Ball bearing sizes?

[User]

 

[lpretro1]

Go to LBS to ensure you get right ones

 

[mjr]

LBS will have calipers and packets of bearings. Put paper down next time to catch the beasties... but it's usually worth replacing them each strip and regrease anyway, isn't it?

 

[lpretro1]

It's easier to get them in a race - then you don't loose them

 

[midlife]

Pound to a Penny they are 3/16 ". Campag pista ones were smaller at 5/32 " .

Shaun

 

[mjr]

It's easier to get them in a race - then you don't loose them

Do you mean caged? Those ones seem more likely to wear pits into the races, plus the cages fail more quickly than the balls (because they're thinner at critical points) and can result in mobile sharps causing damage. Not a problem if you service often enough, but the headset isn't the easiest place to inspect.

 

[lpretro1]

Yes - caged if you like - they are way easier to fit. If you use loose balls there is always a risk you dislodge them when putting the fork back in and of course when you dismantle you drop/lose them. Yes, the races do need maintaining - but so does any headset and like any other part of a bike - though many people leave them until they are way past needing doing or they have problems - especially not good if you have an integrated headset...

 

[raleighnut]

I'd use loose balls

 

[mjr]

[QUOTE 4066765, member: 45"]Sat on a steel rule they look to be 5/32. But I don't trust my eyesight. @biggs682 ?[/QUOTE]
Surely you can just trust your eyesight and say only that they're less than an inch, no matter how much you're asked to be more precise?

 

[raleighnut]

[QUOTE 4066916, member: 45"]Thanks. Are there different sized cages?[/QUOTE]
Not only are there different size cages there are different types as well.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

it's usually worth replacing them each strip and regrease anyway, isn't it?

If they were made of cheese maybe. The whole point of strip, clean and regrease is to keep the balls in good condition no?
That said, I guess it depends on how often you strip and regrease.

 

[tyred]

With a few exceptions, on the majority of bikes (including Triumph Travel Masters) you will find:

Pedals - 1/8"
Headset - 5/32"
Front hub - 3/16"
Bottom bracket - 1/4"
Rear hub (non Sturmey) 1/4"

I always assemble without cages. A decent grease should hold them in posiiton.

 

[Gravity Aided]

it's what the holes in a Park Tool ruler are for, but there are other measurement devices as well. If you go with loose balls, you may need slightly larger balls to compensate for the absence of a cage. (I refer to that as going "commando")

 

[lpretro1]

With a few exceptions, on the majority of bikes (including Triumph Travel Masters) you will find:

Pedals - 1/8"
Headset - 5/32"
Front hub - 3/16"
Bottom bracket - 1/4"
Rear hub (non Sturmey) 1/4"

I always assemble without cages. A decent grease should hold them in posiiton.

It may well have been the case at one time on old bikes but nowadays bearing sizes vary considerably I'm afraid

 

[mjr]

If you go with loose balls, you may need slightly larger balls to compensate for the absence of a cage

I thought you just needed more of them?