Does it matter much? I’m sure it’s not a massive improvement one way or the other, but is it noticeable?
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I prefer konkave most of the time. Sometimes flat. Center trac is not my thing. They work, but if I have a kk that will fit, I’d much rather use that.
I imagine it comes down to personal preference though, like everything to do with this lovely little toy.
I think the idea behind center trac was to still give the “feeling” of a flat bearing, with the benefits of a string centering bearing. For me, personally, they just feel very middle-of-the-road, mediocre.
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I’m assuming the centering bearing makes binds a little more difficult?
I get better binds with the konkave. That and regens feel better with konkave are my two main reasons for preferring them.
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YYF brand Center Trac bearing are so bad that every yoyo i get with one i immedietly throw the center trac into the garbage can and replace with anything that has 10 ball (OD flat or DS concave)
i have thrown probably 30+ center trac brand bearing into garbage where they belong
maybe they are better now, but from 2012-2018 when i get them all they were worst
I’m going to place a YYE order this evening and wanted to try out a new bearing. Was looking at the fancy NSK gold plated concave ones, but then I saw the Yoyorecreation center tracs.
Nothing is better than the YYR DS bearings… I’ve tried them all and DS clears every last one of them. I’ve probably bought around 30-40 of those things and popped em in my favorite yoyos over the past few years.
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Definitely helps! I’ll save a bit of money and pass on the NSK given your feedback. I don’t know what comes in Mowl’s stock, but those bearings are great.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll probably just grab one of those. They say center trac, but it looks different than a centering bearing. More like a rough concave. I’m assuming the gold is just for looks?
Edit: it doesn’t say “center trac” after all , it’s “double straight”.
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CTX the 10 ball center tracks made by nsk are what I use in most yo-yos. They feel closer to flats than kk do imo and handle more layers of string better than kk imo. Kk caaaaaan feel a bit snaggy with certain strings bc multiple layer can get bunched together and fold up and respond ime. Kks handle zontals better imo. Flats are fun in certain yo-yos imo. All and all flats have the most noticeable difference and everything else is good enough like the differences are pretty minimal imo. Oh but stay away from grooved bearings imo. They do well to stop precession by locking the string in the center but can feel nasty with any layering of string bc there’s no where for the string to spread out to ime imo. These are just my thoughts on bearing shapes.
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I looked at the ones YYE has for sale, but they seemed a little gimmicky. Thanks for the info!
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I like CT mostly cause the bulk bearings I have from Hollywood modern are CT and they are the best!
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I have less experience than most who’ve already replied, and I’ve not tried any fancy NSK or DS bearings. That said, I’d give the slight edge to CT, though the difference seems pretty miniscule in my experience (depends bearing-to-bearing and what yoyo they’re in).
Not in your original question, but OD flat bearings are about the only ones I’ve seen multiple people give negative feedback on, and I’d say I’m in that camp as well. Maybe if you get a good one in the right yoyo it can be a nice feel, but it’s not my thing. I’ve only personally had 2 (both second-hand), but 1/2 was bad. I’ve read of others noting QC issues with them as well, though.
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G2 Ripper centertrack is so mooth and quiet, other favorite is YYR DS
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I prefer concave.
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Probably too late to be helpful, but in general ive been enjoying standard flat bearings the most. They let me layer my string more without snagging (snags are my biggest pet peeve).
It does sort of depend on the yoyo though. Some yoyos are just designed a bit snaggier than others. I dont have a ton of bearings so i do have to use some KKs and center track ones still, but i switch them around to the throws best suited for them. If the gap is tight i tend to use the KKs.
That said, i dont exactly dislike any bearing design i am just partial to flats.
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I like DS shape bearings but anything quiet and smooth is my favorite.
I’m fine with either as long as they are quiet.
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I love flat bearings in my Deep State.
Either one is fine.
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