Rear Suspension Bearing Supplier in CTN?

[DemitriN]

I need to replace the rear shock eye bush on my Giant and figure I might as well replace all the bearings while I'm at it. Any suggestions where I can buy the bush & bearings in Cape Town at a reasonable price? Thanks guys.

[Tomik]

Not sure about the bushing, but bearings at Bearing Man (Maitland) or most bearing shops on Voortrekker Rd. Take old ones with you. They're pricey, but cheaper than bike shops.

[droo]

I'm getting stock in on Wednesday, pricing TBC when the shipment lands though. Bearing man bearings won't last in suspension pivots - you'll need full complement bearings, which they don't carry.

[Tomik]

Hi Droo. Please elaborate on full complement bearings. 

 

I replaced the pivot bearings from Giant Anthem with exactly the same ones as original from bearing man. Are you saying that the stock Anthem bearings are not suited for purpose?

 

Yes, they are buggered again, that's why I'm asking.

 

Thanks

[hayleyearth]

Unfortunatly Rushsports dont sell to public anymore but you can get them to send to your LBS..

 

http://www.rushsportscycling.com/Store/ByCategory/Linkage-Bearings.aspx

 

I found them to be cheaper than BMG and selling the proper MTB bearings.

[droo]

Hi Droo. Please elaborate on full complement bearings. 

 

I replaced the pivot bearings from Giant Anthem with exactly the same ones as original from bearing man. Are you saying that the stock Anthem bearings are not suited for purpose?

 

Yes, they are buggered again, that's why I'm asking.

 

Thanks

 

Full complement bearings are completely filled, where caged bearings have a cage which leaves spaces between the balls, as per the diagram below. The extra balls distribute the load more evenly along the races, which makes the bearings last longer since suspension pivot bearings never go through full rotations so the grease in the bearings doesn't circulate nearly as well as in wheel bearings.

 

This is a bit of a simplified explanation, JB wrote a whole diatribe on this a while back which I'll try to dig up.

 

http://www.cooperbearings.com/images/special-bearings_full-row.jpg

[Guest Smimby]

I'm getting stock in on Wednesday, pricing TBC when the shipment lands though. Bearing man bearings won't last in suspension pivots - you'll need full complement bearings, which they don't carry.

 

 

I have never seen these "full row bearings" being used in any suspension so far....If these spread the load more, then why are they not using it in wheel bearings also? Not saying it does not just asking.

 

Also a suspension bearing has movement backward and forward unlike another bearing that runs in mostly one direction....so will it not cause more friction?

[Sidmouth]

You need full compliment bearing in pivots, Bearing man only sells bearing in races.

Get your sizes and ask your LBS to order them from Rush sports.

[Sidmouth]

Full complement bearings are completely filled, where caged bearings have a cage which leaves spaces between the balls, as per the diagram below. The extra balls distribute the load more evenly along the races, which makes the bearings last longer since suspension pivot bearings never go through full rotations so the grease in the bearings doesn't circulate nearly as well as in wheel bearings.

 

This is a bit of a simplified explanation, JB wrote a whole diatribe on this a while back which I'll try to dig up.

 

http://www.cooperbearings.com/images/special-bearings_full-row.jpg

Stoked.

Would full compliment bearing be better for wheel hubs?

[Guest Smimby]

You need full compliment bearing in pivots, Bearing man only sells bearing in races.

Get your sizes and ask your LBS to order them from Rush sports.

 

Why? I have never seen those in a frame, nor is it stated on any documentation that I have read....how is it going to stop the bearing from rusting and stopping working?

[droo]

I have never seen these "full row bearings" being used in any suspension so far....If these spread the load more, then why are they not using it in wheel bearings also? Not saying it does not just asking.

 

Also a suspension bearing has movement backward and forward unlike another bearing that runs in mostly one direction....so will it not cause more friction?

 

Most suspension pivots use them, but unless you pick the seals off and compare them to wheel bearings you wouldn't notice. The Enduro range are designated XXXX.2RS MAX, which will be stamped on the seal.

 

As per my previous post, they have a higher load rating than standard bearings which is needed because firstly the bearings oscillate instead of rotating and secondly the loads on suspension pivots are greater than on wheels because of the leverage on the linkages.

 

Use BMG bearings if you like, you'll just end up replacing them more often.

[Brian Fantana]

I have never seen these "full row bearings" being used in any suspension so far....If these spread the load more, then why are they not using it in wheel bearings also? Not saying it does not just asking.

 

Also a suspension bearing has movement backward and forward unlike another bearing that runs in mostly one direction....so will it not cause more friction?

 

Full complement or Full Row radial ball bearings require a different assembly method than normal radial ball bearings (with cage).  

 

With full complement radial ball bearings: In order to get the required number of balls between the inner ring and outer ring, the shape of the outer ring has to be different different than what a normal radial ball bearing outer ring will be.  Due to the above, full complement radial ball bearings are mainly used in applications where there are only radial loads and very little to no axial loads.  This is due to the fact that the outer ring will have a V-shape on the one side where the balls are installed.  A MTB wheel bearing will experience radial and axial loads, which means that the full complement bearing will not be suited.

 

The main reason why full complement radial ball bearings work well with MTB suspension is the fact that the load is spread over more contact points (more balls carrying the same load) which means that the race inside the outer ring will have less stress at each contact point.  In my opinion this is not the main reason why bearings don't last in MTB suspension systems.  I believe that the oscillating movement of the MTB suspension bearing squeezes the grease away from the main wearing area.  Grease filled bearings rely on rotation to keep surfaces lubricated.  The lack of rotation in the MTB suspension application influences lubrication negatively.

[droo]

Stoked.

Would full compliment bearing be better for wheel hubs?

 

Nope. In applications where the bearings rotate standard bearings are better because there's more grease in them which circulates properly and the balls don't rub together since they're held apart by the retainer.

[droo]

In order to get the required number of balls between the inner ring and outer ring, the shape of the outer ring has to be different different than what a normal radial ball bearing outer ring will be.  Due to the above, full complement radial ball bearings are mainly used in applications where there are only radial loads and very little to no axial loads.  This is due to the fact that the outer ring will have a V-shape on the one side where the balls are installed.

 

Ah. Yes. Knew I was missing something.

[Wyatt Earp]

Every single bearing in a pivot design will wear out no matter how carefully you look after the bike.

The bearings don't fully rotate, some will last a little longer than others but ultimately they all go.

Certain points on the bike also goes faster than other points within a rear triangle design .

 

When are people just going to accept the fact that bearings are not made by The Highlander ?

Get Enduro bearings and squeeze a few more weeks or months out of what will be the inevitable.

[Plentipotential]

I run standard bearings in my Giant Trance and have just had my shock serviced so checked the bearings and decided to replace with the same again. About 2000 km's on the bike, only three were starting to feel rough but for R 300.00 I went all in. Bike shop wanted an arm and a leg 4 years back, would hate to know what they cost today. Stay away from pressure washers and Prepsol and your bearings will last longer.