I ordered a set of NEALs to replace the Bones Swiss 6 bearings that I've been using for about 3 years now. I use them for inline hockey, so a lot of hard stops, quick starts, sharp turns, and transitions forward to backward to forward again.
This review was a little bit difficult for me to do. Basically, the NEALs provided such a smooth ride, almost immediately, that I forgot they were there, which is exactly what I look for in a quality set of bearings. I constantly had to remind myself to focus on the bearings so that I could provide you guys with some kind of useful feedback. I seem to remember needing to break in my Bones for about 3 games to get the same kind of performance I got right out of the box with the NEAL bearings. They roll smooth and fast, even during transitions, and have a nice solid feel that makes you know you've got a great bearing.
I also want to mention the great service I got from Steve Neal and his team. I did not have any problems, just some general questions about their product. Many companies will just direct you to their website's FAQ section, but the folks at NEAL took the time to answer all my questions personally, They are obviously a company that values their customers and believes in their products.
In short, my experience with both the bearings and the company has been great. For me, the NEAL bearings seemed to be even a little better than the Bones Swiss 6. Add in that they are half the price and backed by great customer service, and NEAL has made a lifetime customer out of me!
***UPDATE***: About a year later, the titaniums were still going strong with very little maintenance on my part. I didn't really need new bearings, but I enjoyed the titaniums enough, and the quality had proven more than sufficient, that I decided to upgrade to the ceramic hybrids anyway. Had a handful of skates so far, and absolutely love them. Again, virtually no "break in" period required. They roll smooth, fast, and quiet right out of the padded and protective box they ship in. Plus, and this is a minor thing but I'll throw it in anyway, the all black bearings look damn sharp with my Revision Steel wheels.
The titaniums are outstanding bearings, but the ceramics are a bit better. Lighter, but still with a solid feel. Maybe it's just because they're new, but they seem a bit faster, too. If I'd known a year ago the kind of quality Neal was producing, I'd have gone straight for the ceramic hybrids right from the start, rather than "testing" on the less expensive (but still awesome) titaniums first.
I only wish I could give Neal bearings a 6th or 7th star!
| Brand | Neal Bearings |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum, Ceramic |
| Bearing Number | 608R |
| Specification Met | ABEC 9 |
| Bearing Type | Ball Bearing |
| Compatible Lubricant | Foam |
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 3.54 x 2.8 x 0.94 inches |
| Package Weight | 0.13 Kilograms |
| Brand Name | Neal Bearings |
| Color | Black/Ceramic |
| Manufacturer | Neal Bearings |
| Size | 8 Pcs |
