I have read that the "standard" if you will for replacement bearings is the stainless steel ABEC-7 bearing.

1) How much difference will you see from the stock bearing?
2) The ceramic bearings seem to be getting a lot of press as well. How much of a step up are these?
3) Is there a point of diminishing returns with the cost of the ceramics vs. the extra performance? In other words, are you going to see about $20.00 +/- worth of difference?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

It just so happens, I know of an article that addresses those exact questions. I've gone with ABEC-7's but agree, the point of diminishing returns kicks in with the ceramics. This article points it out in detail.

http://www.heartlandtackleservice.com/ceramictest.htm

Kelly

Thanks for the info Kelly.

It seems the going rate for ceramic bearings with an ABEC-7 rating is about $39-40/pair.

VXB bearings is selling 10 ABEC-5 bearings for $39.95 on eBay . So, what am I missing here? That price difference is huge. Is there that much difference between an ABEC-5 and a 7?

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

It appears to me you're confusing the two terms. ABEC-7 bearings are not necessarily ceramic. ABEC is a standard for tolerances, and a google search will show you what it stands for. ABEC-7 bearings will run you about $8 per bearing, or $16 per reel. Ceramic bearings are pricey and probably what you found for $40 per pair. That's why I mentioned the point of diminishing returns. The article I listed mentioned a 2% increase in ceramic bearings compared to ABEC-7. 2% for twice the money isn't much value, in my mind.

That's why I use the ABEC-7's. ABEC-5's just don't have as close of tolerances.

BTW, if you're going from the pricelist on Heartlands' website, the TG's Rocket Bearings are a Stainless Steel/Ceramic hybrid, with ABEC-7 tolerances. That's why they're so pricey ($40). In the article I linked you too, he's comparing them to regular ABEC-7's in Stainless.

Kelly

Kelly --

I wasn't clear in my earlier post. The bearings on eBay are ABEC-5 ceramic bearings. These bearings appear to be stainless steel/ceramic hybrids, with ABEC-5 tolerances. Click on "eBay" and it will take you to the auction post.

Sorry, I misunderstood.

If I were in your position, I'd email both Connie at Lake Fork Tackle Repair and also John at Heartland Tackle Service and ask them. I've done a few google searches trying to figure it out, and can't come up with much.

I know Connie made a post on the other site with a "buyer beware" type warning. She can tell you what to look out for.

Kelly

ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Committee. This is a specification that bearing manufacturers design and manufacture their bearings to meet. The number following ABEC-3-5-7 indicates the tolerance of the bearing- the higher the number, the tighter the tolerance.
Stainless steel bearings as well as ceramics both have stainless steel raceways, the difference is the internal balls. The stainless have stainless steel balls and the ceramics have ceramic balls inside. MOst reels purchased will have ABEC 3 stock stainless steel bearings, these are good bearings, not a thing wrong with them or manufacturers would not use them. Some higher end reels may have ABEC 5 bearings. The ABEC 7 bearings are just a tighter toleranced bearing and a little bit better. To my knowledge, the ceramics cannot be purchased here in the States with a 7 rating. The bearings we sell have "CB" stamped on the outside. This is a very good thing for quality assurance and you know then what you are paying for as they are pretty pricey. Our price may vary on the Ceramic bearings because we purchase ours from England and the exchange rate may vary. Customers be cautious, you are at mercy of your repair shop to be honest. You cannot tell by looking at a bearing what the rating might be or what is inside, therefore, if purchasing a higher grade bearing like a ABEC 7, you might want to ask for a quality control sheet from shop to verify that the stainless bearings have a rating of 7. The ceramic ABEC7 bearings will improve your casting distance for sure.Anglers who fish clear water like Table Rock in Mo like the ceramics because they defintiely can cast further.
Let me point out to you that the most important thing about bearings is the maintainance,regardless of type or rating. If your bearings are taken care of properly, they will give you lots of performance in return.
However, I don't want to sound like discouraging you from installing higher grade or ceramic bearings, just want you to be informed so you will know what you are purchasing. Also, be sure your shop purchases DRY bearings. In my shop, we purchase dry and then clean them and service prior to selling to our customers.Anglers like to "Trick Out" their reels and we do lots of them with the ceramic ABEC 7 bearings and the smoooothie drag washers. Kinda like jazzing up your pickem up truck with flowmasters, racks, rails etc. Kinda fun thing to do also.If I have not answered your questions, please let me know. I wil be glad to help all I can. Thanks. conniek

I forgot to tell you this. If
reel is in warranty and you change out parts, it may void the warranty. You might want to check with your repair shop and find out or contact the reel manufacturer and just ask them , then you wil know for sure. conniek

I bought some of the ceramics that you saw in that e-Bay ad and they are NOT designed for fishing reels. They are packed with grease, not oil. I tried every chemical that I could find to clean the grease out and nothing worked (good grease!).

I have a couple of sets of the TG bearings that Connie sells and they do work great.

I was afraid of that Sandman. That was a question I had proposed to that company about getting the grease out. I have not heard from them. I was thinking of acetone.

The more questions I asked about this deal, the more it did not pass the smell good test . . . You know what they say about something being too good to be true . . .

acetone did not work. carb cleaner did not work. ether did not work. lighter fluid did not work. MEK did not work. I don't remember what else I tried but it was a royal PITA and they still were not useable.

_Hey Kev: You can get a decent price from www.bocabearings.com here in the USA on Up Grade bearings.

_Just in case you dont want to pay a Mark-Up and you know comming directly from the factory you'll get the Reel Deal!!

_Good Luck and Good Casting Yall!!

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