What kind of bearings for longboard

The best longboard bearings for cruising and speed are quality built and a bit pricey but not that much as to break the bank. When you are looking for high performance bearings you should be careful and be thoughtful of it. First, we look at the type of materials these bearings are made of and there are two variants to choose from, steel and ceramic with each material having different properties and serving different purposes.

There are 7 or 8 balls in steel bearings 9 for ceramic which help distribute the weight of the load. These balls are lubricated with grease and are shielded from dust. This set up works fine for skateboards. Steel bearings are still popular due to its durability and economic reasons. Regular cleaning and lubrication will help prolong the life of your steel bearings. They are harder and smoother compared to steel.

So it is suitable to dive down the hill without worrying about the heat it produces, quite useful if i may say. Get only the best longboard bearings for speed and durability. This is hands down the best-selling skate bearing in the USA.

The removable rubber shield makes it easy to clean and protects the ball bearings from the elements. This product comes pre-lubed with Speed Racing Cream from the same makers. The quality of ride improved tenfold. Prepare yourself for that ultra-smooth ride. A simple cautious run around the block is enough to adjust yourself.

Thanks to this great function, the bear is protected against dirt. Therefore, it makes it very easy to clean, and less friction brings the high speed for the riders to achieve the best experience.

Moreover, this Premium ABEC9 bearing fits every board with high-grade steel which has anti-corrosion treatment for long lasting and has the longest spin at 4mins 20secs in a lab test; It brings the smoothest riding. All of those great factors are contained in Rainy Guy Bearings which is built for high quality at low prices.

Easily adds 10 to 15 mph to your current down to the hill speed with ease. It is pre-lubed with high-speed cream with the Bones Reds pale in comparison when tested head to head on the same path, both look brand new with similar results.

This creates pressures that can damage your balls and races. To combat this to some degree, we always recommend using bearing spacers. Why don't bearings and axles fit tightly together?

It is because manufacturers of skateboard trucks and manufacturers of skate bearings don't use exact standards of precise measurement to create a tight fit. And why not? It's so there is no difficulty putting one company's bearings on another company's axles. The typical fit is relatively loose. Yep, this is kinda janky, but it is the best option for how many different choices out there. Again, this is why bearing spacers are always recommended.

Read more about why bearings spacers really matter. Ball retainers are used to space out the balls evenly around the raceway. Nylon ball retainers can offer lower coefficient of friction than steel or brass retainers. Nylon retainers are better suited for speed, but are not as durable as metal retainers, which are better suited for the abuse brought on by street skating. Pictured below are various types of ball retainers.

The gold and silver in the top middle and top right are often called "cages" and usually cannot be removed easily. The other four pictured are often called "crowns" and can be removed easily.

The image below is to help with any confusion between a rubber seal and a ball retainer or cage. Sometimes people try to remove the ball retainer when cleaning. Removing the bearing ball retainer is unnecessary. Only the seal or shields needs to be removed during maintenance. About Stoked In , as a high school student, I founded Stoked with a focus on making sure the customer received exactly the kind of ride they wanted. The Ultimate Longboard Bearing Guide 0 comments.

To start learning about longboard bearings, scope this amazing video from Rat Vision. Bearings, Ultimate Guide. Older Post. Newer Post. Leave a comment Your Name. Your Email. Your Comment. Close Customer Login:. Forgot your password? Create An Account. Close Shopping Cart:. Your cart is currently empty. The Bones Super Swiss Bearings have 6 balls rather than the standard 7 balls, making them faster and stronger. They offer an increased speed and faster acceleration. The standard bearing is 8mm with an outer diameter of 22mm.

They come pre-lubricated with Bones Speed Cream and are super easy to clean by removing the single non-contact rubber shield. These bearings are smooth like butter.

They keep going forever without making a sound. They are excellent bearings that will last you a lifetime. They do need to be broken in, and my biggest issue with reds is that it only has one rubber shield, which allows dirt to get trapped inside.

I recommend buying the installation tool made by Bones to avoid damaging the inner ring during installation. If you are into downhill racing or slalom longboarding, the Oust Moc 9 Bearings are top of the line and used by the pros. The bearing size is standard and measures 22mm diameter x 8mm inner diameter x 7mm width. You will feel like you are riding on air with these bearings.

They are fast, smooth and hold their roll. They are really smooth during carve turns. The bearings are easy to clean, and the labyrinth shield locks in lubricant and helps keep out dirt and other debris. Every part of the bearing is removable for cleaning and maintenance. You do not need to clean these bearings very often. If you are looking for the best waterproof longboard bearing the KVENI Ceramic Bearings are perfect for high debris and rainy day riding. The high-quality Chrome steel and ceramic balls are high quality, high speed, smooth and low friction.

Expect longer spins, quiet rides and a smooth roll without regular cleaning. They come pre-lubricated with racing lubricant to lengthen the life of the bearing and maintain precision.

The inner part of the skateboard bearing is made of racing car lubricant, making the bearing rotate faster and quieter. They have higher quality steel races and better quality ball bearings that come pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant. They include a single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less friction. These bearings are ready to roll right out of the box! The 6 ball design offers greater speed, strength and faster acceleration.

The spin is quicker and more consistent than the regular Bone Red bearings. These bearings are insanely fast, smooth and virtually silent, which means very little friction. These bearings are black and come with free spacers and speed washers. If you want a bearing in a league of its own, you must have Bones Swiss Ceramic Bearings. They have Cerbec ceramic balls instead of steel, which means they are harder, lighter, stronger, less friction, and do not rust.

The bearings come with nylon ball retainers and bones speed cream lubricant, which gives you a sustained ride. These bearings are lightweight, roll very smoothly and can take a ton of heat! You will kick and never stop. If you are looking for the best longboard bearings for downhill longboarding, Bones Swiss Ceramic bearings are the ones to get. You will be flying past cars as you bomb the hill. Bones Swiss Ceramic Bearings are high-speed, quiet and smooth.

These bearings are recommended for professional and competition use rather than beginners. They are superior quality bearings. Longboard and skateboard bearings are tiny steel or ceramic balls in between an outer and an inner race that works with the best longboard trucks , the best longboard decks and longboard wheels that allow the wheel to spin on your board.

You need good quality longboard bearings to ride with precision, speed, long spin duration and to truly enjoy your ride. Longboards and skateboards use the same bearings, but you can get a larger spacer for larger longboard wheels. If you want to know what the best skateboard bearings for specific styles of riding check out the best skateboard bearings post here.

Be sure to check your bearing spacer's dimension. If you use smaller wheels, pick the 8x8mm spacers, and larger wheels will use 8x10mm spacers. Be sure to add the best skateboard grip tape and the best skateboard deck! If you want to know what the best skateboard brands are out there you need to check out my post to help you choose! There are several different bearings for different styles of longboarding. What may be necessary for cruising and commuting may not be as important for downhill racing.

If you plan on using your longboard for cruising and commuting; you need to look for bearings that have a great roll speed, durability, stability and bearings that stay clean, so maintenance is a breeze.

Whether you are cruising, slalom skateboarding or downhill longboarding, you will want a bearing that will give you tons of speed. When looking for the perfect longboard bearing, you should think about a few features before making your decision. When choosing the right longboard or skateboard bearing, there are a few things you need to consider before buying the best longboard bearing for you. The balls of bearings are one of the most important aspects when picking the best longboard bearing.

You will want a good quality bearing to ensure you have great spin, speed and precision when longboarding. There are pros and cons to both ball materials, and it is best to choose what works for you — whether you are cruising, downhill racing or riding through tons of mud and dirt. If you are on a budget or a beginner; the steel balls are your best choice. Steel bearings do heat up while you ride, which helps with their elasticity under a heavy load. Steel bearings are also resistant to cracking.

If you are an avid downhill racer or looking for a bearing that will outlast your board; you should pick up a bearing with ceramic balls. The ceramic ball bearings are not affected by heat, so it is safer to use during downhill racing. The only downfall is that ceramic bearings can be quite a bit more expensive than steel. Ensure that you will not have a difficult time installing it. The whole installation process should be quick and easy. Spacers are also among the most vital factors that should play a major role in your final decision.

Note that the spacers are also among the most crucial parts of the bearings. It is mainly because they offer the support that the bearings need. They play a major role in ensuring that they deliver a speedy and excellent performance while also remaining stable. In addition, it is also crucial in ensuring that the system does not get too lose.

With that in mind, you should never buy a bearing for your longboard without thinking about the corresponding spacer. In most cases, this item measures around half an inch.

That should serve as a pretty good basis in selecting the most reliable spacers for your bearings. Another thing that you have to keep in mind is the specific style used in the longboard bearings. Note that in most cases, the bearings hold the same construction in between all its styles. Generally, it is equipped with an inner and outer race capable of holding the retainer with up to 7 ball bearings. A removable rubber shield also caps it off, which is a major help in protecting the bearings.

Other bearings, on the other hand, come with a metal shield that seals them. Note, however, that in this case, the shield is not the removable type.

As for the balls, remember that different materials were used for them. The most commonly used ones, as mentioned in the earlier parts of this short buying guide section, are ceramic and steel. You just have to find out which between the two can give you the highest level of satisfaction. Also, remember that aside from the mentioned two, there are also other materials used for the bearings, although they are just rare. These include tungsten.

It is also necessary for you to gain a full knowledge about the specific components that form part of the longboard bearing. One vital component that should be present in the bearing is the C-ring. It actually refers to the thin ring, which fits into a groove that you can find on the outer part of the bearing.

It is designed in such a way that it can securely lock the shield. The outer and the inner rings are also important in the bearing. The outer ring specifically refers to the round exterior constructed out of metal material that all other bearing components fit into. The inner ring, on the other hand, is the small ring made of metal, which fits inside the outer ring. It is crucial because the axles use it to fit through each time the wheel or the bearing setup slides into the axle.

Another major component that should never be absent in any longboard bearing is the shield. This is essential because it functions in such a way that it can prevent any dirt from penetrating into the bearings. The balls that are often either made of steel or ceramic are also vital components because they are helpful in ensuring that the basing of the bearing spin around them.

Other parts that should be present in the bearing are the ball retainer and the rubber seal. Ensure that all these parts are present as they can help ensure that the bearings will perform at their best. Finding the best longboard bearings in the market can be difficult for those people who are still unsure what they should choose. However, for those who are fully aware of the ins and outs of these products, spotting the most reliable ones will be made much easier.

Your goal is to figure out which one performs well and can satisfy your needs the most. If your goal is speed then ensure that you make your choice accordingly. Find out which among the bearings in the market are known to be truly speedy and can give you the fastest ride.

You also need to make sure that they perfectly fit your longboard whether what you own are longboards for beginners or for advanced users. Reasonably priced while retaining the top-notch quality of the bearings Comes with super-finished stainless steel balls and races that are sturdy enough Features a skate-rated design, promoting a smooth and fast ride Easy to clean and maintain Guaranteed to be the best longboard bearings for speed and strength — thanks to its high-speed nylon ball retainer.

Subpar packaging used. Helps the wheels spin faster and longer Can minimize the risk of friction Comes with a seal, which is mainly designed to weatherproof the bearings Guaranteed to be high-speed, high-precision, and flexible Offers a smoother and more precise riding experience.

Operates a bit noisily. Promotes an ultra-fast and smooth ride on all surfaces Pre-lubricated bearings with the help of a special and unique lubricant Long-lasting and durable considering the fact that it has an incomparable precision design Flexible and versatile as the bearings are compatible with a wide range of applications Boasts of a stylish, skate-friendly, and sleek design.

Requires some time to break in. Uses high-quality and special lubricants to boost the speed of the bearings Comes with two shields designed to protect the bearings from elements Long-lasting and durable Can handle downhill riding Compatible with a wide range of applications, like skateboards and rollers, as well as roller skates, scooters, penny skateboard, and roller blades, among many others. Quite slow during the first few uses but they just need to break in for a while.

Can resist drag, thereby ensuring a smooth ride each time Pre-lubricated balls can minimize friction and prevent wear and tear Speedy and versatile, making it work on various rides and applications Can prevent rust and dirt from damaging the bearings Makes the nylon bearing cage long-lasting.

Break-in period required. Comes with a strong and sturdy steel construction The inner and outer seals can prevent debris, thane, and dirt from penetrating. Low amount of friction while capable of resisting corrosion Can fit longboard and skateboard trucks well — thanks to its precision 8-mm axles Guarantees a lower water washout.

Produces some rattling sounds occasionally. Guarantees a fast, long-lasting, and smooth performance Comes with the least amount of friction Easy to maintain Offered at a reasonable price while retaining their excellent quality and performance Designed to be long-lasting, so expect the bearings not to wear out too soon. Cleaning it is a bit hard for some people. Lightweight and easy to manage Guarantees a speedy acceleration and minimal friction Made of ceramic balls that are capable of polishing the steel races flat again Known for being among the most reliable waterproof longboard bearings Easy to clean plus guaranteed to be strong with its nylon ball retainer.

Offered at an inexpensive price but without losing their quality Performs well for all your skating and longboarding needs Compatible with all kinds of skateboards and longboards Runs fast and can handle various terrains Receives full protection from the elements — thanks to its plastic steel shields. Creates a rattling sound at times. Can lessen the risk of rolling friction Features a special and unique design that promotes quick acceleration and rolling ability Can resist impacts, especially those associated with skate trick landings Uses a speed cream to pre-lubricated the bearings Skate-rated, making it capable of tolerating many things.

Pricier than other bearings. Comes with clear instructions on putting the bearings together Made of ceramic, which is lightweight and sturdy Can serve its intended purpose for a really long time Boasts of a unique and longboard-friendly Swiss design Comes pre-lubricated with a speed cream lubricant. Some longboard users find the cost too high.

Yellow Jacket Premium Skateboard Bearings. Heady Shake Pro Skateboard Bearings. High-quality titanium, double-strengthened nylon retainer, single side sealed rubber shield. Fireball Dragon Precision Bearings. Oldboy Premium Ceramic Bearings. Zealous Bearings. Bones Bearings Super Reds Bearings.