| If you think you need new bearings for your inline | | | | want to stick with this type of bearing and just replace |
| skates, it's best to check your bearings for wear using | | | | them when they need to be changed. |
| the tests provided in this article. Your bearings are at | | | | In addition, if you have shielded bearings with pop-out |
| the core of your wheels and reduce friction so you | | | | caps, like Powell Swiss or Black Hole brands, and like |
| can skate smoothly and efficiently. Hence, they need | | | | them for their ease of maintenance, it's probably best |
| to be maintained properly from season to season. | | | | to go with this kind of bearing again. |
| Checking for wear | | | | Buying new bearings |
| The following are indications of major, bearing wear | | | | My K2 skates have 8-mm, TwinCam, ABEC-1, |
| from a no-load, finger-flick, spin test: | | | | double-shielded bearings with the following inscribed on |
| 1. One or more of your wheels stick(s) periodically | | | | the casings: |
| 2. One or more of your wheels (is) are seized | | | | - TwinCam |
| 3. One or more or your wheels require(s) a lot of | | | | - ABEC-1 |
| force to spin | | | | - 608 ZZ |
| 4. One or more of your wheels spin(s) freely for only a | | | | Normally, the manufacturer or brand doesn't make a |
| second or two | | | | lot of difference within the three categories of shielded, |
| In addition, the following are signs of major, bearing | | | | serviceable bearings, shielded, serviceable bearings |
| wear from a spin test with the skater as the load: | | | | with pop-up caps, and sealed, non-serviceable |
| 1. While skating you hear a loud, grinding noise from | | | | bearings. A bearing size of 8 mm and the 608 |
| your bearings | | | | designation are fine for recreational, inline skaters. The |
| 2. It requires a lot of effort to pick up and maintain | | | | ABEC rating is another story! |
| speed | | | | ABEC-1, 3, and 5 are the most common bearings that |
| 3. Your bearings are hot to the touch after a roll | | | | come with inline skates, as well as the newer |
| You may also want to replace your inline skate | | | | ABEC-7s, which are gaining in popularity. Whether a |
| bearings if you decide to switch to a different type of | | | | skater can go faster with ABEC-5 bearings versus |
| bearing. You may want to change from shielded | | | | ABEC-1 bearings has never been proven, scientifically |
| bearings to sealed or racing bearings. | | | | or otherwise. |
| Learning the ABEC Scale | | | | Furthermore, the higher precision may not make a |
| Bearings are rated on the Annular Bearing Engineering | | | | significant difference for the recreational skater who |
| Council (ABEC) scale. Ratings are numbered 1, 3, 5, 7, | | | | travels in the 10 to 20 mph range. The average skater |
| and 9 on the ABEC scale. The higher the number is, | | | | doesn't require a higher-rated bearing because the |
| the greater the manufactured precision of the bearing. | | | | difference in performance is so minimal that it would |
| However, there are no required materials to meet the | | | | only become apparent at speeds an inline skater |
| ABEC specifications. The bearings only have to be | | | | never attains. |
| made to a certain precision. That's all! | | | | In addition, the higher precision eventually deteriorates |
| Servicing your bearings | | | | down to ABEC-3 or 1 due to dust, dirt, and regular |
| Inline skate bearings usually come in sets of four to | | | | wear and tear. To increase your skating speed, you'd |
| eight. Before you head out to your favorite sporting | | | | be better off to improve your technique and learn how |
| goods store, write down the information that's shown | | | | to cut down on wind resistance. These are proven |
| on the outer shields of your bearings. Don't forget to | | | | ways to make you a faster and more efficient skater. |
| flip the bearing over and include the text that's | | | | So, get the most affordable ABEC-1 or ABEC-3 inline |
| inscribed on the other side. | | | | skate bearings you can find, clean and lube them with |
| If you're happy with the original bearings that came | | | | oil or grease on an annual basis, and you'll be just fine. |
| with your skates or the last set you installed, by all | | | | Summing Up |
| means buy the same bearings. If you have serviceable | | | | When it comes time to purchase new bearings for |
| bearings like TwinCams or YAKs and you don't mind | | | | your inline skates, make sure you write down the |
| doing your own cleaning and lubrication than you may | | | | information that's inscribed on the outer casing of your |
| want to stick with the double-shielded type, especially if | | | | bearings before you head to your local, skating shop. In |
| they are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) | | | | addition, beware that an ABEC rating is nothing more |
| that your skate manufacturer recommends. | | | | than a bearing precision. If you find a set of bearings at |
| On the other hand, if you have non-serviceable or | | | | the right price that are suited for your skates, but they |
| sealed bearings and are squeamish about doing your | | | | have a lower ABEC rating, go for it anyway! You'll |
| own cleaning and lubrication, even periodically, you may | | | | probably never notice the difference. |