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Having always run single pivots, where the bearings are nicely tucked away from the rear wheel splash.
Now looking at SC 5010 (VPP) and Ibis Mojo (DW) where the bearings seem to be in the firing line from rear wheel crud. The DW is worst with two linkages behind the seat tube.
Does this mean the bearings will fail prematurely. Currently change bearing once a year (300km), and not because I need to.
I avoid the the winter gloop so mainly worried about the Spring and Summer time puddles and shallow ditches.
They’re fine, I’ve a VPP, DW, FSR and linkage driven single pivot, all last way more than a year (300km?!)
Plus, free bearings for life if you buy a 5010...
I have dw links on my devincis and they have been fine. Replaced them after 3 years on my Atlas, more as maintenance than a particular need
IMO/IME it is the cleaning which kills the bearings. I did ride year round on my first Pivot, for 6 years and bearings were changed only once. The bike was not washed very often and kept in unheated storage and actually the bearings were changed due rear end being mauled by car.
However at the bike shop they showed me similar model which was often washed with pressure washer and it had it's bearings killed in a year.
VPP here on the Bronson, 21 months now, just thinking I really should get them changed (as it's free), as every other bike I've had has need it by now, but it feels fine.
The bearing life on my SB66 was so bad I don't think I'd buy a Yeti again. Great bike as well.
IMO/IME it is the cleaning which kills the bearings.
This is my theory too.
VPP here on the Bronson, 21 months now, just thinking I really should get them changed (as it’s free), as every other bike I’ve had has need it by now, but it feels fine.
The bearings are free, the labour to change them isn’t.
I changed my 5010s ones after 3 years, and the Nomads after 4 (but only as I was selling it). Ridden all times of the year, and way more than 300km per year!
KS Link (rather like a DW Link) bearings on my Spitfire last well - but I'm not keen on washing bikes!
All sounds more promising that I was expecting.
I guess your talking a modern Mojo but I have a SL, bearings are easy to change/regrease
Mixed results with VPP; 2 x Giant Anthem X’s that were ridden year round and saw lots of mud, with fairly regular bucket and sponge washes - no issues in 2 to 3 years use. SC Tallboy LT got through 5 sets in 4 years, same all year use as the Giants, but used in much rougher rockier terrain - same bucket and sponge washing regime. None of the bikes were pressure washed or carried on the outside of cars.
As someone else has mentioned, the replacement bearings on SC’s are free, but the labour cost to fit them isn’t. Oh, and if you need new pivot axles because the bearings have started to eat into them, the SC ones are quite costly.
HD3 that gets washed regularly and thoroughly but not pressure washed, my bearings are fine after nearly two years. I know this as I've just serviced the rear shock.
My lower VPp ones are fine but I grease them frequently with the zerks fittings
It was the upper ones that went first
My 2p, I'm not sure if it's the designs of VPP that's been unkind to me, or the fact that my bike (Intense) was designed in Cali and is ridden in Wales.
Like SC (they share a common history of sorts) they use open bearings, at about the lowest part of the frame and you're supposed to squirt in grease to keep them sweet, which I'm sure works beautify is California and probably Canada too, when it's either warm and sunny, or not mountain biking 'season'.
Intense owners, who unlike SC owners don't get a lifestime's supply of linkage bearings, tend to switch the open lower bearings for sealed ones when they first start acting up (3 months for me) now my bike is wearing good quality sealed bearings (I forget the brand, Endruo maybe) it's been fine.
I always repack bearings with waterproof grease, opening from the less exposed side where possible. So many bearings have hardly any grease in when new.
KS Link (rather like a DW Link) bearings on my Spitfire last well – but I’m not keen on washing bikes!
Was just about to post the same thing, I have actually just replaced all of the bearings in my 4yo Spitfire for the first time, more because I had the whole bike in bits for a service rather then because they felt needed. Couple of them were a wee bit stiff but the rest were fine..
Bad design screws bearings, bad seals screws bearings
Like SC (they share a common history of sorts) they use open bearings, at about the lowest part of the frame and you’re supposed to squirt in grease to keep them sweet, which I’m sure works beautify is California and probably Canada too, when it’s either warm and sunny, or not mountain biking ‘season’.
Does your grease gun not work in the UK? Had great results on the last of the 26" models with grease ports and never touched the other bearings in a lot of KM's
Does this mean the bearings will fail prematurely. Currently change bearing once a year (300km), and not because I need to.
as for the OP why change things that are working fine? I hope there is a zero missing there or they are virtually brand new bearings going in the bin.
HD3 that gets washed regularly and thoroughly but not pressure washed, my bearings are fine after nearly two years. I know this as I’ve just serviced the rear shock.
Similar for me.
I wash and dry my bikes regularly. All my stuff lasts a decent amount of time.
Drying is key.
Bearings are ultimately consumables, they will wear. Removing muck and crap from your bike is not going to exacerbate that.
Bad design screws bearings, bad seals screws bearings
Absolutely.
The bearings are free, the labour to change them isn’t.
Mibbe in your lbs, not mine!.
Had VPP on a mk2 Bronson. Depends on what you think feels fine, the weight of a person will lead you to believe that they are OK but in reality I never had a set that didn't feel grainy when cycling the linkage (with shock removed) within 6-9 months.
Will also double the sentiment that the bearings are free but the labour is not. Also just because bearings are free doesn't mean it isn't a pain to change them and not be riding!
Mat824y +1.
My lower KS link Banshee Prime bearings were beginning to 'take a set' at 6 months and were getting a stiff and rough, despite the absence of rust at 1 year old. First time I've actually worn bearings out instead of corrosion killing them. I put max complement bearings in as replacements. Hopefully they'll manage the loads better.
way more than a year (300km?!)
lol
Does your grease gun not work in the UK? Had great results on the last of the 26″ models with grease ports and never touched the other bearings in a lot of KM’s
Why would a grease gun not work in the UK? But I suspect that's not your real question.
Anyway, Mate's 26" Nomad and Mk1 Bronson shat their bearings every few months, My Tracer did too, until I replaced them with sealed bearings. LBS that sold me my Tracer warned me when I bought it to change them for sealed bearings when they go, it's just not a great solution for year-round UK riding.
Got a Bronson mk2 that I had to swop the bearings after one year because just one of the upper link bearings had rusted/seized, all the others were fine but my lbs swopped them anyway. Since then I've checked the bearings regularly and found the same one has a tendency to rust. I just get it moving again and crack on and the bike hasn't had a bearing change in 3 years. Thinking of getting it done anyway before the bearings seize in the linkages. BTW I'm a serial bike washer
My tracers 2yrs old n I've done them but It was the tops....
About 1500miles ish
It massively depends on how you clean your bike with any FS bike. Use too much stuff such as Much-Off and it will eat into the bearings no matter where they are. One thing you must do though is keep on top of any VPP or DW Link as they really do work so much better with fresh grease or bearings.
5000 miles plus a year on an old Mojo SL and a newer Ripley and change bearings roughly once a year. Regularly wash the bike up to 6 times a week depending on weather and trail conditions. I remember my single pivot Heckler I had before had roughly the same service intervals so I don't think that is bad going