# One Drop Flat Bearings Are Outdated: Change My Mind **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [May 17, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430 "2019-05-17T15:57:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**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**Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 10:44pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/522 "2019-09-16T22:44:43Z")
Small angle differences can (potentially) have a big impact on feel/play in regards to string friction against the inner wall. A few degrees can make all the difference. Putting that aside, cuz I don’t do horizontal play either, I will strongly disagree that flat vs. grooved makes no physical difference. The difference in behavior, _just with precession alone_, between a flat bearing and a grooved bearing was profound enough that I have made it personal policy to put grooved bearings in every One Drop I buy. And I am not the only person who has witnessed a _dramatic_ difference the moment a flat bearing was swapped out with a centering bearing (grooved or otherwise). You can claim that there is no appreciable physics-based difference between the two, but empirical evidence indicates otherwise. The only explanation I can come up with is that there is an element (in the physics of yoyo play) that the “collective widsom” in the community is simply unaware of. ---
**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 10:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/523 "2019-09-16T22:56:37Z")
I appreciate your response. Empirical evidence may show a trend to swapping out bearings and a percieved difference. Again I am by know means arguing that fact. I just believe that that evidence is still subjective. That is why we all like different yoyos. If everyone had objective data and acting in response to it there would be only one yoyo that we would all buy and use. Competitions would be more boring. Everyone with the same yoyo and same routine. Because we would eventually determine the only objective routine that would win. I only wanted to show that when pulled off center to an extreme the string made the same contact with the same point on the yoyo. It’s not scientific by any means. There is certainely a difference. Thats the same reason I tend to like them. I think we also need to recognize that a percieved difference, may or not be an actual difference. But a percieved difference or expected difference could make us feel differently and play better. ---
**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/524 "2019-09-16T22:59:05Z")
Gentry won worlds again with a monometal shutter. When Empirical Evidence would contradict his ability to do so. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2019, 10:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/525 "2019-09-16T22:59:49Z")
> [@Jhonaker](#): > > When Empirical Evidence would contradict his ability to do so. I confess I am unaware of the empirical evidence of which you speak. ---
**Author:** ![Rosenberg](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/rosenberg/32/20465_2.png) [@Rosenberg](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Rosenberg)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:01pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/526 "2019-09-16T23:01:48Z")
Precession is the only real reason to use a centering bearing. The whole spin time thing (not related to precession) is negligible. High level _competition_ players are going to have their string under above-average tension the whole time, and that higher tension will exacerbate precession. Personally I value the feel of not having friction on string wraps and it seems like @Jhonaker does also Edit- I should clarify that I mean tension in traditional physics terminology (think pulling on the string), not related to the “twist” or torsion of the string ---
**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/527 "2019-09-16T23:02:54Z")
Not being a jackbut here. Empirical evidence is the information received by means of the senses, particularly by observation and documentation of patterns and behavior through experimentation. So the trend of bimetals being the perfomance oriented throw as well as “v” shaped competition throws. So that pattern would indicate that he would need one that meets that criteria to win worlds. ---
**Author:** ![MoosaK](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/moosak/32/116955_2.png) [@MoosaK](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/MoosaK)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:04pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/528 "2019-09-16T23:04:03Z")
That’s the wrong example. Shutter WA is as rim weighted as an average bimetal. You can compete with flats and do perfectly fine if you’re a good player, and flat bearings are fun to play with. But most _competitors_ prefer centering bearings because the stabilize the yoyo and have a noticeable impact on play. ---
**Author:** ![Durfee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/durfee/32/593280_2.png) [@Durfee](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Durfee)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/529 "2019-09-16T23:05:34Z")
I actually mentioned you guys in another thread as occupying a unique spot in the market. You make a lot of yo-yos that don’t overlap completely with a lot of the design trends right now (bimetal, extra wide v/slight w shapes with huge catch zones around 54-56mm) but they aren’t so niche that they don’t appeal to a lot of people like a lot of the old H-Spin and SPYY stuff. I think this is why you appeal so much to the average yoyoer who isn’t necessarily focused on competitive elements as much as they are each yo-yo being a slightly unique experience to throw. ---
**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/530 "2019-09-16T23:05:58Z")
That is not a fact. The WA may have more rim weight than the original but not as much as a bimetal or the same kind of weight distribution. ---
**Author:** ![Durfee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/durfee/32/593280_2.png) [@Durfee](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Durfee)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/531 "2019-09-16T23:06:55Z")
Tbf Gentry’s recent video has him explicitly mentioning horizontal being more difficult on a flat bearing. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2019, 11:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/532 "2019-09-16T23:06:58Z")
> [@Jhonaker](#): > > So that pattern would indicate that he would need one that meets that criteria to win worlds. A trend only gives you an insight into a general direction that yoyo choices are (or have been) heading in. It does not accurately predict (or dictate) what an elite player is capable of doing with a particular yoyo. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/533 "2019-09-16T23:08:02Z")
The thing with precession is that it’s only apparent in a sleeper that you just let hang there. During play the forces are different and it’s getting correct and moved around on the axis anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/534 "2019-09-16T23:08:11Z")
That is why I used it as an example. Very similar argument to the empirical evidence of the centering bearing use. ---
**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/535 "2019-09-16T23:08:59Z")
I was about to respond the same thing here @da5id. The constant redirection through combos ect would negate any of that. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2019, 11:10pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/536 "2019-09-16T23:10:52Z")
Except that I witnessed precession occurring as my yoyo was traveling in space around my fingers into various mounts. I was puzzled as to why I was having so much trouble keeping the (heavily rim-weighted) yoyo from tilting on me while it was “in flight”. This phenomenon disappeared as soon as I installed centering bearings. ---
**Author:** ![Jhonaker](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhonaker/32/49024_2.png) [@Jhonaker](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Jhonaker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:12pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/537 "2019-09-16T23:12:56Z")
That is quite impressive. What centering were you using. A center trac would really only have any impact if and only if the string drifted far enough to the side of the bearing that it was pushed back. Then the precession effect would be greater on the center trac bearing setup at that point. Edit: I would also tend to beleive the thrower and string position and skill would have a greater impact. There is not enough force that close to the center of rotation from a string in motion to have that great of an effect. Not saying you are wrong I did not witness it and can not comment on it. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2019, 11:13pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/538 "2019-09-16T23:13:43Z")
Boss Rage (grooved concave). ---
**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:** [September 16, 2019, 11:14pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/539 "2019-09-16T23:14:48Z")
I would guess that maybe flats are more sensitive the input that causes tilt. Newer players are often putting that input inadvertently. So perhaps this is case for centering being good for new players. Anyone I’ve seen who’s played a certain amount of time, doesn’t get tilt from a flat bearing. ---
**Author:** ![Durfee](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/durfee/32/593280_2.png) [@Durfee](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Durfee)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/540 "2019-09-16T23:16:26Z")
All I know is when I can justify it and I have the other current stuff I’m looking at I’m definitely buying a One Drop just based on @da5id ‘s courteous and professional interactions with people on the forum. I know other brand reps that could learn from him. ---
**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:** [September 16, 2019, 11:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/541 "2019-09-16T23:16:59Z")
> [@da5id](#): > > So perhaps this is case for centering being good for new players. Yes, yes, and yes. I was (and still am) a new player. Centering bearings have been an absolute godsend for me. They are a _major_ reason I didn’t just give up on yoyoing in frustration early on. [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430.md?page=26) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430.md?page=28)