Yo I’ve seen a lot of conflicting information while trying to research bearing shapes and I want to make a post to gather all the facts about each shape for clarity. Not really looking for people’s opinions on what they like better but feel free to share them if you want. Really just trying to wrap my head around the facts. I’ll put a couple things in that I’m pretty sure are correct. Also when we have a list of pros and cons I’ll update the OP and then players of the future trying to figure out the facts can have this to check out because the topics in the graveyard are all over the place.
Flat
-Strings have even space to spread out (less string on string friction)
-Corrections to tilt are easier to fix than with U-shaped
-Will tilt off plane quicker than U-shaped without correction
-Some flats taper the edges more than others, because they’re designed for yoyos with more narrow gaps (OD 10 ball flats do this). They feel really bad in wide gapped yoyos -because the string can lock into that taper on each side of the bearing.
-Easier binds with less string while using a flat.
Concave U-shape
Concave Picture
-String stays centered (away from response)
-Concave gives more room for string wraps than flats because there is more open volume in the gap.
-Multiple layers of strings bunch up in the center more than flats.
-Require the longest string loop on binds due to the inherently large empty volume near the response pads.
-Can make binds feel slippy if you don’t adjust.
-allows for the string to reach closer to the axle and theoretically creates more spin at the moment of inertia (hard to qualify or to quantify but should be included for prosperity).
V V shape
-String stays centered (away from response).
-Multiple layers of strings bunch up in the center more than flats.
-Better binds than concave due to flatter bearing.
-Allows for the string to reach closer to the axle and theoretically creates more spin at the moment of inertia.
Grooved Concave V/U shape with a center groove
-String stays centered and locked into groove in the middle (away from response)
-The string stacks on one side and ends up snagging on pads with multiple wraps because the groove locks the string loop.
Double Straight String Centering (DS) concave with flat cut sections
DS Picture
NSK DS
-String layers function more like a flat bearing while still keeping the string centered.
-Allows for the string to reach closer to the axle and theoretically creates more spin at the moment of inertia.
Center Track Angle flat angle
Center Track Pictures
–Allows for the string to reach closer to the axle and theoretically creates more spin at the moment of inertia.
This is the category I understand the least about and seems to have the highest variance in specs like the angles used to keep the strings away from the response vary greatly and there is a high variance in how they play. Some of these play like u-shaped bearings because the angle is so steep and goes far into the center of the bearing and some of these play like flat bearings with barely an angle at all near the response. Maybe it will help to focus on the other shapes and let this be a spectrum.
Let me know if I’m mistaken and have gotten any of the facts wrong or I should rewrite this in anyway thanks!
Thanks to @Shapapy @Yospeedracer @LinksLegionaire @bheinz63 @mable for sharing your knowledge and helping me to put this together.