Skateboard Bearings

Essential Bearings for Smooth Skateboarding

Within each wheel of your skateboard, the small yet crucial cylindrical components known as skateboard bearings are pivotal in rotating the axle. Despite their size, they significantly influence the efficiency of your wheel's rotation and overall skating performance. Their intricate design consists of an inner and outer race, a retainer, bearing balls, and a shield.

The universality of skateboard bearings means they are compatible with every skateboard wheel. Each wheel requires two bearings, resulting in a total of eight per skateboard, along with spacers to occupy the gap between bearings.

Choosing the Right Skateboard Bearings

When selecting new skateboard bearings, consider precision (ABEC rating), lubrication, material, and bearing shield/seal.

A common misconception is opting for a high ABEC rating regardless of your skateboarding style. This scale spans from 1 to 9, with higher numbers indicating increased precision and smoother rolling.

Yet, a high rating might not always be necessary. For street skating, a standard ABEC 5 bearing could suffice. Alternatively, vert skating may benefit from ABEC 7 or 9 bearings to maximize speed and enhance air time for tricks. Remember, not every brand utilizes the ABEC scale to assess bearing precision.

If you need further guidance on selecting bearings, explore our detailed Buying Bearings Guide.

Recognizing When to Replace Skateboard Bearings

Skateboarding subjects bearings to impacts and debris that can lead to damage, affecting performance. Additionally, the noise from worn bearings can be distracting.

To maintain optimal board performance, periodically replacing bearings is advisable. Bearing sets are relatively affordable, so keeping a spare set at home is generally cost-effective.

However, if your skateboard bearings are underperforming, try cleaning them before opting for a replacement. For guidance, consult our Bearing Cleaning and Lubrication guide.