Jason Mitchell, Seismic Nationals 2007, Hybrid Slalom.  Photo by Greg Fadell Northern California Downhill Skateboarding Association
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Skateboard Bearing Reviews

 
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Bearing Reviews (4976 Posts)
Bearing Review
speed washers
On 11/19/1999 brian wrote in from (206.105.nnn.nnn)

If you buy black panthers they come with speed washers and spacers. they are also really good bearings. back in the "dark ages" i rode them through water and let it sit for a couple days. the bearings wouldn't even spin. i cleaned 'em with some WD40 and a drop of 3-in-1 and they are still the fstest bearings i've ever ridden

 
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Spacers
On 11/19/1999 Herbn wrote in from (207.198.nnn.nnn)

I've never been able to tighten the axle nuts "all the way", even with the most perfect spacers in there,I always have to back off a little ,they still work cause it only lets the first stressed bearing flex a couple of thousanths before the other bearing is leaned on.

 
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Speed Washers
On 11/19/1999 Adam wrote in from (207.251.nnn.nnn)

Newbie,

Don't confuse speed washers with bearing spacers. Check the "About Bearing Spacers" link on our Links page for the scoop.

 
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Speed washers & Bearing Spacers
On 11/19/1999 Newbie Boarder wrote in from (4.18.nnn.nnn)

Can I pick up speed washers for my bearings at a hardware store or would a skate shop be a better bet? With speed washers, I should be able to tighten the wheel nut all the way down, and the wheels should still spin correct?

Also, my wheels (as most do I'm sure) have a built in spacers. Do I need, or is it recommended that I get metal Bearing spacers?

I'm using 9 Ball Wheels 65mm/78a & Greaseball Bearings.

Thanx in advance.

Keep Carvin'

P.S. Sorry for so many questions from me, but I just want to highten my boarding joy while the weather stays nice in Denver.

 
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Fafies?
On 11/19/1999 steve wrote in from (152.163.nnn.nnn)

Is sending away for a set of fafnirs worthwhile, or should I just get another set of China Bones? Getting the Fafnirs is possible, but it would be a bit of a hassle and I've only got about $40 to spend on both bearings and wheels right now. I have no problem with dropping it all on a set of Fafnirs and saving up another month to buy wheels if it's worthwhile, but is it worthwhile? I maintain my bearings, but not as much as I should. (about once for every month of riding) Thanks.
steve

 
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Popped bearings
On 11/18/1999 PreSchoolRider wrote in from (205.188.nnn.nnn)

Herb,Don't ride after a volcano eruption,especially downwind of it! Seriouly,those Sims bearings were shiny new,and the roads seemed O.K. The only warning I got was a shimmy,followed by a whine that went up the note scale, kinda hmmmhmmmeehmnnee eyyyeeeyee POP!The pumice was so fine,and also hard,that it got inside the races in less than two miles of riding,and destoyed them from within.The only other place I've been that had grit that fine was the pipes and ditches in 'Zona.The only way around it is super vigilant bearing maintanence.

 
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Ninja Abec 7
On 11/18/1999 DT wrote in from (24.4.nnn.nnn)

I just picked up a set of these ninja abec7 bearings and will give them a go this week. i got them from Rene at www.LONGSKATE.com. This guy has everything including good customer service. I am going to pick up many more types of bearings over the next month and do a test, if any one in So Cali is interested in helping let me know.

 
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Pumice
On 11/16/1999 Herbn wrote in from (207.198.nnn.nnn)

You're making me paranoid about using older rebiult cleaned bearings. Was there any sign? did you run through pumice dust early in the ride?was it all over the road?did your bearings make a lot of grinding sounds,were there any warnings? with your perfect 20/20 hindsight ,how can the rest of us avoid a crash like that.

 
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Ninjas and Z-Rollers
On 11/16/1999 Keith Fellmy wrote in from (134.68.nnn.nnn)

I clean my bearings after a full day's luging. Doesn't matter if they are Ninja or not (by the way-I do ride ninja). Yes you can ride the roller to a stop without too much of a problem other than the axle gets bent and is a pain to get out of the hanger. But as Herbn says "sht happens" and in a pack all hell can break loose at anytime.

 
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Bearings
On 11/15/1999 PreSchoolRider wrote in from (205.188.nnn.nnn)

Sorry,D.T.,I'm clueless about the ABEC 7 Ninjas. Herbn,The sled that lost a wheel ran 215 Indy,with copers.The copers saved the day,but rear axle was toasted.I now have a pair of Z's on my Madrid 37" for downhilling.The other,pumice-dust induced bearing failure was a then-new set of Sims Gold bearings on my Kryptonic foam deckoff of route 6 in Oregon,about two weeks after St.Helens blew up.One of the faster dismounts I've experienced.40-to-OOF in .1617 seconds.

 
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Ninja vs Swiss
On 11/15/1999 DT wrote in from (24.4.nnn.nnn)

Sorry if i didnt make my previous post clear, when i was talking about the ninjas, i wasnt talking about there ceramix, but there abec 7; they are about the same price as the swiss.

 
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Roller trucks
On 11/15/1999 Herbn wrote in from (207.198.nnn.nnn)

When the bearings blow up you can roll to a stop on the truck,staying on the road helps,but hey sht happens,especially if you're racing in a group,flat out,flat on your back on a long not so manuverable sled.

 
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Ninja bearings
On 11/15/1999 PreSchoolRider wrote in from (205.188.nnn.nnn)

D.T.,I don't own a set of Ninjas,but I have been on them on landluges,and they're very fast.The problem,other than $$ seems to be the quick deterioration in performance once grit contaminates the bearing.It might be that the ceramic chips or cracks instead of merely getting scratched,as steel does.I know of one pair that exploded off the axle,(something that happened to me after I rode through volcanic ash in Oregon.Scary,to say the least)as the sledder got up to forty-ish m.p.h.,which indicates an internal breakage of bearing parts.If you're going to use Ninjas,I'd advise keeping them quite clean,and choose the road with an eye towards not getting into sand/silt.The speed benefits are noteworthy if you're racing,and then the cost is less of a concern.For the $$,I'd stay with Swiss Bones.

 
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Swiss Bones vs Ninja Abec 7
On 11/14/1999 DT wrote in from (24.4.nnn.nnn)

I have a set of swiss bones, which i love.

But have not seen much posts on the ninjas, has anyone used these. or better yet used both? please let me know

 
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bearings
On 11/13/1999 steve wrote in from (152.163.nnn.nnn)

I'm going to go hit up the yellow pages to find a bearing supplier store in my area. Anyone got any hints? I know I'm looking for 608 bearings; what else do I need to know?
steve

 
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Abec
On 11/13/1999 Herbn wrote in from (207.198.nnn.nnn)

its probabely tenths of thousanths if not mils. I've been meaning to point out the reality that once a bearing is scuffed or run dry,no oil,boiling, or anything you do will make them "good as new again"close,definitely better but never new again.You don't need that freshly spun newness unless that speed pays the bills.

 
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Anonymous bearings
On 11/12/1999 PreSchoolRider wrote in from (205.188.nnn.nnn)

The ABEC rating is the tolerance of machining within the bearing.I don't have that info on hand,but It's a matter of thousandths of an inch.The idea is that a bearing made to higher tolerances will have less defects,and likely roll smoother,longer,at more R.P.M.s.So an ABEC 1 is to be avoided,and ABEC 7's will fly.What I've found to be an issue is where the bearing was made.European and American bearings often outlast and outperform Chinese bearings,while Russian ones vary wildly in quality.Taiwan and Japan do good bearings at reasonable cost,but I'd stick with German,Swiss,Swedish bearings if possible.Most people can't tell an ABEC 3 Euro brg. from a Chinese ABEC 5 by it's ride performance.I personally choose not to buy stuff from a government that runs over it's own people with tanks.

 
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Question about ABEC 3 and ABEC 5 bearings
On 11/12/1999 anonymous wrote in from (152.163.nnn.nnn)

i have a questtion about bearings:
what is the difference between ABEC 3 and ABEC 5 bearings? i just wanted to know because i am the only one who longboards in my area. if you could help me out that would be great.

 
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Valve oil
On 11/10/1999 brian wrote in from (206.105.nnn.nnn)

sorry i took so long, i've been reel busy. I used the valve oil and it's just as fast as the 3-in-1 oil i use now. I think i'll stick with that because the instrument oil isn't meant to take alot of heat i guess.

 
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Valve oil
On 11/7/1999 brian wrote in from (206.105.nnn.nnn)

has anyone tried using the valve or slide oil they use for trumpets or trombones? i'll do it tommorrow and post back probably.

 
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Bearing Lube
On 11/7/1999 PreSchoolRider wrote in from (205.188.nnn.nnn)

Just an interjecting note;if you want Immediate speed from bearings,and have limited time and/or coin,goto grandma's fave sewing store,and get Sewing Machine Oil,look for Singer,Phaff,White brands.After all,our bearings are just about the same things(608's ARE used in some machines),so this stuff is made for this scale of bearing,and the R.P.M.s they run at,AND it's cheap.

 
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Grease (if you must)
On 11/6/1999 Herbn wrote in from (207.198.nnn.nnn)

Although I prefer light lubes,triflon,and marvel mystry oil are my favorites,if you must grease bearings theres this stuff called slick honey ,I use it for rebuilding and lubing my mountain bike suspension (thats what its made for)it a thin very slimmy sort of grease, it smells like 90w tranny oil (bad) but it works great,motorcycle wheelbearing grease maybe light , some brands might be, but considering its application its probabely kind of thick. I like working on skateboards everything is so simple and clean (compared to something like car repairs), So I have no problem with cleaning and relubing skatebearings every week or so.If you want a really waterproof grease I've heard good things about plumbers grease.

 
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Newbie is in Herbn & Mule's debt
On 11/5/1999 Newbie Boarder wrote in from (63.70.nnn.nnn)

Hey thanx a lot guys! I popped out the bearings today, gave them a good WD-40 bath to clean out the grit & grime, then lubed them up with some grease for my Pop's motorcycle, and now the bearings feel brand new. They were quiet and smooth riding.

Thanks for helping a up and coming carver. Laters.

 
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Mule Rules!
On 11/5/1999 Bob wrote in from (192.73.nnn.nnn)

Right on, Mule ! Those bearings greased bearings will be fine when rolling -- the grease will heat up and become thinner.

You guys listen to Mule -- he knows his bearings.

 
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grease, not oil-- Re: newbie
On 11/5/1999 mule wrote in from (209.63.nnn.nnn)

When your ready to lube, use a light weight grease like white
lithium or bike wheel grease. If you use oil (which is
popular now) it will run out of the bearings and
collect dirt. Greased bearings may not "spin forever" in
your hand, but they will be plenty fast on the street and will
last longer thant oiled bearings. Good luck.

 
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