Bearing size on a Raleigh 71mm BB

[RyanW]

Hi,

Anyone know what the size would be, i believe they are either 1/4" or 7/32".

Anyone know before i order the wrong ones?

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Get thee to a competent mechanic, who will have a piece of metal with different sized holes in and charge you a couple of quid for a complete set.

Well, mine did less than two weeks ago.

 

[sidevalve]

Get yourself a vernier caliper. Cheaper ones these days only cost a few quid and they can be VERY handy for lots of odd bike measurements. At least you wont be ripped off by manufacturers who seem to have convinced everybody that a sealed BB is "better" even though they're just two bearings wrapped up tight so you can neither adjust nor lubricate 'em [oh yes, and cost ten times as much thank you].

 

[tyred]

You need 22 x 1/4" ball bearings.

I've been told you can use 10 x 7mm bearings on each side to take up free play if there is a lot of wear in the cups but I haven't actually tried it for myself. Remember these cups are a unique to Raleigh part.

 

[RyanW]

Thanks for that, i had guessed as much as found this size being offered on some Raleigh spares site.

Cheers for all the help

 

[mickle]

Get yourself a vernier caliper. Cheaper ones these days only cost a few quid and they can be VERY handy for lots of odd bike measurements. At least you wont be ripped off by manufacturers who seem to have convinced everybody that a sealed BB is "better" even though they're just two bearings wrapped up tight so you can neither adjust nor lubricate 'em [oh yes, and cost ten times as much thank you].

Yup, they're better all right. Easier to install too. And they don't cost ten times more than cup and cone sets. You're welcome.

 

[sidevalve]

Hmm. A taper roller bearing would last the life of the bike [they manage on car,truck and m/cycle wheels under far greater loadings for 50 to 100 000 + miles], now fitting those would be an improvement. A greased ball bearing with only a very occasional tweak of adjustment will also last thousands of miles.
Local Evans is selling sealed BB for £21.00 [cheapest] set of balls at LBS £2.00, a ratio of about ten to one.
It's all down to if you can be bothered to maintain your bike or just ride 'till it breaks and stick a new bit on.
Still, this is straying from the thread a bit and we may as well agree to differ on this point. I still recommend a caliper though, they really are very handy.

 

[mickle]

Calipers is wicked.