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Rich Stephens

Some of that is obvious bullshit. Can you let us know who wrote that? I know Oust are great but I seriously doubt the reason they don't use the Abec rating is that "they far exceed" it. I hope it's because they realize that Abec rating isn't the most important thing in bearing design. But their numb...

Rich Stephens

I just got a private message saying that Oust are made in the USA. I also just saw a previous post by Eddy saying Carl had told him the same thing. Sorry for posting incorrect info! Anyone know who the manufacturer is for the Oust? I really like the NMB Rockets but I prefer to buy stuff made in the ...

Rich Stephens

The only bearings I know of that aren't made in China are Bones Swiss, Ninjas (japan), and Rockets (nmb in singapore). Really, that's all? GMN is not made in China. Neither are Fafnir, Hoover, etc, etc. I haven't seen any of those since the 70s. Is anyone still marketing skateboard bearings made by...

Rich Stephens

I don't think Oust sold to Dwindle. I think they are just doing some bearings for them. I thought Rodney Mullen only liked products made in China Oust *are* made in China, aren't they? The only bearings I know of that aren't made in China are Bones Swiss, Ninjas (japan), and Rockets (nmb in singapor...

Rich Stephens

I just can't figure out why truck manufacturers persist in using inch measurements when bearings are metric. Even trucks that are "made in the usa", such as indy, use axles and bolts sourced from China and surely they have metric stuff they could sell them. I guess the fear is that they may get some...

Rich Stephens

I got an email from Ron of California Bearing and he said he would use spacers for "downhill". I think that means he would use them for slalom as well. (though maybe he'd not use them for steep ditch banked slalom). Just wanted to say that so you guys can stop dissing him. You can diss me all you wa...

Rich Stephens

In the skateboard application, a spacer is needed to keep the inside races of the bearings from being compressed out of alignment with the outside races. Pat, it's great to have you posting on this thread. Have you considered that all the spacers and tightening of the nuts do is hold the bearings' ...

Rich Stephens

but I am sure since you sell/make these Rich you know more. For the record, I do not sell or make any bearings nor do I have any connection to Ron at California Bearing, other than liking his bearings and having skated with him at skatelab in california a few times. Ron does not make/sell skate bea...

Rich Stephens

And Despite what Rich says about them not knowing the difference between abec 3 and abec 7 these are some very smart guys. I know they are smart guys. My comment was in reference to the fact that we skaters have been deceived to by the makers of these bearings. Biltin, Pleasure Tool, and many other...

Rich Stephens

Don't listen to marketing BS. I don't see how telling people they *don't* need to buy something could be marketing BS, ha! What is marketing BS is billing skate bearings by their Abec ratings. Even if the ratings were true, which in the case of the "big three" slalom bearings has turned out to not ...

Rich Stephens

A bearing engineer I know who has designed the fastest and longest lasting bearings I've ever used (<a href="http://www.californiabearing.com/skate.htm">Rockets</a>) recommends spacers for street skating where stability is needed, but recommends no spacers for vert skating where there is constant tu...

Rich Stephens

Looks like you're off to a good start! Nice look.

I'm a designer and web developer by day so if you hit any snags, shoot me an email and I'll try to help. rich@3jar.com http://www.3jar.com.

Rich Stephens

I know we were talking about bearings and spacers/washers months ago and I promised to do some drawings that would simplify the discussion of preload considerations and running bearings as radial pairs and what not. Rockin' Ron of California Bearing has mentioned on another forum that he will be cre...

Rich Stephens

I think Olson rides whatever he thinks is best at the time, depending on the terrain. And that's how it ought to be! I was stoked to see him list a Ditch Bitch as his equipment on the indian school race sign up page. I believe he has some shitbird wheels as well, for pools. He's been with Indy forev...

Rich Stephens

I have a recent GS/Hybrid that's practically brand new but it sounds like you're looking for a vintage board, right?

Rich Stephens

Glad to hear it Jack! I'm assuming I'll not be fast enough to bother competing but if I'm still living in Visalia or anywhere in California I'd love to volunteer to help out.

-Rich

Rich Stephens

I'll check to see if he has tested Oust. So far all I've heard is that he looked at them (the photos?) and said the design is the right idea but he feels they are way overpriced and most likely are from China (since if they weren't Oust would surely trumpet that fact). BTW, he's not an NMB employee....

Rich Stephens

Any update on the availability of the urethane bushings? The recommendation chart on the website specs them but they still aren't available yet right. Does a recommendation for "urethane dampening light" mean we should in the meantime just try the "light" in the steel springs? In other words, do the...

Rich Stephens

I've never broken a skateboard kingpin or axle in my life, vert or street. What kind of action can put over 3000lbs. on a kingpin? Just wondering...

Rich Stephens

John, can you explain your comment a little more? You seem to be saying that if there was no FCR it would be good for the sport? If a sponsor is afraid of sponsoring another series because that series would be overshadowed by the FCR in attendance and attention (if that is what you meant), then it w...

Rich Stephens

There's always the possibility that some people have better things to do than sit around typing messages on the computer! I wish I was one of those people.

BTW, I don't see how participation here promotes the sport: we're simply preaching to the choir here.

Rich Stephens

Why would one need to be a particiapant to win? Does Thrasher magazine's skateboarder of the year only go to subscribers? Does Surfer magazines surfer of the year go to subscribers? No. They are honors given out by the participants (readers) to the person they think deserves it. If you want to ask f...

Rich Stephens

Olson.

this year. any year.

Rich Stephens

Any update Tiger, Wes, Josh...anyone? What are your guys' future plans now?

-Slim

Rich Stephens

I'll report what he finds. I've heard a lot of good things about Oust. FWIW, the free spin timing test is not very accurate for comparing bearings. What matters is how the bearings work when they have our body weight on them. I'll report on the methodology used to test them in the lab when I find th...

Rich Stephens

Great review! I'll have the Oust tested/measured against the skate-specific NMB super precision and report the result.

Rich Stephens

A good experiment to visualize things except it ignores the existence of the urethane wheel around the bearings and the forces acting on the bearings via their outer surface thanks to the wheel moving/flexing. For what it is worth, here is what the bearing engineer sent me: === "First off, Spacers d...

Rich Stephens

I guess I could wait for Wes to confirm but if what he is saying is as you have described, I don't see much difference. Bearings with spacers (etc.) attempt to hold the bearings in one place on the axle, but as the wheel flexes during a turn, side (or angular) loads will still be exerted on the bear...

Rich Stephens

I think what I was asking for was something to back up this claim: Bearings not supported by the proper spacer take on at least twice the load as bearings that are set up properly I see you say "load" not "pre-load". So, you are pre-loading the bearings by use of spacers and washers (or bosses) and ...

Rich Stephens

Can you explain "why", perhaps with some technical language to support your claims? It would be helpful. Thanks.

Rich Stephens

Speedrings or no, it's virtually impossible to preload your skateboard bearings. Eric, I know a guy who is a bearing engineer, and not only does his bearing company (California Bearing) provide bearings to NASA and private industry, but he also orders a specific NMB bearing to market as a skate bea...

Rich Stephens

No comments about my question regarding the bearing seats/bosses? See post above...

thanks,

Rich

Rich Stephens

Wes, good point except one of the messages deleted was mine! I've received a perfectly reasonable explanation about what happened and the go ahead to just post again. Basically the first missing post covered the original 70s company, then the "turner downhill" era which included Howard Gordon I beli...

Rich Stephens

Good question. There were two answers to that question detailing the history of the companies but they have been deleted. With no explanation. I'm emailing the Editor now to find out what the deal is.

Rich Stephens

The biggest problem you will face is the width of the trucks. Most slalom guys ride quite narrow trucks and I've never seen anyone doing slalom on trucks that are as wide as typically used in a pool/street board. Likewise, downhill guys seem to use big wide trucks for stability as well. Of course no...

Rich Stephens

mighty confusing to a new slalom guy like myself too. is there a post on here somewhere that explains the whole backstory to all the changes in company names and owners that's been going on so we can figure out who is who? (i own a deck that says "turner" on it and I have no idea who made it but it ...

Rich Stephens

I think pushing regular (back foot) allows one's foot to be on the ground for a much longer distance that it can be if pushing mongo. To me, that would lead to more power, no? I see two other problems with mongo: 1.Pushing mongo requires a constant movement of the back foot on and off the tail (of r...

Rich Stephens

You could also get a set of these: http://www.californiabearing.com/skate.htm and do direct comparrison (riding them). They are made by NMB and specifically designed for skating. I've read the company owner post that if we don't find them to be the best bearing, he will refund our money and let us k...

Rich Stephens

I see that when trucks are modified with 8mm axles, one of the things that is done is that the hanger is modified to have a boss that eliminates the need for speed rings. Have you machinists thought about this from a bearing engineering standpoint? My gut feeling is that the speed washers, being som...

Rich Stephens

I'm a tool junky and so I'm keeping my eyes open for a good deal on a durumeter for measuring wheels and bushings and car tires and whatnot (the 0-100 "a" scale). If I get one, I'll keep track on a web page of any wheels and bushings I get my hands on.

-Rich

Rich Stephens

Thank you Howard. I think I just might go with some soft Cambrias to start, since I need to concentrate on form, control, and not killing myself, so traction is more important than speed for now. Right now I have a new turner gs/hybrid board and new trackers and hand-me-down wheels (but still in goo...

Rich Stephens

Similarly I would like to see someone's best guess on the actual differences. Pick a road surface like, say, the streets of downtown morro bay since many of us have experienced that or at least seen it, and describe what difference one would experience stepping up or down in size or down in duro. I ...

Rich Stephens

FWIW, the blue one looks like my GS/Hybrid Turner.

Rich Stephens

I was/am a huge fan of the Clash and they had a major influence on my life, musically and politically. I only got to see them live once and it was without topper or terry on drums, down in so cal at the u.s. festival thing in '83. In 1987 in Santa Barbara I got to see Joe playing guitar for the Pogu...

Rich Stephens

From observing the worlds in paso robles, morro bay, I'd say that for many racers, more aerodynamics can be gained by toning down all the wacky arm, hand and head movements. They'd look a whole heck of a lot cooler, too. I know it's tempting to buy gear than put in the work, but... Sure, for some of...

Rich Stephens

I've only been to one contest and only been reading this and the NCDSA forums for a few months but from my outside view, I don't see an east-west conflict. I do see a conflict between skateboarders and slalom skaters and two distinct approaches to what slalom is and how it should be promoted (if at ...

Rich Stephens

I was serious about the 500 boards. Is that too small of a committment to get another production run made? If so, who else wants to step up with some pre-payment or signed committment?

If this sounds interesting to you Debbie, please contact me at rich at 3jar dot com.

-Rich

Rich Stephens

I think 1000 fiberflex would sell instantly. I could move 500 to Japan alone. (John was just there and may know something I don't but from my experience there in the 90s that's what I believe could be done).

-Slim

Rich Stephens

for me it's always been the vans hightops or the look-alike low tops that they now call "old school". but recently i'm getting pain in my heels when i run out of stuff on vert. i'd go to my knees but they are in even worse condition that i don't want to pound them too much either. so i'm thinking of...

Rich Stephens

I think John is very correct on this one. You can save yourself a lot of time and pain if you get instruction from someone. At the very least make your friends tell you what's going on. Since I had skateboarded since I was a kid and surfed since 16 or so, I figured it would be a piece of cake to sno...

Join the ISSA 25 cone series. One cyber race every second month!

Regular sessions allow newbies to join our community and discover slalom racing.

Search found 117 matches

Re: Bearings and spacers

bearings vs. trucks again

Re: Bearing preload