libes@nbs-amrf.UUCP (02/22/84)
I'm considering several bikes, some of which have sealed bearings, some of which don't. I would like to hear people's stories on sealed bearing and also the answers to some questions, which I have never heard (probably because sealed bearings are relatively new): How long do sealed bearings last? How do you know when they need to be replaced? Do they suddenly freeze or do they slowly go bad like unsealed bearings? Are they inordinately expensive to replace when the time comes? I've seen most sealed bearings on hubs, but I've also seen them on headsets, rear derailleurs and bottom brackets. Do they really make sense in all these places or is this just gimmickry? Are they a compromise? Do they not work as well as carefully adjusted unsealed bearings? Thanks for all replies. Don Libes [allegra!seismo]!umcp-cs!nbs-amrf!libes
dave@infopro.UUCP (David Fiedler) (02/23/84)
Sealed bearings aren't that new. I built a time trial bike with sealed
pedals and hubs 7 years ago when I was racing, and the other things you
mentioned were available back then too. Stick to major brands and you shouldn't
have trouble with parts replacement. If they're adjusted properly at the
factory they should feel stiff when turned by hand but smooth when
spinning. Longevity should be 3-4 years depending on weather, if you LIVE
on your bike, essentially forever otherwise. Good luck.
"That's the biz, sweetheart..."
Dave Fiedler
{harpo,zeppo,astrovax,philabs}!infopro!daveedler@cmcl2.UUCP (Jan Edler) (02/23/84)
I bought Phil Wood sealed bearing hubs and bottom bracket in 1974, and rode heavily for about a year. During that time I had no problems, and enjoyed their maintenance-free quality. After that I stopped riding very much, but I still have them and they still work fine. They came with a five year warrantee, as I recall. I never made a serious attempt to compare them with other hubs, but I always assumed they had slightly higher resistance than top quality conventional bearing hubs. The only thing I know for sure is that if you spin the wheel when it is off the ground, it keeps spinning for a long time. Jan Edler floyd!cmcl2!edler (New York University) edler@nyu
thielges@uiuccsb.UUCP (02/24/84)
#R:nbs-amrf:-19300:uiuccsb:16200004:000:260 uiuccsb!thielges Feb 23 17:17:00 1984 I tend to believe that sealed bearings are mostly hype. I'm sure they last longer than an unmaintained loose bearing but I'm not sure the extra $ are worth keeping the grease off of my hands. Standard bearings have served me well so far. Bart Thielges
grt@hocda.UUCP (G.TOMASEVICH) (02/24/84)
I have 5 Phil Wood (wood filled? :-) ) bottom bracket cartridges, one which is not on a bike now. That one has substantial play in it. Others have gotten loose, but I eliminated the play by tightening the retaining rings. A problem that can occur that mimics loose bearings is for the cartridge to fit loosely in the retainers, so that it slips in them. Two started creaking, so I put oil on the ends of the cartridges where they seat in the retainers. On one bike it became silent, but on the other the play became more noticeable. The solution is probably to clean the retainers and cartridge outside surface and put a locktite polymer on the rings to eliminate the play. As far as wear is concerned, I ride one of the bikes in a lot of rain and snow; it certainly survives better than the conventional bearing bottom bracket does.
jeff@dual.UUCP (Jeff Houston) (02/28/84)
I have had an EDCO sealed bearing bottom bracket on my road racing bike for the last 2 years - covering aprx 20,000 miles and have not needed any maintanence at all, it seems to be the most trouble free part of my cycle. I think the loose bearing models would not need as frequent service if someone could get the frame builders to stop cutting out the bottom of the bottom brackets. I have no real experience with riding in really poor conditions, but on my other bike I have a run of the mill Campy Nouvo record bottom bracket which works fine provided I service it a few times a year with my tube of Phil Wood grease (Phil it up, please...). Still trying to break away from the pack, Jeff Houston Dual Systems (ucbvax,ihnp4,amd70,onyx,zehntel,cbosgd)!dual!jeff
ciampa@wivax.UUCP (Robert Ciampa) (02/28/84)
I've been riding Fuji's with Sunshine sealed bearing hubs for the past five years. The pair on my last bike were absolutely fine when I sold the bike at 10,000+ miles. My current pair is just as good as the first. The only thing that you should be cautious of is tinkering with them. Even the slightest amount of tampering can ruin them. Check them out, they are not that expensive.