Ceramic Bearings

[jokerman808]

i am a casual skater, but i have some money to spend and i was wondering if ceramic bearings are going to be overkill for just cruising. i know they are the best you can buy, but are they for intense hill bombing and racing, or will they be a good investment for the daily roll through the park?

[Aiyo]

They aren't worth the money, unless:
1) you are just lazy at cleaning
2) have the money
3) just want to
4) can actually tell the difference between ceramic and some regular bearings
5) stuff

[jokerman808]

well ok then

[JimboCO]

If you've got the money, give them a try. I've got several sets and have not regretted buying them. You'll get a lot of opinions on this one but I can discern a difference from Reds!

[bae go pa]

They're definitely better than reds. They also require a lot less maintenance.

However there are marginal benefits to ceramics. They are noticeably better, but whether or not they're worth the premium is up to you.

On average ebay prices (or rockin rons), ceramics are between $40-60 more than the steel ball variants. Not nearly as much as everyone makes them out to be

[Mile_High_Mark]

Clean bearings are happy bearings. Dirty ceramics will be expensive, unhappy bearings.

For the price of a set of ceramics, you can buy a LOT of very good steel bearings. When they get dirty, pop 'em out and put in a fresh set.

[bae go pa]

Clean bearings are happy bearings. Dirty ceramics will be expensive, unhappy bearings.

For the price of a set of ceramics, you can buy a LOT of very good steel bearings. When they get dirty, pop 'em out and put in a fresh set.

Yeap. With that being said, ceramics do not get dirty nearly as fast. I normally have to clean my set of swiss's after 2-3 weeks. My ceramics have gone 2 months without needing a cleaning.

However, in terms of longevity, a set of 100 VXB bearings will definitely outlast any ceramic bearings, no problem. Additionally, the VXB's will cost less, and you can outfit a ton of boards with them

[Mile_High_Mark]

Yeap. With that being said, ceramics do not get dirty nearly as fast. I normally have to clean my set of swiss's after 2-3 weeks. My ceramics have gone 2 months without needing a cleaning.

However, in terms of longevity, a set of 100 VXB bearings will definitely outlast any ceramic bearings, no problem. Additionally, the VXB's will cost less, and you can outfit a ton of boards with them

The bearings' material doesn't affect whether dirt gets in or not.

The seal, and type of lube is what prevents water/dirt from getting in.

Once in, then the ceramic may be less affected by said dirt/water.

[JimboCO]

Keep your ceramics clean and lubed. Little effort and you don't add to the waste stream by throwing out "very good steel bearings".

[Mile_High_Mark]

Keep your ceramics clean and lubed. Little effort and you don't add to the waste stream by throwing out "very good steel bearings".

If you have $50 to spend, and don't want to spend a bunch of time cleaning your one set of expensive bearings, but five sets of $10 bearings. When one set gets dirty, pop in a clean set. Repeat until you're down to the last clean set. Clean all the dirty ones at once. Saves time and hassle. Get a cheap ultrasonic cleaner from eBay and you're golden.

[bae go pa]

The bearings' material doesn't affect whether dirt gets in or not.

The seal, and type of lube is what prevents water/dirt from getting in.

Once in, then the ceramic may be less affected by said dirt/water.

Getting dirt in the bearing definitely isn't affected.

However, the ceramics literally push the dirt out of the raceway and onto the non contact portions with ceramics. After about a minute of riding, the dirt will be in the outer part of the raceway, and you can see this whenever you clean your hybrid ceramic bearings. Chromium steel does not.

[JimboCO]

I guess its a matter of agreeing to disagree. It takes me all of ten minutes to clean a set of bearings. Hardly a "bunch of time". Whether they are an "expensive" set or cheap set, same time. Ability to, or ease of cleaning never really factors into my decision to buy a particular bearing but that is just me. It's all good.

[jokerman808]

well how long does it take to clean a set of bearings?

[Aiyo]

Get a cheap ultrasonic cleaner from eBay and you're golden.

hmm.... what do you recommend as a cleaning solution to put inside?

[Mile_High_Mark]

hmm.... what do you recommend as a cleaning solution to put inside?

Mineral spirits.

[jokerman808]

Mineral spirits.

i also heard that you can use paint thinner to clean bearings. is that legit?

[Mile_High_Mark]

i also heard that you can use paint thinner to clean bearings. is that legit?

Same thing.