Needle bearing info

[Andy]

CD had asked about the shock eyelet needle bearing kit I used for the rear shock on my IP-036.

They came from BTI in New Mexico(any bike shop can order them).  They are item #AB-9901.

These let your shock pivots rotate on bearings instead of bushings....super smooth. 

By the way spent the last few days on the Ip-036 and could not be happier.  This bike feels just perfect.  Super smooth, super light.  Climbs amazing.  Corners perfectly.  BB height is just right.  Super comfortable.  Extremely nice looking. I am just thrilled with everything about this bike! 

Andy.

[Sussed.]

Glad your loving the new ride !

I went with RWC Bearing kit from purely on a recommendation from another forum.

http://www.enduroforkseals.com/id275.html





Shock now rotates smoothly on its pivot.  I haven't had a chance to test it out yet    I doubt whether I would notice the real world difference but a bearing is better than a bushing right !?

 

[Sussed.]

CD had asked about the shock eyelet needle bearing kit I used for the rear shock on my IP-036.

They came from BTI in New Mexico(any bike shop can order them).  They are item #AB-9901.

These let your shock pivots rotate on bearings instead of bushings....super smooth. 

By the way spent the last few days on the Ip-036 and could not be happier.  This bike feels just perfect.  Super smooth, super light.  Climbs amazing.  Corners perfectly.  BB height is just right.  Super comfortable.  Extremely nice looking. I am just thrilled with everything about this bike! 

Andy.

Andy,  The item you listed is the 19mm width.  Is this the one you used ?  The distance between my pivot holes on the IP-036 was approx 22 mm (Measured wildly inaccurately with a metal ruler  ) I went with a 22.2mm bearing which fitted albeit very snugly.

[Carbon_Dude]

To me it's difficult to believe that you would notice a difference adding needle bearings to the shock mount since the shock mounting points do not pivot very much compared to other pivot points in the frame.

Sussed, since you originally had bushings in your shock mounts and changed them out for the needle bearings, please post on the difference you noticed between the two shock mount options.

[Andy]

Andy,  The item you listed is the 19mm width.  Is this the one you used ?  The distance between my pivot holes on the IP-036 was approx 22 mm (Measured wildly inaccurately with a metal ruler  ) I went with a 22.2mm bearing which fitted albeit very snugly.
[/quote]

Yes this is the one I used and it fit perfectly. 

[Sussed.]

To me it's difficult to believe that you would notice a difference adding needle bearings to the shock mount since the shock mounting points do not pivot very much compared to other pivot points in the frame.

Sussed, since you originally had bushings in your shock mounts and changed them out for the needle bearings, please post on the difference you noticed between the two shock mount options.

Agreed !  As I said, the real world difference for me is probably nothing.  I haven't had a chance to ride my build yet as I am still waiting on a hub and wheel build so I wouldn't be able to compare the two !  I chucked on the needle bearing as an afterthought while I am waiting around !