Buy precision ABEC 5, 7 & 9 skateboard bearings online at Bearing King
Skateboard Bearings
Skateboard bearings are small circular metal devices that allow your wheels to turn, the most common bearing size on most skateboards, scooters, quada, longboard and inlines is the 608 bearing 8mm inside x 22mm outside x 7mm wide. A skateboard requires a set of 8 bearings, 2 per wheel.
Choosing your skateboard bearings depends on your experience level, bearings with higher quality parts will be faster and more durable.
Steel Bearings
Most skateboard bearings are made of steel, chrome steel is the most commonly used steel for bearings as it is hard wearing, steel bearings are more susceptible to rust so if you get the bearings wet you must clean them in order for them to last longer.
Ceramic Bearings
Skateboard ceramic bearings are in fact hybrid bearings, these bearings have ceramic balls which are lighter and stronger than steel balls and have a steel inner and outer race, ceramic balls have a higher speed capability and will provide longer service life than all steel bearings in most applications.
ABEC Rating
The ABEC scale ia an industry accepted standard for the tolerances of a ball bearing. It was developed by the Annular Bearing Engineering Committee (ABEC) of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA). There are five classes from largest to smallest tolerances: 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. There is no ABEC 11 standard despite the claims of some sellers. The higher ABEC classes provide better precision, effciency and greater speed capabilities
ABEC 1 = normal class, least expensive and least accurate
ABEC 3 = class 6, generally inexpensive and does not run as quick as ABEC 5
ABEC 5 = class 5, most standard skate bearing, this gets you a fast speed at an affordable cost
ABEC 7 = class 4, a very fast bearing
ABEC 9 = class 2 , extremely fast, great for downhill skating