Better Steel Balls for Bearing
#27
Mechanic/Tourist
What you are saying is that you are willing to ignore the other variables, including the various tolerances and variables of cones, cups, cup seats, axles and threading, not to mention assembly and adjustment, in order to obsess about bearing diameter differences that "could" be significant, and that you admittedly just made up, because you once read something somewhere. If you insist on worrying I would suggest you never have bearings worked on in a shop - because they pour a new batch of loose balls in with the old ones, and that you replace all the bearings in any new bike with ones that are certified as being from the same batch.
Last edited by cny-bikeman; 03-18-18 at 06:52 AM.
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,084
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: 4205 Post(s)
Liked 3,864 Times
in
2,312 Posts
To piggy back on cny's thoughts (which I agree with) but for those who think bushings will be as good or better then a roller element bearing I suggest go ahead and make one. Then come back and give us your findings. Please track costs including time and the after test period break down and reassembly. Andy
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,716
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5787 Post(s)
Liked 2,580 Times
in
1,430 Posts
However, mixing lots takes the variance beyond the limits for the given grade, and essentially downgrades them. So, there's no reason to pay a premium for a higher grade (lower number) only to degrade immediately.
For those who may not understand this, keep in mind that the lot tolerance is tighter than the overall tolerance. It's kind of like buying paint. All of a specific brand's "burnt cinnamon orange" is the same color, but there will be subtle variations between production lots. This is why experienced painters buy all they expect to need in a single purchase from the same lot.
The question of mixing lots goes to the core of why they track production of many items, ie. paint and steel balls by lot.
Finally, we get back to the question of "best practices". While mixing lots probably doesn't make a difference, not mixing them is free and balls cheap enough. So, while there may not be much reason to avoid mixing lots, there's no valid reason to do so, and I for one, wouldn't trust a mechanic who tires to claim otherwise.
__________________
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
Last edited by FBinNY; 03-18-18 at 04:00 PM.