Choosing the right bearings can ultimately improve your longboard setup. The last thing that you want to do is choose bearings that limit your speed and control. So what are the best longboard bearings on the market?
In my opinion, Bones is ultimately the best bearings brand, and their wheels are incredible too. It’s worthwhile to add spacers to your longboard bearings to maximize stability.
What to Consider When Buying Longboard Bearings?
Type of Bearings
What type of longboard bearings do you want? Some bearings are better for speed whereas some are more likely to stand the test of time. Look for oil-lubricated bearings if you want to go as fast as possible. Grease-lubricated bearings offer less speed, but they last longer.
Style
Style is just as important as functionality for many skaters and longboarders. Sometimes, even the color of bearings can help you decide whether they are ideal for your setup. The last thing that you want is for your bearings’ color to clash with your wheels. This doesn’t matter to every skater, but the color of your bearings can tie your setup together.
Material
Bearings have several small components, but none are important as the ball. They are typically made of steel or ceramic, and the material makes an important difference. Bearings with steel balls cost less than ceramic, but they are slightly less durable. Hybrid steel and ceramic balls are the best of both worlds because they offer durability and a smooth ride.
10 Best Longboard Bearings
1. Bones Reds Bearings
Bones is an iconic institution in skateboarding and longboarding. I currently use Bones Reds Bearings for my skateboard and longboard setups. They are well-lubricated, so you don’t have to worry about losing speed for at least several months of heavy riding. I recommend these bearings because of their great value despite being the most popular bearings on the market.
Despite costing over half the price of Bones Swiss, I have always preferred Bones Reds bearings. The only difference is that you may have to push slightly sooner with Bones Reds, but not significantly.
2. Bronson Speed Co. G2
Bronson Speed Co. G2 bearings are a great option whether you ride fast downhill or casually cruise. The balls are made of ceramic which means they offer a smoother ride. They are also lubricated with oil which I prefer over grease because of the increased speed. Bronson Speed Co. G2 bearings are a good alternative to Bones Reds Bearings at roughly the same price.
3. Bones Swiss
Bones Swiss Skateboard Bearings aren’t cheap, but they are worth the cost. They cost three times as much as Bones Reds, but they also offer better performance. You can roll for a long time with Bones Swiss bearings before you need to push. I have used these bearings for skateboards and longboards and had the same results. They feature ceramic balls which make them as smooth as possible.
4. Heady Shake Pro Bearings
If you are an active, downhill, speed-focused longboarder, you should consider Heady Shake Pro Bearings. They work well for cruising too, but these bearings excel when you push them at high speeds. It’s also nice that they come in several colors, so you aren’t limited in pairing them to your wheels. They come with spacers which I recommend using, but they aren’t mandatory.
5. Spitfire Cheapshots
Spitfire is mostly known for their wheels, but they also make several great sets of bearings. Look no further than Spitfire Cheapshots if you want to save money with budget bearings. These 8-millimeter bearings aren’t cheaply made, however, and they offer a smooth ride.
The only downside is that they don’t offer quite as much speed as something like Bones Reds Bearings. They also are less likely to last as long as Bones Reds Bearings unless you lubricate them after a few months.
6. Fireball Dragon Precision
Much like Bones Swiss, Fireball Dragon Precision bearings are high-end and feature ceramic balls. The $60 price can dissuade some longboarders, but they are more durable than many cheaper bearings because of the materials. It’s worth the cost when you consider that they typically last several months longer than the average set of bearings.
They will last even longer if you use the aluminum spacers that they come with to prevent alignment problems. I find that they are worth the cost because of how little you must clean them.
7. Yellow Jacket Premium Skateboard Bearings
Yellow Jacket Premium Skateboard Bearings are the best budget bearings besides Spitfire Cheapshots. They only cost $15 but offer just as much spin as Bones Reds Bearings. I recommend Yellow Jacket bearings for cruisers because you don’t have to push too frequently.
It’s worth noting that Yellow Jacket also has the best customer service that I’ve ever come across from any manufacturer in the world of longboarding and skateboarding.
8. Zealous Steel
Zealous Steel bearings are interchangeable with skateboards and longboards. These lightweight, steel bearings are cheap and reliable. They are lubricated with grease which isn’t always as good as oil, but it’s hard to notice a difference with these.
I recommend Zealous Steel bearings for downhill longboarders. The coating will prevent excessive friction and overheating when you hit high speeds, and that’s essential when riding downhill.
9. Bones Race Red
Look no further than Bones Race Red bearings if you are a speed demon. Racers and downhill riders alike praise Bones Race Red bearings for their speed. You sacrifice control at high speeds with some bearings, but that’s not a problem with Bones Race Red.
They are incredibly easy to install because you don’t need to worry about adding spacers. This saves time when you set up the board and provides perfect wheel alignment when riding. However, they may offer more speed than you’re comfortable with when casually cruising.
10. Oldboy Ceramic Skateboard Bearings
Skaters and longboarders looking for premium parts should consider Oldboy Ceramic Skateboard Bearings. Much like Bones Swiss, these bearings can take you quite far with a single push. Your wheels will continue to roll and spin for a long time because of the lubrication and ceramic balls.
They are a better deal than Bones Swiss, but they don’t offer quite as good of a performance. I recommend cruising with these bearings for a while to break them in before riding downhill and landing tricks. They also offer chrome bearings at half the cost if you want to save some money.
How to Install Bearings into Your Longboard (Step-by-Step)
1. Remove Nuts and Speed Washers
The first step is to remove the nuts and exterior speed washers from your truck hangers. Simply unscrew them from the end of each hanger and keep them nearby because you’ll need them later.
2. Add Speed Washers and Bearings
Now, you need to add one speed washer to each axle. Slide a bearing on each side of the axle and make sure that the side with the shield faces inward. Repeat this with each hanger of both trucks.
3. Add Spacers and More Bearings
Each axle needs a single spacer. Put a spacer on each axle and push them all the way in so that it touches the bearing. Slide another bearing onto each axle so that the spacers are each sandwiched between two bearings.
4. Secure Your Wheels
Now it’s time to secure the bearings into your wheels. Slide each wheel onto each axle and apply pressure to pop the bearings into them. Keep pushing until you hear them pop indicating that they are secure. All that is left to do is add speed washers to the bearings on the outside of each wheel. Simply screw them in place and you are ready to ride.
5. Break Them In
Now, all that you need to do is break in your bearings. This isn’t necessary in every case, but you typically need to break in heavily lubricated bearings. Hold your longboard and spin the bearings by hand several times.
Simply ride your longboard at cruising speeds on some smooth pavement. It only takes 20-30 minutes to break in bearings. Shift your weight, pump, and turn several times to evenly break them in. You’ll know that they are broken in once you can roll for a long time off of a single push.
Longboard Bearings FAQs
Are Longboard Bearings the Same as Skateboard Bearings?
Longboard bearings are the same as skateboard bearings. They are interchangeable and many brands don’t specify which type of board they are intended for. You can even transfer old bearings from a skateboard to a longboard without any problem as long as they are in good shape.
Are All Longboard Bearings the Same Size?
Generally, longboard and skateboard bearings are all the same size. This makes it easier to choose bearings for your longboard setup. You won’t have to worry about matching the bearings to your wheels.
How Do You Clean Longboard Bearings?
The best way to clean longboard bearings is to soak them in isopropyl alcohol. Leave your bearings in a dish of 70%-90% isopropyl alcohol for between 30 minutes and 2 hours to remove dirt, dust, and grime. Remove your bearings from the dish of alcohol and let them dry before you put them back on your longboard.
Do Longboarding Wheels Need Spacers?
Longboarding wheels don’t need spacers, but you can install them if you want. They especially come in handy if you ride at high speeds or perform tricks. Spacers are useful because they help ensure that your wheels are perfectly aligned.
Final Thoughts
The best longboard bearings include Bones Reds, Bones Swiss, Spitfire Cheapsots, and Zealous Steel. Fireball Dragon Precision and Yellow Jacket Premium Skateboard Bearings also offer excellent speed and stability. Consider Bronson Speed Co. G2 and Bones Race Red bearings if you like to go as fast as possible.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer that primarily focused on action sports. Skateboarding and Longboarding are his particular areas of expertise. When he isn’t writing about action sports, he is catching up on the world of skateboarding and spending time outside.