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Step 1
Think about what kind of skater you are before you buy. Rollerblade bearings perform differently, depending on the kind of skating they were made for. Determine whether you use your skates for tricks, speed performance, long distance or sports like hockey. This will help you narrow the choices to find the right kind of bearing.
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Step 2
Consider your wheels. It's important to couple bearings with the right wheels. Many skaters find that hard trick wheels are best with slower, more durable bearings. The opposite is true for big, soft wheels: a faster bearing will maximize rollerblade performance.
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Step 3
Set out a budget. Your budget for bearings is not just about the price of the bearings but also the bearings' durability. Frequently, high end and fast bearings wear out more quickly than slower bearings which are designed to take a beating. Understanding your budget over time will help you buy the right bearings.
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Step 4
Know bearing sizes and the requirements of your skates. Most bearings have a 608 sizing, which means the bearings have six millimeter inside diameter and an eight millimeter outside diameter. While the 608 designation is the most common, there are a few other sizes to look out for when buying bearings.
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Step 5
Pay attention to the bearing quality ratings. All bearings have an ABEC rating on a scale of 1 to 7, with one being the most crude bearing and 7 being the most precise and high-quality. While bearing quality will not directly affect your skates' speed, it will affect tolerance and durability over time. Very few skaters require ABEC 7 bearings and most find that ABEC 3 is more than sufficient.
