Author Topic: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?  (Read 88305 times)

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helvetetsljus

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #210 on: February 27, 2020, 04:12:51 PM »
Running Swiss, Big Balls, Race Reds and NMB's on my setups.

Swiss are Swiss and always what I've defaulted to but I just wanted to give something less expensive a try because corrosion happens fast where I live now (sub-tropical island) and Bones Swiss cost around $85 a set here. The outer races of my Bones bearings start rusting quick here without ever rolling through water so I thought if I could save a few bucks it would be worth it. I've tried the whole wiping a tiny bit of speed cream on them but that just attracts dirt and they still start to corrode just as fast. I'm fine with performing basic maintenance on bearings but as far as spending time doing regular corrosion control on tiny bearing races, not so much.

The Big Balls are disappointing. Noisy, not a good noisy, a cheap noisy and even with spacers they're noticeably slower. Race Reds are fast, really fast and have a great sound to them. I like them a lot but they only work well if the cores in all four wheels are manufactured to spec. One goofed up wheel core and the whole thing goes to hell. Another thing I love about the Race Reds is the Bones Bearing tool actually works as an extractor with them, the little balls lock into the inner race so you can pull them straight out (something you can't do without wiggling if you have individual bearings and spacers). The no washers or spacer chatter is a nice bonus too. At around $48 I'll probably use these on all my precision cored wheels in the future. 

The big surprise here is the $22 ($14.99 in the US) NMB's. I decided to get a set a few months ago (haven't had NMB's since the early 90's) when ordering some new Acid Chemical Co wheels from SOP. They're really fast and really quiet. I've been skating them a lot the past few months and they're holding up well. They're completely sealed on both sides so the "no maintenance" claim seems to be holding true. There's also no visible signs of corrosion yet either like I get within a month or two with Bones. I'll definitely be going with these for my budget bearings over regular Bones Reds. Yes, once one goes bad all you can really do is dispose of it  (unless you're a bearing maintenance wizard) but where I live I can have the metals recycling pick them up just like they do my old cracked or used up trucks. So I don't feel so bad about buying disposable bearings.

Bearings are always a hard topic. Everyone installs them differently, maintains them differently, spacers versus no spacers etc etc. There's so many variables that can change the experience from one person to the next. This is just my experience as an "always spacers/no wheel play" skater.


jay_nev

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #211 on: February 27, 2020, 07:26:07 PM »
Nice write up. Where to find NMB’s here in the US?

helvetetsljus

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #212 on: February 27, 2020, 08:54:19 PM »

Nth syd bear

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #213 on: February 28, 2020, 04:19:06 PM »
I set up bones big balls and a set of f4 classics last night and it was problems all night
Even stopped midway and put spacers in went back out and still fucckery

This wheel bearing combo not working at all

I saw above old mate above wasn't impressed by big balls either..
Haha

What's the consensus do big balls suck balls?? Or is this a qc issue

ILikeToMilkDucks

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #214 on: February 29, 2020, 12:00:26 AM »
I set up bones big balls and a set of f4 classics last night and it was problems all night
Even stopped midway and put spacers in went back out and still fucckery

This wheel bearing combo not working at all

I saw above old mate above wasn't impressed by big balls either..
Haha

What's the consensus do big balls suck balls?? Or is this a qc issue

I just ordered a set. Should be here on tuesday, going to use them with 53mm slime balls. Lots of balls going on here.

Usually you can get a general idea of a product, but big balls have the most insanely polarizing opinions. Doesn't take long to find out bronson raw isn't all that great, but then you have people that really love the big balls and others who think they're shittier reds.

Guess I'm going to find out first hand.

Nth syd bear

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #215 on: February 29, 2020, 02:14:05 AM »
Expand Quote
I set up bones big balls and a set of f4 classics last night and it was problems all night
Even stopped midway and put spacers in went back out and still fucckery

This wheel bearing combo not working at all

I saw above old mate above wasn't impressed by big balls either..
Haha

What's the consensus do big balls suck balls?? Or is this a qc issue
[close]

I just ordered a set. Should be here on tuesday, going to use them with 53mm slime balls. Lots of balls going on here.

Usually you can get a general idea of a product, but big balls have the most insanely polarizing opinions. Doesn't take long to find out bronson raw isn't all that great, but then you have people that really love the big balls and others who think they're shittier reds.

Guess I'm going to find out first hand.

Best of luck to you.    I'm swapping them out for a set of reds I bought at the same

Modus black are very good for a budget bearing
Only had a couple of sets of each but found them smoother and more reliable than reds

Sila

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #216 on: February 29, 2020, 05:58:22 AM »
Modus Blues at the moment. I prefer them over Reds as a reliable and cheap bearing.

honey island

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #217 on: February 29, 2020, 04:01:08 PM »
honestly, been running cheapshots, and have no issue with them. ever since i heard a lot of guys on spitfire who don't have a bearing sponsor will run the cheapshots, i've barely thought about my bearings.

Davethedavedave

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #218 on: March 01, 2020, 12:15:54 AM »
Big balls are more durable than reds in my experience

rocklobster

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #219 on: March 01, 2020, 04:27:04 AM »
Just got me some Bones Super Reds, the smoothness was throwing me off since my previous bearings were cheap and shitty.
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Uncle Flea

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #220 on: March 01, 2020, 06:22:26 AM »
Just got me some Bones Super Reds, the smoothness was throwing me off since my previous bearings were cheap and shitty.

take care of them they will be smooth 10 years from now.
Plz stop killing each other
(A)pl(E)




the snake

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #221 on: March 01, 2020, 06:50:32 AM »
No problem with my Bigballs/Radials slim F4 with spacers after a good amount of sessions in a month, they're still great and smooth, you guys are crazy lol
« Last Edit: March 01, 2020, 06:53:17 AM by the snake »

jay_nev

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Smartass

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #223 on: March 05, 2020, 08:36:48 AM »
Legit? Reds for $11?

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283795420424

Honestly speaking since the dude has like no rep on eBay, I'd say good chance these are fakes. I mean realistically though, how much different can be they be from actual reds, especially since most of the time the fakes and the real red are made in the same factory.


Alex

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #224 on: March 05, 2020, 08:57:57 AM »
https://www.vxb.com/8-Skateboard-608-2rs-Sealed-Ceramic-8x22x7mm-p/608-2rs-8.htm

I've been running a set of these ceramics in my cruiser all winter and they're quick! Had to replace a couple damaged shields, but they've put up with water, salt, and sub freezing temps. 

No word on how they hold up to impact of regular skating yet, but I'll be trying them out in a regular setup this summer

Uncle Flea

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #225 on: March 05, 2020, 03:37:17 PM »
I was selling rebuilds for
https://www.vxb.com/8-Skateboard-608-2rs-Sealed-Ceramic-8x22x7mm-p/608-2rs-8.htm

I've been running a set of these ceramics in my cruiser all winter and they're quick! Had to replace a couple damaged shields, but they've put up with water, salt, and sub freezing temps. 

No word on how they hold up to impact of regular skating yet, but I'll be trying them out in a regular setup this summer
10

If gnar you if I could. I'm definitely going to try these.
https://www.vxb.com/8-Skateboard-608-2rs-Sealed-Ceramic-8x22x7mm-p/608-2rs-8.htm

I've been running a set of these ceramics in my cruiser all winter and they're quick! Had to replace a couple damaged shields, but they've put up with water, salt, and sub freezing temps. 

No word on how they hold up to impact of regular skating yet, but I'll be trying them out in a regular setup this summer

that's a super red. I know bearings very well. I would gnar you if I could
Plz stop killing each other
(A)pl(E)




jay_nev

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #226 on: March 05, 2020, 03:53:59 PM »
$15.54 to ship those ground geez

Alex

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #227 on: March 06, 2020, 05:17:08 AM »
$15.54 to ship those ground geez

USPS standard shipping is $3.69 if you select "other carriers"

jay_nev

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #228 on: March 06, 2020, 05:19:54 AM »
Expand Quote
$15.54 to ship those ground geez
[close]

USPS standard shipping is $3.69 if you select "other carriers"
missed tht first time around I guess. thanks. How did you find these? And what happened with the shields? Was it only bc you used them in shit weather?

Alex

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #229 on: March 06, 2020, 05:39:16 AM »
Expand Quote
Expand Quote
$15.54 to ship those ground geez
[close]

USPS standard shipping is $3.69 if you select "other carriers"
[close]
missed tht first time around I guess. thanks. How did you find these? And what happened with the shields? Was it only bc you used them in shit weather?

I read somewhere, maybe a post on here, that the majority of bearings are made in the same factory so I went looking for a wholesaler. The shields were all fine when I got them but a couple of them started to rub after a couple weeks. Once I replaced them with random shields I had lying around they've needed zero maintenance for the past few months. They don't have any sort of labyrinth / fancy shields or come with any packaging / spacers, but the bearings have been more than worth it for a rain and winter setup.

slappy50

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #230 on: March 06, 2020, 07:39:35 AM »
They come in a set of 8, right? or is it just one? 9.95 seems awfully cheap for 8



shalom
niggling

[/quote]

jay_nev

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #231 on: March 06, 2020, 07:41:58 AM »
They come in a set of 8, right? or is it just one? 9.95 seems awfully cheap for 8



shalom
not sure if troll.

Pack of 8 Ball Bearings
608-2RS with Ceramic Balls
8-608-2RS


slappy50

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #232 on: March 06, 2020, 07:44:03 AM »
Expand Quote
They come in a set of 8, right? or is it just one? 9.95 seems awfully cheap for 8

Not troll, just unsure.


shalom
[close]
not sure if troll.

Pack of 8 Ball Bearings
608-2RS with Ceramic Balls
8-608-2RS
niggling

[/quote]

backinaction

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #233 on: March 06, 2020, 11:50:46 AM »

that's a super red. I know bearings very well. I would gnar you if I could

Aren't reds ceramics made of Silicon Nitride balls - which are dark in appearance?  These are Zirconia ones - white balls.

VXB also makes Silicon Nitride ones, but they are closer to $50 for a set.

whatsreallygood

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #234 on: March 06, 2020, 05:01:02 PM »
Like, a gross mashup of china reds and china ceramics from more than 5 years ago. I just swap out the ceramic when they eventually break. I went through a really weird bearing breaking phase which I assume was just cause the ceramics were all starting to get old after 5 years and a bunch started to blow out, thus the reds added to the mix

Ziad

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #235 on: March 07, 2020, 02:12:45 PM »
swiss for like 5 years now

authentic_creed_bratton

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #236 on: March 07, 2020, 07:35:26 PM »
vxb has some silicone nitride ceramic bearings with built in spacers for $35. peaks the shit out of my curiosity


https://www.vxb.com/8-Skateboard-Extended-SI3N4-Ceramic-Built-in-p/kit16855.htm


🤙

munchbox

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #237 on: March 09, 2020, 10:06:05 PM »
swiss 6 are on my shopping list. tired of having to push forever on china reds
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sneakpeekmeek

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #238 on: March 09, 2020, 10:29:49 PM »
swiss 6 are on my shopping list. tired of having to push forever on china reds

Not a huge bargain, but amazon is selling super Swiss 6 for 55 bucks. They’re legit if you get them from the seller “fish bone apparel”

jay_nev

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Re: Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?
« Reply #239 on: March 10, 2020, 11:21:04 AM »
speed oil? "This is our secret formula. We private label this to a few companies but cannot disclose which ones.."
https://tgmskateboards.com/bearing-speed-oil/

or bones speed cream?