Originally Posted by
krfkeith
I understand what you are saying, but don't you think responding in that manner was a little needlessly glib? I'm new to bicycles/cycling, but I find mechanics and mechanical engineering sorts of things very interesting in their own right. Moreover, I don't really think discussing theoretical questions and riding bicycles are mutually exclusive, it isn't a zero-sum game.
I suspect that you're getting facetious answers because you've asked an unanswerable question. There's no one superior, or more efficient bearing, except to say that ball bearings are better than plain bearings (or bushings). The key is suitability of the particular design and application, then quality of execution and finally and in reality most important quality of maintenance.
There are also some tricky, counter-intuitive decisions, for example most lubricants are chosen to maximize service life, not necessarily for least drag, so good maintenance usually comes at the expense of efficiency.
In any case, from best to worst case, the differences are so tiny compared to wind drag, and tire rolling resistance. Something like correct tire pressure has a far greater effect on efficiency than improved bearings.
In any case the so called "best" debate remains up in the air. Among top quality hubs, some have user serviceable angular contact bearings, and others have commercial bearings, mostly radial, and some angular. To date no one has demonstrated that there's a best among the best.
BTW- as a newbie (here) you need to know that your question isn't new, and for most of us there's a been there, done that sense to it. We're a bit jaded and tired of endless meaningless discussion about some niggly fine point that's already been discussed ad nauseum. Rather than be offended, or justify your question as worthy of discussion, you might take some time to do some research, here on the forum, or on the internet in general.
Speaking for myself, (I only ever speak for myself) I'm always willing to help someone who needs it, but much less willing to try to satisfy someones intellectual curiosity on some minor issue when there's already enough info, if he'll just make the effort to look.