The QUICK question thread.....

safreek

*******
Pulled the headset out of the giant today, headset had roller bearings. Any idea why they don't still use them in headsets

391704
 

link1896

Mr Greenfield
So do they achieve anything more than being different from norms bearing.
Allow me to steer super quick or something
More contact area, balls love to dint the race when over loaded. Longevity is very often traded for light weight and lower costs for all things bicycle
 

Dales Cannon

lightbrain about 4pm
Staff member
So do they achieve anything more than being different from norms bearing.
Allow me to steer super quick or something
More contact area, balls love to dint the race when over loaded. Longevity is very often traded for light weight and lower costs for all things bicycle
Deep groove ball bearings are cheap, light and a compromise that gets abused. Angular contact ball bearings fix some of that for stuff like headset bearings where there is thrust and radial loads to be contained. Rolling element bearings in the right plane are usually the best option because as link says you can get contact pressures down, ball bearings are a point contact wheras roller bearings are a line. Ish. But it is awkward to get the loading right which is why Henry Timkin was such a genius.
 
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