Bike technology is incredibly advanced and sports scientists have been involved in its development. The large choice of bearings is vast and somewhat perplexing. Aire Velo Bearings have over 30 years of experience selling bearings, including parts for bikes. You can trust us to provide everything that you need and our quality is second to none. The variety in the construction material of different bearings can impact your choice. Here is some important information to keep in mind, when purchasing our comprehensive selection:
Steel Bearings
The history of steel bearings is rich and long. One of the great things about them is that they are very affordable and reliable. Because of the material used, steel bearings have high strength, that can withstand cracking and easily cope with the impact from rough ground. To prevent the build-up of rust, they must be correctly maintained with oil, grease or a rust inhibitor. This contributes to a smooth and quiet ride. The versatility of steel bearings means that they are used in components like wheels, pedals, headsets, hubs and so on. So if you are looking for a good all-around, cost-effective reliable performer, steel bearings might be the right choice for you.
Stainless Steel Bearings
The properties of stainless steel bearings are similar to steel bearings, with one notable exception. Stainless steel is highly valued, due to its superb corrosion resistance. Higher levels of chrome contribute to its anti-rust properties, there by adding to its longevity. This stainless steel material is used in the inner and outer race, the cage, and in the balls themselves. In addition to this, a durable rubber seal is used, to prevent the ingress of any debris and water.
Hybrid Ceramic Bearings
Hybrid ceramic bearings are just as versatile as steel bearings and have similar applications. The main difference is that they have a combination of both steel and ceramic. The inner and outer races, as well as the cage, is constructed of stainless steel, but the balls are ceramic. This fusion of ingredients results in an arguably, greater overall performance. Why can we say this? It’s estimated that the Hybrid Ceramic Bearings, last 2 to 5 times longer than steel bearings, depending on the use and other factors. As a consequence, they do cost more money, but their extra durability can be seen as easily justifiable.
Full Ceramic Bearings
Full ceramic bearings are commonly used by many serious and professional cyclists. What makes ceramic bearings so popular? They are lighter, harder, produce less friction, and generally require less maintenance, than the other bearings. They are commonly viewed as self-lubricating, but you can lightly oil them. As a result of the increased performance, ceramic bearings are more expensive to buy but are estimated to last 5 to 20 times longer than steel bearings. This represents an excellent return and is a good investment in the long run. We do however recommend that full ceramic bearings should only be used for riding track/velodrome as the material is more susceptible to shock loads and can crack if the shock is severe enough such as hitting potholes on the road. However,, if you are willing to risk the potential issue to gain the many advantages of full ceramic bearings, that is your choice.
Visit our website today to look at our wide selection of products and choose the right, high-quality bearings for you.
