Skateboard Bearing FAQ
Skateboard bearings are responsible for how smoothly and efficiently your wheels spin. While they're one of the smallest parts of your setup, choosing the right bearings—and maintaining them properly—can improve speed, durability, and overall ride quality. Here are answers to the most common questions about skateboard bearings.
Bones Reds vs. Bronson G3 bearings
Both Bones Reds and Bronson G3 bearings are among the most popular bearings in skateboarding, but they have slightly different characteristics.
Bones Reds
- Industry standard for value and performance
- Smooth, fast, and easy to maintain
- Trusted by skaters for decades
- Excellent choice for street, park, and transition
Bronson G3
- Designed with specialized raceways to help reduce impact damage
- Excellent dirt and moisture resistance
- Fast acceleration
- Quiet, smooth performance
You can't go wrong with either. Bones Reds are known for their outstanding value, while Bronson G3 bearings offer additional engineering features for durability and contamination resistance.
Are Swiss bearings worth it?
Swiss bearings are premium bearings manufactured to extremely tight tolerances using high-quality materials.
Benefits include:
- Smoother rolling
- Longer lifespan
- Better corrosion resistance
- Higher manufacturing precision
For experienced skaters who ride frequently, Swiss bearings can be a worthwhile investment. Casual skaters and beginners are often perfectly served by quality bearings like Bones Reds or Bronson G3.
Are ceramic bearings better?
Ceramic bearings use ceramic balls instead of traditional steel balls.
Advantages include:
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Less heat buildup
- Extremely smooth operation
- Potentially longer lifespan with proper maintenance
However, ceramic bearings are significantly more expensive, and most skateboarders won't notice enough performance difference to justify the cost.
What is ABEC?
ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Committee, a system that measures manufacturing tolerances for industrial bearings.
Many people assume a higher ABEC rating means a faster skateboard bearing, but that's a common misconception.
Skateboard performance depends on factors such as:
- Bearing materials
- Lubrication
- Shield design
- Impact resistance
- Overall build quality
Many of the best skateboard bearings don't even use ABEC ratings because the standard wasn't designed specifically for skateboarding.
Do bearing spacers matter?
Bearing spacers fit between the two bearings inside each wheel.
They can help:
- Improve bearing alignment
- Reduce side loading
- Make tightening axle nuts easier
- Increase bearing life in some setups
Many experienced skaters ride without spacers, while others prefer them for added consistency. They're beneficial but not absolutely required.
What are bearing shields?
Bearing shields cover the balls and races inside the bearing.
Their purpose is to help keep out:
- Dirt
- Dust
- Sand
- Moisture
Some shields are removable for easier cleaning, while others are permanently attached.
Can skateboard bearings get wet?
Yes—but they shouldn't stay wet.
Water can:
- Wash away lubricant
- Cause rust
- Reduce bearing life
- Create rough rolling
If your bearings get wet, dry them as soon as possible, clean them if necessary, and apply fresh lubricant before skating again.
Can you clean skateboard bearings?
Absolutely.
Cleaning bearings can restore performance and extend their lifespan.
A typical cleaning process includes:
- Remove the bearings from the wheels.
- Remove the shields if they're removable.
- Clean with an appropriate bearing cleaner or solvent.
- Allow them to dry completely.
- Apply fresh bearing lubricant.
- Reinstall the shields and bearings.
Regular cleaning helps keep bearings rolling smoothly.
What's the best lubricant for skateboard bearings?
Use lubricants specifically designed for skateboard bearings.
Popular options include:
- Bones Speed Cream
- Bronson High Speed Oil
- Other lightweight bearing oils
Avoid thick grease or household lubricants like WD-40 as a permanent lubricant. While WD-40 can help displace moisture or loosen rust, it isn't designed to provide long-term lubrication for skateboard bearings.
How long should skateboard bearings last?
Bearing lifespan depends on:
- Riding frequency
- Weather conditions
- Maintenance
- Riding surfaces
- Bearing quality
Well-maintained premium bearings can last for many years.
Skaters who ride in rain, dirt, or dusty conditions may need to replace bearings much sooner.
Why are my bearings noisy?
Noisy bearings are usually caused by:
- Dirt
- Dust
- Lack of lubrication
- Rust
- Normal wear
A noisy bearing doesn't always need replacement.
Cleaning and lubricating the bearings often restores smooth performance.
Should skateboard bearings spin forever?
No.
Many people judge bearings by how long they spin in their hand, but that's not an accurate measure of performance.
A properly lubricated bearing may stop spinning sooner than a dry bearing because the lubricant creates slight resistance.
What matters most is how smoothly the bearings roll under your weight while skating—not how long they free-spin in the air.
How tight should axle nuts be?
Axle nuts should be tightened until there is almost no side-to-side movement in the wheel while still allowing it to spin freely.
If the nut is too loose, the wheel will wobble.
If it's too tight, the bearings may bind and reduce performance.
The goal is smooth spinning with minimal side play.
How many bearings do I need?
A standard skateboard uses:
- 8 bearings total
- 2 bearings per wheel
Longboards, cruisers, and most skateboards all use the same basic configuration.
Some specialty wheels also use bearing spacers and speed rings, but the number of bearings remains the same.
What's the best way to remove skateboard bearings?
The easiest methods include:
- Using a skate tool with a built-in bearing puller
- Using the truck axle to carefully pry the bearing out
- Using a dedicated bearing press and remover
Always remove bearings carefully to avoid damaging the shields or the wheel core.
If you're replacing multiple bearings regularly, a bearing press/removal tool makes the job much faster and reduces the risk of damage.