What's the deal with Bones Bearings?

by Primary Skateboards

  Bones. They've been the trusted source for skateboard bearings since the early 1980's. George Powell saw the need of skateboarders for a faster, better bearing and after doing some research, he found a manufacturer in Switzerland that was making them. From that time on, Bones Swiss has been the go to choice for skateboardings professionals. But what about the rest of the Bones line up? From the best selling Reds, to the Bones Swiss Ceramics, here is the info that you need to know.

Bones REDS

  A classic, we've probably all had at least one set in our skate careers. The name itself is a nod to their place of manufacturing, (Red) China, and they offer quality, and durability at a very affordable price. Inspected twice at the factory to ensure the correct specifications are met, they have become skateboardings best selling bearing. 

Features

  • Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less friction
  • High speed Nylon™ ball retainer for greater strength and speed
  • Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream™ racing lubricant
  • Skate Rated™ clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible
  • https://primaryskateboards.ca/collections/bearings/products/reds-bearings
Bones SUPER REDS

 Contrary to popular belief, these are not just a Reds bearing with better quality material. Bones Super Reds were designed from the ground up to be the best bearing available at this price point. They offer superior surface finishing, higher quality steel races, and a better quality steel ball. What you get is a bearing that is equally as fast as REDS, but also quieter, smoother, and longer lasting. 

Features

  • Features Higher quality steel races, better quality and grade balls, and a superior surface finish.
  • Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less friction.
  • High speed nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed.
  • Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream™ racing lubricant
  • Skate Rated™ clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible.
  • https://primaryskateboards.ca/collections/bearings/products/bones-super-reds
Bones BIG BALLS REDS
 The newest addition to the Reds lineup, Big Ball Reds utilize a 17% bigger steel ball, which enables them to have 6, instead of the usual 7 ball bearings. This not only allows for a faster roll, but also traps less dirt inside of your bearings, which will slow any bearing down. If you're looking for a durable, longer lasting bearing, without sacrificing speed, Bones BIG BALL REDS are worth the extra ten or dollars they might cost you. 

Features

Bones CERAMICS SUPER REDS 

 Ceramic Super Reds, that's a mouthful, but worth the effort. The ceramic balls are lighter than the standard steel, in-turn offering a faster acceleration, with or without the lubricant. Not only that, but because the ceramic ball bearings are so much harder, they will actually polish and re-flatten the steel races if any dirt gets there. The best part though might be that the ceramic balls will not rust, so you get a better bearing that will out last all the others. 

Features

  • Features grade 5, silicone nitride, hot isostatically pressed ceramic balls.
  • Higher quality steel races and a superior surface finish.
  • Single non-contact removable rubber shield for easy cleaning and less frictioc
  • High speed nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed.
  • Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant.
  • Skate Rated clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible.

Bones SWISS

 The original Bones Swiss, the industry standard by which all other bearings are measured. For over 35 years Bones Swiss have been the go to set of bearings for skateboardings top professionals. Manufactured in Switzerland, to pro competition standards, these will normally last several times longer than normal ABEC rated bearings. 

Features

  • Single, removable, non-contact rubber shield allows easy cleaning and low friction.
  • High speed nylon ball retainer provides added strength and speed.
  • Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream racing lubricant
  • Skate Rated; clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible.
  • Best selling high end skate bearing in the U.S.A.

Bones SUPER SWISS 6

  Often referred to solely as Swiss 6, these offer the same benefits of the Bones Swiss, but use 6 larger diameter balls allowing for higher top speed and quicker acceleration.

Features

  • Single, non-contact, removable rubber shield allows for easy cleaning and less friction.
  • High speed nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed.
  • Pre-lubricated with Speed Cream® racing lubricant
  • Skate Rated™ clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible.

 Bones SWISS CERAMICS 

  Quite literally in a class of their own, Bones Swiss Ceramics are everything you think they would be. Faster, lighter, smoother, longer lasting and self repairing. The ceramic ball bearings out perform the highest quality steel ball bearings, its not even close. Manufactured in Switzerland, like the name implies, these bearings will last through multiple sets of wheels. 

Features

  • Accelerate faster.
  • Roll faster and farther.
  • Resist dirt and moisture better.
  • Help to repair injuries to your races caused by dirt.
  • 1 non-contact, removable rubber shields allow easy cleaning.
  • High speed nylon ball retainer for greater strength and speed.
  • Skate Rated™ clearances, tolerances, materials and lubricant provide the best performance and durability possible.

  So there you have a basic rundown of the top six bearings from the Bones lineup. We encourage everyone to do their own research, explore your options and of course, have fun! 

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