George Powell is a luminary in the skateboarding world, celebrated for his groundbreaking work in bearing technology. As the mastermind behind Powell Bearings, he revolutionized the skateboarding experience with his innovative designs and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Powell’s bearings are renowned for their unparalleled speed, durability, and precision engineering, setting the gold standard for the industry. With a keen understanding of skaters’ needs and a relentless drive for perfection, Powell has solidified his reputation as a visionary leader in bearing innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the skateboarding community for generations to come.
In the early 1980s, skateboarding faced a challenge – quality bearings were hard to come by. American companies like Fafnir had bowed out of the market, unable to compete with the flood of cheaper Japanese alternatives.
While these Japanese bearings were decent, they lacked the speed desired by many skaters. German bearings were better, but still didn’t quite meet the need for high-speed performance on vert ramps or longer rolls.
Recognizing this gap, efforts were made to source the ultimate bearing – one that was both fast and affordable for skaters.
Extensive searches led to a small, custom bearing manufacturer nestled in the Swiss mountains. Their bearings surpassed anything tested before, offering unparalleled speed, albeit at a slightly higher cost than German counterparts.
Collaboration ensued with the Swiss manufacturer to optimize the bearing for skating. Traditional stamped metal ball retainers were replaced with precision molded plastic ones, allowing easy removal for cleaning.
Leaving one shield off facilitated effortless access to the bearing’s interior for maintenance. Tolerances and clearances were adjusted to withstand the unique stresses of skating, and a specially formulated lubricant called Bones Speed Cream™ was introduced.
The outcome was remarkable – the birth of the fastest, most coveted bearing in skateboarding history. Despite the passage of time and numerous competitors promoting their own “super bearings,” nothing has matched the performance of Bones Swiss.
However, recognizing that Swiss engineering comes at a premium, efforts were made to develop a more cash-friendly option. China emerged as a promising candidate due to its growing manufacturing capabilities. After extensive testing and refinement, Bones REDS® was born – offering nearly the same speed as Bones Swiss at a fraction of the cost.
Bones REDS are not your average quality bearings in flashy packaging. These bearings are meticulously crafted, boasting low friction, top-quality materials, and a design inspired by the legendary Bones Swiss. Bones REDS are a testament to quality craftsmanship and proven skate technology.
- Bones Swiss Ceramics: Elevate your skating game to superhero status with these bearings. Crafted in the Swiss Alps by mystical beings, the ceramic balls inside are lighter than air and stronger than Thor’s hammer.
- Legendary Original Bones Swiss Bearings: These bad boys have been around longer than disco and are the preferred choice of skate gods everywhere. Made in Switzerland, they’re so smooth, they’ll make your ollies feel like butter on a hot pan.
- Bones Super Swiss 6: With six larger balls instead of seven, these bearings are like the six-pack abs of the skate world. Made in Switzerland, they’re so fast, they’ll leave your competition eating dust like it’s their last meal.
- Bones Ceramic Super REDS: Lighter than a feather and tougher than Chuck Norris, these bearings are like the ninja assassins of the skate world. Their ceramic balls will glide over obstacles like they’re on a spa day, leaving your competition in the dust.
- Super REDS: Who needs a sports car when you’ve got Super REDS? These babies are designed to make you feel like you’re flying down the street on a magic carpet. Plus, they’re so quiet, you’ll swear they’re whispering sweet nothings in your ear.
- Bones REDS: Made in the land of kung fu and pandas (China), these bearings are the ultimate combination of performance and affordability. So good, they’ll make you wonder why anyone would pay more for anything else.
