[Closed] Needle bearings yah or nay ?

Generally you use Needle rollers because you cant fit balls (of a decent size) in there.... I'd be surprised if you could swap out a NRB for a ball bearing that would last more than 10 seconds.

Thanks benpinnick that's put me in my place -  needle bearings it is then

Cartridge bearings aren't great in pivots anyway - they move through such a small range of motion, hence they seize regularly.

I'd sooner have needle bearings, and certainly wouldn't "upgrade" to cartridges, even if it were an option.

Cartridge (ball) bearings can take greater lateral loads. Needle bearings can take greater radial load

I'd go with what whoever designed the bike reckons should go there, they've probably given it more consideration than me.

Liteville use needle roller bearings in the the top tube pivot of the 301 and in the shock eyes.

They last very well. Certainly way better than bushings in the shock. Haven't needed to change anything, just grease-up a couple of times a year and they seam to last forever.

Depends on how good the sealing is. Balls can "plough" any crap that gets in them out of the way. Needles can't so you end up knackering the bearing quicker once grit gets into it.

...but this...

I’d go with what whoever designed the bike reckons should go there, they’ve probably given it more consideration than me.

Thanks everyone greatly appreciate it

My Strive has needle bearings shock lower mount, i got a replacement set last year as theyve been stripped and greased twice a year for 4 years, ive still not fitted them as they always clean up niceley. Every cartridge bearing on the frame has been replaced at least 3 times in that time though, leave as is.

Thanks nickdavies will do might not be the needle bearings might be the pivot bolt itself I'll know more when I split it

My empire has needle bearings and ehay seem to work. They do run on specific races to fairly high tolerance so once you take into accound the needle bearings and 2 races you might be able to squeeze in some cartridge bearings depending on teh makeup.

i assume the needle bearings orderable by standard sizes like cartridge ones but i get mine from empire (probably at huge addtional cost) but i`ve only had to do them once in 2.5years and that was when i got the bike. I probably ought to have a look at them again at some point...

If the sealing is OK i`d keep the needle bearings.

Overwhelming votes for keeping the needles then Cheers all