Anyone ever tried full-ceramic bearings?

[OwlGreen]

Hambini on YouTube had some stats about the rolling resistance of various types of bearings. Hybrid ceramics start out fast, but slow down with use as the ceramic balls wear out the steel races. After a few 100s of kilometers, full steel bearings are faster than hybrid ceramics with the same distance ridden.

He didn't test full ceramics. I suspect they are prone to the races cracking. Still, I'm curious. I've seen one or two downhill skate brands sell them. Anyone ever tried them on a street setup?

[passthegeritol]

I’ve had 2 pairs each for 5ish years.  The only reason I had to get a second set was that my board was stolen.  Both sets were bones ceramics, pricey but absolutely worth it!  I keep the shields on, clean and oil them 2-3 times a year and have had no issues at all.  They are noticeably faster and absolutely worth spending a little extra on in my experience.

[commander jameson]

I’ve had 2 pairs each for 5ish years.  The only reason I had to get a second set was that my board was stolen.  Both sets were bones ceramics, pricey but absolutely worth it!  I keep the shields on, clean and oil them 2-3 times a year and have had no issues at all.  They are noticeably faster and absolutely worth spending a little extra on in my experience.

Bones Ceramics are hybrid bearings, ceramic balls with steel inner and outer rings/races.
I believe that full ceramic bearings would be too fragile for impacts in street skateboarding.

[OwlGreen]

Expand Quote

I’ve had 2 pairs each for 5ish years.  The only reason I had to get a second set was that my board was stolen.  Both sets were bones ceramics, pricey but absolutely worth it!  I keep the shields on, clean and oil them 2-3 times a year and have had no issues at all.  They are noticeably faster and absolutely worth spending a little extra on in my experience.

[close]

Bones Ceramics are hybrid bearings, ceramic balls with steel inner and outer rings/races.
I believe that full ceramic bearings would be too fragile for impacts in street skateboarding.

Yeah, this is what everyone says. I just wonder if anyone has tried them. Maybe if the races are a harder ceramic than the balls it could be ok. There's also a cageless design with 11 balls instead of 6 or 7 in a 608. That would distribute the weight better. But they have a little cutout in order to be loaded which could be problematic.

What's up with sealed bearings? Are they just slow as fuck?

[passthegeritol]

Thanks for clarifying commander, you are absolutely right about bones.

Come to think of it I did experiment with some full ceramics I bought directly from a manufacturer.  They were fast but the balls did end up breaking on me.

[passthegeritol]

Would not recommend

[OwlGreen]

Thanks for clarifying commander, you are absolutely right about bones.

Come to think of it I did experiment with some full ceramics I bought directly from a manufacturer.  They were fast but the balls did end up breaking on me.

The balls broke? Not the races?

[Democratic Republic Of Mongo]

I feel like I’ve been fooled by ceramic urban legends, bro science and wives tales. Never again. 

[Unkle Fleak]

I’m like not so sure about that ceramic wearing out the race.

[Unkle Fleak]

I am interested in an update on Pals findings.

I need one for this winter. I slush bloard almost always.  I got a fully locked up 6 seasons deep foul weather board in my mud hall.

It only rolls in the rain now.  I did 4.5 miles total on a trip to help my grandmother before she died. Filmed the hill bomb on the way back. Cars was honking and shit like I didn’t got.

Fools know now.

Set up was a 8.5 krooked team. Oh gee ace 44s and the personal favorite foul weather wheel. Rodney Mullen 54mm bones stfs. They square so they cut straight to the black top. Fuckin Reds. Idk man. No matter how rusty they get a little water and some street salt and I’m going again.

It’s weird. Not an inch in dry wea


Square and skinny is best in the New England slush. If you be going in cross country an shit