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What are speed rings for?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 06, 2026

A speed ring is a solid metal ring-shaped disk which is used to attach a soft box to a studio (strobe) or continuous (hotlight) light source.

What are skateboard speed rings for?

Description. Speed Rings are an often overlooked part of your skateboard, but not having them could be greatly jeopardizing your performance! Speed rings go on the outside of your bearings to give more clearance, allowing an uninhibited continuous roll.

Are speed rings the same as washers?

What's the difference? Speed Rings are tiny washers that go on either side of the outer bearings when putting a wheel on. Their main purpose is to prevent rubbing between the bearings and the Nut / Truck, especially during side loads.

Do you need speed washers on a skateboard?

Do you need washers for skateboard bearings? Normal skate bearings need speed washers (or “speed rings”) to stop the bearing from fouling on the axle nut or the hanger face. Some trucks also don't have enough thread on the axle to tighten the nuts down enough if you don't have speed rings.

What are the rings on skateboard trucks?

Speed Rings

They are there to reduce friction between the outsides of your bearings and your axle nut on one side, and the edge of your hanger on the other side. Your trucks will come with a full set of speed rings already installed, but don't worry when you lose them.

23 related questions found

Do pros use bearing spacers?

Bearing spacers are totally optional; longboarders and casual skaters likely won't put enough pressure on their boards to ever need them, though they are definitely a good investment if you want to slide, do a lot of tricks, and generally skate hard.

Do bearings come with spacers?

Some companies make things easy and include half-spacers built into each bearing as well as speed rings. This means you don't have to deal with any extra loose parts. If you have a set of built-in style bearings, you don't need to deal with normal bearing spacers or speed rings as everything is included already.

Do Bones Reds come with spacers?

Includes a set of 8 Bones Reds Bearings, 8 Speed Washers, and 4 Bearing Spacers. Instructions and Sticker are included in the box of Bones Reds Bearings. Bones Reds Bearings fit all skateboard wheels.

Do bearing spacers slow you down?

This will slow your bearings down and wear them out super fast! Skaters without bearing spacers might find it easier to just run their axle nuts a bit loose to keep the wheels spinning freely. This is even worse! A wheel that is loose on the axle will give a noisy, chattery ride.

Do all bushings fit all trucks?

All trucks come with stock bushings, but some prefer to replace them. Not everybody weighs the same and skaters prefer different tightness on the trucks. Note that bushings need to break in a little before you can tell you want to replace them.

What size are skateboard speed rings?

Skateboard Axle Washers / Speed Rings 8mm Pack of 8.

What are the washers for on skateboard trucks?

Speed washers increase speed and promote longer bearing life by reducing friction between the bearing and axle nut and hangar. They also help to protect your bearings from dirt and debris.

Where do washers go on skateboard?

These washers should go on either side of wheel to help it spin smoothly. To attach each wheel, slide on the first washer followed by the wheel with bearings followed by the second washer. The last piece is the lock nut, which secures the entire wheel setup into place.

Is ABEC 7 or 9 better?

Most people won't notice a significant difference between ABEC7 versus ABEC9. Unless you are skating for speed at a high level, ABEC7 should be fine for urban skating.

What is a 608 bearing?

The 608 is a 8 mm Ball Bearing that can be used in many rotary and factory automation applications. The 608 Miniature Ball Bearings is an open style bearing. The 608Z ball bearing is a single row raceway and single shielded. The 608ZZ ball bearing has a single row raceway and it is shielded on each side.

Do longboards use different bearings?

Standard longboard bearings are the same as any other skateboard bearings. You could use them on any board of any length. You'll need two bearings per individual wheel, and the bearings can be installed alone. Standard bearings are typically made out of steel or ceramic to achieve a smooth, speedy ride.

Should skateboard wheels wiggle?

Your skateboard wheels should be tight enough that they spin freely. However, you don't want the wheels so loose that they wiggle on the truck's axle. To see if you need to tighten your wheels, put the board on its side, and flick the wheel as fast and as hard as you can with one hand.

Are Bones Swiss bearings better than reds?

These are an upgraded version of reds. They are same design but with superior grade Steel races, the ball bearings inside are also upgraded to superior quality materials, then given a superior surface finish. They are as fast as reds but quieter, smoothly and will last longer.

Are Super Reds worth it?

Super REDS are a superior quality bearing, using higher quality steel races, better quality and grade balls, and a superior surface finish. The result is a bearing that is as fast as REDS but quieter, smoother, and longer lasting.

Are Bones Reds fast?

They create less friction and are thus faster than Super REDS™, with or without lubricant! Top speed guaranteed! Bones Race Reds bearings are based on the Bones Super Reds.

Do you need spacers for roller skates?

Spacers are used in skates, scooters, waveboards and pretty much anything that rolls with bearings. You should always use the right kind of spacers with your wheels. If you don't use spacers, the bearings can be excessively stressed, roll badly and end up breaking in a short time.

Why do my skateboard wheels rattle?

Your Bearings Make a Squeaky or Rattling Noise

It's best to get all your bearings out and lube them but you can also identify which bearings are loud. Just spin your wheels and see which ones are making noise. Cleaning your bearings will mean you have to do it more often once you did it the first time.