Since I don't have the money for nicer hubs, nor the tools/skills/motivation to re-lace a wheel, I was thinking of just the bearings. Just have a Suzue fg/ss flip-flop hub. Would it make a difference? Are nice bearings really compatible with run-of-the-mill hubs? Enlighten me.

a friend and i installed dura-ace chromium bearings into a suzue sil-sp hub and it made a HUGE difference. it actually felt like there were bearings in there. weird.

How old is the hub? Take a look at the bearings and the races to see how worn they are and if you need new bearings. Maybe just a clean and re-adjustment will make a world of difference. I just did the same to old hubs and I noticed an improvement.

Was that a good feeling, or a bad feeling?

hahaha it felt great. we were surprised how smooth it was. it was on a new hub, so the races and cones were still in good shape. as marcus suggested, check the races and cones to see if they are in good shape. if you're re-building a hub, new bearings never hurt. unless you swallow them and poop them out into a frying pan and drop the pan on your foot. what a mess! either way, high quality chromium bearings will make a difference.

Cool, thanks for the info.

Lollerskates.

Anyone know if Phil or anyone else has some nice replacement bearings for Surly hubs?

While we're on the subject, where can I get replacement bearings? I know Phil has the cartridge stuff handled, but what about the individual cup and cone style bearings?

I replaced my IRO bearings with phil Spec'd bearings, ordered from PhilWood. I feel there is a difference, smoother rolling less resistence feel to it.

just go down to your lbs and ask. i'm sure most shops stock high quality bearings. ask for grade 25 (i think)... i think those are the chromium dura-ace/record level of quality. i think phil sells high quality loose ball bearings too. perhaps check their site.