Rear bushings need replacing, and I found these... does anybody else use them? They'd be going on a Patriot (and possible 222).
http://www.mountainbikecomponents.co.uk/items.asp?CategoryID=231&Name=Fox+Needle+Roller+Bearing
I would stay well clear, there's play between the rollers and the bushing and you get that nasty knocking noise like when your bushings have worn out = had two sets from BETD that did this and to be honest I couldn 't tell the difference in the feel anyway!
Waste of time!
The American (RWC - I think) are the same ;(
Thanks for the info
disagree. i use them on a single pivot (one end only, the one that rotates more) and they make a big difference (i am light and run low pressures which may be relevant). def. not a placebo. they shouldn't knock either, if you have right tolerance. talk to Chris at RWC or check the big mtbr thread. only negative i would say is they add maintenance, can rust. rollers can fall out when servicing. and you can't use them with offset bushes.
the suspension feels plusher with it though, that's a pretty big win.
only negative i would say is they add maintenance, can rust. rollers can fall out when servicing. and you can't use them with offset bushes.
That's 3 negatives - not worth the hassle, the weight of your bike and the rider easily overcome any slight stiction that is in the standard bushings, there's very little rotation anyway in most systems.
Definitely not worth the agro.
it's really one negative: bit more complexity/cost. i've regreased mine once in a year and running great. it's not more often than you'd change normal bushes, and RWC sell the roller bearing for a few dollars to existing customers (you don't have to buy whole kit again).
i'd say if you're interested in suspension tech and don't want offsets, try them, or try one first.
how much difference will depend: how tight your old bush was, how much rotation there is, how much pressure you run etc. all i can say is i can feel a difference and i usually like to call out bullshit tech when i see it.
I used one for a few months. I "may" have noticed a difference. But - they are terribly sealed and mine needed constant cleaning / greasing. Swapped back to a du bush for an easy life.