Quick tech question:
I have a set of training wheels (Ritchey) where one of the bearings went pad. I got both out on the front hub, and they are metric sealed bearings, and an off the shelf size (6001 2RS). Lots of different replacements are available on the market. I don’t need ceramic or anything super slick. What are decent and reliable all-weather bearing brands? I know SKF has a good reputation, but are there any others I should consider?
Thanks.
Bearings are made by huge multinationals to international standards. They are basically a commodity. NSK, SKF, and Timken are the largest. When I worked in mfg, we would source these brands interchangeably. You have the size for the bearing and the enclosure (i.e. sealed, not shielded or open), you just need to select a grade (3 is typical for bikes, you could upgrade to 5 if you care to, 7 is just wasting $$$). Any local bearing distributor (Bearings Inc. for example) will have these, as will Grainger, McMaster Carr, etc.
Thanks, good info.
Is the grade indicated by ‘ABEC-1’ or ‘ABEC-3’ etc. ?
Yes, that’s the ABEC grade (higher numbers are for tighter tolerances).
https://www.bikeradar.com/features/bicycle-bearings-everything-you-need-to-know/
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The “2RS” isn’t part of the size, but indicates it has rubber contact seals. Typical for a wheel bearing.
I usually just play it safe and buy Enduro bearings. Like this.
The “2RS” isn’t part of the size, but indicates it has rubber contact seals. Typical for a wheel bearing.
I usually just play it safe and buy Enduro bearings. Like this.
Thanks for that info, it all helps!
I can overhaul a hub with classic loose bearings with my eyes closed, but this is a new arena for me.
You can get good, cheap bearings on eBay.
You can get good, cheap bearings on eBay.
You can get good, cheap bearings on eBay.But you cannot have much assurance that the bearings thus procured are not fake. Buy from an source of assured reputation.
https://www.hambini.com/product-category/bearings/ntn-bearings/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3kEM8SbWqY
I know SKF has a good reputation, but are there any others I should consider?
SKF, NSK, Nachi, INI, FAG, Timken…those are probably the name brands you’re most likely to see. Enduro bearings show up widely and almost exclusively in Bicycle applications. They probably wouldn’t if they weren’t decent, but I can’t take them seriously calling plain old ball bearings “cartridge” bearings because they ain’t that.
And yes, the ABEC rating refers to internal tolerances. ABEC-3 is usually general purpose. A higher rating doesn’t gain anything for a bike except a more expensive bearing with less tolerance to contamination.
Me too, I resisted the cartridge bearings for a long time. Now I find them incredibly easy to work with knock them out with an axle or a drift pin, tap the new ones in with a socket and a plastic hammer. I’m sold on them.
To all, thanks for the help and info.
I was not resisting or embracing the sealed bearing trend, I just adapt to what I got. Most of my older training wheels were loose bearing (shimano). But I also have an older Ritchey CX wheelset with sealed bearings where a front bearing clearly went bad. Popping them out was not hard, pressing a set of new ones back in should not be hard.
Thanks again.