Is there a better than others place to buy ball bearings, both loose and in retainers? I'd prefer to buy from a shop that supports the forum if there is one. I'm not interested in bulk though; just enough to redo one bike.

LBS

Google

Yahoo

=8-)

Loose screws

Boca Bearings likely has any bearing you might need for any application and their prices are quite reasonable.

https://www.bocabearings.com/

This is my regular post as requested by Tom at SKF bearing.

ball bearings refers the complete bearing units, consisting of inner and outer races, balls, and retainers and seals if any. the balls themselves aren't bearings, they're just balls. Or if you prefer bearing balls to distinguish them from golf, tennis or cannon balls.

If you search the internet for ball bearings, you'll find complete bearings, and those who sell them. For the balls search "bearing balls" and you find companies that sell those.

Sorry for the terminology lesson, but I made a promise, and anyway on this thread it might help save time and direct readers to what they need.

I need both. And as I said in the OP I was hoping to support a shop that helps the forums out. I was also hoping to hear from some fellow forum folks about any shops that would help out a novice more than another because I'm not sure of the bearing sizes. But that's OK, I'm sorry to bother some of you guys. The loose screws site looked promising but I don't see the retainer sets I need: 2/ #64 retainers w/ 9-5/16" balls. I also need a headset set of retainers but haven't been able to ID' them yet b/c they're still in the degreaser. I'll also need hub bearing balls but they're soaking too. The Boca site looks very high tech but they don't even list Schwinn under manufacturers (the S word?). I wouldn't mind going ceramic though as the bearings are of course out of sight and wouldn't compromise originality.

Dude, nobody likes a bearing nerd.

"I wouldn't mind going ceramic" Don't bother, you will never tell the difference except for the empty feeling in your wallet.

Thank you. I am one who actually likes to be precise about terms.

An overbearing nerd?

Any bike shop will have the loose balls you need and will sell you the right number but at a premium over what packages of 100 will cost. As to retainers, you don't need to replace them. Just pop the balls out of the ones you have and install new ones. If you are at all careful, the retainers can be reused indefinitely.

That's the secret of "high end" bike stuff: The more expensive it is, the lighter it makes your wallet, and that lower weight makes you go faster.

FWIW whenever I replaced bearings (or balls) on my bikes I have always discarded the retainers. The grease holds the balls in place for assembly.

Right, I do too but the OP asked about new retainers so I mentioned they can be reused. Oddly, Shimano never used retainers in their older model hubs but do in a few the newer ones.

I wondered about this. Glenn's and some other books warn against trying to put loose bearing balls in a retainer situation as it can be hard to assemble. Maybe I'll attempt this. Do you then put in the full amount it will take and remove one for spacing?

not difficult at all. use the grease like glue. the only one i would use retainers with is for 1 piece cranks. i do threaded forks upside down

I fill the race with balls than remove two. I've been doing this for years without a problem.

+1 First thing I do is toss the retainer, except for Ashtabula cranks (old heavy Schwinns) and on headsets (loose balls are kind of a pain there to install). Headset is full minus two, everything else is full minus one. Typical front wheel 10 per side 3/16 inch, rear wheel nine per side 1/4 inch, bb 11 per side 1/4 inch. There are exceptions!

As far as rewarding a particular shop or site, start with your local LBS. Feel them out for a shop that will spend some time explaining stuff to you, do minor jobs without delay, and reward them for their exceptional service. Chances are, you need to focus on one shop, as you won't be buying enough to build a reputation with several.

Sheldon Brown on bb loose ball bearings.

https://sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/bbadj.html

FWIW: I buy pretty much all of my consumables on line, but I work on bikes every week. I tend to get loose ball bearings in bulk, added to an order with one of a variety of on line retailers, to fill out an order/satisfy free shipping requirement, or whatever. I find loose screws to be a handy site, but expensive. I haven't bought from them in years.

Paying the premium for buying at the LBS would add up quickly. But if I was just maintaining the family fleet, I would just go the LBS route.

Yup, good ol' Sheldon is where I acquired the knowledge. I hope he has found peace.

I beg to differ. I very much appreciated the explanation about proper terminology. It pays to be precise, otherwise you may as well have "Noob" tattooed on your forehead.

-G