Purchasing New Wheels/Bearings

[djhomeless]

ILW Staff:
I have a pair of K2 PowerXP's and the streets of boston have chewed up the wheels considerably, I went to get new wheels with bearings (TRUE) and they slow me down considerably, im going to bring them back. The stock bearings on there are Twincam 688RS not sure about abec ratings for them maybe 3? I want to get some new wheels and bearings that will speed me up from the stock, but will last through crappy roads and going in the rain. As the skates new from your store are like 100$ I would like to get something that will last that can be used as a backup pair on new skates, if I get some within a year or so. Don't want to spend more than 70$ for wheels and bearings. Cleaning Kits vs. Buying new bearings, im not sure how the stock ones stack up to aftermarket parts, but is buying a kit worth it for stock bearings? Any Purchase Reccomendations?
Thanks for your help,
--John

[GhostRider]

What size wheels can your frames handle? Also, if IW can get them I would recommend ILQ-9 classic bearings. If not, then BSB ABEC 3 bearings would probably do you well. Greased and sealed bearings usually require little if any maintenance. I have had my ILQ-9s now for nearly 6 months and they have over 1000 miles on them and I have not cleaned them once. They are very sturdy and fast.

Let me know if that helps any. Thanks.

[IW Staff]

The Ghostrider makes a very good recommendation and is very knowledgeable with respect to inline skating.

The TRUE bearings are probably the biggest problem in the equation you mentioned. We sold those a while back at a discounted price of $5 or $10 a 16pk. Great bearing for getting out the door cheap, but they don't have the same quality as the BSB, Bones or ILQ Series bearings.

The ILQ's are on the site and are durable. Bones are my favorite, but if going through real dirty conditions, the ILQ sealed bearings would be better.

Thanks for the post !

[djhomeless]

Ghostrider,
The max wheel size on my frames are 80mm. I think the stock wheels were 78A. What are some good priced decent wheels? Will I have to buy new spacers if I switch to the ILQ Bearings? What are the differences between ILQ-7 and ILQ-9, I didnt find much on google.
Thanks for your help.

[IW Staff]

Similar to that of ABEC ratings, but inline skate specific. So, ILQ 9's have a better race than the 7's and therefore are more expensive.

No change needed for spacers. Standard 608 bearings just like what you have.

IW

[GhostRider]

The wheels will depend on what type of skating you intend to do.. my methodology is 80+/80+.. 80mm+ wheels / 82a+ hardness.

The best 80mm class wheels I have ever tried were easily the Hyper G+.. excellent grip and roll.. and damn fast. 85a hardness for fast skating on good surfaces, 83a for a softer wheel on rougher surfaces.

Note: Stan.. I can easily find them for $6.50 a wheel.. so if you can match that.. this guy would be very good to go! ;)

A low cost possible alternative are possibly the Labedas or some other $3-$4 wheel with 80mm and around 82a hardness for recreational skating.

The type of skating you do would be the determining factor.

Thanks.

[djhomeless]

Hello,
I recently ordered last week Order #422058, and the bearing spacers w/ my old stock bearing spacers on the Power XP's did not fit with the wheels I bought, Explorer Escalades??? Am I doing something incorrect?

[IW Staff]

The Power XP's used 688 Micro bearings and 688 micro hub wheels whereas the setup you got has the 608 standard hub setup.

You will be able to use your existing axles, but you will need to change spacers. I believe you have the floating and will need to go to the long-sleeved. You basically need the opposite of what you have.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/searchresults.html?search=products&searchtext=bearing+spac

The linkn above will show you both the short and the long sleeve spacers. Your floating spacer may just be a short tube unlike the one in the picture.

Thanks for the post.