CrowSeph

Sealed bearing seems to be more durable and to have less friction, I'm thinking to swap the old loose into the seales one.
Anyone had tried this "upgrade" before?

dedhed

In what application? hubs? headset? bottom bracket?, pedals?

Not typically something that can be done, installing cartridge bearings in a cup & cone application.

CrowSeph

Yea, the wheels hubs.

Andrew R Stewart 

Many have wondered about this swap out. Few have accomplished it. For one the cartridge bearings fit onto the axle is quite different, so plan on a different axle to start with. Then there's the bearing fit to the hub shell. Even if removing the cups works out (and this can be a challenge often) next up is the bearing fit within the shell. Remember that the manufactures have no reason to make the OEM dimensions anything but what they can use for cups. This might mean you'll be boring out the shell a bit to properly house the cartridges. BTW this will be harder with the rim still laced to the hub, so add likely wheel take aparts and relacings. And another aspect is if you're running a cassette instead of a freewheel. Remachining the freehub body for a cartridge might prove problematic.

Of course if you're one of those few with the skills and tooling to do all this then please document the process so others have a guide to follow. Andy

Troul 

sealed units are often larger diameter than pressed races & there is minimal material to remove in order to accommodate the larger area needed.
Lastly, the bore is stepped differently with a sealed unit to prevent the bearing assembly from walking inward.

oldbobcat

If you insist, new hubs. but really, a general overhaul that replaces damaged components can be wonderful.

dedhed

Not saying it can't be done, but here are some ideas of what you're up against.

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...onversion.html

​​​​​​https://www.bikeforums.net/singlespe...-bearings.html

​​​​​​https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...-bearings.html

davidad

There is little advantage to trying to change to sealed radial bearings. The seals on all bike bearings are dust seals designed to keep out dirt. They won't keep out water under pressure.

cxwrench

Nearly anything is possible if you throw enough money at it but this is just stupid and makes absolutely no sense.