How often do bearings in bikes need replacing?

 There are obvious advantages for plastic bearings being used in bicycles. One key advantage is how infrequently the bearings need replacing. Another advantage is how durable plastic bearings can be, however, the question still arises as to whether plastic is durable enough to withstand the abuse some bicycles can take. So, how often DO bearings in bikes need replacing? The aim of this blog is to identify the key advantages of bearings in bicycles and how, using igus® bearings, can reduce the frequency of needing to replace them.

In the bicycle industry, innovative solutions are not only required and used at the design stage, but are often considered for material selection. Key elements that are required in aspects like the frame, seat post, suspension, pedals or gearshift all need careful consideration when it comes to choosing the best material. Traditionally, there are many solutions for elements of bicycles that can be manufactured out of aluminium or glass fibre-reinforced material, however, it is becoming more frequent that component manufacturers are turning to alternative materials, such as plastic. In particular, plastic plain bearings. These are gaining popularity because they have many advantages over metal plain bearings.

Weight

Weight is one of the most important points to consider when buying a bike. In everyday use of a bicycle, problems are often encountered when lifting the bicycle up or down the stairs or while loading the bike onto a bike rack. Manufacturers are always looking at ways to make the bikes lighter. Even when considering riding the bike, weight reduction is crucial, every gram counts. A plastic plain bearing from igus® is approximately seven times lighter than a comparable metal plain bearing and as mentioned earlier, plastic bearings in bikes need replacing less often.

Corrosion

An igus® plastic plain bearing is corrosion-resistant and offers a great advantage in outdoor applications, after all, they need to be able to withstand rain, snow and heat. Being corrosion-resistant also helps when mountain biking. The terrain tends to be hard and dirty and the bike can need to absorb some serious shocks if doing the jumps. With igus® plain bearings, we have various ranges that can cater for the wet, shock and heavy loads, all of which are 100% corrosion- resistant. Moisture can also affect metal bearings but using tribologically optimised plastic plain bearings from igus®, there is no destructive corrosion and no need for grease or lubrication. This keeps the bearing and bike clean.

Wear and Service Life

A key criteria area when selecting the material of the plain bearing is wear and the associated service life. With metal plain bearings with a PTFE coating, the coating can quickly wear out when contaminated with dirt or excessive pressure from edge loads. This then reduces the sufficient sliding properties needed to make the bearing work efficiently, therefore, the service life of the metal bearing is massively reduced. Additionally, the worn away coating creates metal-on-metal contact, which generates excessive friction, wear and noise.

With a plastic plain bearing the entire wall thickness is used as the sliding element. This is made possible as the additives required for the lubrication are embedded and distributed homogeneously throughout the material. Therefore, a longer service life is achieved and the need to replace the bearings is less frequent.  

Clear advantage

Plastic plain bearings do not need additional lubrication, maintenance of the bearing points is unnecessary, creating an incredibly reliable and efficient operation.

Conclusion: How often do bearings in bikes need replacing?

If the bearings are metallic they will require replacement a lot more frequently than if they are igus® plain bearings. Reducing the frequency that the bearings need replacing saves not only money but time and effort. Changing bearings in a bike can be a faff so eliminating or at least reducing the need for replacement is a win-win.