Abec11 Biltin Abec 7 Precision Skateboard Bearings

[gabriel[abc]]

Originally Posted by onehourlater

no worries! I am just prepping myself to take care of my baby haha how often do you ride/clean? any tips tricks for these bearings?

do I need to get covers for the backside of the bearings? it seems they are open to the air in the store pictures and with what I just dropped on this Nemesis set-up (RII's, Otangs) including some needed bombsquad nose and tail guards, new venom 91a bushings and some black velvet pucks coming in with it I want to be completely converted from nearly 10 years of polite and simple street short boarding (when that existed and kids weren't trying to relive The Wire with skate gangs takin' corners).

http://www.silverfishlongboarding.com/Articles/Tech_Articles/Econo-Tech_Revisited:__the_$1.25_Bearing_Cleaner/

that is exactly what i did and it works great. just use the same bolt that the biltins will come with in packaging and stack them the same way (you'll see when you ge them)

and no you do not need the other side because it'll be facing toward the inside of the wheel and never exposed. just make sure to clean your bearing once every 1 or 2 months (depending on how much you ride)


(spraying bearings with wd-40 before wipedown is optional/ most people dont recommend wd-40 but the acetone or alcohol makes it come off anyway. wd-40 just makes taking of residue better)
1. wipe them clean
2. remove the c-rings with a pin
3. remove the shield
3. place bearings on bolt, tighten nut
4. place in bottle with cleaning solution
5. shake, rinse, drain... repeat 2-3 times
6. wipe them down and let them dry! (i use an airfan but blowdryer can work as well)
7. re-assemble with c-rings and shields
8. place 3 drops of lube in each bearing (ok so maybe 4 but dont over do it because the surplus lube will seep due to centrifugal force and make a cool but weird stain on your wheels)

and also isodrophyl rubbing alcohol 90% and up works great but i've also heard of people uysing acetone, gasoline, ids oust reccommended 409 orange cleaner (must be orange!)

[jaxxstatic]

Originally Posted by Mile_High_Mark

The shields are somewhat prone to denting. They also don't keep crud out as well as a seal, so you'll need to clean/lube them often. They make wheel changes a snap, though.

I keep hearing that they're the best and whatnot and doubting my OWN experience, and I keep giving them another shot. I've gone through 3 sets (on my 4th) of Biltins. What Mark described is exactly why they're NOT the best. A double shielded bearing with steel spacers and speedrings is waaay better, and easier to clean.
I'm not sure if it's the crazy rough roads and rapid weather changes here or what, but Biltins haven't held up.

[onehourlater]

Thanks!

I will be riding my board selectively and will be very careful of the weather as I am not a kid anymore and don't ride everywhere (sadly). I will be more than fine keeping watch over these bearings. Thanks for all the tips!

side note: anyone know of any stainless steel skate bearings?

[Mile_High_Mark]

Originally Posted by onehourlater

Thanks!

I will be riding my board selectively and will be very careful of the weather as I am not a kid anymore and don't ride everywhere (sadly). I will be more than fine keeping watch over these bearings. Thanks for all the tips!

side note: anyone know of any stainless steel skate bearings?

Rush makes a stainless steel bearing.

[onehourlater]

Good call on the Rush's, I found some Lucky Titanium's (SS races etc. w/ titanium bearings) that are a bit better of a fit considering how unstable conditions are here.

[pigmoder]

I've enjoyed using using METOL (Oust) for lube. Very light and comes with a syringe type dropper. Two drops in each bearing after Mineral Spirit -> Denatured Alcohol -> Blow Dry.

Also to prevent denting metal shields, put an appropriate sized O-Ring inside of your skate tool (axle nut socket). May need two or so. This will reduce the depth of the socket, thus preventing the socket from hitting the shield.

[ninjawong]

Oh, I love my Biltins.
They're FAR better than Reds and actually get faster as you use them more.

[bae go pa]

Out of personal experience, reds are definitely faster than biltins. However, biltins are WAY smoother when sliding.

It all depends on what you value more

[ninjawong]

Whaaaaaaat are you talking about?!
Reds are NOT faster than Biltins.
Period.
End of story.
...
Maybe if you forget to grease them....

[Mile_High_Mark]

I assembled some Biltins with ceramic balls and rubber seals. Tres bien.

[lfatboy]

Quick Question: Are Biltins still sold with the huge bolt and the cylindrical case? Because I use a similar case to clean my bearings (put in solvent and shake) and was wondering if this is why people find them so easy to clean (minus the no spacer and rings factor)

If they're sold with everything in the picture, I will be very compelled to pick up a set.

[Mile_High_Mark]

Originally Posted by lfatboy

Quick Question: Are Biltins still sold with the huge bolt and the cylindrical case? Because I use a similar case to clean my bearings (put in solvent and shake) and was wondering if this is why people find them so easy to clean (minus the no spacer and rings factor)

If they're sold with everything in the picture, I will be very compelled to pick up a set.

Yes, that's how they come.

[gabriel[abc]]

Originally Posted by Mile_High_Mark

I assembled some Biltins with ceramic balls and rubber seals. Tres bien.

ooo! pics please!

dude are you selling some shields?

[wooden]

Just thought I'd clarify... You should never need to put 3 or 4 drops of lube in your bearings. 1 drop of Bones Speed Cream is plenty to lube the entire bearing, you'll still get extra shooting out of the bearing when you ride it. The more lube you put in them, the more will spray out and get gunk stuck all over your wheels.

And I can't say I've ever bent any of my 4 sets of Biltins' shields, you guys must be really rough on them when you're taking them apart....

[gabriel[abc]]

Originally Posted by wooden

Just thought I'd clarify... You should never need to put 3 or 4 drops of lube in your bearings. 1 drop of Bones Speed Cream is plenty to lube the entire bearing, you'll still get extra shooting out of the bearing when you ride it. The more lube you put in them, the more will spray out and get gunk stuck all over your wheels.

And I can't say I've ever bent any of my 4 sets of Biltins' shields, you guys must be really rough on them when you're taking them apart....

i thought speed cream is only for ceramics

[Mile_High_Mark]

Originally Posted by gabriel[abc]

i thought speed cream is only for ceramics

Nope. It was introduced before Bones every started offering ceramics.

[NJ Joe]

Originally Posted by Zap

Good bearings until they touch water. I have owned two pairs and both rusted and locked within 2 months. However if you have a dryer climate, these bearings are wicked.

I've ridden on rainy days on my bigzigs with biltins. They have a layer of dirt on the outside and they still roll forever. I will pick up my board outside of the dining hall with the wheels spinning, and when I have my food and sit down with my board in-hand, theyre still spinning

[cbpnunn]

honestly to me, these are the most logical bearings out there right now. i have them on a set of grippins that i switch from board to board. ive been riding them for about 4 months, zero problems at all. SO fast, SO smooth, SO quiet, SO smooth, SO SMOOTH. ive ridden swiss by bones and others, and i like my biltins much better. its all about having a comfortable ride, and biltins are SO comfortable. and at about 30 bucks a set? COME ON.

[NewBoarder31]

Do some skate shops just sell rubber shields? They should..... for 99 cents or something

[bae go pa]

Originally Posted by ninjawong

Whaaaaaaat are you talking about?!
Reds are NOT faster than Biltins.
Period.
End of story.
...
Maybe if you forget to grease them....

reds are definitely faster than biltins. end of story