Originally Posted by
katsup
As long as the manufacture is still making the cartridge bearing you need to replace.
Outside of King the other brands all use off the shelf parts. Learn to read the bearing and you can always upgrade the ABEC rating of the cartridge, switch to ceramic, get different seals; the bearings aren't cycling specific. King is an exception as they make their bearings in house and I believe that includes the cartridges/cages. It is a part of what makes a cartridge bearing hub nice in theory, never met someone who actually upgraded the bearings. The real quality of any hub has more to do with overall design including integration of the freehub body and precision used. A well machined and properly designed cup and cone hub will still be running perfectly smoothly 40 years later and doesn't require dramatic levels of maintenance contrary to the opinions of some. Same with a cartridge hub and I don't have a preference either way.