Where to buy bearings?

[MRC01]

As many of you know, I do all my own servicing including wheel builds, bearings, etc. The trick with bearings is finding exactly the right models from quality brands like NSK, NTN, SKF, FAG. Not just the basic model like 6902 or 18287, but the optimal seals like VV, RS1, LLU, etc. Amazon has poor search and limited options, with lots of counterfeits. Most online bike shops only sell the most common sizes with no-name generic quality and no ability to pick details.

After years of dealing with this I wonder if anyone can point me toward direct sources. I tried to find them myself but my Google-Fu seems to be inadequate.

 

[nwjones18]

Maybe find a reputable shop that has a lot of feedback on Ebay?

I've heard of this website, but no personal experience they seem to have good reviews:

https://bearingsdirect.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooQ0y6jIaU7jAIxTh4Xh69M3ngFLSizIKfOOzZc1rVm40Q73pbJ

 

[racer12306]

While not direct and I can't confirm branding, so yes, everything you asked it to not be

They usually have good stuff, McMaster Carr
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/bearings/

They do ship fast though, you'll likely get it tomorrow.

 

[JavierH19]

Biggest problem I had with aftermarket hubs was the back plate falling off at least on my 2wd when doing the front and exposing the insides to the elements. Not only that the lack of a zerk to put grease in them is terrible. I warrantied the one with the missing plate and I was easily able to pop the new one off which is unacceptable and there was almost nothing of grease inside. The grease inside looked like cheap junk below nlgi LB standards. I cleaned and repacked it good then put the cover back on tapping it around extra tight and welding it on the lowest amp setting in sections and that cheap oreilly's hub lasted for 6 years instead of 1 like the prior one did. But by then I was tired of junk and got GM hubs and its been good since.

 

[wavinwayne]

A local bike shop should be able to source the correct parts. They'll be more expensive than online, but you're more likely to get the right stuff. Just be careful to not be too friendly with them or you might end up working there.

 

[JavierH19]

Didn't see bikes near the end. If it's for a bicycle I wouldn't care that much. For a vehicle I do care about good bearings as that wheel can lock up and break off.

 

[JRay’07]

You can try an industrial supply/hardware store.

 

[MRC01]

A local bike shop should be able to source the correct parts. They'll be more expensive than online, but you're more likely to get the right stuff. Just be careful to not be too friendly with them or you might end up working there.

I resemble that, used to work in a bike shop many decades ago. Problem is, many shops sell cheap generic bearings and don't have the selection regarding details such as seal types. They'll have the part, sure. But it won't necessarily have the quality, smoothness or longevity that you want.

 

[MRC01]

Biggest problem I had with aftermarket hubs was the back plate falling off at least on my 2wd when doing the front and exposing the insides to the elements. Not only that the lack of a zerk to put grease in them is terrible. I warrantied the one with the missing plate and I was easily able to pop the new one off which is unacceptable and there was almost nothing of grease inside. The grease inside looked like cheap junk below nlgi LB standards. I cleaned and repacked it good then put the cover back on tapping it around extra tight and welding it on the lowest amp setting in sections and that cheap oreilly's hub lasted for 6 years instead of 1 like the prior one did. But by then I was tired of junk and got GM hubs and its been good since.

Yeah, many bearings use poor quality grease. Bearings do have codes for the type of OEM grease they use, which is yet another reason I want that selection. If you do pop off the side seals and regrease it yourself, make sure not to fill it entirely. Counter-intuitively, it will have lower friction and last longer if you fill it halfway (plus or minus) instead of full.

BTW, this is the bicycle forum...

 

[MasterSolenoid]

Why not go directly to the various bearing manufacturers websites and see what they offer (rather than some online retailer).
* ground or semi-ground
* seals or not
That would show you exactly what's available.

 

[thescreensavers]

Boca Bearing

https://www.bocabearings.com/products/bearingapps/bicycle-bearings?ProductType=2

 

[Trav]

I have bought from this this company before for power tool bearings.

https://rodavictoriausa.com/

https://www.skf.com/us/industries/automotive/two-and-three-wheelers/mtrx

 

[MRC01]

Why not go directly to the various bearing manufacturers websites and see what they offer (rather than some online retailer).
* ground or semi-ground
* seals or not
That would show you exactly what's available.

I tried that, got their bearing catalogs which was great especially for all the product codes, but on some I couldn't place orders, and others I could only order them in 50+ quantities from industrial distributors.

BTW, here a distributor that looks promising, mentioned by NSK, NTN and SKF: https://www.motion.com/

 

[Trav]

Motion usually = big $$$. What bearing number are you looking for?

 

[Rinspeed]

I have bought from this this company before for power tool bearings.

https://rodavictoriausa.com/

https://www.skf.com/us/industries/automotive/two-and-three-wheelers/mtrx

I'm a big fan of made in Japan Koyo bearings especially seeing they OEM for Yamaha and Toyota among many others. I've ordered from Roda Victoria several times and they have great customer service. SKF makes some of the very highest quality bearing made anywhere in the world. They also make lower end bearings in many countries. Just so you will know, because there is zero money in small bearings some of the bearings companies will "share" inventory. You might order a bearing from one company and it will actually be made by someone else.

 

[Trav]

The ones I got were the newest RSL low friction seal bearings made in Italy. I was reading SKF info about how all the special small bearings are being made in this plant.

 

[IndyIan]

I've always just gone to the local bearing shop and they either had something in stock or could get it in a few days, but I just asked for something comparable to what came out of my $300 wheel set that lasted for 8-10 years...
18287 is what you need?
It seems this must be a bike specific size? SKF doesn't list that size here https://productselect.skf.com/#/type-arrangement/single-bearing and it is funny that almost every bike bearing website has their own "brand" of bearing in that size, so a bearing manufacturer in China or Taiwan is pumping out custom orders of them? Here's some that will be low-ish friction and made by SGM https://soshanger.ca/en/bearings/5460-a5-bearing-mr18287-llb-18x28x7.html
I guess contacting the hub manufacturers themselves is an option, as they have sourced the really fancy bearings before?

 

[MRC01]

Motion usually = big $$$. What bearing number are you looking for?

I've always just gone to the local bearing shop and they either had something in stock or could get it in a few days, but I just asked for something comparable to what came out of my $300 wheel set that lasted for 8-10 years...
18287 is what you need?

Road bike fronts: 18287 (18mm ID, 28mm OD, 7mm depth). Road bike rear: 17287 (17mm ID, 28mm OD, 7mm depth) and 6903.
MTB 6902 all around.
However, I work on a variety of bikes for friends so need a general supply for any part #.

 

[Trav]

Here are 2 SKF and 2 Zen bearings. Zen is a German company manufacturing in China like many others, by all accounts they are decent.

https://www.123bearing.com/bearing-housing/deep-groove-bearing/single-row/17287-2rs-zen
https://www.123bearing.com/bearing-housing/deep-groove-bearing/single-row/18287-2rs-zen
https://www.123bearing.com/bearing-housing/deep-groove-bearing/single-row/6902-2rs-skf
https://www.123bearing.com/bearing-...Efq_jGxOpfma5B-kODO7GzwrroEiqqXzfDrDHeoayvG8I