Not only does skateboarding look cool, but it is also quite good for your health. For starters, this now-Olympic sport is great when you want to get a full-body exercise. You also get to have fun while improving your flexibility and it brings your physical endurance to the next level.
Your precision and coordination are also going to get better when you start to skateboard consistently. Since skateboarding makes for a full-body workout that also helps you burn calories. Skateboarding is also considered to be a big stress reliever while it teaches you how to fall and be patient when learning to do a new trick. But without bearings, you literally wouldn't be able to benefit from all of this.
Skateboard Bearings
What They Do
Bearings are the components that fit inside the wheels of your skateboard and help mount the wheels to the axle. They are round and usually made of metal, resembling the shape of the wheels themselves. Proper skate bearings are able to take the load of the board and your leg pushing against the pavement while providing a smooth riding experience.
What They're Made of
These simple-looking components are, in fact, quite complex. Not in the way they work but rather because of what they're made up of. There are about a dozen components found in a single bearing. These include the outer and inner rings, the rubber seal, the C-ring, bearing shield, steel balls, and ball retainer.
The outer ring is the exterior metal part that you see holding all the other components together.
The inner ring is a smaller metal ring fitted into the outer ring that slides the wheel to the axle. The inner ring is what the axle goes through.
C-rings are found on the outside of bearings, They lock the other shields in place and fit into a groove in the bearing.
A bearing shield is present to prevent dirt from entering and causing issues with the bearing balls. This is a medium-sized ring found on the side of the bearing.
The steel balls found in the bearing are what let the bearing spin so freely and smoothly. These usually come in a set of 6 and 7 and they are placed in a special component.
The ball retainer is the component that holds the steel balls in place. Also known as a Delrin crown, the ball retainer has individual slots the balls go in but they are able to spin around.
Bearing Materials
Steel
The majority of skate bearings are made of steel nowadays. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, steel bearings can vary in quality. Some manufacturers use thinner materials which in turn makes the bearings more susceptible to heat.
One way to determine the quality of steel skate board bearings is to stop abruptly. If you hear screeching or the wheels of your skateboard feel stiff all of a sudden, it's a sign of low-quality bearings.
Ceramic
Ceramic skateboard wheel bearings, on the other side, do not have such issues. If a bearing is ceramic it won't produce any friction and it will provide a buttery-smooth riding experience. Ceramic skate board bearings are of high quality and unlike steel ones, they do not require as much maintenance nor expand in high heat.
ABEC Ratings
1
An ABEC 1 rating means that the bearings are quite affordable and use low-quality steel as their core material. These skateboard wheel bearings are also quite crude and not that accurate.
3
With ABEC 3-rated bearings you can expect to have a smooth wheel roll without breaking the bank.
5
The majority of skateboards nowadays rely on ABEC 5-rated bearings. These bearings allow you to achieve high speeds at a reasonable price tag.
7
ABEC 7 bearings may cost more than ABEC 5 rated bearings but they are able to provide a smoother ride as well as higher riding speeds.
9+
If you want to be the fastest when riding with your mates, just go with ABEC 9+ rated bearings. They are ideal for downhill skating too.
Balls
Steel
The standard ball configuration on most skateboard bearings nowadays includes 7 steel balls. While there are bearings with 6 steel balls, those with 7 are able to provide a smoother experience.
Skateboard wheel bearings with 6 steel balls do not trap as much heat. Steel balls are, generally speaking, a cost-effective option but they are not great when it comes to preventing rust. If the bearings come in contact with water you need to dry them off, otherwise they will eventually have a build-up of rust.
Titanium
If you want the best possible riding experience you should go for titanium balls. They are the strongest and lightest whilst being the least susceptible to moisture. Titanium balls have a somewhat similar performance to steel ones but the former are more durable.
Ceramic
A set of ceramic balls are more resistant to both corrosion and abrasion while being able to dissipate heat extremely well. There is no room for expansion or deformation which is why ceramic balls are the most adequate performance-oriented option. Keep in mind that ceramic balls are more fragile than steel ones and especially titanium balls.
Shields
Metal
A metal shield is known to be strong but also quite ineffective when it comes to rust. Metal shields can also bend quite easily.
Nylon
Nylon shields are more flexible than metal ones thus they don't bend as easily. Nylon shields also have better waterproofing properties but they are not able to withstand heavy impacts.
