Bearings

[Catt]

I hear a lot of customers talk about the number of bearings in today's reels and how this alone determines if a reel is good/smooth or not. I would like to address this; it's not the number of bearing but the quality of the bearing. Second it's about the location of these bearings, many reel manufactures have added bearings to the reels handle (knob) with many having 2 bearing on each knob. So in reality you can subtract 4 bearings from the total number since they have nothing to do with the operation of the reel.

[Raul]

And the most important ones are the ones that support the spool.

[.ghoti.]

One of my favorite reels; I have three of them, is the Daiwa Millionaire. They cast like a champ, make almost no noise, and are as smooth on the retrieve as you could want. They have a grand total of three bearings. Give me quality over quantity any day.

Cheers,

GK

[Guest DavidGreen]

Good points Catt...

More and more of to days anglers, are caught up in the bearing count marketing hype.

Tight Lines!!!

[lubina]

I read some place that Abu has the best bearings in their factory reel compare with Daiwas and Shimanos. I upgraded all mine to ABEC 7 just out of the box, so there is not a question.....they are superturbo now ;D

[Guest DavidGreen]

lubina,

Did you get the Stainless or the Ceramic?, and at $40+ a pair, did you really gain that much in performance? If so how did you measure it? (in casting distance, in feel? etc.)

Inquiring minds would like to know...

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'd rather have fewer properly placed quality bearings then 10 elcrapo's.  

[.ghoti.]

lubina,

Did you get the Stainless or the Ceramic?, and at $40+ a pair, did you really gain that much in performance? If so how did you measure it? (in casting distance, in feel? etc.)

Inquiring minds would like to know...

Dave, I read an article somewhere about just such a test. The gist of it was, the ABEC 7 stainless bearings provided a significant improvement in casting performance over stock bearings, and that the ceramic bearings provided only a minimal improvement over the ABEC 7 stainless bearings. I'll try to find that report. This may take me some time. At this point I have no idea where I found it. It was quite some time ago. The Tackle Tour boys did a multi-part article on bearings that was quite informative, aside from their very positive report on Hot Sauce. That wasn't the report I had in mind. When I find it, I'll either send it to you or post a link.

Cheers,

GK

[Guest DavidGreen]

GK,

I think I know what article your referring to probably the one linked to from the Heartland Tackle Service site. But I wanted to know if lubina, noticed any marked improvement in his reels, and how he measured it.

When installing the bearing packs it really matters what type of lubrication, how much, and the way it was tested with the tolerances that the import bearings have, like the TG's I think he is using. I can upgrade to ABEC5's and probably get close to the same results as the 7's with some minor polishing, and never have to change my lubrication, as long as I tested the reel/s before and after with the same rod, line, and lure weight. I would also be looking at the shims under the bearings, they are were the most friction is placed when the reel is setup.

I was just curious, I am the type of service tech, that tries to save a client money, if he/she doesn't have a lot of $$ to spend...

Well back to the custom rods...

Tight Lines All!!

[lubina]

ReelMech i don't have any objective data but all my bc seem that the spool spin faster and easier and that they cast smoother now, specially with light lures.

The biggest difference I noted with the Quantums. Also I don't have a favorite yet since this is some how knew to me but certanly I would report back once I have one.

This is what I did.

Quantums, Stainless ABEC 7

Alpha and TD-Z BB got ZPI Sic ceramic that I believe are ABEC 5, you did the Daiwa for me.

Scorpion and rest of TD-Zs TG Roquet ceramic ABEC 7.

Most of my bearings came from Jim at Heartland Tackle Service.

[Guest DavidGreen]

lubina,

Yup I remember the Daiwa, and the bearing change out.

they cast smoother now, specially with light lures.

I was just wondering if you were getting the results in distance and smoothness. I didn't know it was mostly for the ability to throw lighter lures.

I don't have a favorite yet since this is some how knew to me but certanly I would report back once I have one.

Yes let us know..

Tight Lines!!!

[lubina]

lubina,

they cast smoother now, specially with light lures.

I was just wondering if you were getting the results in distance and smoothness. I didn't know it was mostly for the ability to throw lighter lures.

ReelMech this is my first impression. As I get more data I will let you know, anyway you are going to have them all in the Spring so you can check them out......and thanks you