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Longboard bearings

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smooticus
Posts: 1798 - Karma: 27
So I just started boarding a lot this last summer, i got myself a cheap board and i like the deck and trucks but its just slow as fuck. Sooo i need bearings. I dont wanna spend too much, what do i need to know. How much is it going to cost me. I can just buy bearing without wheels right.
Feb 18 2010 7:29PM
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THATS_STREET
Posts: 2250 - Karma: 33
get some swiss bones 45 bucks good deal if you take proper care of them
Feb 18 2010 7:30PM
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B.Pol
Posts: 1750 - Karma: 59
Really bearings don't matter unless your are doing intense downhill longboarding. A lot of it can be the hardness of the wheel, also the size of the wheels. Me and my friend have the same duromater wheels and he is just a little faster because his wheels are small, so they start rolling faster than my bigger wheels.
Feb 18 2010 7:32PM
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smooticus
Posts: 1798 - Karma: 27
Hmm, somehow i doubt that the size of the wheel matters much, and 45 bucks just for bearings lol, im having second thoughts. i was thinking like 20 to 30
Feb 18 2010 7:38PM
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THATS_STREET
Posts: 2250 - Karma: 33
get china bones. it doesnt matter that much really but they will be much better than the stock ones your board came with.



Feb 18 2010 7:39PM
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CWAZY
Posts: 62 - Karma: 12
get some mini-logo if you re broke (10$) or some redz if you have a bit more money (20$), some bearing spacers if you slide a lot and clean your bearings (check youtube for tuts).
Feb 18 2010 7:41PM
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B.Pol
Posts: 1750 - Karma: 59
Ok whatever you say, it matters a lot though.
Feb 18 2010 7:42PM
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saucybiscuits
Posts: 2554 - Karma: 173
Loaded boards are really fast. they all use these:

http://www.loadedboards.com/gear/bearings.html
Feb 18 2010 7:44PM
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smooticus
Posts: 1798 - Karma: 27
i dont mean to hate, im sure you know more than me. wheels are pricey tho. and im not looking to slide or haul ass or anything, just cruising around town, i want to be able to push efficiently
Feb 18 2010 7:45PM
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steviecakes
Posts: 83 - Karma: 10
I've had friends use the same bones reds through many boards/years. The extra $3-5 up from shitty generic bearings are well worth it. Just clean them every now and then and they'll be fast enough.
Feb 18 2010 7:46PM
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a_pla5tic_bag
Posts: 9215 - Karma: 5,398
I'm pretty sure wheel size matters. But there's some bones bearings that are like $120, pretty expensive but apparently they're amazing. Well, they better be for that price. Otherwise the lower forms of bones are probably fine.
Feb 18 2010 7:50PM
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Hack.The.Pow.
Posts: 1294 - Karma: 25
^ Yeah Bones Reds are where its at. There around 20 bucks and they perform really well. As someone stated before any higher of performance of bearing is kinda unnecessary unless your doing rediculous downhill.
Feb 18 2010 7:51PM
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Gnarmander
Posts: 104 - Karma: 12
This is what's up. They cost like $15 a set and are pretty quick for the price, and if they wear out it won't break the bank to replace them. If I understand correctly they design as a higher end model of Bones bearings, just made in China so they're cheaper to produce.

As far as wheels go, generally:
Smaller = faster acceleration
Larger = higher top speed
Harder = easier to slide, slightly faster
Softer = grippier, smoother ride
Feb 18 2010 7:52PM
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fragglemuffin
Posts: 3312 - Karma: 444
this. and, if you dont already have them, get some speed rings (two on each axle, one on each side of the wheel) also, don't over tighten the axle nuts.
Feb 18 2010 8:02PM
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smooticus
Posts: 1798 - Karma: 27
Sweet thanks
Feb 18 2010 8:07PM
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LMPJibbin
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 17
bones reds. BEST bearings out there for their price and just great in general.

ive used bones ceramics aswell which are great but to be honest i dont think they are worth the money unless your really willing to spend for that "extra" bit of speed
Feb 18 2010 8:14PM
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Ryan10271
Posts: 78 - Karma: 15

ABEC rating has absolutely NOTHING to do with bearing performance in any sort of skateboarding. The minute differences would only come into play at speeds upwards of like 100mph on 52mm skateboard wheels.

However, quality, and cleanliness do matter. Ceramic bearings have some small benefit, but i forget what.

Best bang for your buck? Daddies board shop bearings, something like $8, rubber seals, nice quality.

Clean them, and lube them, and all bearings will pretty much feel the same.

Feb 18 2010 9:00PM
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B.Pol
Posts: 1750 - Karma: 59
Thank you, but 100mph is a little bit of a exaggeration.
Feb 19 2010 1:04PM
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