5 Essential Tips for Choosing the Right Skateboard Bearings and Spacers

Choosing the right skateboard bearings and spacers can feel overwhelming. These small but crucial skateboarding accessories make a huge difference in your ride’s quality. This is true for street skaters and electric skateboarders alike. A great set of bearings provides speed, smoothness, and a better overall experience. This guide will help you find the best skateboard bearings for your setup. We will cover everything from sizes to materials.

Standard Sizes and Compatibility

Almost all skateboard bearings are the same size. This standard is called a 608. The standard skateboard bearing size has an 8mm core, 22mm outer diameter, and 7mm width. This universal sizing makes shopping easy. Your new bearings will almost certainly fit your existing wheels. You will need two bearings for each wheel.

Importance of Wheel Size

While bearing sizes are standard, your wheel size affects performance. Larger wheels generally offer higher speeds. They are great for cruising and transportation. Smaller wheels provide more control for tricks. Your wheel choice should match your riding style. This helps determine what you need from your bearings.

Steel vs. Ceramic Skateboard Bearings

Bearings are mainly made from two materials. You can choose between steel and ceramic. Steel bearings are the industry standard and very common. Ceramic skateboard bearings are a high-performance alternative. They offer unique advantages for serious riders.

Pros and Cons of Each Material

Steel bearings are affordable and extremely durable. Their strength makes them perfect for high-impact street skating. However, they can rust if they get wet. They also require regular cleaning to stay fast.

Ceramic skateboard bearings are lighter and create less friction. This results in a faster, smoother ride. They are also rust-proof, which means less maintenance. The main downside is their cost. They are more expensive and can be brittle, making them less ideal for major impacts.

Casual vs. Freestyle Skating

Think about how you use your skateboard. Do you enjoy long, relaxing cruises around town? Or do you prefer landing technical tricks at the skatepark? Your answer will guide your purchase. Different styles demand different bearing features.

How Riding Style Affects Bearing Choice

For cruising, speed and smoothness are key. Bearings with a high ABEC rating or ceramic bearings are excellent choices. They roll faster and for longer with less effort. For freestyle and street skating, durability is more important. A solid set of steel bearings will withstand hard impacts from jumps and grinds.

What Are Bearing Spacers?

Bearing spacers are small metal cylinders. They fit inside your wheel between the two bearings. Their job is to reduce the pressure put on your bearings when you tighten your axle nuts. This keeps the bearings perfectly aligned.

Benefits of Using Spacers in Your Setup

Using spacers is highly recommended. They protect your bearings from being crushed. This allows them to spin freely and last much longer. Your rides will feel more stable and smooth, especially during turns and slides. Properly installed skateboard wheel bearings with spacers will significantly improve your performance.

Lubrication Requirements

To keep your bearings in top shape, you must clean and lubricate them. You should clean them when they sound gritty or feel slow. Use a specialized bearing cleaner and lubricant. Avoid using all-purpose oils like WD-40, as they attract dirt and can damage your parts.

Lifespan of Bearings and Spacers

A bearing’s lifespan depends on maintenance and riding style. Keeping your bearings clean and dry is the best way to extend their life. Steel bearings can last a long time with proper care. Ceramic bearings often last even longer thanks to their rust-proof nature. With these tips, finding the perfect skateboard bearings and spacers is simple.