Firstly, these bearings are designed for high performance skateboards, not roller-skates. There might be a chance they will work if your wheel hub and frame/truck design magically suit, but is highly unlikely.

So why would I bother to mention this bearing company and their products you say…

The technology interface of bearing, wheel and roller-skate has become relaxed over the years, most likely due to low skate sales, poor marketing, manufacturer wars and the cheapskate demands of uninformed consumers.

This has created skate designs which do not allow for engineering tolerances that would ultimately contribute to skate performance, longevity of product, strength of skate, and the integrity of the manufacturer.

The primary discussion here is about the humble bearing spacer and what it’s primary purpose is. If designed correctly, it holds the potential to improve the interface between axle and wheel, and whilst most may never notice the difference, it’s presence is a benefit, yet only if it is implemented correctly to fine tolerances.

After much reading in skate forums and on many manufacturer websites, I have come to the conclusion that I would like to see these types of bearings ‘return’, yes RETURN,’ to my roller skating experience, and I hereby challenge roller-skate manufacturers to boldly integrate bearings such as these back into their skate designs.

I ‘poo poo’ any skate maintenance authority that suggest bearing spacers are not important. They may not be ‘appropriate’ to current skate design but that does not render the technology unnecessary. It just has to be implemented correctly! It takes brave manufacturers to make this happen.

Whilst I do have my fingers crossed, I am not likely to hold my breath on this matter. But it was worth my time to express something intrinsically ‘Sad’ about the roller-skate technology industry.

If you care, make it count, if there is room for improvement, make it happen. If you don’t know how to do it, ask others who seem to know. The expense of new implementations will be offset when it becomes tomorrow’s commonplace, but that will never happen until you make a start.

Cudos to Seismic for their bearings. You may not be directly involved with my area of involvement but you have the attitude that I want to see in the people who make my gear. Keep it up!

Seismic Tekton Bearings

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