quietly, And Effortlessly.
A good skateboard bearing is smooth, polished to a high shine, and is generally pre-lubricated, making it effortless to operate. Cheap bearings are likely to squeal. Inferior bearings are poorly finished and do not have enough lubricant.
Factors consider before buying Skateboard Bearings
Skating Style and Experience Level
When buying skateboard bearings, it is important to consider your style and experience level. Beginners may not need to go with the toughest and fastest bearings, but should instead go with a slower one which can be upgraded later. You should choose the quick and harder bearings if you are an experienced skateboarder.
ABEC Rating
ABEC is another important factor to consider when choosing a bearing. Not all brands follow this rating but most of them do. It was created to rate the tolerance of bearings in industries, but has also been used in action sports. Bearings with a higher ABEC rating are generally tougher and provide higher speeds. Beginners are advised to go with bearings on the low end of the ABEC rating.
Material
Choosing the right material to make the skateboard bearings is crucial. Steel and ceramic are the most common materials used to manufacture the bearings. Both high-end and entry-level steel bearings are available on the market for users' choices. These materials refer to the material of the ball inside the bearings but are also applied to the bearings themselves. Speed and durability of a bearing are determined by its quality.
Maintenance
Buy bearings that require less maintenance. Some high-end brands offer ceramic bearings, which are smoother and require less maintenance. They provide a bit of extra speed and comfort for riders, as well as being heat-resistant and water-resistant. You can also opt for steel bearings as they are affordable than ceramic bearings and more durable.
Conclusion
Skateboard bearings are what keep your skateboard rolling smoothly. They're one of the most important parts of your skateboard. Skateboard bearings come in many different shapes and sizes, but the main thing to remember is that skateboard bearings are a type of bearing that are made specifically for skateboarding, so you want to make sure your bearings are high-quality.
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