When should I replace my wheel hub bearings?
It’s recommended to replace the radial bearings in your hubs when they no longer spin smoothly or develop lateral "play". This can be every 1-3 years depending on ride time and riding conditions. Worn hub bearings lead to increased friction and resistance, resulting in slower turning wheels and a slower bike.
Are quality wheel bearings worth it?
Enduro’s ABEC 3 (grade 25) and ABEC 5 (grade 10) bearings – designed specifically for bicycle application – offer the deepest grooves and largest balls possible in every size to increase bearing strength and durability. Due to this increased ball size and groove depth, Enduro bearings require tighter manufacturing tolerances combined with exacting finish and assembly protocols to meet ABEC standards, resulting in greater precision overall.
So while they may cost a little more, you're sure to have smoother spinning, faster wheels for longer — saving you both time and money on labor!
What are ABEC-rated bearings?
ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineer’s Committee) Ratings are manufacturing and testing standards that each bearing must pass.These include noise testing at high RPM, precisely defined tolerances for inside and outside bearing diameters, roundness of ball, trueness of races, and the surface finish for all of the above. Many quality bicycle bearings are ABEC-5 and ABEC-3 rated.
What are Grade 10 and Grade 25 balls?
The balls which make up a cartridge bearing are rated by grade. The lower the number, the more precise the sphericity. Only 10 years ago, Grade 25 was considered a very high-grade ball, and used in the best hubs and bottom brackets. Starting with clean steel is a must for precise, long-lasting spheres. Enduro's Grade 10 and Grade 25 balls are forged and ground from the highest quality 52100 chromium steel.