What does "RCC bearing system" mean for Specialized hubs?
02-12-15, 02:55 PM
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What does "RCC bearing system" mean for Specialized hubs?
Could somebody tell me what bearings do the Specialized hubs advertised as "RCC bearing system" use? I.e. is this cup-and-cone or some sealed cartridge? For example, see the specs page for the AWOL model:
Specialized Bicycle Components
FRONT HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, alloy, RCC bearing system, QR, 32h
REAR HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, alloy, RCC bearing system, QR, 32h
I tried googling this, but all I found were some guesses, but no information from anyone who seems to know for sure.
Many thanks!
Specialized Bicycle Components
FRONT HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, alloy, RCC bearing system, QR, 32h
REAR HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, alloy, RCC bearing system, QR, 32h
I tried googling this, but all I found were some guesses, but no information from anyone who seems to know for sure.
Many thanks!
02-12-15, 03:08 PM
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Just curious: when you asked Specialized, what did they say?
You'll only get guesses in this forum. Here's mine: it doesn't mean anything. It's marketing blather attempting to create the perception in your mind that their stuff is different and better than their competitors'. Mission halfway accomplished.
You'll only get guesses in this forum. Here's mine: it doesn't mean anything. It's marketing blather attempting to create the perception in your mind that their stuff is different and better than their competitors'. Mission halfway accomplished.
02-12-15, 03:20 PM
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I asked Specialized about something else another time, and they did not respond. I didn't bother asking this time around. Maybe I'll give it a try.
I was hoping somebody here actually popped one open and saw what's inside.
I was hoping somebody here actually popped one open and saw what's inside.
02-12-15, 03:38 PM
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Okay, I just asked Specialized through their Twitter account, and they responed "It is a basic bearing inside that Hi Lo hub. It is not a cup & cone. I don't have specific details on that hub." This confuses me. In my understanding cone-and-cup *is* the basic hub bearing. Confused.
https://twitter.com/agenkin/status/565984721478631425
https://twitter.com/agenkin/status/565984721478631425
02-12-15, 03:58 PM
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Just curious: when you asked Specialized, what did they say?
You'll only get guesses in this forum. Here's mine: it doesn't mean anything. It's marketing blather attempting to create the perception in your mind that their stuff is different and better than their competitors'. Mission halfway accomplished.
You'll only get guesses in this forum. Here's mine: it doesn't mean anything. It's marketing blather attempting to create the perception in your mind that their stuff is different and better than their competitors'. Mission halfway accomplished.
02-12-15, 04:07 PM
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well, you could just go to your lbs that sells their bikes and ask for a set of bearings for your bike...bet they give you the ones you need.
02-12-15, 04:34 PM
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Cartridge bearings might well be considered "basic" these days, although anything with "CC" in the name makes me think cup&cone. Why do you ask? Either bearing style has pros and cons.
02-12-15, 05:02 PM
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aka Phil Jungels
NSK lists them as "Sealed-Clean Rotating End Cap Cylindrical Roller Bearings." https://www.nskamericas.com/cps/rde/x..._Stock_(2).pdf
"The most remarkable characteristic of RCC and RCT
bearings is that they are both prepacked with grease and
thoroughly sealed with oil seals. In electric trains in Japan,
the usage of RCC bearings preceded that of RCT bearings
in large part because RCC bearings are more easily
disassembled and reassembled and therefore better
facilitate inspection and maintenance."
"The most remarkable characteristic of RCC and RCT
bearings is that they are both prepacked with grease and
thoroughly sealed with oil seals. In electric trains in Japan,
the usage of RCC bearings preceded that of RCT bearings
in large part because RCC bearings are more easily
disassembled and reassembled and therefore better
facilitate inspection and maintenance."
Last edited by Wanderer; 02-12-15 at 05:06 PM.
02-12-15, 05:03 PM
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probably have to get a hold of the original marketing guy at Specialized that dreamed up the name to get any kind of answer. maybe have to even get a couple of shots of Wild Turkey in him too so's he could remember (see state-dependent-memory in wiki). 
02-13-15, 09:24 AM
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The latest response from the Specialized Twitter account:
"I do not have any answer for you. The HI LO hubs are fully sealed and are not serviceable." https://goo.gl/CrW1Ka
The "don not have any answer" refers to my question what RCC stands for.
"I do not have any answer for you. The HI LO hubs are fully sealed and are not serviceable." https://goo.gl/CrW1Ka
The "don not have any answer" refers to my question what RCC stands for.
02-13-15, 09:27 AM
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As long as we are guessing, here's mine: Radial Contact Cartridge
02-13-15, 10:25 AM
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The latest response from the Specialized Twitter account:
"I do not have any answer for you. The HI LO hubs are fully sealed and are not serviceable." https://goo.gl/CrW1Ka
The "don not have any answer" refers to my question what RCC stands for.
"I do not have any answer for you. The HI LO hubs are fully sealed and are not serviceable." https://goo.gl/CrW1Ka
The "don not have any answer" refers to my question what RCC stands for.
02-13-15, 10:49 AM
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aka Phil Jungels
Since NSK holds the patent - I'd go with their explanation.................
02-13-15, 10:54 AM
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02-13-15, 11:33 AM
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They get other companies to make all their stuff , under Contract, you Know .. which vendor supplied the Hubs is a separate question..
02-13-15, 03:01 PM
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Another update from the Specialized twitter conversation. Now whoever is answering that account has made a 180* turn and says these are standard cup and cone bearings:
"RCC = Roll-ground Cup and Cone. It is a fairly standard cup-and-cone (“loose-ball”) bearing assembly, but the rolling surfaces are ground before assembly, for flatness/smoothness. It’s a marketing term from the hub supplier"
https://twitter.com/agenkin/status/565984721478631425
It's really amazing to see how they contradict themselves in a short series of four tweets.
"RCC = Roll-ground Cup and Cone. It is a fairly standard cup-and-cone (“loose-ball”) bearing assembly, but the rolling surfaces are ground before assembly, for flatness/smoothness. It’s a marketing term from the hub supplier"
https://twitter.com/agenkin/status/565984721478631425
It's really amazing to see how they contradict themselves in a short series of four tweets.
02-13-15, 03:03 PM
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+1. this is a problem with acronym speak. There simply aren't enough possible combinations of a few letters for everything and everybody. Ask the WWF about that.
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02-13-15, 03:58 PM
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You guys knew of course, that stands for Madison Avenue Rod, G*n, Bloody Mary & Labrador Retriever Benevolent Association didn't you?
04-26-15, 07:15 PM
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For the sake of anyone searching for this in the future, both hubs have been opened, and they have normal cup-and-cone bearings with nine lose (no cage) 1/4" balls on each side (both front and rear).
04-26-15, 09:02 PM
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So much for "....fully sealed and are not serviceable."
04-27-15, 05:06 AM
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04-27-15, 08:15 AM
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