Originally Posted by
Wheels Of Steel
Yes. I already have been through my work. Could you qualify your second statement fietsbob?
I've heard and read reports of those who ditch the stock headset bearing retainers and bearings in favor of using higher-grade bearings á la Grant Petersen. If I plan to use loose ball bearing hub and headset systems I'm curious to know if there is a noticeable increase in performance and longevity using higher-grade bearings instead of the stock balls.
Buy AISI 52100 grade 25 balls.
Don't remove the ball cages in hubs, the cages separate the balls, preventing sliding contact between them as the hub turns.
In a headset, it's ok to lose the cages and add more balls since the balls are not rolling to any great degree and the additional balls reduce the unit load on any single contact.