Originally Posted by Dave Mayer

[*]Angular contact ball bearings. Cartridge bearings are used in hubs by small-fry manufacturers who don't have the tooling or sales volume to support custom hub parts such as forged and polished cones and cups. Angular contact balls support axial loads better (mainly the clamping force of the quick release), and are easier to service and replace wearing parts. Balls cost pennies each. Cones cost at most $20 per set.[/LIST]