# One Drop Flat Bearings Are Outdated: Change My Mind **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [May 17, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430 "2019-05-17T15:57:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 10:45pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/281 "2019-06-17T22:45:04Z")
Concave beer cans would hold less beer for the same height and diameter of can. Increase either dimension, and a flat cylinder will still always hold more beer, making it the superior container. ---
**Author:** ![da5id](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/da5id/32/48214_2.png) [@da5id](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/da5id)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/282 "2019-06-17T22:47:49Z")
I’m feeling that this direction change is an improvement 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 10:48pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/283 "2019-06-17T22:48:36Z")
Just make them a little taller? Or wider? I actually like the ones with a finger centering groove in the middle; grip it with my index and thumb only. Impossible to spill those badboys! So much more stability in hand. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 10:52pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/284 "2019-06-17T22:52:08Z")
> [@smileypants707](#): > > Just make them a little taller? Or wider? Well, like I said, if you increase either (or both) dimension, the flat cylinder still wins because it holds more beer. And ultimately, the purpose of a beer can is to hold as much beer as it can (and keep it fresh). ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 10:55pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/285 "2019-06-17T22:55:05Z")
Yeah, but flat cylinders are sooo unstable in hand. It basically ruins my beer holding experience. Unless I consciously remember to hold it correctly, it falls right out of my hand. 👎 I prefer to hold my beer cans as mindlessly as possible. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:00pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/286 "2019-06-17T23:00:17Z")
Get one of those stylish beer-can holding hats, with the tubes that feed into your mouth. Doesn’t get any more effortless than that. ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/287 "2019-06-17T23:05:24Z")
Yeah, but I like the control of holding one in hand. You don’t have _near_ the same level of control with the hat. ---
**Author:** ![zslane](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/zslane/32/19816_2.png) [@zslane](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/zslane)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/288 "2019-06-17T23:08:08Z")
Unless you plan to do something other than _drink_ the beer, what control do you need? Sucking from a tube delivers the beer with less effort than using your hands/arms, no control necessary. ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/289 "2019-06-17T23:12:12Z")
Idk man, I think I just have a mental block about it. Flat cylindrical cans make it _exponentially_ harder to control my can holding experience, I _just know it does_. And what’s worse, is my favorite micro brew company only ships their beer in traditional cans ☹ ---
**Author:** ![EOS44](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/eos44/32/47059_2.png) [@EOS44](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/EOS44)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/290 "2019-06-17T23:16:47Z")
@da5id @smileypants707 tbh @andy569 and i just wanted to flex a nice combo on a flat bearing on y’all :joy: Of course, i’m kidding. But it would be interesting to see something like “Let’s see who can do the most with a flat bearing” or a “no centering bearings allowed here” thread with tricks with just flat bearings. ---
**Author:** ![da5id](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/da5id/32/48214_2.png) [@da5id](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/da5id)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/291 "2019-06-17T23:24:44Z")
I guess I’m flattered at the volume in this thread, but will it ever stop? hahaha ---
**Author:** ![smileypants707](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/smileypants707/32/19045_2.png) [@smileypants707](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/smileypants707)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:25pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/292 "2019-06-17T23:25:17Z")
> [@EOS44](#): > > or a “no centering bearings allowed here” thread with tricks with just flat bearings. Dude, take the lead! haha, I’d participate 🕶 ---
**Author:** ![andy569](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/andy569/32/1256_2.png) [@andy569](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/andy569)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 12:04am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/293 "2019-06-18T00:04:00Z")
I wonder who the best fairly active member on these forums is :thinking: Excluding Colin of course if you consider him fairly active ---
**Author:** ![Jhammond93](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhammond93/32/53095_2.png) [@Jhammond93](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhammond93)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2019, 1:22am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/294 "2019-06-18T01:22:37Z")
![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/e/2/5/e25a7081dfd072f14f4af4866536ddb8255a612a.jpeg) As a matter of fact I do this to ever beer I drink!! And yes it makes it a loooot easier to hold lol, especially when you’re a few in! I’d recommend y’all try it! Oh and it also helps identify your beer when there are several other open cans around! All around nothing but better drinking with konkave cans :joy: ---
**Author:** ![MegaNickels](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/meganickels/32/15991_2.png) [@MegaNickels](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MegaNickels)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/295 "2019-06-20T22:59:09Z")
Word. My one drops are the second smoothiest (das right…Smoooothiest) yoyo’s I own. ---
**Author:** ![yoyojamben](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyojamben/32/289780_2.png) [@yoyojamben](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojamben)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/296 "2019-06-20T23:14:59Z")
I find that when you play with a flat it allows you to feel the play characteristics of the yoyo like the weight distribution and wall height much more. Some yoyos are so stable you might not even “need” them to up the performance. For example my par avion is so stable even with a flat, where other yoyos are crazy unstable with flats. But I think the whole point of the flat bearing to me at least is to turn those unstable yoyos into stable ones by centering your string from the start to end of your throw. 🙂 i find that when I use a ct in those unstable yoyos it just makes them “easier” to play with, not neccasarily better. just my stance on it. 🕶🕶🕶🕶 ---
**Author:** ![Markmont](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/markmont/32/66681_2.png) [@Markmont](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Markmont)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 6:37pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/297 "2019-06-21T18:37:43Z")
Aaagggrrrreeeedddddddd Flat bearings are a VERY good way to discern how good of a design the yoyo ‘actually’ is. If you throw a flat bearing into a throw and can see an overly significant drop in stability and spin time, then the design is definitely not as good as a throw that can still jam well on flat. People skip over this factoid ‘all’ the time. ---
**Author:** ![yoyojamben](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/yoyojamben/32/289780_2.png) [@yoyojamben](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/yoyojamben)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 9:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/298 "2019-06-21T21:27:52Z")
Facts is facts ✊ ---
**Author:** ![WretchedRapture](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/wretchedrapture/32/1124_2.png) [@WretchedRapture](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/WretchedRapture)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 6:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/299 "2019-07-01T06:49:52Z")
I’m curious if some of you are getting some kind of placebo effect with centering bearings. Perhaps you’re so convinced that it makes a difference or that it’s helping you, that it does in fact make a difference and help you. :thinking: I wouldn’t call a flat bearing outdated, that’s a bit extreme. Would I say that centering bearings generally outperform flat bearings? Yeah, I’d probably give you that. Do I think that this difference in performance is significant enough to effect play in any meaningful way outside of the realm of “feel”? Probably not. lol. You can throw the same yoyo with a flat and a centering bearing and run experiments all day to compare things like tilt, precession, vibe, etc., but I feel the same way about this as I do about throwing yoyos to clock their spin times… it’s all interesting and fun to know, but in practice, when you’re actually playing, it doesn’t really make much of a difference. Theoretically, I can clock a spin on one yoyo that lasts 8 minutes, and then clock a spin on another yoyo that only lasts 5 minutes, and then I can turn around and throw the same exact 1-minute combo on both of them. I’d reckon that I wouldn’t even have to be more careful or clean or pay any extra attention on the yoyo that only spun for 5 minutes either. The same goes for flats vs centering. In my experience, when I cared to pay enough attention, centering bearings have actually been more detrimental than helpful. Particularly when dealing with multiple string wraps, I’ve found that centering bearings bunch string together and creating more snagging. But this is so minuscule and happens so rarely, it doesn’t bother me any. I rarely even pay attention to what’s in a throw unless a bearing goes bad, and I’m in need of a new one. In practice, I just don’t think these types of differences matter much. To each their own though! If you’re having fun and you like the way your throws play with a certain setup, then throw ‘em that way. 🤷🏻‍♂️👌🏻 ---
**Author:** ![andy569](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/andy569/32/1256_2.png) [@andy569](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/andy569)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2019, 6:56am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/300 "2019-07-01T06:56:19Z")
Did you see this? [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/0/a/8/0a8286e82c8ee35c24ad9f5001f02aab04a64fad.jpeg "Horizontal bearingz") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQYxfSNtivQ) And this? [![](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/9/7/f/97fc71143dd4e2f0aa00418833d6c80edfad0345.jpeg "Bearingz") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvM0HYioB3s) If you think I played differently with flat because of a placebo effect let me know. [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430.md?page=14) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430.md?page=16)