Here at SBC towers we have been lucky enough to partner with SkateAmerica.com to bring you some reviews on products they offer, new and old.
We’re starting off with something old, a real staple in skateboarding. These bearings will be familiar to many of you already, seeing as they’re officially the best selling skateboard bearings in the USA, but what many of you may not be aware is that Bones manufactures all Bones Reds in China.
There’s a real stigma in skateboarding that product stamped with “Made in China” are in some way automatically inferior to all others – Bones Red’s prove that this stigma is totally unfounded.
Red’s have been around since the early 80’s, back when specifically made skateboarding equipment was still in its infancy. Frustrated with the lack of performance bearings on the market specifically made for skateboarding, George Powell and Stacy Peralta of Bones Brigade fame set out to create a bearing that was fast, strong, and affordable to skaters. The result was the Bones Reds, and to the best of my knowledge they have hardly changed since their introduction.
Unlike many cheaper bearings Reds are not fully sealed, so can be maintained and cared for over time, prolonging the life of the bearing. Many bearings have metal shields stamped into the bearings on both sides, meaning you have no access to the ball bearings inside. Over many skate sessions microscopic particles of dirty and grime build up inside the bearing and the lubricant inside eventually becomes completely dry, this causes and the surface of the internal ball bearings become tarnished. A bearing with a tarnished surface can be thought of in exactly the same as having a wheel with a small flat spot – it makes more noise when rotating and will deteriorate faster than one in good condition.
Simple conservation of energy proves to us that the more energy that’s wasted as sound and heat being produced by and inside the bearing – the less energy remains as kinetic energy to keep us moving.
When you buy Reds you get 8 bearings, a classic Reds sticker, and instructions… Which you can just throw away. When i was a lad, Reds used to come with bearing spacers, however i haven’t seen a set that does for some time, i assume they no longer sell them with bearing spaces – these are unnecessary anyway. They do however still come pre-lubricated with Bones special low-viscosity lubricant, known as Bones Speed Cream. This synthetic lubricant is very light, just want you want from a bearing lubricant, and has been designed by Bones specifically for use with skateboard bearings. While it’s more expensive than general purpose oils its performance has been proven to be worth the investment.
For the price, Bones Reds are a brilliant budget buy, top quality at a price everybody can afford. No gimicky name or packaging, just 8 of the best bearings you can buy, for under $15 at least… (More on that next time!)
I strongly recommend these wheels for anybody who wants a good quality bearing at a rock bottom price, it’s hard to think of any better long life bearings than these, buy a set already!!
Bones Bearings form part of Skate One – the distributor for Powell Peralta, Bones Bearings, Bones Wheels, Bones Brigade, Mini Logo, as well as longboard/cruiser wheel brand – These Wheels.
Bones Reds are currently available at SkateAmerica.com for only $12.95.
