Bearings & Spacers for Speed Skates

Which Bearings Do Speed Skaters Utilise?

For speed skaters, bearings are one of the most crucial components of their gear. The selection of speed skate bearings can directly influence skaters’ speed and outcomes. Therefore, irrespective of their goal, speed skaters opt for bearings of the highest calibre.

What Are the Optimum Speed Skate Bearings?

To determine the finest quality bearings for speed skates, consider the ABEC rating and lubrication aspect.

The ABEC grading indicates the manufacturing precision and accuracy of the bearing. The ABEC scale is from 1 to 9; the greater the rating, the smoother and quicker your wheels will turn. A majority of speed skaters prefer an ABEC 7 or ABEC 9 rating to enhance their performance. Other bearing types, such as those made of ceramic or Bones bearings, are considered comparable to ABEC 7 and ABEC 9 bearings.

Speed skate bearings can be lubricated with oil or grease. Bearings with oil lubrication rotate rapidly but accumulate dirt swiftly, making them the ideal choice for skaters practising indoors. Grease-lubricated inline speed skate bearings spin more slowly than those lubricated with oil, but they are less likely to be affected by dirt when skating outdoors.

Seeking wheels to complement your new bearings? Look at our range of Speed Skate Wheels.

What is the Purpose of Speed Skate Spacers?

Are you finding it challenging to surpass your competitor or aiming for a new personal record? Many factors can affect your performance, but one often overlooked aspect is the use of spacers. Spacers are located between wheel bearings. They ensure that the bearings are correctly aligned, allowing them to spin freely, thus enabling high-speed skating. Despite their small size, they can make a significant difference when you need to gain a few seconds.

The key point to remember when using spacers for speed skates is their compatibility with the axle on your skates. There are two spacer types: the floating spacer and the long sleeve bearing spacer. To determine which is needed, disassemble the wheel and place the bearing onto the axle. If there is substantial play, use a long sleeve spacer to ensure a snug setup. If it already fits comfortably, then a floating spacer is suitable.