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Where Is C&V Buying its Loose Bearings Online?

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Where Is C&V Buying its Loose Bearings Online?

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Old 01-31-19, 01:30 AM
  #1  
SurferRosa
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Where Is C&V Buying its Loose Bearings Online?

Besides your LBS, where are you guys going (online) to purchase good bearings in the US?

If ebay, who is the US seller of quality bearings?

(I prefer ebay, btw.)

tanks!
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Old 01-31-19, 07:45 AM
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Have had good experiences with these guys.
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Old 01-31-19, 08:18 AM
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+1, I get their BB, hub and headset sizes in 100 packs, 1/4" grade 25 for $7 is good, but can't tell the quality with too many bikes to keep track, however kids and grand kids swear by their skateboard bearings I buy.
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Old 01-31-19, 08:33 AM
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I get the same off of amazon. I don't have a clue as to how I would tell a good bearing from a bad bearing.
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Old 01-31-19, 08:35 AM
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wheelsmfg.com
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Old 01-31-19, 08:58 AM
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+2 on BC Precision per the above. I've gone through several of the full bike bearing sets from them, and a few extra packs of 1/4". Never any problems.
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Old 01-31-19, 09:02 AM
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I've been using BBs from wheels manufacturing but I may have to try these out as they're cheaper. Plus they're available on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Assorte...KCP0MZW6TNEDKT
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Old 01-31-19, 09:10 AM
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Had good experience with these guys.

https://bearingballstore.com/
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Old 01-31-19, 09:19 AM
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I've got new bearings in 3 sizes.
Need a few?
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Old 01-31-19, 11:59 AM
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Thanks for the quick responses, guys.

Hey, what grade should I buy for the Campy stuff? 25?

Originally Posted by bark_eater
I don't have a clue as to how I would tell a good bearing from a bad bearing.
​​​​​​​
I can't either. That's why I insist on a US supplier.

Originally Posted by Wildwood
I've got new bearings in 3 sizes. Need a few?
Yep. I have this miyata 912 to do and that wheelset you might want.
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Old 01-31-19, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by bikemig
I've been using BBs from wheels manufacturing but I may have to try these out as they're cheaper. Plus they're available on amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Piece-Assorted-Loose-Bicycle-Bearing/dp/B018B7D05K/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_468_bs_tr_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=Y7KP36KCP0MZW6TNEDKT
I bought this assortment. Hi quality as far as I can tell*, and cheap enough to where the size(s) I'll never use don't bug me.

*edit: To clarify: Bags are marked G25, and they probably are. But I don't know how strict the oversight may be when it comes to such things.
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Old 01-31-19, 01:07 PM
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Unless you live in the middle of nowhere or are buying bulk what is the problem with your local bike shop? I try and buy all the consumables I can locally. It never hurts to have a local shop that is familiar with you for things you can't do and want done quickly.
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Old 01-31-19, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Bianchigirll
Unless you ... are buying bulk what is the problem with your local bike shop?
Yes, bulk. I simply ran out a while ago and have grown tired of either trying to reuse bearings or buying them for each flip/overhaul at my lbs.

I try and buy all the consumables I can locally.
I don't have that luxury. I overhaul too many bikes. Brake cable/housing alone would cost 4 times as much. Tires would cost another $50, and I would have to go out and shop and deliver them myself. Tubes are about the only thing I can afford locally. But I do now pay local sales tax on all my ebay purchases.

It never hurts to have a local shop that is familiar with you.
Agree. Two​ of them are very familiar with me. I usually tip in herb, which is most welcome.
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Old 01-31-19, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
Besides your LBS, where are you guys going (online) to purchase good bearings in the US?

If ebay, who is the US seller of quality bearings?

(I prefer ebay, btw.)

tanks!
....I have a local store for Motion Industries. They have to order them in for me from Texas somewhere, but they are a dependable supplier of quality bearings. They have n online catalog, but I'mnot sure how you find loose balls in it.
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Old 01-31-19, 07:25 PM
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I've been using the guys www.bocabearings.com, before the internet days. KB
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Old 01-31-19, 07:43 PM
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I bought a bunch of 440 stainless steel bearings from BC Precision.

https://www.bcprecision.com/collecti...-bearing-balls

After I got them, some people here suggested that 440 stainless may be slightly softer than the typical chrome steel bearings that are frequently used. But, so far I'm happy with them.
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Old 01-31-19, 11:59 PM
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Another vote for The Bearing Ball Store. Good quality and price, check out their bearing ball grade chart.

https://bearingballstore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=250&zenid=vgho40os5d8lvdfd97o0vvnee1

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Old 02-01-19, 12:20 AM
  #18  
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Originally Posted by Fahrenheit531
I bought this assortment. Hi quality as far as I can tell*, and cheap enough to where the size(s) I'll never use don't bug me.

*edit: To clarify: Bags are marked G25, and they probably are. But I don't know how strict the oversight may be when it comes to such things.
If you buy from a real bearing shop, 52100 G25 is not top of the line or anything so there's not much reason to pass off G10 as G25. You can generally rely on them knowing what they're doing and supplying the right thing, especially if they're a real bearing supply house as some of their customers will actually check. I'd actually be more concerned about bearings sourced from some bike part supplier for one of the bike parts wholesalers. It seems more likely some penny pinching accountant might decide to switch suppliers and either neglect to change their own description, or simply switch suppliers to a shady middleman passing off lower grade as higher.
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Old 02-01-19, 03:26 AM
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Originally Posted by PilotFishBob
+2 on BC Precision per the above.
​​​​​​Thanks. I got two 200ct bags (400 balls) of my most needed size (1/4" and 3/16") for under $15 shipped/taxed.

Last edited by SurferRosa; 02-01-19 at 03:34 AM.
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Old 02-01-19, 04:03 AM
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I went to the Chris King open house last summer and the shop tour guy told us even they have to watch their suppliers like a hawk.

Needless to say, they test their bearings within an inch of their life.

That being said, for our use most bearings we will get should be fine, but not sure I would go with the cheapest you can find.
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Old 02-01-19, 07:02 AM
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Originally Posted by kcblair
I've been using the guys www.bocabearings.com, before the internet days. KB

+1 the 3600 pack of 1/4” is hard to beat on price.
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Old 02-01-19, 07:32 AM
  #22  
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I buy online but have wondered about variations in quality. Some batches seem to have slightly different tints and lusters. I suppose they’re all probably fine though so I don’t worry too much about it.
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Old 02-01-19, 07:41 AM
  #23  
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Why is everyone buying loose bearings ? I have found I can get cage bearings in the correct sizes at the local bearing place. Not that I use them a whole lot anymore. The venerable UN55 is cheap , reliable and ubiquitous . Keep in mind I am speaking about riding here, not pure correct restorations .
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Old 02-01-19, 07:53 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by kcblair
I've been using the guys www.bocabearings.com, before the internet days. KB
X2 Those guys are great.
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Old 02-01-19, 09:41 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by merziac
I went to the Chris King open house last summer and the shop tour guy told us even they have to watch their suppliers like a hawk.

Needless to say, they test their bearings within an inch of their life.
.
Now, that's interesting. I wonder how they test their ball bearings at C. King?
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