Everything you need to know about Bearings
What Are Skateboard Bearings?
Each wheel takes 2 bearings (so a full set = 8 bearings)
Made of steel or ceramic
Consist of balls between two metal rings (races), held together by a cage, and sometimes protected by shields
ABEC Rating — What It Really Means
ABEC = "Annular Bearing Engineers Committee"
It measures tolerances — how precisely the bearing is manufactured
ABEC levels: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 (higher = more precision)
**NOTICE**
ABEC ratings don’t fully apply to skateboarding
They’re made for machines, not skating
Doesn’t factor in impact strength, side loading, or dirt resistance
An ABEC 7 may spin smoother in a lab, but not necessarily better for skating than an ABEC 5 made for street abuse
Standard Steel Bearings
Swiss Bearings (e.g. Bones Swiss)
Swiss Bearings (e.g. Bones Swiss)
Most common and affordable
Good for street, park, beginner setups
Decent speed, but wear out faster than higher-end types
Swiss Bearings (e.g. Bones Swiss)
Swiss Bearings (e.g. Bones Swiss)
Swiss Bearings (e.g. Bones Swiss)
Precision-made (not just the name)
Super smooth, fast, and durable
Often use better materials and design, not necessarily Swiss-made
Great for transition, vert, or serious street skating
Bones Swiss or Super Swiss 6 are top-tier here
Ceramic Bearings
Swiss Bearings (e.g. Bones Swiss)
Ceramic Bearings
Use ceramic balls (instead of steel)
Lighter, stronger, heat-resistant, don't rust
Spin faster and longer
Very expensive
Great for speed and long-distance, but overkill for everyday street tricks
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