Inline Skate Bearings and the ABEC Scale

If you think you need new bearings for your inline skates, it's best to check your bearings for wear using the tests provided in this article. Your bearings are at the core of your wheels and reduce friction so you can skate smoothly and efficiently. Hence, they need to be maintained properly from season to season.

Checking for Wear

The following are indications of major, bearing wear from a no-load, finger-flick, spin test:

One or more of your wheels stick(s) periodically One or more of your wheels (is) are seized One or more or your wheels require(s) a lot of force to spin One or more of your wheels spin(s) freely for only a second or two

In addition, the following are signs of major, bearing wear from a spin test with the skater as the load:

While out skating you hear a loud, grinding noise from your bearings It takes a lot of effort to pick up and maintain speed when you skate Your bearings are hot to the touch after a roll

You may also want to replace your inline skate bearings if you decide to switch to a different type of bearing. You may want to change from shielded bearings to sealed or racing bearings.

Learning the ABEC Scale

Bearings are rated on the Annular Bearing Engineering Council (ABEC) scale. Ratings are numbered 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 on the ABEC scale. The higher the number is, the greater the manufactured precision of the bearing.

However, there are no required materials to meet the ABEC specifications. The bearings only have to be made to a certain precision. That's all!

Servicing your Bearings

Inline skate bearings usually come in sets of four to eight. Before you head out to your favorite sporting goods store, write down the information that's shown on the outer shields of your bearings. Don't forget to flip the bearing over and include the text that's inscribed on the other side.

If you're happy with the original bearings that came with your skates or the last set you installed, by all means buy the same bearings. If you have serviceable bearings like TwinCams or YAKs and you don't mind doing your own cleaning and lubrication than you may want to stick with the double-shielded type, especially if they are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) that your skate manufacturer recommends.

On the other hand, if you have non-serviceable or sealed bearings and are squeamish about doing your own cleaning and lubrication, even periodically, you may want to stick with this type of bearing and just replace them when they need to be changed.

In addition, if you have shielded bearings with pop-out caps, like Powell Swiss or Black Hole brands, and like them for their ease of maintenance, it's probably best to go with this kind of bearing again.

Buying new Bearings

My K2 skates have 8-mm, TwinCam, ABEC-1, double-shielded bearings with the following inscribed on the casings:

TwinCam

ABEC-1

608 ZZ

Normally, the manufacturer or brand doesn't make a lot of difference within the three categories of shielded, serviceable bearings, shielded, serviceable bearings with pop-up caps, and sealed, non-serviceable bearings. A bearing size of 8 mm and the 608 designation are fine for recreational, inline skaters. The ABEC rating is another story!

ABEC-1, 3, and 5 are the most common bearings that come with inline skates, as well as the newer ABEC-7s, which are gaining in popularity. Whether a skater can go faster with ABEC-5 bearings versus ABEC-1 bearings has never been proven, scientifically or otherwise.

Furthermore, the higher precision may not make a significant difference for the recreational skater who travels in the 10 to 20 mph range. The average skater doesn't require a higher-rated bearing because the difference in performance is so minimal that it would only become apparent at speeds an inline skater never attains.

In addition, the higher precision eventually deteriorates down to ABEC-3 or 1 due to dust, dirt, and regular wear and tear. To increase your skating speed, you'd be better off to improve your technique and learn how to cut down on wind resistance. These are proven ways to make you a faster and more efficient skater.

So, get the most affordable ABEC-1 or ABEC-3 inline skate bearings you can find, clean and lube them with oil or grease on an annual basis, and you'll be just fine.

Summing Up

When it comes time to purchase new bearings for your inline skates, make sure you write down the information that's inscribed on the outer casing of your bearings before you head to your local, skating shop. In addition, beware that an ABEC rating is nothing more than a bearing precision. If you find a set of bearings at the right price that are suited for your skates, but they have a lower ABEC rating, go for it anyway! You'll probably never notice the difference.

Three Things You Can Do Right Now to Learn How to Play Racquetball

Racquetball is a sport that is second to none as a cardiovascular fitness exercise. It is a way to exercise and have fun playing it as well as make new friends. What sport or game can you play, laugh, have fun, and burn maybe 600 or more calories in an hour's time while toning your muscles and fighting heart disease? If you haven't tried racquetball, you owe it to yourself to learn about it.

Here are three ways you can get into racquetball right away:

1. Find the nearest racquetball courts in your area. You can look in your local phone book for telephone numbers to health clubs in your area. You can do a Google or Bing search for health clubs or courts in your areas. You can call or email me at Lawler Sports, and I will help you search for racquetball courts in your area. You can call them and ask if they have racquetball courts available.

2. Get eyewear, balls, and racquet and get ready for an amazing workout and fun.

To experience racquetball by yourself until you get a partner you can hit the ball to the front wall over and over and experience a great cardio workout. You don't need a partner and you don't even need to know the rules. Get in and hit the ball and try to hit it as much as possible back to yourself. You can let the ball bounce as many times as you want during your one-on-one play. Make it a fun situation and enjoy the great workout. Take your water breaks and enjoy.

Challenge yourself in different ways that cause more cardio workout if you really want to push yourself. Do not play racquetball without eyewear specific to the sport. Many bad accidents have occurred while not playing with eyewear. Think about this: the ball acts like a suction cup on contact. You can contact me as well and get a big beginner discount to help you get going as inexpensively as possible.

3. Find a racquetball coach in your area or virtually. When you find racquetball courts in your area you can generally find out if racquetball lessons or a way to learn racquetball is available. You can call or email me if you don't find someone locally to help you along.