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Skateboard Bearings

Skateboard bearings make skating much easier and faster. They are the connection between the axel of the trucks and the wheels and contain within them multiple small balls that decrease the amount of friction caused by the wheels turning. Without them the wheels would heat up very fast and very soon melt right onto the axel of the trucks and the road itself.

The different ratings for skateboard bearings are based on their tolerance and do not represent whether they will be faster or slower. Higher tolerance allows the bearings to last longer, especially at heat which is the main cause for bearing seizures and failure. The ABEC rating system is a measure of tolerance with the higher the number the higher the tolerance, meaning they will be less likely to fail.

Skateboard bearings do affect speed a little bit, but not in ways most people think. A poorly made bearing heats up during use which expands the metal and slows the wheels in turn. A high quality bearing, often made from ceramic and sealed to keep out dirt and debris, dissipates heat very quickly and can retain higher temperatures without affecting performance. Many skating bearings do not adhere to the ABEC system of rating, such as Swiss Bones, but their bearings are designed for skating and offer much better performance than the highest rated ABEC bearings.

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