Which bearings?
 

Hey guys, been a while since i posted in here and been a while since ive been on my bike.
I have some spare cash and would like to know what bearings would be good for my bike.
I have a 2000-2002(not sure which year) 20" Eastern Jane (discontinued and NOT the 24inch or Commando). I believe the bearings in the front and rear hubs are unsealed. When i take the wheel off, i can see the bearings which i think is unsealed.

Anyway, what bearings do you guys suggest for front and rear? I want to spend around 20-60$, maybe a little more if i feel necessary. Would also like to know of a good grease to pack them with.
Thanks guys

They will probably be 3/16" front and 1/4" rear unless you have 14 mill axles. Replace them all will be a couple bucks. Get some good bicycle grease, not auto wheel bearing grease as it is designed for high speed and high heat and is way to thick.

Good luck pressing sealed bearings into hubs built for caged. Just sayin.

Finally Bikepedia posts my bike. Its a 2002 Eastern Jane Atom series. 14mm axels and unsealed hubs. The bearings in the front hub have 14 balls on each side and they are kinda big. The rear also has 14 big balls on the left side and 18 tiny ones on the drive side (cassette side).

Ive heard ceramic bearings are the best, is this true? I wouldnt mind spending a bit extra on bearings if its worth it. How long do ceramic last?
Also, ive bought some Poly-urea 1000 grease by Park Tool (http://www.parktool.com/product/poly...ant-tube-ppl-1) which seems to work better than the lithium that was in it (i hate lithium grease).

And for anyone curious, heres the link to bikepedia that lists my bike : http://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeS...Jane&Type=bike

The site lists gears as 44/16, but mine is actually 39/14. The brakes are Odyssey and not Tektro, seat was Eastern ID, BB is American, cranks are Eastern Pro 190mm (10mm longer than normal), pedals are Primo Platform Tenderizers, tires are CST All season compound.

I'm going to say it again, because I don't know that you read my post. Good luck pressing sealed bearings into hubs that have cones for unsealed. You'll ruin the bearings, and probably the hubs somehow in the process. Unsealed is better anyway, just requires more maintnance.

He doesn't say anything about trying to press in sealed bearings, which would never work anyway. How are unsealed better? Sealed are more expensive, but last longer, no problem with adjustments, no maintenance, stronger...

On a BMX bike, ceramic bearings are not going to make a difference. Just replace the steel ones if they need to be, use the Park grease you have, and adjust them properly.

Unsealed roll better. Sure, they require more maintenance, but its well worth it with the better rotation. On any bike.

Not sure what unsealed hubs you use that roll better? The Profile's we sell, along with many other brands, roll much better then any unsealed hub I have ever seen. Why would all the top riders, and best bikes, use sealed hubs?

Because they can take more of a beating without requiring maintenance. Don't get me wrong, my rear hub on my BMX bike is sealed, unsealed front. On my fixed gear, both are unsealed. You can make it roll better by packing it yourself with better grease, and sometimes, by squeezing extra balls in there too. Or both.