Where to get bearings
- Thread starter bagtagley
- Start date
www.mcmaster.com or look in your phonebook for bearings and get them locally without shipping. Kaman is a national chain IIRC that has an excellent selection. You'll have a tough time finding ceramic bearings in more than just a couple of sizes, stainless steel may be softer than the steel bearings you are currently using so they'll actually wear out faster without rusting. You should be able to find a high grade steel bearing, some of these steel alloys will not rust although they are not marketed as stainless.
McMaster has a great selection of almost everything EXCEPT bearings. Everytime I go to them for bearings, I am disappointed. Even when buying larger quantities, I have found the best quality/price to be QBP. The local places don't seam to understand that you want something very high quality and sealed and metric. They are too used to dealing with industrial customers who want cheap stuff.
I have found online sources with great selection but they always want a huge minimum order. Let us know if you find someplace good.
My solution to mud in the bearings was to install zirc fittings. Obviously this can't be done on all applications, but they work great when you can. Trying to keep the mud out is futil. Getting it out before the dirt and water can cause havoc is the best you can hope for.
I have found online sources with great selection but they always want a huge minimum order. Let us know if you find someplace good.
My solution to mud in the bearings was to install zirc fittings. Obviously this can't be done on all applications, but they work great when you can. Trying to keep the mud out is futil. Getting it out before the dirt and water can cause havoc is the best you can hope for.
Try your LBS. I was able to get all the bearings I needed to rebuild my
4-banger there. Get the Enduro Max ones they seemed to be pretty nice. Snowshoe will definetly tear your pivots up.
Had any good krispy treats lately?
4-banger there. Get the Enduro Max ones they seemed to be pretty nice. Snowshoe will definetly tear your pivots up.
Had any good krispy treats lately?
Mcmaster doesn't have what we as bikers need, or at least I couldn't ever find any. I agree with buildyourown, QBP is the place your LBS can get them from.
I haven't looked specifically for metric sealed bearings so maybe your right maybe McMaster doesn't have them. What exactly makes you think that a bearing from QBP is going to be any different than the bearing you get from Kaman or SKF though? It's really not economical for a small manufacturer (IE any bicycle manufacturer) to custom spec a bearing when there are so many off the shelf items that are readily available for a few cents. The local bearing houses most likely can get the bearings you want, they'll just have to look a little deeper in their catalogs than usual.buildyourown said:
BTI also stocks a good selection of bearings in metric, but unless you have an account you cant just call and order (same goes for most all parts wholesalers). What this does mean.... When the LBS says they cant get your bearing its not because its not available, its because they are too cheap or lazy to order it for ya. I know you can check stock availability on www.bti-usa.com . They just hide prices for general browsing. QBP may have a similar function on the website. Ive also bought bearings from the local machine supply guy. If you have the correct # off the bearing they should be able to find....even after you explain 5 times its for a bike, and not a motor bike.......
The only place I know of. I got my bearings in a few days.
http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&Category=406
http://harriscyclery.net/site/page.cfm?PageID=49&Category=406
bagtagley said:
Yes, sheilds are just metal covers to keep grit out. Seals are seals that "try" and keep moisture and grit out. You definitly don't want sheilds.
Kornphlake said:
I bought a whole mess of bearings for some parts I was making and selling on the side. I ended up going to a LBS and ordering them thru QBP. It was cheaper than ordering them from a mail order and I got tired of going to local bearing houses and explaining to them exactly what I was looking for. I'm sure the local bearing house can get the exact same bearing, but it's a pain. The number on the side refers to the dimensional size. There are several quality levels and at least three different seal options.
Hmmmm. Maybe somebody should start a www.bicyclebearings.com and sell wholesale priced bearings specifically to cyclists....
I remember someone posting this site http://www.nationalprecision.com/ a while ago I never actually contacted them though but it might be worth looking into