Ceramic Bearings For Spinning Reel

[Preytorien]

I just got a Shimano Stradic FJ 2500.....

 

Wondering if ceramic bearings make a "worth it" kind of difference in spinning reels like they do in baitcasting?

 

The Stradic already has good bearings, but I'm wondering if it'll be worth the money to upgrade them to Hawgtech ceramics?

 

Any thoughts?

[iabass8]

No.

They have no effect on casting distance in spinning reels and in general a greased bearing is more efficient in providing a smooth retrieve than a high quality oiled bearing that will require more maintence

[aavery2]

If I can replace a bushing with a bearing I usually do it.   Spinning reels because of their design do not benefit from ceramic hybrid bearings  the same way that casting reels do.  Primarily because the spool does not spin and develop the high speeds during the cast like the casting reel.  One reason for upgrading to ceramics would be if you have a bad bearing and it needs replaced, but even then unless corrosion is an issue a good quality SS bearing is more than adequate. 

 

If you want your reel to perform at its full potential, send it to a pro for a good cleaning, you will like the difference it makes.

[Preytorien]

I figured so.

 

I'll pass on the bearing upgrade. It's a Stradic and has good bearings anyways, they're smooth as silk. No reason to change em' I just wondered why one would switch.

 

Thanks guys.

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

The only possible advantage might be in a constant salt water application for corrosion resistance. It depends on what the rest of the reel is whether it makes any sense or not.

[Capt.Bob]

There is only one place I use and suggest ceramic bearings for spinning reels, and that is the line roller. This bearing seldom ever gets serviced by its owners and is subjected to water often, The ceramic I have had better luck with longevity and treat the race for better resistance to corrosion. Like everyone said, there just isn't enough RPM's generated to see a difference with ceramic, I even have reservations installing ceramic in baitcasting reels, as far to many find the difference marginally noticeable, if at all.

[EvanT123]

There is a video on youtube where a guy replaced all the bearings in a stella with ceramics and man that thing looked smooth but i digress. A nice upgrade for the stradic is replacing the bushings in the knob with bearings

[Tywithay]

I almost always put a quality ceramic bearing in the line roller. It helps alleviate line twist, adds durability, and has better corrosion resistance, on one of the hardest worked bearings in the reel.

[powerduster]

is the line roller the one on the bail wire or is it the one in the rotor?

[Tywithay]

is the line roller the one on the bail wire or is it the one in the rotor?

On the bail.

[Preytorien]

Where do you get line roller bearings?

 

I can see the mechanical common sense in something more durable/better working than what might be stock. Like has been mentioned, it's likely the hardest working bearing in the whole reel, and it's subject to the water from line pretty much constantly

[aavery2]

I have used ceramic hybrid bearings as replacements to bushings and stock bearings in the line roller system but find the improvement to be very minimal and limited to only corrosion resistance.   My thinking is this, the inner and outer races as well as the cage assembly of both standard SS bearings and hybrids are typically SS.  While the balls of hybrid bearings are made of ceramic and will be impervious to corrosion the remainder of the bearing is still subject.  You could further increase the resistance to corrosion by using a bearing similar to the ones sold by Hawgtech that use a polymer cage assembly which would also be impervious to corrosion.   The improvements that ceramic balls create in terms of reducing the amount of inertia required to make them spin, will be somewhat negated by the fact that to help prevent corrosion you will need to apply a lubricant and not have the benefit of running them dry.

 

I'm interested in others thoughts.

[J Francho]

I just use Reel-X, and replace the roller bearings when needed.  Like aavery2 said, if it's going to mistreated, it's going to rust, hybrid or not.  It's the most oft replaced bearing I see in spinners - especially for guys fishing in salt.Half the time, the twist issue solved by replacement, simply because the thing is seized up.I've replaced a few "side plate" main gear bearings with hybrids, simply because the hybrids were less expensive than OEM bearings or bushings.  Sometimes they didn't improve the feel, since the precision of a ball bearing exposed inconsistencies of the bearing/bush seat in the plate.It's not an exact science, and upgrading doesn't always improve the feel.

[SirSnookalot]

A corroded line roller bearing is something I've had first hand experience with more than once.  It's happened once with my Plueger arbor and 2 times each with 2 different stradics 4000's.  These reels are used in saltwater and used a lot.  Hope I'm clear on this, the placement of the bearing is different on the stradic and arbor, the arbor's bearing is in the front part of the assembly right near the screw, the stradic's bearing is all the way in the rear of the assembly, only way I see it getting wet is a dunking.  My theory is the salt in the air could be the culprit.  This is not an unusual stradic problem, interestingly my spheros uses the exact bearing in the same placement and has never had an issue.  One stradic had not only the bearing replaced but all the interior parts as well, 2 times, once by Shimano and once by my local shop.  The other stradic's bearing was replaced from bearings bought at Boca, I live 5 minutes from them.  My freshwater reels regardless of brand have never experienced this problem and I do not oil them like I do my saltwater reels.