Posted by Drew Scary on 8th Mar 2021
Bearings - What's the difference?
One of the many common questions we've gotten over the years is about the difference between the types of bearings. This is a tough decision for many because the seeing a $25 set of bearings and a $225 one would normally make people assume that it'd be like seeing a meme on the expectation vs. reality of ordering off of Wish. However, there is no wrong choice from the selection we carry.
Starting out, we have the lower-priced bearings in the $20-40 range. These bearings will often be manufactured in China and will come with a basic lubricant inside and one or two protective shields. They will be made of steel, with steel balls. These are great intro-level bearings for indoor or outdoor skating, and for someone who hates to clean their bearings and would rather just replace them. They won't hold up to more than a couple cleanings normally before needing replacement.
Next we have the bearings in the $40-60 range. These bearings are very similar to the previous ones, however, we have found that they are a bit more durable, roll a bit smoother, and can stand up to cleaning at least twice as many times.
Now, we have the Swiss bearings. These run in the price range of about $70-150. These bearings are often actually manufactured in Switzerland, and contain higher quality and longer lasting lubricant, high grade steel, and durable ball retainers. Swiss bearings tend to hold a wheel's spin longer, glide smoother, and last far longer than lower-end bearings.
Lastly, we have the ceramics. If you want the best there is, this is it. They are often also manufactured in Switzerland, and the ceramic balls are much lighter, harder, stronger, waterproof, and longer lasting than even the highest quality steel balls. These are also some of the priciest bearings on the market, and run from about $120 up to $300+. They last several times longer than low cost bearings, and many people rarely, if ever, have to clean them.
We carry a wide range of bearings for people from a wide range of experiences. We are happy to chat with customers to see which bearing would be right for them, so feel free to come by or drop us a line!