Product Comparisons: Bones REDS vs Standard Black RollerBones Bearings
If you've spent any time around roller skates or skateboards, you've probably heard of Bones REDS bearings.
They're one of the best-known skate bearings on the market and have built a fantastic reputation for smooth rolling, reliability and longevity. For many skaters, buying a new set of bearings simply means buying another set of REDS.
But there's another option that many roller skaters don't seem to know about:
Standard black RollerBones bearings.
And here's the interesting bit: They're essentially the same bearing, but with a black shield instead of the famous red one.
At Pabloskates, our standard black RollerBones bearings offer the same excellent performance we're used to from REDS, but at around 33% less money.
So are Bones REDS actually worth paying extra for?
Let's take a closer look.
Bones REDS: The Bearing Everyone Knows
Bones REDS have become something of a legend in skating. They're manufactured specifically for skating rather than being generic industrial bearings repackaged for skate use.
Unlike many bearings marketed using ABEC ratings, Bones uses its own Skate Rated™ specification. This considers characteristics relevant to skating, including tolerances, clearances, materials and lubrication.
REDS feature:
Removable, non-contact rubber shields
High-speed nylon ball retainers
Bones Speed Cream lubricant
Skate-specific clearances and tolerances
Serviceable construction for cleaning and re-lubrication
It's a tried and tested formula. They're smooth, fast, relatively inexpensive and, if they're looked after properly, can last an extremely long time. There's a good reason they've become the go-to bearing for so many skaters.
So What Are Standard Black RollerBones Bearings?
This is where things get interesting. Sitting quietly in the RollerBones range are the standard black RollerBones bearings. They don't have the instantly recognisable REDS branding. They don't have the famous red shields. And consequently, they don't have the same recognition that Bones REDS enjoy. But underneath that black shield you're getting essentially the same bearing.
From RollerBones themselves: "RollerBones bearings, from the world leading Bones Bearings, are manufactured with internal geometries and clearances specifically modified for Roller Skating. RollerBones Bearings offer the greatest combination of performance, durability and low cost in the industry. Because they offer unapparelled performance at a fraction of the cost, they have become one of the best selling bearings worldwide."
Same construction. Same performance. Same smooth roll. The obvious visual difference One has a red shield. The other has a black shield.
Bones REDS vs Black RollerBones: What's the Difference?
For the average roller skater, the difference you're actually going to notice is remarkably simple. The colour and the price. Bones REDS have their famous red rubber shield. Standard RollerBones use a black shield. Once they're installed inside your wheels, that difference becomes almost entirely cosmetic anyway. The much more interesting difference is what happens to your wallet.
At Pabloskates, the standard black RollerBones bearings are approximately 33% cheaper than Bones REDS. That's a substantial saving for something that delivers essentially the same performance.
Are Black RollerBones Bearings Slower Than REDS?
This is probably the obvious question. In our experience, no. Don't mistake the lower price for a cheap generic bearing. These aren't the anonymous ABEC-rated bearings you often see included with budget roller skates.
If you're accustomed to the smooth roll of Bones REDS, you're not suddenly stepping down to a low-quality bearing simply because you've chosen the black RollerBones version. For most skaters, we'd challenge you to tell the difference once they're fitted inside a set of wheels. And that's really the point.
Why Are Bones REDS So Popular?
Because they're excellent bearings. We certainly aren't suggesting otherwise. REDS earned their reputation by offering a fantastic combination of performance, durability and affordability. Bones themselves describe REDS as offering a combination of performance, durability and low cost, and they have become one of the company's best-selling bearing products. That reputation has enormous value.
Mention "Bones REDS" to most experienced skaters and they'll immediately know what you're talking about.
Mention "standard black RollerBones bearings" and there's a good chance you'll get a rather different reaction. That's the difference we're trying to highlight. The black RollerBones simply haven't developed the same name recognition.
What About ABEC Ratings?
This comparison also gives us a good opportunity to clear up one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding skate bearings.
A higher ABEC number doesn't automatically mean a better skate bearing.
ABEC is an industrial bearing tolerance standard. It wasn't developed specifically to determine how well a bearing performs inside a roller skate.
Skating places loads on bearings that aren't necessarily represented by an ABEC number, including lateral forces from turning, impacts and contamination from dirty skating environments.
That's why Bones doesn't market REDS around an ABEC number. Their bearings are Skate Rated™ instead. So don't assume an inexpensive bearing with "ABEC 9" printed on the packaging must automatically outperform something like a Bones REDS. It doesn't work like that.
Maintenance Matters More Than Shield Colour
Whichever bearing you choose, how you look after it will have a much greater effect on its lifespan than whether the shield happens to be red or black. Keep your bearings away from water wherever possible. Water causes corrosion, while dirt and contamination inside the bearing increase friction and damage the running surfaces. Both REDS and other serviceable skate bearings can be cleaned and re-lubricated rather than automatically being thrown away when they become dirty or noisy. A decent set of skate bearings that's properly maintained can provide years of use.
So Which Should You Buy?
This is probably one of the easiest product comparisons we've done. If you want Bones REDS because you want Bones REDS, buy them. They're excellent bearings, they've got a proven reputation and there's absolutely nothing wrong with choosing the product you know and trust. But if you're interested primarily in performance and value for money, we'd seriously consider the standard black RollerBones bearings. You're getting essentially the same bearing and the same performance, just without the famous red shield. And you're saving approximately 33% in the process.
Our Verdict
Bones REDS: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Excellent bearings with a legendary reputation.
Standard Black RollerBones: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Excellent bearings without the REDS price tag.
For us, the standard black RollerBones bearings are the better value buy.
REDS remain one of our favourite skate bearings and we'll happily continue selling and recommending them.
But if you're about to buy REDS purely because you think you need to spend the extra money to get that level of performance, it's worth knowing there's another option.
Sometimes you're not paying for a better bearing.
You're paying for the red shield.
And if you're happy for yours to be black, you can keep that extra 33% in your pocket. 🛼
Browse our latest converted skates or get in touch to discuss your dream setup only at Pabloskates.com.
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