I see bearings for my 850SS spinning reel, costing about $18 each and I need three of them, typically on Mystic or Ereplacement. I see other sealed bearings, same dimensions with a rubber shield, for $10.00 for a sleeve of ten from other merchants on ebay.
What's the difference? Am I getting anything for a bearing marketed as "fishing reel" bearings? Hardness? Tighter tolerances? Rust resistance? Lemme have it if you have the info. Thanks.
You can but the same ones cheaper and not pay the huge mark up. Make sure you are comparing apples to apples (ie stainless or not). I buy most of mine on AliExpress and pay 2 to 4 bucks for the same bearings as others want 18 for. I have not got bad bearings yet from them.
Cheers:
Todd
Todd: AliExpress.com?
Todd: I looked at that Ali Site. Looks like nothing to do with fishing, but will check it out.
Go on eBay and search EZO bearings. They're quality Japanese made bearings that come in inch sizes. I have them in my 750SS and 8500SS and i love them.
Penn bearings are of a high quality. That much is certain. But you don't need to spend $20 each for that.
Yeah, I thot $20 was nutz
Yes AliExpress. Alan (The Boss) got me on it and I've never went back. They have many bearing suppliers there. To be honest when you buy the ss bearings I have not seen a difference from stock. The real savings is with ARB bearings. Like has been stated fishing reels are not high speed applications.
What are ARB bearings?
Dad's used to have EZO/Sapporo(sp?) for $7-8 and some Penn (Penn sizes?)
https://www.dadsoletackle.com/bearings/ (https://www.dadsoletackle.com/bearings/)
looks like fewer choices & prices went up... they also sell on eBay:
https://www.ebay.com/str/dadsoletacklerodandreelparts?_trksid=p2047675.m145687.l149086 (https://www.ebay.com/str/dadsoletacklerodandreelparts?_trksid=p2047675.m145687.l149086)
Quote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 09:47:46 PMWhat are ARB bearings?
one-way roller/clutch bearings for instant A/R
cheap 10-tube + frequent replacement is an option, BUT!!!
make sure you're getting STAINLESS steel -- NOT chromed steel!!!
what is the knock on chromed bearings?
Quote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 10:11:11 PMwhat is the knock on chromed bearings?
2 words. Salt water.
Hmmm. I thought chrome steel was supposed to be corrosion resistant, but you guys all seem to be in agreement.
I will use chrome steel if I cant get ss or ceramic hybrid in that size but as stated in salt water they will not last as long unless regularly lubed. That being said a lot of my guide clients get seized rusty "stainless " bearings all of the time. For fresh water I would not worry about it, lube and fish. Most of on here would not have an issue with chrome as we service all the time.
https://raindew.aliexpress.com/store/4481066?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.2.465a1802E73j43
This has become my regular store on Ali. They have most common sizes, the free shipping is usually less than two weeks to Aus and the quality seems to be OK.
cheers
Steve
Quote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 10:18:46 PMHmmm. I thought chrome steel was supposed to be corrosion resistant, but you guys all seem to be in agreement.
There is "corrosion resistant" and then there's "suitable for use in the incredibly corrosive environment of saltwater fishing".
Take some "stainless" kitchen implements fishing in the salt a few times and watch them start to rust.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on May 08, 2023, 10:13:29 PMQuote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 10:11:11 PMwhat is the knock on chromed bearings?
2 words. Salt water.
Not sure, if this is the correct place to ask, but you don't know unless you ask lol?
So recently, I've been wanting to order some Abu 4x10x4 bb's, so I went to do a search, and was completely overwhelmed with the amount of companies and products as well as prices all over the board lol!
I was thinking about using Acer racing co. Looks like you get 10 of them for about $14
Then I saw this and went to Ali express, It looks like you can get 10 bearings for less than $7 from a few different manufacturers!
Is there really that much of a markup? or are these just junk?
And if I can get better bearings for the same price of less quality ones, I would love to be able to do that!
There's a lot of crap bearings out there. And a lot of marked up crap bearings to lead people to think they're getting something good, when they're just over paying for crap.
Also if memory serves you were talking about the flat side abus in the past. Those are 3x10x4 bearings. Not sure if same reels in question but that's worth mentioning.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on May 09, 2023, 12:27:44 AMThere's a lot of crap bearings out there. And a lot of marked up crap bearings to lead people to think they're getting something good, when they're just over paying for crap.
Also if memory serves you were talking about the flat side abus in the past. Those are 3x10x4 bearings. Not sure if same reels in question but that's worth mentioning.
I have old ones, new ones and had just about everything in between lol, but just only recently really dove into modding/servicing them myself in the past two or three years!
I had loads of them when I was younger, but stopped fishing for a long time and foolishly got rid of everything, but didn't really have much of a choice at the time!
I know the older ones have the other bearings you mentioned, and also have the 3.2 oddball here still, I do believe!
Nope, I'm just looking for some good old S/S 4 x 10 x 4 and a couple sets of ceramics, that don't cost $10-$15 a bearing!
There's just so darn many, but I've seen some ceramics going upwards of $40??? at some of the name brand companies!
Are the bearings in the reels rusty or bad? Maybe just clean and lube what's in there and go fishing. Abu used decent bearings
Quote from: Swami805 on May 09, 2023, 01:44:20 AMAre the bearings in the reels rusty or bad? Maybe just clean and lube what's in there and go fishing. Abu used decent bearings
Oh, trust me, I'm not in any position to be spending money on something that's not needed
Some of them, are just not smooth after they've been cleaned and oiled.
They go in my bottom fishing reels!
Some of them have bushings also, and need bearings for those as well.
And then I would like a few sets of ceramics to upgrade a couple of sentimental Abus, for long distance!
Some of these were impulse buys, trying to find some of the ones I used to have!
Some of them, I just wanted to try out and figured I could get back what I paid for them
But, I quickly had to give that up lol!
This may help understand bearings a little better .
https://ph.rs-online.com/web/content/discovery/ideas-and-advice/ball-bearings-guide
https://koyo.jtekt.co.jp/en/2020/01/column02-01.html
Yes there is a difference in ball bearings , you get what you pay for ...
Thanks Joe. Good information.
Good educational links from Joe!
A couple or more things to add:
1. Chrome steel is a type of steel commonly used for ball bearings. Chrome plating is something different, and not something that I would expect to see in ball bearings.
2. There are many varieties of stainless steel, each with different properties. 440C is the type typically used for ball bearings. It has good hardness, and corrosion resistance about equal to the 18/8 stainles you'll find it in your kitchen implements - which means very good fresh water resistance, and so-so for saltwater. There really is not an option for a stainless that is hard enough for bearings, having good saltwater corrosion resistance, and not ridiculously expensive.
3. 440C Stainless will corrode more slowly than chrome steel around salt water, but both will corrode relatively quickly if not protected by grease. Hence Todd's strategy of going with cheaper chromed bearings, figuring that the difference is not worth it. YMMV
4. Agree with Todd that (with a few exceptions) fishing reels are not very demanding in terms of bearing performance. Lever drags at high settings apply a lot of axial load on a couple of bearings, and conventional reel spools can spin at higher RPMs (but not that high by bearing standards), so there might be some argument for better quality bearings in these situations.
5. The reputation of the bearing manufacturer is a better indication of quality than the bearing class, which is just an indicator of tolerances and not quality control.
6. ARB is an acronym we use for a roller clutch (AKA anti-reverse bearing). It should be noted that these are simply clutches and provide none of the functionality of a ball bearing.
The ARB acronym is also used by Shimano for their "anti-rust bearing", which is just a normal ball bearing that corrodes just like a normal ball bearing, but has some sort of treatment that Shimano claims will slow corrosion somewhat.
-J
Dave, shimano figured out a while ago, it's the name that does it. Thats why they name absolutely every feature added or removed.
If Shimano didn't invent a name for every feature what would the marketing dept have to do? Daiwa does pretty much the same.
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on May 09, 2023, 05:19:19 PMDave, shimano figured out a while ago, it's the name that does it. Thats why they name absolutely every feature added or removed.
They forgot to add "BRB" - bearings with round balls :)
Quote from: MarkT on May 09, 2023, 05:32:15 PMIf Shimano didn't invent a name for every feature what would the marketing dept have to do? Daiwa does pretty much the same.
Daiwa also renames their feature names, so they can reuse the name of a past premium feature on a modern midrange or budget reel. I know, it makes tons of sense. Digigear anyone?
That's nothing... Hagane for the win! It means steel, specifically the high carbon edge of a sword. The way Shimano uses it I'd take it be metal or maybe Aluminum.
HAGANE is a Shimano reel design concept created to withstand continual use and extreme abuse. HAGANE is an innovation with built-in toughness and durability that works alongside Shimano's precision engineering. HAGANE is for all anglers.
They list a Hagane body as a feature of the Talica's! Hagane = whatever marketing wants it to mean!
Quote from: ExcessiveAngler on May 09, 2023, 12:13:56 AMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on May 08, 2023, 10:13:29 PMQuote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 10:11:11 PMwhat is the knock on chromed bearings?
2 words. Salt water.
Not sure, if this is the correct place to ask, but you don't know unless you ask lol?
So recently, I've been wanting to order some Abu 4x10x4 bb's, so I went to do a search, and was completely overwhelmed with the amount of companies and products as well as prices all over the board lol!
I was thinking about using Acer racing co. Looks like you get 10 of them for about $14
Then I saw this and went to Ali express, It looks like you can get 10 bearings for less than $7 from a few different manufacturers!
Is there really that much of a markup? or are these just junk?
And if I can get better bearings for the same price of less quality ones, I would love to be able to do that!
You need stainless bearings for salt water, from what the more established forum members say. The cost for stainless bearings seems to be 3-4 times the cost of chromium steel bearings. I screwed up. I bot bearings from Fast Eddy and paid five bucks each for chrome. Dope. Did a search and bot EZO stainless bearings. The cost of being a cheapskate is expensive in the long run.
Quote from: MarkT on May 09, 2023, 07:32:20 PMThat's nothing... Hagane for the win!
YES, Hagane ("steel" gears made from aluminum) firmly retakes the gobbledygook lead
Daiwa briefly held it w/ CRBB: 33% more B/S than Simano's ARB -- no extra charge ::)
at least my old Biomaster w/ Super Ship gearing just sounds cool, w/out any misleading implications
Quote from: hotajax on May 09, 2023, 08:30:46 PMQuote from: ExcessiveAngler on May 09, 2023, 12:13:56 AMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on May 08, 2023, 10:13:29 PMQuote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 10:11:11 PMwhat is the knock on chromed bearings?
2 words. Salt water.
Not sure, if this is the correct place to ask, but you don't know unless you ask lol?
So recently, I've been wanting to order some Abu 4x10x4 bb's, so I went to do a search, and was completely overwhelmed with the amount of companies and products as well as prices all over the board lol!
I was thinking about using Acer racing co. Looks like you get 10 of them for about $14
Then I saw this and went to Ali express, It looks like you can get 10 bearings for less than $7 from a few different manufacturers!
Is there really that much of a markup? or are these just junk?
And if I can get better bearings for the same price of less quality ones, I would love to be able to do that!
You need stainless bearings for salt water, from what the more established forum members say. The cost for stainless bearings seems to be 3-4 times the cost of chromium steel bearings. I screwed up. I bot bearings from Fast Eddy and paid five bucks each for chrome. Dope. Did a search and bot EZO stainless bearings. The cost of being a cheapskate is expensive in the long run.
Were they regular bearings or were they ceramic?
I think I'm going to take a shot, on the ones I've been looking at for a few months now from AcerRacingCo.com!
Quote from: jurelometer on May 09, 2023, 03:51:36 PMThe ARB acronym is also used by Shimano for their "anti-rust bearing", which is just a normal ball bearing that corrodes just like a normal ball bearing, but has some sort of treatment that Shimano claims will slow corrosion somewhat.
-J
I thought Shimano's ARB acronym translated to "Accelerated Rust Bearing"?
...Already Replaced Bearings
Quote from: ExcessiveAngler on May 09, 2023, 09:21:51 PMQuote from: hotajax on May 09, 2023, 08:30:46 PMQuote from: ExcessiveAngler on May 09, 2023, 12:13:56 AMQuote from: JasonGotaProblem on May 08, 2023, 10:13:29 PMQuote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 10:11:11 PMwhat is the knock on chromed bearings?
2 words. Salt water.
Not sure, if this is the correct place to ask, but you don't know unless you ask lol?
So recently, I've been wanting to order some Abu 4x10x4 bb's, so I went to do a search, and was completely overwhelmed with the amount of companies and products as well as prices all over the board lol!
I was thinking about using Acer racing co. Looks like you get 10 of them for about $14
Then I saw this and went to Ali express, It looks like you can get 10 bearings for less than $7 from a few different manufacturers!
Is there really that much of a markup? or are these just junk?
And if I can get better bearings for the same price of less quality ones, I would love to be able to do that!
You need stainless bearings for salt water, from what the more established forum members say. The cost for stainless bearings seems to be 3-4 times the cost of chromium steel bearings. I screwed up. I bot bearings from Fast Eddy and paid five bucks each for chrome. Dope. Did a search and bot EZO stainless bearings. The cost of being a cheapskate is expensive in the long run.
Were they regular bearings or were they ceramic?
I think I'm going to take a shot, on the ones I've been looking at for a few months now from AcerRacingCo.com!
here's a thought:
find a forum for
S/W RC boat enthusiasts
do they use same BB's as land/air RCV's???
I have several Penn Battle II 3000s that exclusively see saltwater (Tautog, King Salmon, Black Sea Bass and Fluke along with the occasional unintentional Bluefish and Striper), so I would like to get some sleeves of 10 bearings from aliexpress for replacements, as they age. (one is feeling a bit crunchy at this point) I don't have a tool to measure them, however, so I was wondering if anyone knows the sizes of the 4 bearings? I figured someone who services these spinners regularly may already know it from ordering them in bulk.
20-CFT3000
20a-CFT3000
20D-5000BTL
20D-3000BTL
Quote from: wolvie on July 17, 2023, 02:47:12 PMI have several Penn Battle II 3000s that exclusively see saltwater (Tautog, King Salmon, Black Sea Bass and Fluke along with the occasional unintentional Bluefish and Striper), so I would like to get some sleeves of 10 bearings from aliexpress for replacements, as they age. (one is feeling a bit crunchy at this point) I don't have a tool to measure them, however, so I was wondering if anyone knows the sizes of the 4 bearings? I figured someone who services these spinners regularly may already know it from ordering them in bulk.
20-CFT3000
20a-CFT3000
20D-5000BTL
20D-3000BTL
Hi Wolvie —-
AliExpress is a good source for fishing reel bearings.
I would encourage you to get a digital caliper for measuring OD, ID, and thickness of your bearings.
Anyone here, will be more than glad to help you measure bearings.
But you should invest $20, or so —- and be able to measure your own bearings accurately. The more folks the communication goes through —- the greater the chances of it becoming not exactly accurate. You don't need to buy something from Asia that is the wrong size —- and difficult, expensive, time-consuming, and potentially impossible or not worth it to return.
I recommend that you get a set of calipers for your own first hand knowledge and experience.
You may find excellent bearings at a local hobby shop, RC shop, skateboard shop, or?
And a set of calipers will help with many things on reels and around the house.
You are not working on the Space Shuttle —- just fishing reels. These, or similar —- will do very well.
Best, Fred
...or something like these
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005375925968.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.63.29727a9agu4jBv&algo_pvid=48ddfcfa-a5ce-447c-90b4-b317f39fbc8a&aem_p4p_detail=20230717213559756228654760320022504405&algo_exp_id=48ddfcfa-a5ce-447c-90b4-b317f39fbc8a-31&pdp_npi=3%40dis%21AUD%2138.21%2119.48%21%21%2125.65%21%21%40211be3d216896549590902587d0780%2112000032799758653%21sea%21AU%21859348964&curPageLogUid=5u40VOaz1b77&search_p4p_id=20230717213559756228654760320022504405_32
I use stainless manual calipers because I get sick of changing the batteries in the digital ones; most of the cheap ones seem to eat LR44 batteries faster than I consume scotch! :d
Quote from: ReelClean on July 18, 2023, 04:39:17 AMI use stainless manual calipers because I get sick of changing the batteries in the digital ones; most of the cheap ones seem to eat LR44 batteries faster than I consume scotch! :d
Many of the digital calipers turn on automatically when you open them, but don't do such a good job of turning off automatically. So if you nudge the storage case, it is enough to turn it on. I found that if I tighten that jaw locking screw before storage, it doesn't accidentally turn on, and the battery lasts a lot longer.
-J
Quote from: jurelometer on July 18, 2023, 06:26:10 AMQuote from: ReelClean on July 18, 2023, 04:39:17 AMI use stainless manual calipers because I get sick of changing the batteries in the digital ones; most of the cheap ones seem to eat LR44 batteries faster than I consume scotch! :d
Many of the digital calipers turn on automatically when you open them, but don't do such a good job of turning off automatically. So if you nudge the storage case, it is enough to turn it on. I found that if I tighten that jaw locking screw before storage, it doesn't accidentally turn on, and the battery lasts a lot longer.
-J
I do the same /and turn it off manually when i set it down , other wise it stays on for a few minutes .
Thanks for all the feedback! I will proceed accordingly.
When I first saw the post I was going to say roughly the same as Fred. But he says it far more... Intelligently.
The other resource is fast eddy bearings. Now to be clear I do not recommend using his chromed steel bearings in saltwater reels, that would go terribly. But he does us the wonderful favor of listing the sizes and quantities of the bearings in his reel kits. Sizes I'll take to places with quality stainless bearings.
Quote from: hotajax on May 08, 2023, 06:49:58 PMTodd: I looked at that Ali Site. Looks like nothing to do with fishing, but will check it out.
they sell EVERYTHING. even sex aids (honest)
just search for what you need
This is a good site too for bearings.
https://www.fasteddybearings.com/