# Help me choose a new bearing?
**URL:** https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311
**Category:** General Yo-Yo
**Created:** [March 3, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311 "2014-03-03T03:10:44Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@lopenator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/lopenator)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 4:55am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/21 "2014-03-03T04:55:12Z")
> [@GregP](#):
>
> That “don’t lube ceramic” thing is a myth successfully perpetuated by the Terrapin guy. You don’t “have” to lube any bearing at all… lots of people play dry steel bearings for well into 2 years without signs of it dying. And it’s probably true that the difference in materials with a ceramic bearing means less chance of galling. Probably. I’ll take Terrapin guy’s word for it.
>
> But you CAN still lube ceramic bearings if you like. I do. It makes them quieter and I would argue smoother. You only lose a smidge of spin time… no more than getting a single trick of your combo less than perfect would knock off. In any event, to answer your question: just get steel.
>
> KKs are quite different from your speed bearing, yes. OD 10-balls are not. They’re great, but they’re still flat 10-ball bearings just like your speed bearing.
>
> Yoyos… man, so many to recommend. If you want something that plays very different from your DM2 but won’t break the bank, my recommendation is the Werrd Minute. Word to the wise: the response is pretty grabby at first. Takes some breaking in.
You say the minute is responsive at first. Wouldnt putting an unresponsive bearing on it at solve that problem?
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### Author:  [@yuki\_onitsura](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yuki_onitsura)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 5:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/22 "2014-03-03T05:03:57Z")
It’s not responsive. It’s still very much an unresponsive throw with an unresponsive bearing. The response pads just happen to be very very grippy and require a bit of breaking in.
Yuki
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### Author:  [@lopenator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/lopenator)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 5:06am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/23 "2014-03-03T05:06:06Z")
Oh I see. I wonder how the transition to a small yo would be.
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### Author:  [@lopenator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/lopenator)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 5:09am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/24 "2014-03-03T05:09:15Z")
Oh I see. I wonder how the transition to a small yo would be.
Sorry for this double post. I can’t find the delete button 😛
Hey thank you everyone for your input and advice! Everyone has helped me a lot.
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### Author:  [@iron\_hayden](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/iron_hayden)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 5:21am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/25 "2014-03-03T05:21:19Z")
> [@GregP](#):
>
> But you CAN still lube ceramic bearings if you like. I do.
Not with the terrapin. I wasn’t talking about not lubing ceramic itself. I’m saying that specifically with Terrapins, how precicely the bearing is machined and how close the balls of the bearing are to the wall prevents liquid lubricant from being used effectively. It will immediatly make it responsive I guarentee it. I’ve learned that with experience.
But as for moving up with a yoyo, I would agree with the werrd minute. I thought about getting one a while back, just never got around to it.
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### Author:  [@yoyoboy224](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyoboy224)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 5:33am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/26 "2014-03-03T05:33:03Z")
Not another bearing thread D:
I will say it’s all preference. One’s not better than the other.
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### Author:  [@Elluzion](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Elluzion)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 6:24am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/27 "2014-03-03T06:24:26Z")
> [@lopenator](#):
>
> I was thinking about that but I don’t want to rely on a bearing to help me get a straight throw? Also is the cermaic even worth it? I read mixed feelings.
There isnt a bearing that will straighten your throw, that all depends on the hand.
I would try a variety. Konkave, center trac, ceramic. Ceramic isnt fully woth it imo, but fun to try!!
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### Author:  [@Hendy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Hendy)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 11:31am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/28 "2014-03-03T11:31:54Z")
BOSS Rage is the smoothest bearing I know but it’s not gonna make your throw any better. That’s on you :wink:
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### Author:  [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/29 "2014-03-03T13:39:52Z")
> [@iron\_hayden](#):
>
> Not with the terrapin. I wasn’t talking about not lubing ceramic itself. I’m saying that specifically with Terrapins, how precicely the bearing is machined and how close the balls of the bearing are to the wall prevents liquid lubricant from being used effectively. It will immediatly make it responsive I guarentee it. I’ve learned that with experience.
I also have a Terrapin ceramic. Lubed. I guarantee you can play it unresponsive with lube. :wink: Think about these points for a moment:
1. He doesn’t make these, he sources them. From a company that makes this size of bearing for non-yoyo purposes as well. In those non-yoyo purposes they are probably being lubed. :wink: Industrial applications normally see bearings lubricated. I won’t say I know for a fact, but that’s the way things generally go.
2. It’s not possible for a bearing to work if the balls are so flush with the races that a LIQUID can’t end up in-between. They would gall and/or seize immediately.
In conclusion: as little lube as you may have put in, you still put in too much or you needed to break it in. It’s irrelevant because without lube it’s working great for you and you have no reason to lube it. But it’s not a fact (“guaranteed”) that you can’t lube it. Terrapin guy has just disseminated information that you don’t need to (which is true) and that there’s no point (which is debatable). I don’t think I’ve ever seen him say you “can’t”, but if he did, that would not be a fact.
> [@](#):
>
> But as for moving up with a yoyo, I would agree with the werrd minute. I thought about getting one a while back, just never got around to it.
Such a great yoyo! You should go for it! For the price, it’s just so much fun. Grinds… matador spikes… lighter weight. Just really good.
For the OP: it’s definitely “smaller”, but don’t sweat that it’s going to be an alien experience. Werrd themselves call it “undersized” but it’s more like a mid-sized. Most people consider mid-sized from 52mm and up, and the Minute sits at barely less than 53mm.
Plus, I actually LIKE moving to totally different play experiences. That’s the main reason I buy different yoyos. For something different, not for something the same.
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### Author:  [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/30 "2014-03-03T19:05:20Z")
> [@EvanW](#):
>
> If there’s nothing wrong with your bearing then there’s really no reason to swap it out. I’d suggest you take the money you would spend on a bearing and spend it on some string or something like that. It would be much more beneficial and you would probably notice more of a difference than if you had changed bearings.
New string makes all the difference in the world, especially if you’re the kind of person who plays them right to the ragged end.
As for swapping bearings, try a KK or center track just for fun. I personally don’t think the extra $$ for ceramic is worth it.
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### Author:  [@lopenator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/lopenator)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/31 "2014-03-03T19:54:10Z")
> [@jhb8426](#):
>
> New string makes all the difference in the world, especially if you’re the kind of person who plays them right to the ragged end.
>
> As for swapping bearings, try a KK or center track just for fun. I personally don’t think the extra $$ for ceramic is worth it.
yeah I feel you on the new strings. I love a fresh string. Feels totally different. Like a new yo.
Are generic brand kk and cts just as good? Any one have experience with generic brands?
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### Author:  [@GregP](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/GregP)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/32 "2014-03-03T20:11:30Z")
It’s a bit of hit or miss with all brands, even the “official” ones. I’ve had a bad Dif KK, and I’ve had a brilliant generic one. (note: just one bad Dif… 3 good ones)
I’ve had good success with one Buddha Ripple (basically a CT), but that’s not a very large sample size. I’ve had great luck with two CTX bearings and 3 “genuine” CT’s, so to me those are a pretty safe bet.
I guess I’m saying I have no strong opinon. :wink: I’d pay the premium for “genuine” ones again some day, and I’d also happily stock up on generic ones. I don’t think there are any guarantees in the bearing business unless someone gives you an actual exchange/money-back guarantee. I’ll grudgingly admit that Terrapin guy follows through with his promise of resolving problems with bad bearings, so that might be worth it to you.
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### Author:  [@yuki\_onitsura](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yuki_onitsura)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/33 "2014-03-03T22:58:17Z")
Haven’t tried any generic brand CT bearings but I do have half a dozen generic KK bearings and they play every bit as well as the Dif-E-Yo KKs at about a quarter of the price.
Yuki
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### Author:  [@andy569](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/andy569)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 11:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/34 "2014-03-03T23:00:58Z")
> [@yuki\_onitsura](#):
>
> Haven’t tried any generic brand CT bearings but I do have half a dozen generic KK bearings and they play every bit as well as the Dif-E-Yo KKs at about a quarter of the price.
>
> Yuki
Agreed. I have about 10 and they are just amazing. Just as good as legit KKs
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### Author:  [@oops](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/oops)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 11:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/35 "2014-03-03T23:02:41Z")
I didn’t read any responses. If I owned a DM2 with a properly functioning bearing I would plan to buy a different yoyo long before I planned to buy a different bearing. Save the $8-25 you might spend on the bearing and a few more bucks here and there and pick up a new throw in the $45-60 range and prepare to be blown away instead of getting a new bearing and being underwhelmed.
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### Author:  [@Foofy69](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Foofy69)
#### Post date: [March 3, 2014, 11:49pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/36 "2014-03-03T23:49:19Z")
I literally just found this out a few days ago, and haven’t tried one, but if you are looking for a little BLANG BLANG in your yoyo, then you can try these. [http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/yoyo-ball-yo-yo-24k-gold-plated-bearing-10-ball-and-roller-ultra-long-superacids-sleeping/404939\_982961250.html](http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/yoyo-ball-yo-yo-24k-gold-plated-bearing-10-ball-and-roller-ultra-long-superacids-sleeping/404939_982961250.html)
I have never tried one, as I have already stated, but the reviews are good and it is a 10 ball. It even says “ultra long superacids sleeping performance”! It’s not lying because everything on the internet is true after all, right? :wink:
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### Author:  [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/37 "2014-03-04T04:06:53Z")
Frankly that’s a lot of $$ for an unknown bearing from an unknown foreign company.
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### Author:  [@lopenator](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/lopenator)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2014, 4:16am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/38 "2014-03-04T04:16:29Z")
Yeah I’m going to stock up on generic bearings and get a new yo. Sounds like a good plan.
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### Author:  [@Foofy69](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Foofy69)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2014, 9:17pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/39 "2014-03-04T21:17:41Z")
> [@jhb8426](#):
>
> Frankly that’s a lot of $$ for an unknown bearing from an unknown foreign company.
But, but, but, its pure BLANG BLANG!
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### Author:  [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)
#### Post date: [March 4, 2014, 10:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/help-me-choose-a-new-bearing/64311/40 "2014-03-04T22:28:13Z")
Well I always make it a point to stay away from superacids. 😃
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