Bicycle Mechanics - Downside to using more bearings in headset, bb?

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RainmanP
02-10-03, 10:42 AM
One of the old bikes I fixed up recently had a disturbingly small number of headset and bottom bracket bearings, something like 14 in each headset retainer and 8 drive side/7 off side in the bb. I am accustomed to seeing many more, maybe 20 each headset and 11/10 bb. Headset and bb use the normal 5/32" and 1/4" bearings. Retainers are available for up to 22 5/32" in headset and 11 1/4" in bb. ASSUMING the retainers are the right size (they seem to be more or less universal), is there any downside to replacing the current retainers with some that accept more bearings.

BTW, I choose to use retainers.

Thanks,
Raymond

pokey
02-10-03, 11:14 AM
I have only seen BB with 9 or 11 bearings per side,and the retainers for each were designed to fit a certain way.
Bobatin
02-10-03, 11:27 AM
Why not install the bearings like they are in your wheel hubs?

RainmanP
02-10-03, 01:15 PM
Originally posted by pokey
I have only seen BB with 9 or 11 bearings per side,and the retainers for each were designed to fit a certain way.

Which was my point. These have fewer bearings than the norm. The question is now moot. I have ordered retainers for 11 bearings each side bb and 22 headset. If I am wrong I will let everyone know. FWIW my favorite wrench said the more bearings the better (which is what I was thinking) as long as they are the same size and the retainers are compatible as to diameter, etc. I already have bags of new Grade 25 so the only risk is the cost of the higher-capacity retainers.