Hub bearings - how stingy to be?

londoncommuter

What's the latest thought on how much to pay for hub bearings? Rear wheel feeling ever so slightly rough so will replace the bearings. They're currently SKF and the wheels aren't hugely old so not sure I'm convinced by them. I may be being unfair and a quick regrease might sort them but once I've stripped the wheel it's just as easy to put new bearings in.

Only talking a few quid per bearing but why pay £9.26 if £1.74 will do?


£9.26 for SKF:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/69022RS-aka- ... 2173663172


£4.30 + postage for Enduro chrome steel:

https://www.tweekscycles.com/uk/enduro- ... gs-614443/


£2.99 for ebay stainless:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEARING-6902 ... 0544876068?


£1.74 for ebay chrome steel:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/61902-2rs-69 ... 0775180253

imafatman

>£9.26 if £1.74 will do?

How often are you changing your hub bearings?

964cup

I use Enduro, usually from these guys: http://www.wychbearings.co.uk/6902-LLB-Enduro.html but Tweeks looks slightly cheaper, interestingly. I would be careful of no-brand stuff.

cycleclinic

Cheap bearings can be variable. Did bearing normally last but how late Ng depends on the bearing seat. If it is slightly out of tollerances then that shortens bearing life. There are other reasons too. Axle flex, bearing preload....

The cheaper bearing though are made to wider tollerances so it require good fortune for them to last half as long as the skf's.