What kind of bearings should i get for my longboard

I recommend you get a spare one from the get go, as lubricants wear out. You can find it on Amazon. Bones pulled out all the stops for its Swiss Ceramic bearings. They use all the best materials to produce one of the quietest, smoothest riding bearings available. The balls are Cerbec ceramic, which is waterproof and rustproof. They are also considerably lighter than steel, while being harder and stronger as well. A removable rubber shield on one side of the bearing makes cleaning easier and more effective.

These bearings utilize a nylon cage to keep the balls on the race. Bones Swiss Ceramics are commonly considered one of the best longboard bearings. Unfortunately, they also tend to cost considerably more than most other bearings. Their construction helps then outlast most of their competitors. Whether it is enough to offset the cost is a matter of how you treat them.

When kept clean and not abused, a set of Bones Swiss Ceramic bearings can be a decent value over time. If drops and hard impacts come into play, however, these bearings are as fragile as steel bearings. In good condition, their smoothness is unrivaled. What's To Like? The longtime skateboard bolt manufacturer has earned its reputation for reliability over decades in skateboarding.

For most of that time, Black Panthers have been gliding skaters around as well. These bearings are whisper quiet and slippery smooth. They come pre-lubricated in Teflon oil, which helps them break in quickly. Still, Black Panther are already quite fast and smooth out of the box.

After a short break-in period, they improve speed-wise to a point equaling any bearing on the market. Still, that undercuts much of the competition, with no real drop in quality. Of course, the savings improve as the ABEC rating drops. While they may not be as fast or quiet as ceramics, Black Panther are still quite fast. And as always for steel versus ceramic, they can withstand much more punishment. For the longboarder on a budget, these bearings are definitely worth trying. Lucky bearings have long been a staple in skateboarding.

Their chromium steel balls ride on triple-honed and polished races. The stainless-steel shields do an excellent job keeping dirt and debris out of the cage area. The shields are removable for cleaning and replacing lubricant. Speed and longevity are not issues of concern for Lucky bearings, but the noise they make may be for some users.

The sound is not abnormal or unusually irritating, though. Replacing them is almost always more of a matter of their gradually getting slower than in their getting broken. If speed and distance between pushes is a top concern, or if funds are tight, Lucky ABEC-7s are always a decent option. For an even more durable option, check out these Lucky Hardball bearings we found at Warehouse Skateboards.

Bones Swiss have been a top bearing of choice for skateboarders of more than four decades now. They are made in Switzerland, which is renowned for its manufacturing of precision products. Like when purchasing a watch, this is one of those times in life where you get what you pay for. Bones Swiss are essentially the same bearing as Bones Swiss Ceramics, but with polished chromium steel balls instead of ceramic balls.

They have a non-contact rubber shield that is removable for cleaning. While the original Bones Swiss bearings are still available we actually prefer the Bones Super Swiss 6, These bearings use six larger-diameter steel balls rather than the standard seven-bearing construction. The result is a bearing that produces a bit less friction, so it is faster and carries more speed.

The difference is not dramatic, but it is noticeable. They are precise and quiet, and they roll for days. However, to say they are much faster than other top-tier bearings would be inaccurate. They are as fast as any, though, and quieter than most. They feature the precision of Swiss engineering and construction to provide smooth steel balls and races, with a durable nylon ball retainer.

These bearings may not compare head-to-head with their more pricey Swiss competition, especially the likes of Bones Swiss, but it is hard to argue with the savings. We even found them on Amazon in a set complete with trick red anodized axle nuts see them here.

Their new look is clean and modern, complimenting almost any setup. With proper care, they can last a long time indeed, easily justifying their cost. Bronson Speed Co. One of the most innovative bearing companies, Bronson pushes the technological envelope. The G3 sits right in the middle of the Bronson lineup. These bearings feature large, deep-cut raceway channels. This configuration allows the steel balls to ride deeper in the races than in other bearings, increasing lateral stability.

Less sideways slop makes for a more stable-feeling ride. Unlike the ultra-polished races in other premium bearings, the raceway surfaces in G3s have microgrooves, which hold lubricant and reduce friction. The glass-filled nylon cages also have these grooves, eliminating the problematic wave of lubricant in front of the ball.

Each bearing has one non-friction rubber shield, with an exposed cage on the other side. These cages could sometimes snap on early G3s, but Bronson solved that issue.

The G3 has proven itself a long-lasting bearing. They retain their solid feel even after months of repeated use, likely thanks to their smart lubrication solution. Metal on metal contact produces heat, which robs energy and decreases bearing life.

Those microgrooves are no gimmick. Oust Bearings is a small brand based in the U. It has quickly proven itself a trustworthy option for high-speed applications.

Honestly, tolerances above those of other top skateboard bearings are really overkill. Oust bearing use steel balls that are made in the U. The Buna shields are non-contact, and they are set into unique channels to hold them in place.

The resulting seal provides good protection from dirt and grime. These bearings require repeated application of oil every six hours of use. Shorten that span to oiling every two hours when riding downhill or otherwise going fast. Fail to do that and the super-polished races will lose a bit of their smoothness. This may be the case, but they would not rate higher than a 9 on the ABEC scale.

They are still very fast, though, and their longevity is impressive, which are the exact benefits you should get from a ultraprecise bearings. Seriously fast and long lasting Thoughtful shield design Designed for lateral forces, not just vertical ones What's NOT to like? Marketing hype goes too far More expensive than some bearings with longer track records. Producer of complete longboards of all types, Sector 9 has a branded version of every component on their setups.

These are top-shelf upgrades that should make any complete longboard faster and smoother. The Fireball bearings are excellent for wet conditions due to the seals. There is no sideways rattle while riding, they withstand horizontal pressures of sliding, and they are the best longboard bearings for downhill riding.

The Cerbec ceramic balls are lighter, harder, stronger, waterproof and longer lasting than steel balls. There is a single removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less friction. The bearings come pre-lubricated with speed cream racing lubricant.

The ceramic balls are virtually silent and very durable. One downside is the bearings do not come with spacers. The Bones Ceramic Super Reds are manufactured in China, so they are cheaper than the Swiss bearings but still a top-quality bearing.

They hold up under harsh conditions while being super smooth and efficient. The CCS Bearings are made with 7 chrome steel ball bearings that are pre-lubed giving you a smooth and fast ride. Neal Precision Bearings are fast, quiet and smooth and some of the best longboard bearings for cruising. With a maximum spin rating of , rpm, the bearings are incredibly durable. The bearings come with spacers.

The bearings are the standard RS and 8mm size, and they glide effortlessly right out of the box. They are made with an aluminum case, steel races, and a single non-contact, removable rubber shield. There are 5 different kinds of bearings, but the Blackout Ceramic bearings are best for longboarding. The ceramics are tough and are virtually waterproof as the ceramic bearings do not rust.

Unlike most bearings, Neal Precision Bearings do not have a broken-in period. They are the smoothest bearings I have ever used. They spin forever, super fast and are completely silent.

The bearings do not require much maintenance but can always be re-lubed. Clean if they're dirty, or just add a drop or two of lube to keep them extra smooth. Like most anything, these will last very well if properly maintained. They come pre-lubricated with a lubricant that makes them fast, smooth, quiet and durable.

These bearings are lighter and stronger than steel as they are made with titanium, which gives you more stability and control than standard bearings. Heady Shake Bearings have a single-side sealed rubber shield, which causes less friction and is easy to clean. They do need to be cleaned often as debris gets caught easily. If you are looking for a super smooth and quiet experience all around you, you need to check out Heady Shake. They are noticeably faster and stronger than Bones Reds.

If you want an elite bearing that glides smoothly and is dead silent; you must ride the Bones Super Swiss 6 Bearings. 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. The Yellow Jacket is equipped with an easy to remove seal for maintenance. This is a wild card in the skating industry. Given a few more years in manufacturing, the yellow jacket may overrun its closest competitors in no time. Impressive performance that allows your wheels to turn longer when you test-spin them by hand. This is a real test that lets you confirm how easy your wheels turn.

If it takes longer to stop, that is a good sign. These may be a bit fast for beginners, so purchase with caution. Professional riders are all thumbs up with this one. So how are they different from the Bone Bearings Reds? These are Precision-grade Swiss designs that boast 25 years in manufacturing history and are skate rated which guarantees better performance than any ABEC rated bearings. Much like its counterparts, the Zealous bearings come with rubber seals that give you ease of access during maintenance and protection against the elements.

The secret in their quality is in the lubricant they fill it with. The lubricant used contains nano-ceramic compounds that fill in deformations on the bearings. Now, when you use it on your skates, heat builds up, and the nano-ceramic hardens on the specific areas of imperfection.

As you continue to use these bearings, the more perfect, it becomes since friction is almost eliminated. This also makes it nearly corrosion resistant.

This bearing set also takes out the need for spacers as it is equipped with spacers. It also survives the harshest skating conditions in sandy and dusty environments.

The Bones Ceramic Reds Bearings is the most expensive one in the list of bearings here but it is definitely worth the money spent and the quality is top notch.

So that only leaves us with one question, and that is, are they worth it? This ceramic longboard bearing is the one to beat. Of course, higher performance goes hand in hand with a higher price. It is the lighter, stronger, will not corrode and lasts way longer than its steel counterparts. Paying a few bucks more for some higher quality steel bearings is definitely a good investment.

Some companies now offer ceramic skateboard bearings, which are extremely smooth, produce very little friction, and won't expand in the heat. They are slightly more costly than standard metal bearings, but are considered very high quality and don't require as much maintenance.

Since ceramic bearings hit the market, there has been a lot of debate in the skateboarding world about whether or not they are actually superior.

While it's generally true that you definitely get what you pay for when it comes to skateboards, does the more expensive ceramic material actually make for a better performing skateboard bearing?

The short answer is, maybe. Ceramic bearings have ceramic balls, and more of them, but all of the other parts are still made of steel. However, the steel and sealing tends to also be of much higher quality in ceramic bearings. Essentially, the decreased friction and smooth ride you get with ceramic bearings is due partially to the ceramic balls inside, but also the higher quality steel outside.

This combination of materials is why ceramic bearings tend to be pricier. In other words, ceramic bearings perform better partially because of the ceramic and partially because of the higher quality steel. The balls in ceramic bearings have a super hard exterior, but the interior is ceramic powder.

The advantage is that they are lightweight, but if the exterior of the ball is damaged, it pretty much falls apart though this is extremely rare. Ceramic bearings also contain more balls, which further enhances their ability to perform. Skaters loyal to ceramic bearings not only love the precision performance they get, but also that they require so much less maintenance. Ceramics don't rust, and thus don't need replaced nearly as often as steel bearings.

Bearing spacers are small metal cylinders that fit into a skateboard wheel between the bearings. Their purpose is to reduce the weight distributed to each bearing, which can make your turns smoother and more stable and also extend the life of your bearings.

Bearing spacers are totally optional; longboarders and casual skaters likely won't put enough pressure on their boards to ever need them, though they are definitely a good investment if you want to slide, do a lot of tricks, and generally skate hard.

Bearing spacers are typically inexpensive, and can be made from steel, aluminum, or other types of metal.