Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Good bearings are crucial for a good skateboard.

By Todd Martin

Similar to any machine with wheels, skateboards have bearings too. Even though considered a skilled sport, manufacturing skateboards and their parts are still largely influenced by street culture. The bearings are the metal inside the wheels that bear all the weight of the person and the skateboard combined but also provide for highest mobility. Good quality bearings are vital for a good board as they assist to give you a smooth ride.

There are no specific standard rating guidelines for skateboard bearings. The most common types of bearings are wheel bearings. By disparate comparison, expert skateboarders estimate the precision of the bearings and know that the good ones fall under 3 or 5, using the ABEC system of rating bearings used in machines. These bearings can give you a smooth ride but at the same time, they are strong enough to bear the brunt when you jump on your board. But not all manufacturers consider the ABEC when producing skateboard bearings. You wouldnt really know their performance until you try them out yourself.

You may ask for help in replacing the bearings on your skateboard, at the store. But the process is quite simple. You can do it yourself, using a skate key. If you dont have one, a screwdriver will be okay. Then, using the screwdriver, pry out the old bearings from the wheels. Then, take the new bearing and place it at the end of the skate key or screwdriver. Push the bearing into the wheel with even pressure. Repeat the process on other wheel as well. Now put those on the tracks and youre job is finished.

Right maintenance of the ball bearings is the key to make sure they dont give you any troubles. Bad bearings usually are the causes of the clunking noises you hear as you roll the wheel or the coarse feel on the wheel. One trouble with ball bearings is that they can rub against each other, causing additional friction, but this can be prevented by placing the balls in a cage and properly lubricate them. The bearings tend to wear over time, and you cannot really do anything about it but to replace them. It is advisable that you find the equal quality, as some lesser quality wheel bearings may not keep up with your original ball bearings, and you may end up ruining your skateboard.

There are various brands of skateboard bearings available in the market nowadays; these include Zoo York skateboard bearings, Flip skateboard bearings, Girl skateboard bearings, Sector 9 skateboard bearings, etc. You can find one at right price right now! Also view a wide selection of Skateboarding accessories that come with a 30-day money back guarantee. - 20785

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