Complete Guide to Bones Bearings
Bones Bearings revolutionized the skateboard bearing landscape. They were the first skateboard bearing company to custom design their bearing with skateboarding in mind. George Powell, one of the co-founders of Powell Peralta skateboards and Bones wheels, wanted to design a bearing that could handle the stress and abuse of skateboarding. So he travelled the world in search of a manufacturer that could partner with him to create the ultimate skateboard bearing. Eventually he partnered with a bearing manufacturer in Switzerland and created what today is known as the Bones Swiss Bearings.
The innovations inclulded:
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Non-contact, removable rubber shields for easy cleaning and less friction.
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Nylon ball retainers for faster speeds top speeds.
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Higher grade steel for strength.
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Adjusted clearances and tolerances to provide durability for impact and lateral stress.
However the costs of manufacturing the bearings in Switzerland were a bit high for the average skater to afford, so he took his design and found a manufacturer in China that could make the bearings for less cost. Thus was the birth of the Bones Reds bearings. The Reds still have all the same Skate Rated™ features as the Swiss, the difference comes down to the quality of the materials and the precision of the manufacturing.
This is why there are two different categories of Bones Bearings. The Swiss line, which are the ones made in Switzerland, and the Reds which are made in China.
Let's take a look at the Swiss line up first.
BONES SWISS:
The Bones Swiss bearings are the original. They’re the Gold-Standard for skateboard bearings. Other companies compare their bearings to these. These have the highest quality steel and precision manufacturing which makes them faster and more durable than the Reds line up. But since they last longer, that means you’ll have to take care of them. But fortunately they’re pretty easy to clean if they get full of gunk.
BONES SUPER SWISS SIX:
The Super Swiss Six bearings have 6 slightly larger ball bearings instead of the normal 7. The advantages of having bigger balls is that there are fewer friction contact points, which allows for further distance when you push, and overall faster top speed. They also don’t get clogged with dirt as easily because the debris just falls back out, which makes them easy to maintain because you won’t have to clean them as much.
BONES SWISS CERAMICS:
The Swiss Ceramics are Bones' top-tier bearing and are infamously expensive. The ceramic ball bearings inside of them are actually much harder than steel, which provides less friction while rolling. The ceramic also continually re-polishes the inside of the steel races as you roll, meaning you won’t have to clean or lubricate your bearings as often, but you still should take care of them occasionally. The best part about ceramic bearings is that they don’t rust, which makes them perfect for cruisers and commuting boards where you would end up riding through puddles or through the rain. They are definitely an investment bearing especially if you use your board to get around a lot.
One thing to consider with ceramic bearings is that, while ceramic may be harder than steel, it is more brittle. So these bearings would not be ideal for skating big impact like stairs or handrails.
Now let’s look at the Reds line of Bearings
BONES REDS:
The Bones Reds are the entry level bearing for Bones, but that doesn’t mean that they're bad quality. These are tried and true and they are the best selling skateboard bearings on the market. Since these are affordable, if one does eventually blow out or seize up it's not a big deal because you can get more of them without breaking the bank. And of course, you can keep the old ones that are still good for spares in case you or a friend needs a bearing during your session.
BONES BIG BALLS REDS:
The Big Balls Reds are the Reds version of the Super Swiss Six with the six slightly larger ball bearings rather than the usual seven. Meaning they roll faster and longer and are a bit more durable than the Reds.
BONES SUPER REDS:
Super Reds are the leveled up version of regular Reds. They use a higher quality of steel and better surface finishing for the balls and the inner races. Which results in a quieter, smoother, and more durable bearing.
BONES RACE REDS:
Race Reds are designed for downhill skating, but you can certainly skate them normally too. The inner races extend inward through the inside of the wheel and meet in the middle. This ensures that the bearings and the wheels are perfectly aligned, which allows you to tighten your axle nut completely so your wheels don’t wiggle and vibrate as much. It’s not something you’ll notice much if you’re skating normally, but it makes a difference when you’re flying downhill at 50 mph. So if you like bombing hills, this one is a good option.
BONES CERAMIC SUPER REDS:
The Ceramic Super Reds are the Reds version of the Swiss Ceramic but are still top quality cruiser bearings. Again, the ceramic ball bearings need very little maintenance and will not rust even if you skate in the rain. Again, ceramic is brittle so keep it low impact, but both the Swiss Ceramics or the Ceramic Super Reds are definitely good investments if you plan on pushing around everywhere.
You can't go wrong with any of the Bones Bearings and there's plenty of options to fit your budget. Have fun skating fast and feeling that smooth new-bearing ride.