Skateboard Bearings

Ensure Your Board Rolls Smoothly with Skateboard Bearings

Skateboard bearings, housed within the wheel, are pivotal in rotating the axle. Despite their small dimensions, these components significantly influence the roll of your wheels and overall performance. A bearing consists of intricate parts: the inner and outer race, retainer, bearing balls, and shield.

Skateboard bearings maintain universality, allowing them to fit any skateboard wheel. Each wheel requires two bearings, summing up to eight per skateboard, along with spacers to occupy the gaps between bearings.

Which Skateboard Bearings Should You Choose?

When selecting new bearings for a skateboard, it is crucial to consider factors such as precision (ABEC rating), lubrication, material, and the bearing's shield/seal.

A common misconception is opting for bearings with a high ABEC rating regardless of your skateboarding discipline. The ABEC scale runs from 1 to 9; a higher number indicates greater precision and a superior "roll".

Nevertheless, a high rating is not always essential. For instance, an ABEC 5 bearing is usually sufficient for street skating. Conversely, if your focus is on vert skating, an ABEC 7 or 9 might be preferable to achieve the speed necessary for accomplishing tricks during air time. It's important to note that some brands do not apply the ABEC scale to assess the precision of bearings.

Are you seeking further insights on selecting the right bearings? We encourage you to explore our detailed Buying Bearings Guide.

Identifying the Need to Replace Skateboard Bearings

Skateboard bearings endure considerable challenges from impacts and dirt during skateboarding. Such stress can easily compromise your bearings, affecting your performance adversely. Moreover, noisy, rattling bearings can serve as a distraction.

Regularly replacing bearings is a beneficial practice to ensure your board remains in prime condition and wheels turn smoothly. Bearing sets are generally affordable, making it feasible to keep an extra set at home without a significant financial burden.

However, if you notice reduced performance from your skateboard bearings, consider a thorough cleaning before purchasing replacements. Our Bearing Cleaning and Lubrication guide offers valuable instructions.