Which Bearings Are You Guys Running?

[FUBAR]

I love those Black Panthers. I’ve been riding a set on and off for like five years now and they are still great. I might have lubed them up once.

[logjammin]

I guess we just get lucky with bearing sets that are not supposed to be the premium choice sometimes. Haven't had a set of bearings treat me this good in a decade it feels like. Regular ass reds with the shields off. Have cleaned them a couple times with pure acetone in the beginning and always run them shieldless. Beating the hell out of them all summer and even rolling in dust/dirt, they roll forever. Not even lubed. I love fucking with everything else besides bearings so I'm relieved.

[Southernmost]

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I’ll keep the shields on these Swiss for a month then they’re coming off. I hate silent bearings. Gotta hear my skateboard. It turns me on lol

Might dunk them in some alcohol too to dry them out 🤤

[close]

Don’t take the shields off. They will get louder after a few sessions. I have a set from 2006 that’s still going strong, I just clean and relube them 2-3 times a year. If you remove the shield they’re going to die prematurely.

[close]

I still can't tell if people are being sarcastic about popping shields. Except for labyrinth-sealed, all current bearings on the market or shielded only--they not make contact with the bearings or inner race and create no friction. Also, part of the premium for Swiss bearings is that the shield does a better job at keeping dirt out.

If your bearings are loud, they need lubrication.

My pair of Swiss with the shields popped seem to roll faster and stronger than my pair with shields. The added sound effects is def a bonus.

[ejazzle]

Anyone had a pair of bronson raws that just one single bearing gets completely rusted? Really like these too.

[Chavo]

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I’ll keep the shields on these Swiss for a month then they’re coming off. I hate silent bearings. Gotta hear my skateboard. It turns me on lol

Might dunk them in some alcohol too to dry them out 🤤

[close]

Don’t take the shields off. They will get louder after a few sessions. I have a set from 2006 that’s still going strong, I just clean and relube them 2-3 times a year. If you remove the shield they’re going to die prematurely.

[close]

I still can't tell if people are being sarcastic about popping shields. Except for labyrinth-sealed, all current bearings on the market or shielded only--they not make contact with the bearings or inner race and create no friction. Also, part of the premium for Swiss bearings is that the shield does a better job at keeping dirt out.

If your bearings are loud, they need lubrication.

[close]

My pair of Swiss with the shields popped seem to roll faster and stronger than my pair with shields. The added sound effects is def a bonus.

You're joking about the sound effects right?

I think most people are denting their shields when they install their wheels. The edges of sockets and most box end wrenches are the ideal diameter to make contact with the weakest part of the shield. I don't know of any skate tool currently available that prevents this and I imagine no one is actively careful when tightening their wheels.

[Scottboarding]

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I’ll keep the shields on these Swiss for a month then they’re coming off. I hate silent bearings. Gotta hear my skateboard. It turns me on lol

Might dunk them in some alcohol too to dry them out 🤤

[close]

Don’t take the shields off. They will get louder after a few sessions. I have a set from 2006 that’s still going strong, I just clean and relube them 2-3 times a year. If you remove the shield they’re going to die prematurely.

[close]

I still can't tell if people are being sarcastic about popping shields. Except for labyrinth-sealed, all current bearings on the market or shielded only--they not make contact with the bearings or inner race and create no friction. Also, part of the premium for Swiss bearings is that the shield does a better job at keeping dirt out.

If your bearings are loud, they need lubrication.

[close]

My pair of Swiss with the shields popped seem to roll faster and stronger than my pair with shields. The added sound effects is def a bonus.

[close]

You're joking about the sound effects right?

I think most people are denting their shields when they install their wheels. The edges of sockets and most box end wrenches are the ideal diameter to make contact with the weakest part of the shield. I don't know of any skate tool currently available that prevents this and I imagine no one is actively careful when tightening their wheels.

Indy makes a tool that widens out at the edge so even when you press down all the way it doesn’t make contact with the shield. I own it and it works great.

https://nhsskatedirect.com/products/independent-bearing-saver-t-tool-skate-tool-black-each?variant=40118560555165&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiaHHmYnigQMVHxmtBh0mzQtqEAQYASABEgJ7mfD_BwE

[Chavo]

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I’ll keep the shields on these Swiss for a month then they’re coming off. I hate silent bearings. Gotta hear my skateboard. It turns me on lol

Might dunk them in some alcohol too to dry them out 🤤

[close]

Don’t take the shields off. They will get louder after a few sessions. I have a set from 2006 that’s still going strong, I just clean and relube them 2-3 times a year. If you remove the shield they’re going to die prematurely.

[close]

I still can't tell if people are being sarcastic about popping shields. Except for labyrinth-sealed, all current bearings on the market or shielded only--they not make contact with the bearings or inner race and create no friction. Also, part of the premium for Swiss bearings is that the shield does a better job at keeping dirt out.

If your bearings are loud, they need lubrication.

[close]

My pair of Swiss with the shields popped seem to roll faster and stronger than my pair with shields. The added sound effects is def a bonus.

[close]

You're joking about the sound effects right?

I think most people are denting their shields when they install their wheels. The edges of sockets and most box end wrenches are the ideal diameter to make contact with the weakest part of the shield. I don't know of any skate tool currently available that prevents this and I imagine no one is actively careful when tightening their wheels.

[close]

Indy makes a tool that widens out at the edge so even when you press down all the way it doesn’t make contact with the shield. I own it and it works great.

https://nhsskatedirect.com/products/independent-bearing-saver-t-tool-skate-tool-black-each?variant=40118560555165&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiaHHmYnigQMVHxmtBh0mzQtqEAQYASABEgJ7mfD_BwE

Thanks for posting this. I know Tensor made one years ago but did not know that anyone else had one (I've looked for years). It would be nice if someone made a version to fit a 3/8" socket wrench.

[Banned from the room]

My swiss are rusted out on the table. I'm going to put the cages in my ceramics eventually.

The swiss cages never have pits in the cups that hole the bearings and they look better manufactured. Like they're less likely to break.

I'll just throw them in if the old race cages break.

[ish_wav]

Is anyone still riding quantum bearings? Rode mine for about a year but in that year, they would seize up even with regular (maybe even meticulous) cleaning. Switched back to bones Swiss and haven’t looked back.

[Plan9Customs]

Is anyone still riding quantum bearings? Rode mine for about a year but in that year, they would seize up even with regular (maybe even meticulous) cleaning. Switched back to bones Swiss and haven’t looked back.

Still on mine. Although, the first set I had kept locking up, they sent me replacement set with the new cages and those have been going strong for over a year now. I think I’ve cleaned and lubed them maybe 3 times when I was setting up new wheels.

[LebowskisRug]

Myself and my friends are mostly on Quantum. I've had my Atoms for almost 3 years no and lube them once every 6-12mo. Had the Fusions for a year and cleaned them once. We all really like them and find they jam less than Swiss and roll just as well if not a tad better.

[Ok]

Myself and my friends are mostly on Quantum. I've had my Atoms for almost 3 years no and lube them once every 6-12mo. Had the Fusions for a year and cleaned them once. We all really like them and find they jam less than Swiss and roll just as well if not a tad better.

because i’m a kook i’ve got 4 completes currently.
mini logo
swiss
swiss 6
and i think quantum atoms

swiss 6 are the best, and by experience will let the longest, which what differentiates them. spinning the wheel by hand the quantum’s are fastest, but that doesn’t seem to translate. none of this is tested, just the bullshit of an internet user.
mini logo’s surprisingly decent, but that’s not all sets.
rather spin the mini logo roulette wheel than buy reds tho.
oh. my quantum’s were good initially, slowed dramatically cleaned and lubed them, still sucked, took the shields off and ran them dry and they are doing way better.
if i could only buy one i’d just buy swiss 6 and then never think about it

[ish_wav]

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Is anyone still riding quantum bearings? Rode mine for about a year but in that year, they would seize up even with regular (maybe even meticulous) cleaning. Switched back to bones Swiss and haven’t looked back.

[close]

Still on mine. Although, the first set I had kept locking up, they sent me replacement set with the new cages and those have been going strong for over a year now. I think I’ve cleaned and lubed them maybe 3 times when I was setting up new wheels.

That’s awesome dude! Their customer service is absolute unmatched. I’ve been eyeballing some of their non-ceramic bearings to try out and reading this just convinced me to try them out.

[LebowskisRug]

They sell really well at the few local shops that carry them and the only hate I've seen them get are a few Slap posters, a few of which refused to reach out to their warranty service when they had an issue.

On the other hand my sets of Swiss 6 were the worst expensive bearings I've had. Jammed more than they should have, needed cleaning more often, cages broke right after around a year or so. Swiss have never disappointed me so I see no need for the 6.

[rikki]

Never had a Bones Swiss bearing jam on me in any situation. Quantum Atoms, on the other hand, didn't last long, started jamming after an unreasonably short while, seems like they can't handle too much high-impact curb skating. My own fault for getting on the Quantum hype bandwagon I guess.

Nothing else than Bones Swiss here from now on.

[rocklobster]

Never had a Bones Swiss bearing jam on me in any situation. Quantum Atoms, on the other hand, didn't last long, started jamming after an unreasonably short while, seems like they can't handle too much high-impact curb skating. My own fault for getting on the Quantum hype bandwagon I guess.

Nothing else than Bones Swiss here from now on.

I was a bearing cheapskate for a long time but Bones Swiss are worth the occasional splurge. Had some bad experiences with them in the past but fresh out of the box they are amazing, keen to see if they stand the test of time in the hot and humid tropics.

Quantum Metallics were great for the price and I would revisit them with some lube down the road.

[JM]

This thread reminds me of an old friend in high school that had a set of Bones Swiss, back when they were $30 (and that was considered expensive).

He would only clean them with WD-40 and after three years the balls had worn down small enough for them to fall out the track and onto the ground. (He ran them shieldless: said he liked the sound)

He would just keep skating them, even with a few balls missing… until we gave him a hard enough time for him to go buy another set.

The ceramics aren’t supposed to wear down like that since there’s no metal on metal grinding, but $160 is steep.

I rocked mini logo for two decades since they were 10-15 dollars, and I could clean them by popping off the shield easily… but when I bought Swiss three years ago, there was a very noticeable increase in speed. 

~$60 bucks for the Swiss is completely worth it if you clean them as instructed by Bones.

[LebowskisRug]

Never had a Bones Swiss bearing jam on me in any situation. Quantum Atoms, on the other hand, didn't last long, started jamming after an unreasonably short while, seems like they can't handle too much high-impact curb skating. My own fault for getting on the Quantum hype bandwagon I guess.

Nothing else than Bones Swiss here from now on.

Myself and others in this thread have had Bones jam usually later in their life. For me personally it mostly happened with the 6, not the normal Bones.

My initial set of Atoms when they first dropped was quite bad. You can find my review of them somewhere on here but it wasn't positive. Quantum emailed me about the issues they found with that batch, what they did to correct, and sent me a new set of updated Atoms. I'm still using those although I've replaced the shields and they just passed 3 years and have been great.

I'm sorry your luck was shitty, but I'd give the warranty process a chance. I've had mostly good luck with skate gear but have had issues with both Venture and Thunder that were one-offs and I still love both trucks.

[Ok]

i super agree with the part about having problems with some products and continuing to like/ride/use said products. back in the featherlight era, those trucks would sometimes break, and i’d just buy another set, because that’s what i rode. ps stix wood has its very known problems, and it’ll always be my preferred. etc. on and on.
there was quantum hype, then a trusted skate shop nudged me in that direction. my experience wasn’t amazing, but not noteworthy to the bad side either. but. dude on here was a bit of a dick, rightly imo got called out for that. so it wasn’t like i had a long time of really enjoying the product, and then a blip. at this point i could have a bad set of swiss and still go back for multiple servings, even if those were bad, they’ve built up good credit. quantum guy not so much.
this ‘a few slap users’ comment is kinda funny.

[Quantum_Bearing_Science]

To whomever I was rude or snarky to.  And anyone who felt I was anything other than pleasant and helpful to them, I apologize.  It was never my intent.
  Anyone who knows either of us, with Quantum, will tell you we are the most approachable positive people you’ll meet.
  I think tone and intent are sometimes tough to “read” in text.

Once again, we appreciate anyone who’s tried our products, whether you had a bad experience or great experience.  We really are working hard.  And the positive has outweighed the negative by a million.

Take care, Slap Pals

[Quantum_Bearing_Science]

And, as it’s been said,  anyone who’s had bad luck with any of our products, please reach out. 

[fulfillthedream]

Has anyone used an ultrasonic cleaner to clean their bearings?

[Ok]

To whomever I was rude or snarky to.  And anyone who felt I was anything other than pleasant and helpful to them, I apologize.  It was never my intent.
  Anyone who knows either of us, with Quantum, will tell you we are the most approachable positive people you’ll meet.
  I think tone and intent are sometimes tough to “read” in text.

Once again, we appreciate anyone who’s tried our products, whether you had a bad experience or great experience.  We really are working hard.  And the positive has outweighed the negative by a million.

Take care, Slap Pals

i like some snark and attitude.
i’m fine with being told to fuck off (that’s not at all what happened, just saying).
i felt like ya’lls account was a bit rude, and a bit of a wuss. not a big deal. pick one i think is what i’m saying. but none of that is remotely important.

as to the bearings: mine don’t feel quite as fast as swiss, but they’ve lasted a lot longer than i thought they would (after an initial slow down, i thought the miracle sauce was some not long lasting grease) and were cheaper. i’d recommend them to someone wanting to try something different.
i mean who knows, as i’m checking this, my swiss 6 aren’t going so great today. i suck at skating, don’t need fast shit, i skate super slow and miss a bunch of flip tricks. i think that’s what messes up the bearings, of all types, for me

[manysnakes]

They sell really well at the few local shops that carry them and the only hate I've seen them get are a few Slap posters, a few of which refused to reach out to their warranty service when they had an issue.

On the other hand my sets of Swiss 6 were the worst expensive bearings I've had. Jammed more than they should have, needed cleaning more often, cages broke right after around a year or so. Swiss have never disappointed me so I see no need for the 6.

What did Powell’s warranty department say?

[LebowskisRug]

Powell blamed it on wear and tear, which was amusing because I was mostly skating curbs (not slappies necessarily), fairly low ledges, and skating around SF to/from work. I followed their exact cleaning instructions, yet they noted that some chemicals can degrade the races and I couldn't rule that out.

Around the same time that I got my second set of Atoms a few friends ordered some. They've also had great luck and some of them post on here semi-regularly. Frankly I don't get why there's so much animosity for a brand when people ask what you're riding and someone responds that they're riding Quantum.

Bearings aren't that complicated. There's a bunch of lower tier (sub $15), middle tier (~Reds, Quantum Metallics, G3), and upper tier (any Bones Swiss, Bronson Ceramics, Quantum Atoms/Isotopes) options all of which will work great save for any heavy wear and tear or fluke product issues.

To someone that asked about ultrasonic cleaners I always use one. I have it from when I rode bikes and cleaned my chains. Works great for getting little specs of bullshit out.

[tzhangdox]

I've had great experiences with my atoms and isotopes. Both have been faster and help up better than any set of swiss or swiss six I've had (which were obviously both really great too)

[Plan9Customs]

Never had a Bones Swiss bearing jam on me in any situation. Quantum Atoms, on the other hand, didn't last long, started jamming after an unreasonably short while, seems like they can't handle too much high-impact curb skating. My own fault for getting on the Quantum hype bandwagon I guess.

Nothing else than Bones Swiss here from now on.

Well I can safely say, aside from the first run of isotopes that had the bad cages(which QBS replaced with a new set of bearings with the new cages when I told them about mine locking up), they handle high impact skating just fine for me. About 90% of my skating is slappys and I generally get about 3-5 days with at least an hour sometimes 2-3hrs, and they’re still going strong. I’m old so I’m not tossing my carcass down stairs or gaps anymore, so I can’t say how they stand up to that, but they can definitely take being beat to hell slapping curbs w/o an issue on the set I have. Like I said over a year old, 3-5 days at 1-3hrs on pretty much curbs. I’d say they can handle slapping curbs just fine.
Can’t say how that compares to Swiss since I’ve never owned a set.

Did you ever bother trying to get a hold of anyone at QBS about the issue you had? Not on here talking shit, but like, send an email or dm on IG? Like I said, I had an issue, contacted them, they went and made it right without hesitation.

[Mick]

Been rocking these Andale Puig bearings after some G3s and honestly, they kinda go.

[bombsaway86]

Powell blamed it on wear and tear, which was amusing because I was mostly skating curbs (not slappies necessarily), fairly low ledges, and skating around SF to/from work. I followed their exact cleaning instructions, yet they noted that some chemicals can degrade the races and I couldn't rule that out.

Around the same time that I got my second set of Atoms a few friends ordered some. They've also had great luck and some of them post on here semi-regularly. Frankly I don't get why there's so much animosity for a brand when people ask what you're riding and someone responds that they're riding Quantum.

Bearings aren't that complicated. There's a bunch of lower tier (sub $15), middle tier (~Reds, Quantum Metallics, G3), and upper tier (any Bones Swiss, Bronson Ceramics, Quantum Atoms/Isotopes) options all of which will work great save for any heavy wear and tear or fluke product issues.

To someone that asked about ultrasonic cleaners I always use one. I have it from when I rode bikes and cleaned my chains. Works great for getting little specs of bullshit out.

The instructions that come with Bones Swiss recommend Gumout carb cleaner. I used it once and it ruined the bearings, it felt like the balls had flat spots after that.

I always use 99% isopropyl alcohol with the Bones cleaning kit, then one drop of speed cream in each bearing after they’re dry. Shields always on. I still have one set of Swiss 6 from like 2006 that’s still going strong.

I think the Bones instructions mention you can use acetone too, but I don’t trust that either. Acetone can’t possibly be good for the ball retainers

[Frank and Fred]

Take the balls out of the retainers and only soak the metal parts. Its a little tricky to get the balls back in place but its the best way to clean them properly and avoid ruining the plastic retainers. (if that's your concern). Use a hair dryer to dry everything properly before reassembly. Minimal lube, post clean. 1, or 2 drops max of speed cream.