Entry-level threadless headsets still use "loose ball bearings" arranged in metal cages. These cages can be bent easily, rendering them useless. Also watch for balls dropping out.

Ball bearings are typically used to maintain space within the moving parts of a rotating object, such as a wheel or gear. They are commonly found in bicycle and car tires. The best place to shop for loose ball bearings is via the Internet, where a wide variety of products are offered. 

We offers different grades, sizes and quantities of loose ball bearings. Quantities are typically priced low, and Jenson USA also offers a price-match guarantee. This means if you find the same product cheaper at another seller, Jenson USA will match or beat the price the other retailer is offering.

Because the majority of high-end aftermarket hubs use sealed bearings it's common to think of a cup and cone hub as lower quality, but that isn't always the case - Shimano's top tier XTR hubs are an example - and there are actually some advantages to going with a loose ball hub set. Not only are they easier to service (if you're into that sort of thing) once you know how to do it, not requiring skf bearing press tools and a vice or hammer, but because bearing tension is adjustable you can dial in the perfect amount tension. On top of that, a well setup cup and cone hub that has been put together with proper grease will usually offer lower rolling resistance that sealed bearing hubs can only dream of. It has also been said that a cup and cone system offers far more lateral bearing support than sealed bearings, although most riders would be hard pressed to notice the difference

Looking at the late Mr. Brown’s page I realized I am opening a bona fide can of worms. There are several bottom bracket “standards”, and bottom bracket/crankset interfaces. We won’t even get into “timken bearing” and “BB30″ and other new standards which are mostly calculated to keep the buying public buying, while claiming to add some performance advantage…not performance related to the durability or function of the piece… but of the rider/bike. 

INA ZKLN 2557-2RS M3

6306 TN9/C3

710/70 R42