Bearings are the most invisible component of a skateboard and, paradoxically, the one that most affects the feeling of speed. Bones is the worldwide benchmark brand: it has outsold everyone for decades for a good reason. But among the 8 models in its catalogue, choosing isn’t trivial.
In this guide: a detailed explanation of each model, a comparison, and at the end a calculator that tells you which one fits you.
Why Bones is Bones
Bones has spent 40 years doing only two things: bearings and wheels. Pure focus. While the competition does everything, Bones pours every euro into R&D on these two components.
The result:
- Skate Rated: its own classification that measures what matters to skating (unlike ABEC, which comes from industrial machinery).
- Speed Cream: its own lubricant included in many packs.
- Spacers and washers correctly sized.
- Over 20 million sets sold since 1986.
ABEC vs Skate Rated
The skate industry uses two ways to classify bearings:
ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineering Committee): industrial scale created in 1932. It measures dimensional tolerances (how precise the bearing geometry is). It runs from ABEC 1 (low precision) to ABEC 9 (max precision). Sounds good, but:
- It doesn’t measure impacts (key in skating).
- It doesn’t measure lubricant quality.
- It doesn’t measure dust and water resistance.
- An industrial ABEC 9 can be WORSE for skating than a well-designed ABEC 5.
Skate Rated (Bones): its own classification that evaluates:
- Dimensional tolerance.
- Steel or ceramic quality.
- Ability to take lateral load (landing impacts).
- Design of the protective shields.
- Skate-specific lubrication.
The 8 Bones models explained
Bones Reds
The world’s best-seller. Made in China in one of the highest-quality plants. Standard steel, rubber shields, Speed Cream lubricant included.
- Price: €18-25
- For whom: practically any skater. It’s what 60% of the skate world rides.
- Lifespan: 2-4 years with regular use.
Bones Super Reds
Same as the Reds but with better-quality steel and more precise balls. More sustained speed and more durability.
- Price: €35-45
- For whom: intermediate skater who already enjoys their Reds and wants to feel an upgrade.
- Lifespan: 3-5 years.
Bones Ceramic Super Reds
Super Reds structure and materials, but Cerbec ceramic balls instead of steel.
- Ceramic balls are lighter, don’t rust and have less friction.
- Price: €60-80
- For whom: advanced skater who wants the best without jumping to Swiss prices.
Bones Reds Big Balls
Keep all the Reds quality, but the balls are 17% bigger than standard (8 balls instead of 7).
- Result: they roll faster and last longer under load (impacts).
- Price: €28-38
- For whom: skater who values sustained speed (cruising, bowl) without spiking the budget.
Bones Swiss
The qualitative leap. Skate Rated design combined with Swiss manufacturing precision. Top-quality steel, bespoke assembly, premium lubricant.
- Price: €60-80
- For whom: pro or advanced skater who skates a lot and values extreme smoothness.
- Lifespan: 5-8 years or more.
Bones Super Swiss 6
Same Swiss quality but with 6 balls instead of 7. The balls are individually bigger, which cuts overall friction and increases speed.
- Price: €70-90
- For whom: bowl, vert and fast-cruising skaters. Where sustained speed matters.
Bones Swiss Labyrinth 2
On the Swiss base, they add an extra protective shield (‘labyrinth’) that drastically cuts friction and raises the bearing’s overall speed.
- Price: €75-95
- For whom: skaters on dusty floors or outdoors with dust/sand. The extra protection extends life A LOT.
Bones Swiss Ceramics
The absolute ceiling of the Bones catalogue. Swiss structure + Cerbec ceramic balls.
- Ceramic balls are the highest quality in the industry.
- Lighter, more corrosion-resistant, minimal friction.
- Price: €110-140
- For whom: pros, skate rich kids, or skaters who want a single set of bearings FOR LIFE.
Calculator: your Bones model by profile
Tick your preferences and the tool suggests the specific model + an alternative.
Tu perfil de skater
Bones Reds
18-25 €El rodamiento más vendido del mundo. Calidad-precio imbatible.
Para tu perfil, los Reds dan más que de sobra. Patinarías años antes de notar la diferencia con un Swiss.
Bones Super Reds — si quieres subir un escalón.
How to look after them so they last twice as long
Bearings aren’t eternal but you can get twice the life out of them with minimal maintenance:
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Clean every 6-12 months:
- Take the bearing out of the wheel.
- Carefully remove the shields.
- Soak in solvent (isopropyl alcohol works) and shake 30 seconds.
- Dry with compressed air or a lint-free cloth.
- Apply 2-3 drops of Speed Cream or specific bearing oil.
- Put the shields back on.
-
Spacers ALWAYS:
- €3-5 a set, they double the lifespan.
- They go between the two bearings of each wheel.
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Don’t get them wet:
- If you skate on wet ground, dry them when you get home with a cloth.
- If they get very wet (puddle), clean them before they rust.
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Tighten the nuts with judgement:
- The wheel should spin free with a hand flick.
- If you’ve tightened so much it’s hard to spin, you’ve killed the bearings in a week.
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Rotate the wheels every 1-2 months to even out the wear of the 8 bearings.
Where next?
- Standalone calculator: Bones bearings calculator (the same one you saw above).
- Step-by-step cleaning: How to clean your bearings.
- Full setup: Deck calculator · Wheels calculator · Trucks calculator.
- To understand the rest: How to choose wheels.
Ready to buy?
If you want to skip the back-and-forth, here are two clear paths. If you'd rather fine-tune, head back to the sections above.
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