# Narrow and concave C-bearing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [December 30, 2024, 10:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102 "2024-12-30T10:10:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sven/32/604919_2.png) [@Sven](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sven)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 10:10am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/1 "2024-12-30T10:10:09Z")
Could some of you wise people give me info about if there are narrow C-bearings, with a concave (Or any shaped track) profile? Or are narrow C-bearings all flat? ---
**Author:** ![SR1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sr1/32/104603_2.png) [@SR1](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SR1)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 10:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/2 "2024-12-30T10:42:48Z")
Even if they did exist… why would you want that? A narrow bearing helps with responsiveness, while a string centering bearing helps reduce string friction on the yoyo body, thus making it more unresponsive. If it were a thing… it would almost be like an oxymoron. ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 11:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/3 "2024-12-30T11:19:07Z")
I’ve never seen one. Generally your half spec/narrow c bearings are way lower quality than full size and packed with grease from the factory. Since they are meant for responsive play and most brands treat them as geared toward a beginner style of play they are generally not given much QC beyond making sure it’s not totally seized. There are some blanks with a concave that helps with spin time and reduces the diameter making the thunk at the end of the string less prevalent (larger diameter axles on a fixie often feel sluggish in play) those blanks are usually hand made on a lathe which is why there’s usually low quantity of them and high prices. If you find c bearings with a concave I would be absolutely curious and interested in how they work. I imagine it would make YoYo play closer to a d sized half spec but still respond well with the pads against the string. ---
**Author:** ![Captrogers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/captrogers/32/647012_2.png) [@Captrogers](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Captrogers)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 11:23am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/4 "2024-12-30T11:23:38Z")
Diameter of the bearing can make the yoyo feel faster. (Higher rpm) which when tossing around stalls means you can throw much lighter and still get the yoyo to a decent speed and regen with less string wraps. I could see why he is asking but a yoyo wanting that effect would usually just be designed for a half spec d bearing or smaller like an mr85. So like you said not a practical thing to manufacture when easier to just design around a smaller bearing. ---
**Author:** ![Sven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sven/32/604919_2.png) [@Sven](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sven)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/5 "2024-12-30T13:29:28Z")
Ah, yes. I see. In my imagination, a concave bearing, even in a narrow bearing could help with centering of the string, to improve a good sleeper. But I agree, that I may have overlooked other factors. ---
**Author:** ![Sven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sven/32/604919_2.png) [@Sven](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sven)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 1:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/6 "2024-12-30T13:45:24Z")
I am not unhappy with the flat narrow C-bearing (Half spec from iYoYo, good quality). I am mostly interested in responsive tricks. So that fits fine, considering my learning stage, deep in the valley of disapointment. But I also noticed that the string, even with careful throwing always keeps to one or the other side. It’s rare that it sleeps with the string nicely centered. Which in my tricks usually means that the Yo starts to rotate towards the end of a sleeper (Procession). That’s where my curiosity comes from. I also tried playing unresponsive with a pixel bearing, for a week, which did not jive with me. Also tried to make the pixel bearing responsive by oling it, which is a hint I got from a member of this forum. Which made it slugishly responsive. I would have liked to keep a wide bearing, because it alowed me to play tricks, like mounts easier, for the bearing having more space for multiple string wraps. But the the YoYo not responding properly was more unnerving, than I was willing to tolerate. So I switched back to narrow. That’s my context. ---
**Author:** ![hooty7734](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hooty7734/32/348981_2.png) [@hooty7734](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hooty7734)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/7 "2024-12-30T17:36:22Z")
You could try flowing pads if you want more response, use the Permatex copper for the most response. Maybe even slightly overfill the recess. Alternatively maybe thicker response pads, or possibly doubling up some thinner ones depending on how much more response you want. This is all if you want to use the grooved and concave bearings. Also I’m not sure what oil you used in your bearing but the oil viscosity makes a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Sven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sven/32/604919_2.png) [@Sven](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sven)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/8 "2024-12-30T18:59:24Z")
Yes. Very interesting thought. I did not consider adding extra pads to it. I will keep that in mind. I am aware of the relation between oil-viscosity and response and am constantly testing different approches. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![hooty7734](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hooty7734/32/348981_2.png) [@hooty7734](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hooty7734)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2024, 8:41pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/9 "2024-12-30T20:41:40Z")
If your pads already flush I wouldn’t recommend doubling as they may just come off, but if you use thinner ones that recess you should be able to have the second pad partially in the recess. ---
**Author:** ![Sven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sven/32/604919_2.png) [@Sven](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sven)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 6:40am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/10 "2024-12-31T06:40:49Z")
So the adhesive of these “Flowing pads” is not that strong then? And they sit in the same channel as the “normal” response pads? ---
**Author:** ![hooty7734](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hooty7734/32/348981_2.png) [@hooty7734](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hooty7734)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 7:18am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/11 "2024-12-31T07:18:11Z")
Flowing pads means using silicone or gasket maker as pads instead of pads hence Permatex copper. I wouldn’t trust the adhesion of normal pads when struck at the seam with the string repetitively. ---
**Author:** ![Sven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sven/32/604919_2.png) [@Sven](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sven)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2024, 10:28am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/12 "2024-12-31T10:28:08Z")
Ahhh, i see. Sorry, Permatex is not a product I know. Here we normaly use Silkaflex (at least for construction). I don’t know. Maybe a little much experimentation for marginal gains. But thanks a lot for your concern. I appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Splizacular](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/splizacular/32/640487_2.png) [@Splizacular](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Splizacular)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2025, 1:43am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/13 "2025-01-02T01:43:06Z")
I’ve had success with this one lately and i like the response ![1000001827](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/5/1/f/51fb6d8d8b638221fd1d864e283fa32527a078d0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Sven](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/sven/32/604919_2.png) [@Sven](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Sven)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2025, 7:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/14 "2025-01-02T07:03:05Z")
… okay. A fluid gasket! I thought you guys meant construction silicone for tiles and stuff. Thanks Thomas for making it more clear. ---
**Author:** ![hooty7734](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hooty7734/32/348981_2.png) [@hooty7734](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hooty7734)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2025, 7:46am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/narrow-and-concave-c-bearing/416102/15 "2025-01-02T07:46:36Z")
[There’s a whole post about this.](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/permatex-22074-ultra-grey-for-very-unresponsive-return-system/374904)