Skateboard ball bearings
Skate bearings - why are they needed for skating?
Without the necessary skateboard ball bearings, the skateboard would have to be constantly pushed to move forward. This means that without the ball bearings, the wheels would not rotate much. It is the movement of the individual balls within the bearing that allows the rollers to rotate around the axis in the first place. And please möglichst fast and long! In each role are 2 skateboard ball bearings, which are each pressed from the outside into the role. Optionally, so-called spacers can be installed here in the inner space to absorb shear forces and relieve the core of the role.
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What is behind the marking ABEC?
It is definitely a myth that a skateboard ball bearing with a higher ABEC rating is said to be better and faster. The ABEC value actually characterizes how fine the elaboration of the balls in the inner area is. However, the quality increases with the ABEC rating. This means that bearings with ABEC 9 are manufactured in higher quality than ABEC 7, ABEC 5 or ABEC 3. But even here the ABEC values are guidelines. A good, high quality ABEC 5 ball bearing as they are manufactured by Amphetamine bearings, for example, will prove better in everyday life than a cheap ABEC9 bearing.
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The 608 Bearing
608 stands for the dimensions of the bearing and is an industry standard. The grooved bearings have the dimensions of 8x22x7mm and are single row. Industrial bearings often have the suffix "ZZ" after the size, i.e. 608ZZ. This indicates that the bearing is sealed on both sides. All ball bearings offered here in the Skateshop comply in principle with the 608 standard, and are thus suitable for skateboards, as well as for longboards and roller skates or inline skates and are used in almost all complete boards.
Speedrings and spacers in skateboard ball bearings
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Spacers are small cylinders of metal that are located on the axle pin between two bearings. If the nut of the axle pin is accidentally tightened too tight, then the core of the roller and the ball bearings are protected from damage by the spacer. Especially if you prefer softer wheels for skating, it plays an important role to use spacers, because the skate bearings are held in place in this way. Speedrings are small washers that are located between the axle pin nut or hanger and the bearing. On every skateboard axle, these are already present. They minimize the rubbing of the Bearings on the axle, which allows the rollers to rotate perfectly on the skate.
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The material - an important factor für durability and quality
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Most skateboard ball bearings are made of steel. A cheap ball bearing has a manufacture of hardened carbon steel or pressed residual steel, which can not last long. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid such products. High-quality ball bearings made of titanium, Swiss steel or ceramic are recommended. Especially the brand Amphetamine Bearings has made it its business to produce high-quality ball bearings especially for use in rollers. Für skateboarding and longboarding suitable ball bearings are gladly made from the following materials:
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- Steel
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
- Ceramic
Ceramic Bearings have been made of silicone nitrite (industrial ceramic) and are häufig used for longboards. But also with skaters these bearings have made friends - simply because they are extremely robust and perform their task for a long time. Our range includes the brands Amphetamine Bearings, Bones, Bullseye, Andale, Enjoi, FKD, SKF, Speedfreak and more.
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