which frame pivot bearings?

Koiler
Koiler Posts: 513
edited February 2011 in MTB buying advice
looking around, there seem to be several different types at very different prices. Ebay has them from £15 for a kit, and at the other and of the scale, BETD want £95ish.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BEARING-KIT-KONA- ... 3cb4fe7757

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Kona-Coiler-coila ... 20b732d632

those are the 2 kits on ebay, theres not much in it price wise, and it doesn't look like it would be that much cheaper to source the bearings from a bearing supplier once you factor in postage etc

im guessing these kits are basically the same as the ones i will be removing, i see BETD do full compliment MAX bearings. is there any benefit to these? or rather, are they worth the extra? bearing in mind (no pun intended) they're about £13 a pair and ill need 2 pairs for the rocker and 2 pairs for the main pivot on the frame

thinking along those lines, if the full compliment ones are better, could i buy a cheaper ebay kit, and source some loose ball bearings of the right size and drop them into the cartridge to make them full compliment?

for reference, the bike is a Kona Coiler, and i weigh about 11st with gear

cheers,

Ben

Comments

  • Koiler
    Koiler Posts: 513
    anyone have any ideas on this now the forum is unbroken? :D
  • vmgscot
    vmgscot Posts: 120
    I am not convinced that MAX bearings are worth the money.
    My 5 year old Whyte E5 has this type of bearings and I have been through 3 full pivot sets since new (luckily they are all under lifetime warranty).

    IMO bearing sealing is more important. My bikes have various Hope hubs and they also suffer from bearing replacement every year....and these are supposed to be high quality Hope bearings. But they fail due to water ingress past the seals. I don't pressure wash but I do ride all year round (here is Scottish weather).
    vmgscot

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