Bicycle Mechanics - Good source, recomendations for wheel bearings.

Where can I get good quality wheel bearings for a DT Swiss hub.
I did an internet search and found a place called Boca Bearings (http://www.bocabearings.com/main1.aspx?p=sak&id=*BRK-004RS), but have no idea as to the quality of the bearings they sell.
I don’t want to end up degrading the quality of the hub by putting an inferior part into it.
Experience .. suggestions?

You can order enduro beraings from just about anywhere. 99.9% of modern cart hubs use commerically available (as in not bike specific) cartridge bearings. There's a billion suppliers out there.

As operator noted, these are commercial bearings and nothing about them is unique to bicycles. If you match the size, any bearing supply or industrial supply shop can get them for you. Bearings are graded by "ABEC" numbers from 1 to 9 with the accuracy, precision and cost increasing with increasing number. The highest grades (7 and 9) are very expensive and wild overkill for bike use. ABEC 3 or 5 are plenty for your hubs and may even be better than the OEM.

SKF and Timken are the best known suppliers but there are other good ones too.

Thanks guys ....
As it turns out I have two bearing distributers close to my work. So I will pop one of the bearings out and take it in to be matched up.

I believe Boca has a good reputation in the cycling community, however I don't think they list the ABEC ratings of their bearings (at least not the chrome steel ones I looked at). I just bought a bunch of 1/4" and 5/32" grade 25 bearings from them. They have decent prices and free shipping. I haven't used the bearings yet so I can't comment on quality though.

That's exactly what you want to use on bicycles - Grade 25 ball-bearings. Some shops use Grade 200, which are not as perfectly spherical. They are cheaper. But you want Grade 25. If the shop doesn't specify they are 25, take your business elsewhere.

I believe Boca has a good reputation in the cycling community, however I don't think they list the ABEC ratings of their bearings (at least not the chrome steel ones I looked at). I just bought a bunch of 1/4" and 5/32" grade 25 bearings from them. They have decent prices and free shipping. I haven't used the bearings yet so I can't comment on quality though.

You ordered loose balls, so you won't find an ABEC rating for them. ABEC is a cartridge bearing rating, and the precision grade is listed for loose balls.

You ordered loose balls, so you won't find an ABEC rating for them. ABEC is a cartridge bearing rating, and the precision grade is listed for loose balls.

Good point, I think my terminology was sloppy. Loose balls can be a part of what makes up a bearing (if it's a ball bearing anyway), but the terms aren't interchangeable.

The term cartridge bearing exists only in bike lore. They are radial bearings. Ball bearings are the balls. Grade 200 is more than adequate for bike usage as the cups and cones are the limiting factor.
Besides a 700 wheel is only turning 335 rpm at 30 mph.

That's exactly what you want to use on bicycles - Grade 25 ball-bearings. Some shops use Grade 200, which are not as perfectly spherical. They are cheaper. But you want Grade 25. If the shop doesn't specify they are 25, take your business elsewhere.

I agree with the fellow that said you should stop posting.

I agree with the fellow that said you should stop posting.

You don't have many friends, do you? So go blow it out your shorts.

That's exactly what you want to use on bicycles - Grade 25 ball-bearings. Some shops use Grade 200, which are not as perfectly spherical. They are cheaper. But you want Grade 25. If the shop doesn't specify they are 25, take your business elsewhere.

25/1,000,000 tolerance
vs.
200/1,000,000 tolerance

You're talking about millionths of an inch. Grade 200 balls work just fine for wheels if you've got clean and well machined races.

Grade 25 bb's will assure your races will remain smooth for a longer period of time. Why some bike-shops use/sell Grade 200 is beyond me. It's not like the price of the 25's is that much more. The shops that I respect and would purchase from specify they use Grade 25 ball-bearings. It shows they care about small <koff> things that go into making a bike the best it can be.