Sssh, pro tip for the people who’ve come down here “below the fold” for more information: the tube that Biltin bearings come in is absolutely perfect for cleaning out bearings. Simply put the bearings back on the threaded rod, remove one or both shields if you can, put them in the tube, fill it with isopropyl alcohol, replace the lid… and shake. Throw out the dirty alcohol, refill, and repeat until no more dirt is coming out of the bearings. Add a couple of drops of Speed Cream to each bearing unit before replacing the shields – we can’t emphasise that enough – and put them back in your wheels (with a bearing press, if you’ve got one), and enjoy the increased speed and smoothness in your setup next time you go for a skate. Or, alternatively, ignore all of this and keep buying new sets of bearings on a regular basis. Works for us.
