Robin R. – Page 3 – Longboard Planet

From novice to expert level skating, there is no component that affects the operation of a longboard quite like the bearings do. If you have less-than-ideal bearings, it will lead to a bumpy ride with slower speeds and less handling. You need the best longboard bearings made of steel and/or ceramic in order to up your game and improve your ride. No matter your skill level or reason for riding, keep in mind that a good set of fast bearings will instantly change the way a new rider skates.The market for longboard bearings can be confusing and our team of experts is excited to share with you the top ten best longboard bearings that are available for you to purchase on the market today. Longboard Bearings FAQ 1. What Sizes Are the Best Longboard Bearings? The standard for longboard bearings has nearly always been 608. These have a 22mm outer diameter, a 7mm thick, and an 8mm bore. You have the option of choosing smaller bearings that have similar axel sizes but require added sleeves in order to match to the standard 608. 2. What Are ABEC Ratings? ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Committee, an American Bearings Manufacturer's Association. If you happen upon a set of bearings that boast a high ABEC rating (typically 9 is the highest and will be proudly advertised) this usually means the price will be pushed up. Keep in mind, however, that ABEC ratings were originally used in machinery rather than in the skating scene; ABEC ratings have to do with the forces exerted on the machinery and what it's able to handle. This is obviously very different from forces exerted on skating bearings. ABEC ratings are detailed one through nine and are in odd numbers. 3. Where Did the Best Longboard Bearings Originate From? What we now know as the standard for bearings came into existence in 1974, thanks to Santa Cruz merging with Road Rider wheels. This merger is thanks to a Mr. Anthony Roderick, as the idea was his brain-child. What was before a loose-bearing design that had questionable reliability is now a precise bearing that offers a smooth and fast ride that has changed skating since and forever. 4. What Materials Are the Best Longboard Bearings Made From? The main to materials here are steel and steel and ceramics. The most common skateboarding bearings material is steel, and even those that boast a ceramic make often have mostly steel in them as well. On a high-quality bearings, you should expect to find steel made out of the races, retaining crown, shields, and even the rings. There may be a few components made from materials such as nylon or rubber, and this is to add to the prevention of friction and to make the ride more smooth.As we said previously, ceramic bearings are still mostly steel. Usually, the component that is ceramic in a bearings is the balls. In a normal, non-ceramic bearing, you'll find the balls are made of silicone nitrite because it's more smooth and lighter to the touch than steel is. It also causes less friction because it does not expand when it is heated, such as going down a hill at high speeds. 5. Overall Price Range? As with most consumer products, the price range of the product depends on what the customer is willing to pay. For our top ten list, we tried to only choose those items we feel offer the best value for the money and are excellent options for our budget-conscious readers. The overall price range for our top ten list of the best longboard bearings is $15 to $152. How We Reviewed Our team spent much time and effort researching different models to bring you this unbiased, best-of bearings list based on the parameters of their features, their pros and cons, their price, and where to buy them. What We Reviewed Product Image Rating Where To Buy [amazon link="B000FDRQ1S" title="Bones Reds Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B000FDRQ1S" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B000FDRQ1S" value="button"] [amazon link="B00BL9VCRE" title="Zealous Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B00BL9VCRE" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B00BL9VCRE" value="button"] [amazon link="B077DYCPLW" title="Yellow Jacket 608 Premium Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B077DYCPLW" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B077DYCPLW" value="button"] [amazon link="B0094J4842" title="Bones Swiss Ceramics Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B0094J4842" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B0094J4842" value="button"] [amazon link="B00JRHSDZG" title="Black Panther Ceramic Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B00JRHSDZG" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B00JRHSDZG" value="button"] [amazon link="B012OZVGKG" title="Oust Bearings MOC 9 Air" /] [amazon fields="B012OZVGKG" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B012OZVGKG" value="button"] [amazon link="B075QLMQW6" title="Oldboy Premium Ceramic Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B075QLMQW6" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B075QLMQW6" value="button"] [amazon link="B015NXSPUK" title="Bronson G3 Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B015NXSPUK" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B015NXSPUK" value="button"] [amazon link="B002DSY9P4" title="Bones Ceramic Reds Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B002DSY9P4" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B002DSY9P4" value="button"] [amazon link="B06XXK6FPQ" title="Heady Shake Pro Skateboard Bearings" /] [amazon fields="B06XXK6FPQ" value="thumb" image_size="large"] [amazon fields="B06XXK6FPQ" value="button"] 10 Best Longboard Bearings 1.) [amazon link="B000FDRQ1S" title="Bones Reds" /] [amazon box="B000FDRQ1S"] Features These are considered some of the best longboard bearings because they combine a skate-rated design with high-quality materials and components. They have super-finished and ground balls and races created out of stainless steel, and the high-speed ball retainer is constructed out of removable nylon. It promotes a faster and smoother ride, and the bearings themselves are guaranteed to be long-lasting and durable. Pros Reasonably priced Super-finished stainless steel balls and sturdy races Easy to clean and maintain Great for added speed and strength Cons Packaging used is not the best Some report a bumpy roll Price About $$ 2.) [amazon link="B00BL9VCRE" title="Zealous Bearings" /] [amazon box="B00BL9VCRE"] Features Zealous longboard bearings are constructed from steel but harbor a green inner and outer seal to ensure that debris, thane, and dirt stay out of them. They come pre-lubricated using a long-lasting grease that minimizes friction and the buildup of corrosion on the interiors. These bearings come with speed rings and spacers already built in which make them an excellent value for the price and prevent you from losing small parts when you change the bearings or wheels. Pros Strong and sturdy steel construction Inner and outer seals prevent debris, thane, and dirt from getting in Friction-resistant and corrosion-resistant Guarantees a lower water washout Cons Some notice rattling sounds while riding Some report no difference in speed or maintaining speed Price About $$ 3.) [amazon link="B077DYCPLW" title="Yellow Jacket" /] [amazon box="B077DYCPLW"] Features You will notice a longer and faster spinning in your wheels with these bearings. They effectively minimize friction and they feature a seal designed to provide a weatherproofing ability to them. They have an ABEC-9 rating for their manufacturing tolerances, and the high-speed and high-precision nature of these bearings will more than impress you. They boast excellent flexibility as they will work with longboards, skateboards, rollerblades, and inline skates among many others. Pros Helps the wheels spin faster and longer Minimal friction occurs Weatherproof thanks to a seal High-speed, high-precision, and flexible Cons Some notice these bearings are noisy High in price Price About $$ 4.) [amazon link="B0094J4842" title="Bones Swiss" /] [amazon box="B0094J4842"] Features These longboard bearings are available in a set of eight pieces with eight ceramic wheel bearings and a sticker with four bearing spacers. The balls of these bearings are constructed out of Cerbec ceramic that makes them not only light, but strong and hard. They boast a precision-grade Swiss design that's longboard-friendly and you'll feel satisfied with the combination of the speed cream lubricant and nylon ball retainers that are guaranteed to give you a smooth and sustainable ride. Pros Comes with clear instructions on using the bearings and putting them together Lightweight and sturdy ceramic material Durable and built to last Comes pre-lubricated with a speed cream lubricant Cons Extremely high in price Not for casual skaters Price About $$$ 5.) [amazon link="B00JRHSDZG" title="Black Panthers" /] [amazon box="B00JRHSDZG"] Features These best longboard bearings are so quiet they'll impress you. This is thanks to their Bones Swiss Ceramics-esque balls that are fast, smooth, and only get better from the moment they're taken out of the box. These bearings boast waterproof capabilities and their rubber-coated shields are removable. These are only a bit slower than Bones brand bearings and are an excellent substitute for those on a budget. The spacers and washers these bearings come with will keep them in tip-top shape and ensure there's no friction occurring whatsoever. Pros Ceramic performance Costs less than competitors such as Bones Waterproof capabilities Removable rubber-coated shields for added protection Cons Longevity issues These require a break-in period to reach their potential Price About $$ 6.) [amazon link="B012OZVGKG" title="Oust MOC" /] [amazon box="B012OZVGKG"] Features These best longboard bearings claim higher overall tolerances than any other bearing out there. These US-made balls have races that are polished smoothly. Their unique shields provide excellent protection from dirt and grime thanks to their unique placement and non-contact nature. Although Oust claims their MOC 9 Airs outperform an ABEC-9 bearing, there is no rating that high because there is no invented bearing that rolls that smoothly. Although their claim may not be all true, their speeds are impressive and so are their longevity. Pros Ultra-fast and long-lasting Thoughtful shield design Designed for lateral forces as well as vertical ones Highest rating there is Cons Claims are not all true (the ABEC rating) More expensive than other competitors Price About $$ 7.) [amazon link="B075QLMQW6" title="Oldboy" /] [amazon box="B075QLMQW6"] Features These best longboard bearings come in an eight-piece set that is pre-lubricated heavily so they resist drag effectively. They minimize friction while preventing wear and tear at high speeds and their versatility stretches far and wide, including compatibility for long-distance cruising, bombing hills, and slalom skating. Since these are ceramic bearings, you won't have to worry about rusting or dirt scratching them. You can expect these bearings to give you a professional ride regardless of how hard and fast you ride thanks to the heavy lube and the formidable material. Pros Professional ride that resists drag Pre-lubricated to prevent wear and tear and minimize friction Speedy and versatile for various rides Can prevent rust and dirt from damaging them Cons These should be broken in substantially Out of Stock on Amazon Price Around $$ 8.) [amazon link="B015NXSPUK" title="Bronson Speed Co" /] [amazon box="B015NXSPUK"] Features These best longboard bearings are perhaps one of the most technologically advanced bearings on the market. They accelerate quickly from a stop, allow for less friction and a longer roll, and their ball sockets are placed within nylon cage so their unique lubricant stays on longer. Pros Technologically advanced Accelerate quickly from a stop Less friction and a longer roll Ball sockets within nylon cages to retain lubricant Cons There is only one shield per bearing, leaving one side bare Too new on the market for a popular opinion Price About $$ 9.) [amazon link="B002DSY9P4" title="Bones" /] [amazon box="B002DSY9P4"] Features These best longboard bearings are lightweight, making them easier to manage. They offer a speedy acceleration thanks to the built-in balls that weigh less compared to others. They minimize friction and will ride faster even without lubricant. The ceramic materials of these bearings are more than capable of withstanding versatility and durability as they are less prone to rusting. They are waterproof and make use of a removable rubber shield that makes it easier to clean and reduces friction even more. Pros Lightweight and easy to manage Speedy acceleration and minimal friction (with or without lubrication) Made of ceramic balls Waterproof, reliable, and strong with its nylon ball retainer Cons These need to be broken in at first High in price Price About $$ 10.) [amazon link="B06XXK6FPQ" title="Heady Shake" /] [amazon box="B06XXK6FPQ"] Features These high-end best longboard bearings will offer that smooth and ultra-fast ride you've been dreaming about. The special lubricant they come with ensures they run quickly and smoothly and they are long-lasting and durable. They promote high-spinning speed and quiet rotation for an even smoother experience. The versatility and flexibility of these bearings is not undersold as they can handle various skates, kick scooters, skateboards, and roller and inline skates. They come with a waterproof sticker and highly dependable/sturdy skateboard spacers. Pros Ultra-fast and smooth rides on all surfaces Pre-lubricated Long-lasting and durable models Flexible and versatile Cons These need time to break in Only one seal per bearing Price About $$ The Verdict We hope our list of the ten best longboard bearings has given you a few substantial options for your next set of bearings. Pick out your favorite from our list and follow its Amazon link to purchase it for yourself. We highly recommend the Bones Swiss Ceramic Bearings because they offer a smooth, fast ride with little friction. Check them out on Amazon, what are you waiting for?