Choosing the right bearings is crucial if you’re looking to maximize your speed and performance on a skateboard or longboard. The right set of bearings can elevate your skating experience, while the wrong choice can hold you back. With so many options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide will demystify the world of skateboard bearings, helping you understand what truly matters and how to select the best set for your needs.
Do Skateboard Bearings Really Matter? Separating Fact from Fiction
In skateboarding and longboarding communities, discussions about bearings often devolve into debates about which are the fastest. However, the truth is that most bearings, when of decent quality and well-maintained, perform similarly in terms of speed and rolling efficiency. This is especially true for typical recreational use. While the lubricant used can have a marginal impact, the vast majority of skate bearings offer comparable performance when it comes to simple rolling. This is largely due to the limitations of the way we use them and the price points we typically pay. A higher price tag doesn’t always equate to better performance in the context of skateboarding.
However, rolling speed isn’t the only factor to consider. Other characteristics of a bearing can significantly influence overall performance and your skating experience. To understand this better, let’s explore a real-world example.
The L’Ultime Descent: A Test of Bearing Performance
The L’Ultime Descent, the fastest gravity sports race globally, provides excellent evidence that “bearings don’t matter” for the average skater. In this event, stand-up skateboarders reach speeds up to 80 mph, while luge riders hit an astounding 100 mph.
Pete Connolly, the winner of the stand-up skateboard event, achieved a top speed of 146.73 kph (90+ mph) using custom-made bearings with incredibly tight tolerances and special polishing. These bearings were the result of work by professional bearing manufacturer Aaron Skippings and they undoubtedly cost a significant amount of money.
In contrast, Max Capps, who also participated in the event, used a fresh set of readily available Zealous ceramic bearings, achieving a top speed of 145.94 kph. These bearings can be purchased for under $30, demonstrating that high-end performance doesn’t always require custom-made equipment. While the custom bearings might perform better in industrial applications, for skateboarding, the difference was marginal – only 0.74 kph. This suggests that for most skaters, the performance difference between high-end and quality standard bearings is not a significant concern.
Other factors, such as wind, temperature, wheel choice, and the rider’s skill, also play a role in speed. However, these examples illustrate that for most skaters, the slight performance benefits of industrial bearings are negligible.
L’Ultime Descent Race
Industrial Bearings: High Precision, Low Impact on Skating
Industrial bearings are designed for high precision and tight tolerances and are manufactured to withstand extreme temperatures, high rotational speeds, and significant stress. They are designed for industrial applications that require consistent, precise performance.
However, in skateboarding, industrial bearings are overkill. Skateboard wheels don’t rotate at the same high speeds or experience the same levels of stress as industrial equipment. As a result, the precise manufacturing of industrial bearings doesn’t translate to a noticeable improvement in skating performance.
The same principle applies to ceramic bearings. While they don’t require lubrication and are less affected by heat, they are still unnecessary for skating. Full ceramic bearings are too fragile for skating and can break if you land hard after an ollie or hit a curb. Most ceramic bearings used for skateboarding use ceramic balls with steel races and nylon retainers, so they are still prone to rust and require maintenance. Furthermore, the properties of ceramic material don’t become significant at the lower speeds of skateboarding.
Additionally, the high cost of industrial and true ceramic bearings makes them impractical for most skaters who may need to replace them regularly.
The Myth of ABEC Ratings in Skate Bearings
The ABEC rating system is used to measure the tolerances of a bearing, but it is frequently misused in the skate industry. Skate bearings are often labelled with ratings from ABEC 1 to 9, with higher numbers marketed as being “faster.” However, this is misleading.
In reality, ABEC ratings are important in industrial settings where tight tolerances matter. However, in skateboarding, the tolerances and precision measured by ABEC ratings are largely irrelevant. Even if skate bearings were manufactured to these standards, they would be excessively expensive for skateboarding use. It is also worth noting that most of the bearings sold on the market are in the ABEC 1-3 range.
The ABEC rating also only measures a few aspects of a bearing, not its ability to withstand the stresses of skateboarding. Skate bearings are subjected to various forces and environmental conditions, none of which are considered by ABEC ratings. The ABEC rating used on skate bearings is just a marketing tactic, not an accurate representation of performance.
Freeroll vs. Real-World Performance
A common test used to evaluate bearing performance is the “freeroll” test, where a wheel is spun by hand to measure how long it keeps spinning. However, this test is inaccurate because it doesn’t replicate the forces experienced during actual skating. When you’re skating, your bearings are subjected to weight, gyroscopic forces, heat, vibrations, and side loads.
Lubricant also plays a role. Thicker lubricants provide smoother performance under load but may reduce freeroll. Thinner lubricants may offer better freeroll at low speeds but will perform differently when heated. Ultimately, the performance of a bearing under real-world conditions cannot be simulated by simply spinning the wheel.
What Truly Makes a Great Skateboard Bearing?
When shopping for skateboard bearings, several factors beyond speed and rolling performance should be considered. These factors include:
Ease of Maintenance
Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your bearings clean, lubricated, and rust-free. The ease of maintenance is primarily determined by the type of shield the bearing has.
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Rubber Shields: These shields can be removed, allowing for easy access to the ball bearings and retainer for cleaning and lubrication.
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Metal Shields: These shields cannot be removed, making it difficult to properly clean and maintain the bearings.
Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your bearings, ensuring they remain in good condition and perform optimally.
Bearings with Rubber Shields
Bearings with Metal Shields
Ease of Use
Ease of use is especially important when changing wheels or performing maintenance. This is often determined by whether or not the bearing is a “built-in” model.
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Built-in Bearings: These bearings come with integrated spacers and speed rings, reducing the number of parts needed for a complete setup. They make wheel changes and maintenance much more convenient.
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Traditional Bearings: Traditional bearings require the use of separate speed rings and spacers, which can be time-consuming and easy to lose.
Built in Skateboard Bearings
The Importance of Speed Rings and Spacers
If you’re using traditional, non-built-in bearings, it’s crucial to use speed rings and spacers for optimal performance. Without these, you won’t be able to tighten the axle nut without putting pressure on the bearings. Too loose, and your wheel will wiggle causing decreased performance. Too tight and it will add friction, slowing you down. The result is chattering or uneven sliding. Speed rings and spacers ensure the bearings work as a solid unit for better performance.
Complete Bearing Set
Bearing Lubrication
The type of lubricant used for your bearings can also affect their performance.
- Thick Greases (like Lithium grease): These lubricants are more durable, tend to stick in the bearing, and do a better job of repelling water and dirt. They also need less frequent maintenance.
- Thinner Lubricants: These lubricants provide less rolling resistance at slower speeds but may not protect your bearings as well from the elements. They also require more frequent maintenance.
Bearing lubrication is important, but it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider when choosing your bearings. Most fresh bearings require a break-in period for the best performance.
Wheel Choice Matters More for Speed
While bearings are important, your choice of wheels will have a greater impact on your speed. Fast wheels, like those made with dense urethane and a large core, can help you accelerate quickly and maintain high top speeds. In fact, the wheels used by Pete Connolly in the L’Ultime Descent were one of the critical components to his world record speed. Choosing the correct wheels is more important than investing heavily in high-end bearings, especially for speed.
Recommended Skateboard Bearings
Here are some bearings that stand out for their quality and performance:
Fireball Dragon Bearings
These bearings are a great affordable option. They have great build quality, fit well with the included spacers and speed rings, and roll smoothly. The price point ($18) makes them an attractive and worthwhile option for most skaters.
Fireball Dragon Bearings
Fireball also makes built-in versions of these bearings for a more convenient setup.
Zealous Bearings
Zealous bearings are known for being one of the best in the industry, and they also are a built-in model. They offer consistent performance before and after maintenance, and their ease of use is another point in their favour. They are a favourite among many longboarders due to the convenience and performance they offer.
Loaded Jehu Bearings
While they may not be the top choice for many, Loaded Jehu bearings are worth considering. They are built-in and provide a good initial performance, but may lose some of it after the first cleaning.
Conclusion: Don’t Overthink Your Bearings
In summary, bearings are not as critical to performance as some would have you believe. If a company is trying to sell you their bearings based on ABEC ratings, it is likely a marketing tactic that you should be skeptical of. Many products in the skate industry are built on hype rather than real-world performance.
It’s always recommended to research products thoroughly and understand the features that make them high-quality. Understanding these things will ensure that you get what you pay for, and will improve your skating experience.
