If you want your skateboard to go faster and ride smoother, how your bearings work is super important. They decide how quick your board moves, how well it rides, and how good it feels. Though you might think taking out all the grease will make it faster right away, this actually ruins your bearings quickly. A better choice is using special high-speed lubes and bearings made with silicon nitride ceramic balls. These are lighter and cause less friction, so they can spin fast without getting too hot.
For better bearing performance, picking the right lube is crucial. It should fit how your bearings are made and how you skate. Using the best materials and lubes makes your bearings speed up for longer, giving you a better and longer-lasting ride. Skateboard tips like this really help.
Key Takeaways
- High-speed lubricants and precision hybrid bearings with silicon nitride ceramic balls are optimal for durability and speed.
- Avoid completely removing lubricants to prevent rapid wear of bearings.
- Regular cleaning and lubrication significantly enhance bearing performance.
- High-quality materials lower friction and allow for faster skateboarding.
- Choose lubricants that match your bearing’s design and skateboarding conditions.
- Maintenance practices are essential for prolonged lifespan and consistent performance.
Understanding Skateboard Bearings
Skateboard bearings make your wheels move smoothly and quickly. They have standard sizes: 8mm (core), 22mm (outer diameter), and 7mm (width). You need two bearings per wheel, so eight in total for a skateboard.
The ABEC rating is key when choosing skateboard bearing types. This system grades bearings from 1 to 9. ABEC 1 bearings are cheap but not very precise. ABEC 3 are also affordable, but they don’t roll as smoothly or quickly. ABEC 5 offers a good mix of speed and affordability, so they’re popular for many skaters. ABEC 7 and 9 bearings are best for a faster, smoother ride. ABEC 9 is especially great for going downhill.
High precision bearings upgrade your skate experience by reducing friction and boosting speed. These have perfectly shaped balls and smoother bearing rings. Ceramic skateboard bearings, like those with silicon nitride balls, further improve performance. They’re lighter and have less friction, so you go faster.
Different bearing materials affect your skating. Standard steel bearings last long and are cheap but can rust with water. Titanium-coated ones resist rust better and last longer. However, full ceramic bearings are the hardest and resist heat well, but they’re more fragile and not ideal for rough tricks.
Understanding bearing lubrication is vital to keep your bearings at peak performance. High-speed greases lower heat and protect the oil, helping your bearings run smoothly at high speeds.
| ABEC Rating | Description | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| ABEC 1 | Least expensive, least precise | $5-$10 |
| ABEC 3 | Inexpensive, not smooth or quick | $10-$15 |
| ABEC 5 | Standard for most skateboarding | $15-$25 |
| ABEC 7 | Very fast and smooth | $20-$35 |
| ABEC 9+ | Extremely fast, best for downhill | $30-$50 |
| Full Ceramic | High-speed, heat resistant | $70-$100 |
Signs Your Bearings Need Maintenance
For a long-lasting skateboard, watch out for signs of worn bearings. You’ll know when to replace skateboard bearings once wheels don’t spin well. Also, listen for sounds like grinding, squeaking, or rattling, as these noises mean your bearings need care.
If you see dirt and grime, that’s a bad sign. Bearings that don’t spin easily might be dirty or not lubed enough. This can cause lasting damage or make them fail suddenly. It’s crucial to regularly clean your maintaining skateboard bearings to avoid dirt problems. Such issues can damage the bearing’s insides.
Using dirty and dry bearings can cause big problems down the line. Brands like Bones® Bearings stress cleaning your bearings as soon as they sound noisy or aren’t smooth. A human hair is bigger than the gap inside a bearing, showing the high level of precision required in maintaining skateboard bearings.
Water and dirt can rust your bearings and ruin their smoothness. So, clean them well and keep them lubed. Watch for signs of worn bearings and take good care of them. This way, your skateboard rides remain smooth and fun.
| Indicator | Action Required |
|---|---|
| Reduced Wheel Spin | Check and clean bearings |
| Unusual Noises | Clean and lubricate |
| Visible Dirt/Grime | Thorough cleaning |
| Friction and Heat | Regular maintenance |
Cleaning Your Bearings Effectively
Learning the right ways to clean skateboard bearings is key for good maintenance. This careful process can make your bearings last much longer. Start by taking the bearings out of your wheels. Then gently remove any dirt you can see with a soft cloth.
Then, let the bearings sit in isopropyl alcohol for around 30 minutes. As they soak, you’ll notice the alcohol turning dirty. This is because it’s pulling grime out of the bearings. Many skaters suggest taking off the rubber shields for a better cleaning. This way, no grime is left to slow your bearings down. After the soak, dry them well with compressed air to get rid of any hidden moisture.
Applying a proper skateboard bearing lubricant, such as Powell Speed Cream, helps avoid rust and damage. Avoid water as it can cause rust. Investing in a good lubricant means your bearings will perform better for longer. You might need to clean them several times. Repeat the process until the liquid stays clear.
After they are clean, apply a quality skateboard bearing lubricant. Doing so makes your rides smoother and might even make your skateboard 30% faster. Keeping up with this maintenance will keep your skateboard in top shape for a long time.
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Soak Duration | At least 30 minutes in isopropyl alcohol |
| Professional Advice | Remove rubber shields for a deeper clean |
| Drying Technique | Use compressed air for hard-to-reach areas |
| Re-lubrication | Apply skateboard-specific lubricants like Powell Speed Cream |
Lubrication Techniques for Bearings
Keeping your skateboard bearing lubricated properly helps them last longer and perform better. Using the right bearing grease keeps them running smoothly and keeps dirt away.
It’s important to use products made for bearings like Bones Speed Cream. These products reduce friction and make bearings last longer. Usually, just one or two drops for each bearing is enough. Too much grease attracts dirt and hurts performance, while too little increases wear and tear.
Regularly cleaning and greasing your bearings can make them last much longer. Bearings that are used in dirty places also benefit from this care. After cleaning, it might take some miles before the grease spreads out inside properly. So, giving it some time to settle in helps improve how they work. Remember, the grease should only take up about 30% of the space inside the bearing to prevent too much lubrication.
To check if you’ve lubricated your bearings well, try spinning them. They should spin smoothly without making any rough sounds. If not, you might have to do the lubrication process again.
Having a set schedule for lubricating your bearings can save them from common problems. These problems usually come from either too much or too little lubrication or dirt getting inside. Knowing how much grease to use is crucial and depends on things like how fast your skateboard goes and the type of bearings it has. To keep an eye on bearing friction, using ultrasound can show the right amount of grease to use. This helps prevent using too little or too much grease.
Upgrading Your Bearings
Changing your skateboard bearings can make your rides smoother and faster. Bones Bearings, known for their Skate Rated standards, are made for skateboarding. They use high-grade chromium steel and non-contact rubber shields for top speed and easy care.
If you want top-notch bearings, think about getting ceramic bearings. They create less friction and last longer, offering a quicker and smoother ride. These are perfect for skaters who want the best from their gear.
Here’s a quick look at how standard steel bearings stack up against ceramic bearings:
| Attribute | Standard Steel Bearings | Ceramic Bearings |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Moderate | High |
| Durability | Good | Excellent |
| Maintenance | Frequent | Less frequent |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
Knowing the differences in bearings can really improve your skateboarding. For top speed and longevity, ceramic bearings are the way to go. Yet, for everyday skaters, quality steel bearings work great with regular upkeep.
Impact of Wheel Size on Speed
The impact of skateboard wheel sizes on speed is huge. Larger wheels go faster than small ones because they need fewer turns to cover the same distance. This shows how important wheel size is to speed. To speed up your skateboard, consider getting bigger wheels.
The wheel’s hardness, or durometer, is also key to how your skateboard performs. Soft wheels (78A–87A) are great for bumpy rides because they smooth out vibrations. But, for doing tricks on smooth surfaces, harder wheels (96A–101A+) are better because they move faster.
- Small Wheels (50mm–54mm): They accelerate fast but are not as speedy overall. Best for street skating and doing tricks.
- Medium Wheels (55mm–59mm): They perform well in many skating situations.
- Large Wheels (60mm+): Great for going downhill fast, they offer speed and stability for longer routes.
When picking skateboard wheels, think about their durometer too. Medium-hard wheels (88A–95A) strike a balance between speed and grip, good for moving between different grounds. Checking your wheels often and rotating them can avoid uneven wear, which affects stability and performance.
For those focusing on speed, taking care of your wheels is vital. Clean wheels without debris turn faster. Also, bending your knees and being aerodynamic helps cut through wind, boosting speed.
Lastly, the mix of your wheels’ size, durometer, and shape changes your skating majorly. Skaters have their own styles and preferences. So try different setups to discover what suits you best.
Riding Techniques for Speed
Mastering skateboarding techniques can make you faster. Start with your feet placement for strong pushes. Place your front foot near the front bolts and your back foot over the tail. This stance lets you push off powerfully. To go even faster, push with just your toes instead of your whole foot.
To keep your speed up, ride straight. Riding straight reduces friction that can slow you down. Avoid rough surfaces and strong winds to keep your speed. For better control and stable rides, tighten your skateboard trucks a bit.
Pumping is a skill that uses body weight shifts to speed up without pushing off the ground. With the right body angle and timing, pumping can make you faster, especially in skate park transitions. Tucking while skating downhill reduces wind drag, making you speed up. Done right, tucking greatly increases your speed.
Optimizing your skateboard setup is key for speed. Switching to larger wheels, like from 49mm to 53mm, boosts speed and lets you do tricks. For speed, get quality wheels and take care of your bearings. A clean, well-kept skateboard goes faster.
Regular Maintenance Routine
Keeping a steady skateboard care schedule is crucial for its long life and best performance. It’s wise to clean and oil your skateboard’s bearings every 3-6 months. This stops rust and lessens wear, giving you a smoother ride. Also, always dry and oil the bearings right away after riding in dusty or wet places.
Checking the hardware every month is key too. Make sure all bolts are tight to stop them from loosening while you ride, which could cause accidents. You should also rotate your wheels every 2-3 months. This helps them wear evenly and keeps your grip strong, making your rides better. Plus, look over the skateboard deck and trucks each month for damage. Finding problems early can keep them from getting worse and helps your board work well.
Where you keep your skateboard is super important too. Always keep it inside in a spot that’s cool and dry to stop moisture damage. Try not to skate when it’s wet outside because water can make your bearings rust, mess up your deck, and lower your grip’s power. Also, keep your grip tape clean by checking it monthly or when needed. This makes sure you have the best traction when skating. Following these easy maintenance steps will make your skateboard last longer and perform better.
I’m John Peterson, a passionate skater, blogger, and lifelong enthusiast. I’ve been skating for over 9 years and have gone on to write a blog dedicated to the sport of skating and its culture. Through my blog, I strive to share my knowledge and experience of the sport with all who are interested. From beginner tips, tricks, and equipment reviews to interviews and event coverage, I cover it all. So read my blog as I explore the wonderful world of skating!