Unicycle.com doesn’t carry them.
Since a Trials Unicycle is going to take a beating, I figure you Trialsers have had to replace them a time or two. Where did you go?
I’m just gonna throw this out there, but you might try a bike shop.
Duaner (from Austin) found a local place that sells bearings of different types. He was able to find one for a coker wheel. Maybe there’s a place like that in Memphis. Hopefully Duaner will respond here with more details
-Eric
Boca Bearing sells bearings online.
I believe the correct size for the KH is a 6004 (42mm outer diameter, 20mm inner diameter, 12mm width). You want the 6004-2RS. The 2RS means that it has two rubber seals. A 6004-ZZ would have two metal seals. Rubber seals work better for unicycles that are used outdoors a lot.
Use the search feature at the Boca Bearing web page and look for bearings with a 42mm outer diameter and a 20mm inner diameter.
Here’s a link to the 6004-2RS bearing in the Boca catalog: 6004-2RS
$10.80 per bearing.
Very good advice, all. Sarcasm or no.
I’ve spoken with several of the top b*ke shops and non of them seem know what a unicycle is. Actually, they don’t have difinitive answers on the phone. Its a show and tell situation. The Summit is now in the trunk.
154 - that shop you linked is 1 mile from work. Thanks for pointing me to my own back yard. I’ll stop in today.
John - yours is excellent data I need to have. My old telephone line connection was taking minutes to load your link, so I’ll take a peek when I get to work.
My biggest problem is I don’t know nuthin bout no bearings. I suppose its like everything else. You can get good ones or crappy ones. You match up the diminsions and ba-da-bing your good to go? Maybe its just that simple.
But I know I’ll be smacking them again with this crank/pedal grab thing I’m trying to learn. I think I landed hard on the little fellow and made a slight oval out of what must necessarily by a perfect circle. A strong argument could be made for getting an extra pair while I’m at it. My learning curve is not as steep as it used to be.
Thanks again.
(I haven’t been this excited about going to the office in ages!!)
Mr. Mud,
Does your Summit have shims around the bearings?
If not (no shims), do you have 43mm OD bearings?
If so (have shims), it would be interesting to know if a 43mm OD bearing would fit and allow removal of the shim. I do not see a 43mm OD bearing at the Boca Bearing site. Since you are in the market for new bearings, could you ask about 43mm OD bearings if you shop locally and let us know if they are available?
My Summit has bearing shims which are constantly coming loose and sliding out of position. I sure would like to get rid of them if that is possible. Based on other posts, there seems to be other Summit owners out here who would like to know about this too.
Thanks
If you’re looking to stock up you might consider this.
From what I’ve been able to find from various bearing manufacturers is that the OD for 20mm ID bearings can be any of the following:
20x32x7 (too small in both OD and width 7mm wide)
20x37x9 (too small both in OD and width 9mm wide)
20x42x8 (too small in width 8mm wide)
20x42x12 (these are the ones for summit but they’re a touch too small in OD)
20x47x14 (this overshoots the target in both OD and width)
So, that’s probably why the summit uses shims. Apparently there is no bearing made that is exactly the right size.
-mg
Who’da thought that when I took up unicycle riding, I would become so educated regarding bearings?
MM - Never mind about the 43mm OD bearing.
MG - Thanks for the information. Based on your message, I did some more research on my own. It does appear that the standard size is 42mm OD. In the case of the Summit the 20x42x12 bearing is an industry standard size. Prices range from $15 for a lot of 20 bearings on eBay to $78 for a single high precision bearing of the same size at another site. There is no standard 20x43x12 bearing.
I still wish I could find a 20x43x12 bearing just to see if it would work.
that sure looks like a great deal. after shipping that works out to about $1.30 per bearing. has anyone used this type?
-eric
Thanks to 154, I went to Memphis Bearing and Supply just a couple of miles from my office. The bearings on the Summit say 6004zz. At present, I don’t know what bearings are in the box. But I suspect a dead match because these guys know bearings.
They are 4.47 each. Cash transactions are No Refund, No Return. So, I got a couple and will report later on how things are working.
Fringe Benefit: If you need bearings for your conveyor system or submarine propellor, I know where to get them.
Mud,
Looks like I’m a little late, but I have had a lot of experience with bearings. You can find better quality bearings at the bearing supply stores like the one you found. And they’re much cheaper.
My rule of thumb (from 30 years of experience):
Price the original replacement bearings.
Spend that same amount, or a bit more, at a bearing store, and usually walk away with double sealed, high quality bearings that you will never have to change again.
If you’re gonna do the labor (which will provide good experience and save $50-$70 per hour in labor charges) you can easily afford to buy the best parts, and do the job ONCE.
Post Operative Briefing:
The operation is so easy its rediculous. We used Tommy’s bearing puller because we thought we had to. The thing slid off effortlessly. New one in. Good to go.
How easy.
Bearings: 20 x 42 x 12
I’m using 6004zz because thats what was on in the first place and thats what the Bearing store replaced them with.
Cost: 4.47 per bearing.
The disection of the Summit confirmed that the problem was my crank grabbing technique. I landed hard on that bearing cover and have bend it imperceptively, but enough to rub things wrong.
To repeat, with the Summit at least, you take the crank off (easy), pull off dust covers and shim (easy), pull off old bearings (easy), slip on new bearings (easy), put everything back together (easy), ride away happy.
If you can change the lightbulb in a flashlight, you can perform this operation.