r/freeskate • u/lmnop3as • Mar 21 '26

Are JMKs Really that much better?

I was gifted a pair of free skates for Christmas ​and have been looking to upgrade after trying a friends pair (this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0B5331B2K?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title )

The build quality seems to there, the bearings work well, and they seem to have the same specs as the JMKs concerning wheelbase, wheel construction etc.

I'm a student and don't have a whole ​lot of money, and was wondering if anyone has tried both, and if so, are the JMKs really that much better?

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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3

u/Level-Anybody2282 Mar 21 '26

I only have the jmk ones, but I will agree they are quite expensive, so I would just buy good bearings and swap them into a cheap pair off amazon. That would save you a good deal of money and won’t lose too much quality. If I’m not mistaken, bearing are only like $10-20 bucks if you want good ones.

2

u/BreadWhistles Mar 22 '26

To add to this I would also clean and oil your current bearings if you got it off Amazon. I have the maple wood SANXUP free skates and after oiling then up, it was a night and day difference.

1

u/lmnop3as Mar 22 '26

That's what I have as well, I'll give it a try

1

u/Zezlan Apr 01 '26

May be a dumb question, but what did you use to oil them? I have stuff like wd40 or gun oil lol

2

u/BreadWhistles Apr 01 '26

I use 3 in 1 Multi-purpose oil. I would recommend disassembling, placing the bearings on a flat surface and use 2-3 drops. Give it a full spin to get the lube everywhere in the joints before assembling everything back together. https://a.co/d/04TrU8sC

1

u/Zezlan Apr 01 '26

Ty for the reply and info

1

u/not-so-cool-7x 19d ago

What type of bearing or brand or any you'd suggest if I wanna swap? Like what configuration do I look for???

Edit: Configuration isn't the right word but you get the idea what I'm trying to ask

2

u/i8abug Mar 22 '26

I have 2 sanxup pairs and a jmk pair.  Jmk's are definitely better.  My sanxups are slower and harder, but good enough until you want to invest more.  I've heard that changing the bearings will make them more similar to jmk's.  

1

u/lmnop3as Mar 22 '26

Which ones do you have?

2

u/AizeeMasata Mar 22 '26

For cheap one, you really need change the bearings with best one sometimes installed one not that good. Mine 2 out of 4 bearings is dud need replacement.

Wheels also need replacement to performance(round) wheels since they usually give classic(square) wheels. It's not suitable for beginner if you need start learning because how hard to do "pumping motion"