Freeskate Bearings
Defining Freeskate Bearings
Freeskate bearings reside within your wheels, kept secure by an axle. They are crucial to your skating configuration, allowing the skates to rotate smoothly. The variety of bearings used in freeskates will impact the speed and enhance energy efficiency.
Selecting the Appropriate Freeskate Bearings
Picking suitable freeskate bearings relies on various elements - such as the material, precision (ABEC rating), style of skating, and expertise level.
Typically, children and novice skaters opt for ABEC 3 or ABEC 5 rated bearings, whereas those at an intermediate to advanced level favour ABEC 7 or ABEC 9 freeskate bearings. If you're an advanced skater keen on executing jumps, shredding, and performing dance or slalom manoeuvres, you might lean toward a set of freeskate ceramic or Swiss bearings.
A key to prolonging the lifespan of your freeskate bearings is effective maintenance, especially if you frequently go inline skating. Explore our Bearing Cleaning and Lubrication guide for further insights on caring for your bearings.
Importance of Freeskate Spacers, Despite Their Small Size
While they might be one of the tiniest parts of your skate configuration, the significance of freeskate spacers should never be overlooked. Positioned between the bearings, spacers for freeskates help reduce some of the pressure and friction they endure.
When it comes to spacers, the key considerations are size and material. Choosing the correct size is paramount, with options typically being 6 mm or 8 mm. Remember, the required size is dictated by the specifications of your current skates, specifically the diameter of the axle.
Material preference is subjective, offering choices between plastic or metal versions. However, most skaters tend to select aluminium due to its advantageous mix of being lightweight and robust.
For detailed information regarding spacers, refer to our Spacers Guide, which covers the essentials in depth.