Skateboard wheels cannot fulfill their duty without the bearings placed within them. Functional skateboard bearings will make your skate wheels run smoother and faster.
How long do skateboard bearings last? There are several factors to consider in determining the life span of your skateboard bearings. Your bearings can last for a year or even longer if maintained properly.
It is important that you know the right time to replace your skateboard bearings because your skateboard will never run the way it should be without high-quality bearings.
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How Long Do Bearings Last Skateboard Users
Skateboard bearings, small as they may seem, play a huge part under your board. Your skateboarding routines will determine the lifespan of your skateboard bearings. Taking good care of them can also make your bearings last longer.
The average lifespan of skateboard bearings is 1 to 2 years if given proper care and maintenance.
Bearings get tired too, and remember that too much of anything isn’t good at all. Too much wetness, sliding, and fast jumping will cause your skateboard bearings to wear out faster. So, if you do not want to change skateboard bearings faster than expected, be mindful of how you are going to treat your bearings.
Too much exposure to water will make your bearings rust, which will shorten their lifespan. Rusty bearings will never be good for your skateboard wheels.
Skateboarding is an extreme sport, and most of the time, tricks and exhibitions are done in a fast-paced manner. If you are fond of doing jumping-off tricks while on a ride, chances are, you need to replace your skateboard bearings more often.
When you slide, your bearings do a lot of work. Too much sliding can also cause your bearings to wear out fast.
How to Extend Skateboard Bearings Life
If you maintain your skateboard bearings properly, you will be able to give them extra years of life.
Be mindful of how to keep your skateboard bearings clean and well-maintained. Check them once in a while, especially if you notice something unusual. This can protect your bearings from complete and faster wear.
To avoid rust, always clean your skateboard bearings after exposing them to water. If possible, do not use your skateboards while it’s raining and avoid rolling on wet and damped surfaces.
Do not put oil on your bearings without cleaning them first. Putting oil on dirty bearings is useless because dirt and dust will only block them.
If you want bearings that will last for years, it is recommended not to buy options with the lowest price in town. But, you also need not buy the most expensive ones. It is a matter of research and asking your experienced buddies about the best skateboard bearings they know.
When to Replace Skateboard Bearings
If you have rusty skateboard bearings, they definitely need to be changed immediately, for they will affect your skateboard’s overall functionality. This is one of the most obvious reasons why you need to replace your bearings.
If the shields and balls of your bearings have gone missing, you should get new bearings immediately. Skating without these components can lead to accidents.
If you feel unusual things while riding on your board such as roughness and stiffness, better check your bearings for possible problems. If cleaning or lubing them doesn’t change anything, then it’s time for you to buy a new set of bearings.
The Importance of Maintaining Bearings
If skateboard bearings are not taken care of well, they will wear off sooner and faster. If you don’t fix your bearings even though you already noticed something unusual about these parts, they will somehow damage your wheels as well.
Skateboard parts are interconnected with each other. If you pay attention to your skateboard’s smallest details, it will help you determine the problem earlier and you will be able to prevent bigger problems from occurring.
This can save your whole skateboard and will give you the opportunity to enjoy your ride using your old but reliable board for the longest period of time.
Skateboard bearings, when bought alone, are not that pricey. But if your faulty bearings already caused damage to your wheels, you need to buy both components together, and this could cost you a lot.
Maintenance will not only save your skateboards from wearing off too early, but it will also save you some pennies. Most importantly, it will save you from accidents and serious injuries brought by defective parts of your skateboard.
Conclusion
Responsible skateboarders know how to take good care of their skateboards. Well-functioning boards will keep you away from possible accidents.
This article on how long do skateboard bearings last does not just give you ideas regarding the average service life of your bearings; it also provides you with tips and guidelines on how you will be able to extend the life of your skateboard bearings. We also mentioned the proper time to replace your bearings.
It is important that you have knowledge about these things to make not only your bearing’s life longer but your whole skateboard as well.
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Hi, I am Charles Harris. I opened this site to write as much as I can about my biggest passion – skateboarding!
I started as a clumsy yet passionate rookie 10 years ago to now a still passionate yet much better skateboarder! But I have to tell you, the whole journey has always been fun and rewarding, indeed not without hardship.