Where is a good place to pick up bearings other than the LBS? I need some for the headset on my Raleigh LTD and wish to avoid my LBS for, um, "political" reasons.
danke!

Loosescrews sells loose bearings for a good price. I bought some grade 25 from them, as I didn't want to bother the machine shop here at work.

I'm guessing you need 50 5/32" for the headset, 25 top and bottom?

I also got 3/16" for the front and rear hub, and 1/4" for the bootom bracket.

You could also go to a local industial supplier or bearing company and get what you need. Hardware stores may also have some, but can get expensive fast.

Any good Chinese apothacary has those.

You might even find them at a well stocked hardware store. I recently went wild at Loosescrews and bought a pack of almost every size to make up the minimum order... Very good selection though, and they are highly recommended.

They are huge, though.

Perhaps you should consult a taxidermist?

They are? The Chinese apothecary I frequently visit is a tiny old woman.

I'll second the hardware store, my local ace has had nearly every loose bearing I've ever needed.
To be fair to them, the only bearing I needed that they DIDN"T have was a 1.5" ball.....

Ken.

bikepartsusa.com

+1 on loosescrews!

First I'd thought you wanted to dicuss beer balls, the small keg types, a much more interesting matter

The bear balls are huge, at least the fresh ones. The dried ones, not so much.

you know, I was going to fix the thread title but this is too much fun. . .

When going after bear balls,make sure the donor is asleep.

*You guys realise the typo might not be an honest mistake?

Tell the LBS to sell you those bearings and stick a few where the sun don't shine. That way, they can practice passing crap the other way, seeing that it always comes out the wrong end.

-Kurt

I bought mine at Kamam bearing. I ordered 1,000 5/32", 500 1/4" and 500 3/16". All grade 25 and cheaper than anywhere else I could find.