So you have invested in high-quality skateboard bearings, but have you ever wondered what they are doing on a skateboard? If you already know the answer, then that is good to hear, but if you don’t then keep on reading.
ABEC 7 skateboard bearings are tiny circular devices that allow the wheels of your skateboard to roll. In addition to that, they determine how smoothly and fast the wheels will rotate.
Bearings, on the other hand, will reduce the friction as a result, accidents because of skateboarding will be lessened as well.
However, if they are not cleaned and lubricated on a regular basis, bearings are one of the common culprits why your skateboard stop working. Moreover, bearings will also offer a quiet, efficient, and smooth ride.
Now that you already what do bearings do on a skateboard, let’s take a look at their different parts.
What Are The Parts of Skateboard Bearings
They may be small but skateboard bearings are very complex. As a matter of fact, bearings are composed of different parts.
- Rubber Seal
This is the soft rubber ring fount outside the bearing that helps in protecting the interior of the bearing against debris as well as dirt.
- Ball Retainer
Also known as the Delrin crown, this part is responsible for holding the respective ball bearings in their place while letting the casing revolve around them.
- Bearing Shield
This part covers the sides to help in protecting the balls against debris and dust. It is worth mentioning that some skateboard bearings come with removable shields for ease of cleaning while others have zero to one shield to reduce friction.
- Bearing Spacers
Some skateboard bearings come equipped with bearing spacers. These are the tiny cylindrical pieces that fit in the axle between the skateboard bearings in the center of the wheel.
In addition to that, bearing spacers are specially designed to keep the bearings aligned properly and let you tighten the axle fully without limiting the spin of your skateboard’s wheel. However, they are only optional for most kinds of skating.
- Balls
It is a set of 6 to 7 balls that roll along a path freely created by the races they’re being held in place by the ball retainer. Nevertheless, these are the most crucial part of a skateboard bearing.
Thank you for reading, Hopefully, you have learned a lot from this post.
