BIG WORLD OF BEARINGS
I remember that so well that is sort of mantra to me Today because I was saying about them few times a day, every week, month; showing to my customers bigest, really impresive collection of… yes, collection of HUB BEARINGS. Massive range of sizes, types, with different seals and brands to fit and fix most of the hubs not just these ones I did sell the most but also to make my customers happy to have fixed hub with better quality bearings then original fitted in factory. I like to improve things, especially something which is the most important part of the wheel after rim and spokes. I’ve been improving hubs performance over the years every day by fitting better quality bearings. Most of well known brands making really good hubs do not cut cost by having cheap no name bearings, they keep quality on really high level, but vast majority of brands unfortunatelly do fit low quality bearing shaped objects. Sometimes bearings feel so rough strait out of the box which you can easilly fill it by spinning axle or freehub body that make you start thinking that hub maybe used??
I want to give you more details about bearings and maintenance side of things.
Two main types:
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Ball bearings and cones are mainly seen in Shimano and Campagnolo hubs – ideally spread loads once properly tensioned against each other on both sides. Correct assembly and maintenance are crucial for proper operation. Servicing hub with ball bearings and cones is bit more complicated to carry out then cartridge bearings. You need special set of tools, usually different to each brand to get inside hub, so I do not recommend doing it at home. I recommend general hub service every 6 months, sometimes more often but all depends on wheather condition and milage you do.
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Cartridge bearings (mainly 6000 series) have been very popular in last two decades and can be found in most of the hubs on market – steel, stainles steel or ceramic ball bearings squezed in between inner and outer steel, stainless steel or sometimes full ceramic rings/races. In that way if any bearing is worn you can more easilly fix hub by knocking bearing out and fitting new one. Now days we have also lots of marketing in cycling industry using magical words like “ceramic bearings” which is very confusing and not actually truth. It reffers in most of the cases to just ceramic ball bearings not whole bearing including inner and outer ring. In most ot these “ceramic bearings” you have extremelly tough ball ceramic ball bearings spinning inside average quality not renforced, not coated races killing them very quickly. I can add to that lack of high tolerances inside hub shell and freehub body which can lead to failure of the hub pretty quickly. If you really want top performance ceramic bearings you need to pay attention to what brand they are. Marketing words “ceramic bearings” mean low quality thus you do not gain anything apart from coming back to workshop more often in season time. I recommend stainless steel bearings in most of the situations for hubs, headsets and bb’s. There are few companies making good ceramic bearings for track racing and road racing on very even roads, please see below. If you need absolute top performance you can go for this upgrade option. At least you are aware that these bearing are pretty expensive.
Apart of quality issues with bearings you may find that really good quality bearings are overtighten or pressed inside hub shell or freehub body with to much force which can lead to fail of the hub in longer term use. Sometimes you can readjust these bearings with few spanners or allen key but mainly the only solution is to replace all bearings using special press fit tool with right torque.
Looking at these potential problems with bearings quality, performance and durability of the hubs the choice is not that simple to make sometimes even for myself, but I’m gonna try to guide you how to choose right hubs or already built wheels on particular hubs. The simplest way would be to open up hub and see what is inside and how it’s built. If they are well known branded bearings reasonably spread inside to take load properly you are nearly at home with that choice. In most of ocassions it is impossible. Part of that I’ve already explained in “tech hub” section was that over the years building wheels and servicing hubs I’ve pointed few brands they are well proven and trusted with their products but also with perfect customer cervice.
That short list below can give you quick and safe choice:
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NTN bearings – high quality stainles steel bearings with good seals have been used for decades in Mavic hubs and Royce hubs, probably few other brands. Sometimes I’ve had Mavic wheels in my workshop where rims were completaly worn but bearings were in great condition, spinning very smoothly.
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INA bearings – you can find them in all HOPE hubs, great stainless steel bearings specially made for Hope. I have one set of Hope XC hubs which I’ve done so far over 110000 km on them, touring with paniers and a XC previously and honestly with no marketing I’ve never changed bearings!!! I bought them in 2006 or 2007. I service hubs regularly which may be the key to that impresive score.
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DT SWISS bearings – amazing quality stainless steel ones with low friction and very durable. In their all hubs and as repair option for other brands/hubs.
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SINC ceramic bearings developed by DT SWISS as upgrade for their own hubs and as standard option for their flagship 180 and 240 hubs. Amazing top performance low friction bearings.
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CERAMIC SPEED ceramic bearings, top performance nearly frictionless option. Mainly find as very expensive upgrade to existing hub set but also you can find them in few wheelsets ie: LIGHTWEIGHT, ROVAL WHEELS
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Enduro – big bearing brand which you can by and fit in to most of hubs, they also supply few brands as their factory hub choice of bearings. I use them very often in my workshop on repairs. Very good quality bearings, come in few types steel, stainles steel, hybrid and zero ceramic as well.
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SKF – another good brand not so popular now days
What bearings do I need?
Realy good question and to find answer and make safe choice please look above for my list of recommended brands.
Apart for that list it is really important to use at least stainles steel branded bearings or ceramic ones to achieve required performance you want.
Not eveyone needs to brake the bank throwing £200 or sometimes £600 on set of ceramic bearings to ride bike, some people need top performance throughout whole bike for racing where every component play role.
Once again common sense and proper implentation for your type of cycling is the key.
Proper installation of bearings and general maintenance of hubs are also very important.
I recommend servicing hubs at least once in 6 months time or more often, it all depends on mileage you do and weather the wheels/hubs are exposed to.
I hope that tech info is helpfull to you.
