Ceramic Bearings and Wheels

**pleasecorrupt** · 05-11-2009 10:06 PM

I just bought a Vanguard w/ Gullwing Alpine Trucks was looking to buy some ceramic bearings and wheels for it. My question is, if i'm trying to use as little as possible, should I just go with Reds and Gumballs or opt for some nice Ceramic Bearings and Otangs inheat.

If I do go for Ceramic Bearings, what brand? Would hope to get for cheap off amazon or ebay. How are the VXB Skateboard Ceramic Teflon Sealed Bearings?

**Aiyo** · 05-11-2009 10:16 PM

you bought a loaded vanguard with alpine trucks?....

save your money and get some nice MHS, Redz, Mini Logo, Rush, or any regular bearing. Then get rid of those alpines and get some randals, chargers, or parises.

**pleasecorrupt** · 05-11-2009 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Aiyo

you bought a loaded vanguard with alpine trucks?....

save your money and get some nice MHS, Redz, Mini Logo, Rush, or any regular bearing. Then get rid of those alpines and get some randals, chargers, or parises.

I'm a beginner rider so I really didn't notice the difference with the alpine trucks lol. My friend told me that his bearings and wheels were crap when I bought it from this one guy, thats why i only have the board and trucks. Little more worried with rusting.

**astepbehind** · 05-11-2009 10:18 PM

Personally, I would just go for the cheaper, lower end VXBs...

I pretty much only ride those nowadays since they're so cheap and easily replaceable. That way if I damage them, or don't get a chance to clean one I don't have to worry, just replace. I haven't had any problems with them.

If you're set on ceramics though, I don't see how the VXBs could do you wrong. I've read a couple of good reviews on them, and based on how my VXBs have performed so far, I don't see how these could be any worse of a value.

**pleasecorrupt** · 05-11-2009 10:34 PM

Originally Posted by astepbehind

Personally, I would just go for the cheaper, lower end VXBs...

I pretty much only ride those nowadays since they're so cheap and easily replaceable. That way if I damage them, or don't get a chance to clean one I don't have to worry, just replace. I haven't had any problems with them.

If you're set on ceramics though, I don't see how the VXBs could do you wrong. I've read a couple of good reviews on them, and based on how my VXBs have performed so far, I don't see how these could be any worse of a value.

Hm. How do these bearings look / do?

Rush Titanium/Ceramic Bearings at Skate Warehouse

**Chaunce** · 05-11-2009 10:51 PM

These will do you fine. What wheels do you currently have, and what will you be using them for?

Honestly, you shouldn't be worrying much about gear. Ride what you have for a while and get familiar with it. Have fun. That way you'll be able to decide for yourself what you want in your board.

**bae go pa** · 05-11-2009 10:54 PM

Dude coming from personal experience, the speed differences in ceramics are marginal. They slightly faster at a huge premium.

You'll probably be happy with a set of reds or minilogos amigo.

**nsaarman** · 05-11-2009 11:03 PM

The first thing that your gunna want to do is get rid of those trucks and switch them for some randals or paris.

For the bearing issue, i have multiple longboards and i stick with the Bones bearings. I have had a pair of Reds for about three years now, and they still work great, I only have to lube them up about every 6 months. I HIGHLY recommend Reds or Bones Swiss Originals, because they are easily the best bearings i have used, and the Reds are on the cheaper side. If you don't believe me, go onto the Bones Swiss site and read the testimonials. So i wouldn't worry about breaking your budget on some nice Ceramic Bearings.

Now fore the wheel issue, i have otangs in heat 80a, and i love them. Best carving, pumping, cruising wheel i have ever used. Even when broken in all the way, they slide like butter. I have never ridden gumballs, but i would NOT recommend getting them under any circumstance. They just don't compare to the O tangs.

So in all, get some nice bearings, doesn't have to be ceramic, i prefer bones, and the otangs for wheels.

Hoped this helped

**Chaunce** · 05-11-2009 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by nsaarman

I have never ridden gumballs, but i would NOT recommend getting them under any circumstance. They just don't compare to the O tangs.

If you haven't ridden them, then how can you say anything about them? I personally own a set. I've had them for a good nine months now; they pump great, ride incredibly smooth, even in the higher duros, and feel great to slide when broken in.

**Ionsight** · 05-12-2009 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by nsaarman

They just don't compare to the O tangs.

just how the #### would you know that if youve never even ridden them. I have had a couple sets of gumballs and I think that theyre awesome. Incrediby smooth wheels.

But hey everyone likes to think that their stuff is the best. That way, they can justify overpaying for a ####### skateboard wheel. Honestly , its not like o'tangs are that much better than abec11 wheels or any other competitor for that matter.

Lets try to keep options open for the new skaters.

**enemy combatant** · 05-12-2009 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by nsaarman

I have never ridden gumballs, but i would NOT recommend getting them under any circumstance.

If you don't know WTF you are talking about then you should STFU!
Idiot.

**enemy combatant** · 05-12-2009 12:15 PM

...............

**Kenny_Ledesma** · 05-12-2009 12:44 PM

I think ceramic wheels is a bad idea... grammar please.

**tart_monkey** · 05-12-2009 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by enemy combatant

If you don't know WTF you are talking about then you should STFU!
Idiot.

I think you've just locked on to a target and are ready to fire a rocket up the wazoo

*hides in the corner shaking*

**Ionsight** · 05-12-2009 05:07 PM

lol i was waiting for enemy combatant to flame this guy!

what took ya

w/e he only has a few posts. If he sticks around he will learn.

.........or maybe get sucked into the loaded marketing vortex

**RighteousMagik** · 05-12-2009 08:26 PM

I have ceramic bearings, and id have to say that they run way smoother and more quiet than steel ball bearings. But was it worth the extra money? I would say not, unless you can buy them for a good deal. The best way to go is with bones.... best reliablity imho. wheels ive tried the o-tang in-heats 80a/ love them, zigzags 83a/ haven't fully tested them but they got some mad grip. and i have the o-tang freerides 70mm/ which i cant use for their purpose on my board that easily but out of just riding them i like the "feel" they have.

**1337leo** · 05-14-2009 05:12 PM

I got the impression that 'pleasecorrupt' had his eye on the ceramics as they last longer and don't rust?

**zaucella** · 05-22-2009 11:34 PM

**landyevorider** · 05-23-2009 12:54 AM

maybe im just super lucky but....

i use bones reds bearings. i have ridden a ton of other bearings in various friends boards and never noticed a difference. the ones im currently using i have had in use for literally over a year, and i have ridden through puddles that were almost deeper than my board [but thats a whole 'nother story] and i got them when i got new wheels [ly monster hawgs] and i have worn those wheels down close to 2 mm smaller than they came cuz i checked. and those SAME bearings still spin FINE today, and i have NEVER maintained them. maybe i just ride so fast i spin all the water out and they stay clean : P

as for the whole gumballs war going on, they are alright wheels. they slide kinda unpredictably, they dont break loose consistently but thats just my opinion. they are smooth though.

edit: to the kid above me, that sounds reallly weird about your friends wheels. my boarding buddy i ride with every frickin day has gumballs on his vanguard and they still have never chunked and been lookin gnar. they still look really good after a years use and he slides a lot. maybe he[your friend] got a REALLY bad batch. did you guys break them in before heavy slide use? but anyway that sounds like he got jibbed outta nice wheels if they are THAT bad.

**zaucella** · 05-23-2009 01:38 AM

he cant slide(hes a new rider) and i ride reds...there amazing
and jibbed/jibb/jibbin...no affence and im not trying to like call u out but that is to grinda a rail, or jib it on skis n snowboards n stuff like that..just preventing you from looking stuped and using that word again

but still dont get gumballs