Grade 10 or even Grade 5 bearings?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 3,682
Bikes: Puch Marco Polo, Saint Tropez, Masi Gran Criterium
Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1163 Post(s)
Liked 442 Times
in
315 Posts
Grade 10 or even Grade 5 bearings?
I lost a few 3/32” bearings from my Dura Ace PD-9000 pedals accidentally.
I’m looking for some replacement 3/32” ball bearings and I see where grade 25 appears to be pretty standard. In doing a quick study on bearing grades I see where grade 10 has better sphericity and also better surface finish.
Just wondering would there be anything to be gained by using these better quality grad 10 or grade 5 bearings as opposed to the grade 25’s?
Also - would there be any advantage to using ceramic ball bearings in my Dura Ace pedals?
I rebuilt them once once this season and now I’m having to do it again. I think I did a good job the first time and I am using good grease and the correct tools but apparently I failed to lock down the locknut against the cone tight enough. So they worked themselves loose.
I’m looking for some replacement 3/32” ball bearings and I see where grade 25 appears to be pretty standard. In doing a quick study on bearing grades I see where grade 10 has better sphericity and also better surface finish.
Just wondering would there be anything to be gained by using these better quality grad 10 or grade 5 bearings as opposed to the grade 25’s?
Also - would there be any advantage to using ceramic ball bearings in my Dura Ace pedals?
I rebuilt them once once this season and now I’m having to do it again. I think I did a good job the first time and I am using good grease and the correct tools but apparently I failed to lock down the locknut against the cone tight enough. So they worked themselves loose.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,096 Times
in
742 Posts
For bike use, diminishing returns occurs about Grade 200. Grade 25 balls are far better than needed but their cost is modest so they are most commonly used. Grade 10 would be even worse overkill and the improvement unmeasurable.
Ceramic balls cost much more but also provide no measurable benefit for bike use. They are the choice for very high speed, high load and high temperature applications and bikes require none of these.
Ceramic balls cost much more but also provide no measurable benefit for bike use. They are the choice for very high speed, high load and high temperature applications and bikes require none of these.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,678
Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 569 Post(s)
Liked 581 Times
in
409 Posts
As usual what HillRider said, your races would become the limiting factor with the $$$ bearings, basically a waste.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 7,877
Mentioned: 38 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6963 Post(s)
Liked 10,961 Times
in
4,687 Posts
I’m not sure that ceramic bearings are very useful anywhere on a bike... least of all in the pedals.
Also, while I applaud your thoroughness, I don’t think it’s necessary to replace bearings in pedals unless you’re having problems. I service my Shimano pedals once every year or two, and it is basically a five minute operation. Pull out the spindle with the bearings in the carriers, fill the pedal cavity with fresh grease, put the spindle back in and tighten it down. The new grease will push out the old grease, and you’ll be fine. No bearing adjustment needed.
Also, while I applaud your thoroughness, I don’t think it’s necessary to replace bearings in pedals unless you’re having problems. I service my Shimano pedals once every year or two, and it is basically a five minute operation. Pull out the spindle with the bearings in the carriers, fill the pedal cavity with fresh grease, put the spindle back in and tighten it down. The new grease will push out the old grease, and you’ll be fine. No bearing adjustment needed.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,073
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4201 Post(s)
Liked 3,857 Times
in
2,305 Posts
On my own bikes and many repairs I judge the balls and only replace when they show issues. For the high end repairs I often replace the balls so those riders have that "peace of mind" whether actually needed or not.I have to add that I have never seen a well serviced bearing unit fail because of reusing good balls. Now those bikes that don't get maintained for thousands of miles... Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,901
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2604 Post(s)
Liked 1,928 Times
in
1,210 Posts
Grade 10 and ceramic bearings make your loaded bike lighter. They take the extra weight out of your wallet. No other benefit.
#8
Generally bewildered
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Eastern PA, USA
Posts: 3,037
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 6.9, 1999 LeMond Zurich, 1978 Schwinn Superior
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1152 Post(s)
Liked 341 Times
in
251 Posts
So, first, I encourage you to use the proper cone wrench so that you can tighten your cone and locknut together tight enough (with the keyed washer between them!).
Agree with the others opinions: you'll be fine and won't notice much room for improvement if you use bearings for a lawn tractor. Ceramic bearings are for the space shuttle or fighter jets or precision machine tools. Don't waste your money.
I'd recommend replacing all of the bearings, as the bearings should be matched in size and wear.
Agree with the others opinions: you'll be fine and won't notice much room for improvement if you use bearings for a lawn tractor. Ceramic bearings are for the space shuttle or fighter jets or precision machine tools. Don't waste your money.
I'd recommend replacing all of the bearings, as the bearings should be matched in size and wear.