How to Choose Skateboard Bearings

Small and invisible when you are skating, bearings are a vital piece of equipment. The little balls keep your wheels rolling with efficiency and control the speed and movement of the board. Having bad bearings detracts from the enjoyment and signify it is time for replacements. With bearings available for a variety of reasons, it can be a difficult but important skill to be able to find a great bearing for your board.

Instructions

    • 1

      Bearings are rated by the ABEC system, a system not designed for skateboarding. The system ranks the precision of the bearing based on a scale from 1 to 9 on uneven numbers. The more precise a bearing does not mean it is more durable. Skaters need a combination of durability and precision.

    • 2

      Go to a skate shop and look for a bearing with a rating around 3 to 5. This will mean good durability without losing quality and retaining the right amount of precision. Skating demands strength under pressure given the aggressive nature of skateboarding. Too much precision and the bearings will fail.

    • 3

      Consider shielded vs. sealed bearings. Skaters can get confused when thinking about this. All bearings are shielded on one side. Some are shielded on both sides, protecting dirt from entering the inner workings of the wheel. Bearings shielded on both sides can last longer but cost more.

    • 4

      Buy and try. Testing the bearings is the best way to see how they ride. Make an informed decision and then test the bearings as every skater has a different preference. Talk to a shop to get the best advice. Avoid buying online at first and get firsthand knowledge from an experienced rider.

    • 5

      Consider Bones bearings. These bearings have long held the reputation as one of the best in the industry. They come in a variety of brands such as Bones Reds and Bones Ceramics and are available widely in most skate shops.