Author Topic: Ball bearings?  (Read 3383 times)

Offline Reckless

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Ball bearings?
« on: January 17, 2014, 03:30:34 PM »
 I see spinning reels which say 8+1 bb and other variations of that. Could someone explain please?  :headscra:


Offline Bucktail

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2014, 03:39:30 PM »
What is your question about them?


Offline Hunter 2

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2014, 03:43:12 PM »
Usually the more ball bearings the better. And smoother as you reel.
Bucktail knows much more than I do in this subject.
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Offline Capt. Carl

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2014, 03:50:28 PM »
Same concept as Abec roller skate bearings
« Last Edit: January 17, 2014, 03:52:29 PM by Capt. Carl »
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Offline Reckless

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2014, 05:51:27 PM »
I know the more the better but I don't understand 8+1
or 7+2. Why does it state like 8+1? Are there 8 in one area of the reel and 1 in another? Why not just say 9?

BTL3000   250/6 • 170/8 • 140/10   275/10 • 205/15 • 170/20   6+1   This is for a Penn Battle. It states 6+1.  5hrug

Offline Bucktail

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2014, 06:16:13 PM »
OK the +1 is a one way roller bearing (aka roller clutch bearing), which is the anti-reverse bearing.  It uses pins instead of balls.  So if you see 8 +1, it has 8 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing.

The anti-reverse roller bearings have replaced (or are sometimes used in conjunction with) the old dog and ratchet system.  It is why most reels now have an instant anti-reverse with no backplay in the handle.
« Last Edit: January 17, 2014, 06:17:47 PM by Bucktail »

Offline Reckless

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2014, 06:45:23 PM »
OK the +1 is a one way roller bearing (aka roller clutch bearing), which is the anti-reverse bearing.  It uses pins instead of balls.  So if you see 8 +1, it has 8 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing.

The anti-reverse roller bearings have replaced (or are sometimes used in conjunction with) the old dog and ratchet system.  It is why most reels now have an instant anti-reverse with no backplay in the handle.

That makes sense. So the first number is the one to be concerned about. More the better. Thanks Bob!


Offline Bucktail

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2014, 08:35:23 PM »
More the better. Thanks Bob!

That's not necessarily true.  Unfortunately it's a trap that many people looking to buy a new reel fall into.  And the marketing and sales people know it.

More important than the number of ball bearings in a reel is the quality and placement of the bearings.  There are many instances where you would be better off choosing a reel with 4 bearings over a reel with 10.  Why?  Because, knowing that potential buyers are so intently focused on the number of ball bearings, many manufacturers try to cram a reel with as many as they can, just so they can put that high number on the package.

The problem is, quality ball bearings are not cheap.  So, a lot of these reels are packed with inferior bearings.  These inferior bearings make the reel feel super smooth in the store. However, once exposed to saltwater, salt air, and heavy loads of reeling in big saltwater fish, these bearings can quickly corrode and fail, leaving the user with an either crunchy sounding, not so smooth reel, or one that's seized up completely.

Rule of thumb:  If you see a cheap reel with double digit bearings, chances are the bearings are cheap a well. 

There are other things to consider when buying a new reel, but a big number of ball bearings is not always better.  And, can often be worse.

My Saragosas have 5 ball bearings.  Penn Captivas have 11.  Saragosa = one of the best saltwater reels made.  Captiva = one of the all time worst.


Offline Reckless

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2014, 03:34:01 AM »
Thanks for the info Bob.  slt


Offline Reckless

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Re: Ball bearings?
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2014, 03:46:50 AM »

 

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