durability of ILQ 9 bearings

[VO2Maxskater]

Two questions for anyone that may have knowledge/experience with ILQ bearings:

1) Can one expect ILQ 9 Classic bearings to require less maintenance than the average bearing? I'm wondering because I did my first in-line skate race on my VO2Max 90's this past Saturday on wet roads (Hayward In-Line Marathon) and I expected this to be hard on my bearings. They seem to have come through it ok and are still spinning nicely. Many others I talked to at the race expected that the conditions would trash a set of bearings, or at the very least, require extensive service afterwards. Does the ILQ design keep out contaminents such as water or dirt better than many other types of bearings?

2) What is the primary difference between ILQ 7 bearings and the ILQ 9 Classics? Speed? Durability?

[IW Staff]

ILQ 7 vs ILQ 9 would be like and ABEC7 vs ABEC 9. Said to be a different race or specs for the bearings.

ILQ's are also said to be inline specific. Whether better durability, speed, etc... is open to argument. Personal experience decides all that and your experience is as good as anyone's, so perhaps you should be telling people your thoughts.

The seal I believe is a bit different and may help to keep stuff out. I'm one that doesn't service my bearings. I'll replace before doing that. That said, I don't have to replace my bearings very often. Unless something gets in there to mess them up, they go pretty good. A lot has to do with chance. You may be on the cleanest surface possible but something gets in there and screws things up. I like Bones, I've had good experiences with ILQ and BSB. Any bad experiences I haven't pegged on any brand thus far, but to bad luck.

Thanks,
Stan

[VO2Maxskater]

Thanks Stan. I've not skated as much as many others have and haven't had many different types of bearings, so I don't have much of a basis of comparison. Your thoughts are helpful.

Like you, I prefer not to service bearings, so durability is important. I've been very impressed with the ILQ 9 Classics that came on my VO2 Max's as they still spin very well, even after the race on wet pavement on Saturday. Is it correct that you currently do not stock the ILQ 9's?

[IW Staff]

We have ILQ 7, but no nine currently. The bearing deal is a bit funky. Rollerblade now has their own as well called the SG5, 7 & 9. So you can get lost trying to get bearings. The best thing to do is find a brand you like and stick with that.

Bones for example are my favorite and they spin INCREDIBLY. They don't even use ABEC, ILQ or SG ratings.

Thanks,
Stan

[VO2Maxskater]

Thanks for the Bones recommendation... just ordered some Bones Reds bearings.