# One Drop Flat Bearings Are Outdated: Change My Mind **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [May 17, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430 "2019-05-17T15:57:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**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**Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 5:28pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/81 "2019-05-20T17:28:20Z")
There you go. So if that’s true and flat bearings don’t do any “nudging”, then we have 3 very different options and as evidenced by this thread, many different opinions on which one people like best. So regardless of which one you sell as stock in a yo-yo, you are putting the wrong one in for a lot of people. I respect everyone’s opinion on which kind they like best and we aren’t trying to convert people to saying flats are best. This is why we work so hard to get the bearing post size correct - which I think is much more important then which bearing is stock. ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 5:38pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/82 "2019-05-20T17:38:38Z")
100% confirmed, it is VERY easy to change bearing on any One Drop! 🙌 ---
**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**Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/83 "2019-05-20T17:59:08Z")
As others have agreed, flat bearings definitely don’t “suck,” but they do absolutely provide a different feel. In certain yoyos, I prefer flats, while in others, I prefer centering. Even among different centering types, the feel of the yoyo can change in subtle ways. I feel like most One Drops feel right with flats in them. I will say however, that I prefer to leave my yoyos the way they come from the factory because I want to play with it the way that the manufacturer intended it to feel. Moreover, I try not to get too caught up in the subtleties provided by different strings and bearings. The combinations are endless, and I’d rather not stress about that - or spend more money on bearings and string trying to find the “perfect” match. I know some folks like that, and I think that’s awesome, but it’s not my style. :+1: As far as performance goes, I rarely come across a bearing, flat or otherwise, that I think is significantly worse than any other to the point of effecting my play. Give me any bearing you got. As long as it spins, I’ll make it work. :wink: ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 6:13pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/84 "2019-05-20T18:13:44Z")
> [@da5id](#): > > So regardless of which one you sell as stock in a yo-yo, you are putting the wrong one in for a lot of people. Perhaps, but if you view what 90% of other yo-yos ship with for a bearing, the market has _clearly_ spoken about its preferences. There may be (deserved) debate over pure concave vs. CT, but flats are far and away the most rare thing to ship in a yo-yo these days. That said, it’s your company … your rodeo, your cowboys… your circus, your 🤡s :wink: ---
**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:** [May 20, 2019, 6:15pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/85 "2019-05-20T18:15:34Z")
🤣 ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 6:27pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/86 "2019-05-20T18:27:51Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > but flats are far and away the most rare thing to ship in a yo-yo these days You sure? OD has a sizable market share, and everything ships with flats. CoreCo Alleycat’s ship with flats. Spencer Berry sold 100 Theodores with flats. Could go on with others too. But I don’t think they’re as rare as you think, when you _really_ think it through. ---
**Author:** ![TurdFerguson69](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/turdferguson69/32/45638_2.png) [@TurdFerguson69](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/TurdFerguson69)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 6:34pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/87 "2019-05-20T18:34:15Z")
A tight bearing posts drive me insane. One Drop posts are the only ones I have found to be constantly the right size nowadays. Back in the day too loose seemed common. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the quality of your bearing posts. A bad post is often a deal breaker for me. Makes the whole thing feel cheap to me. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Machinist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@The\_Machinist](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/The_Machinist)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 6:39pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/88 "2019-05-20T18:39:42Z")
This^ is worthy of a lengthy thread, unlike the current topic. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2019, 6:53pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/89 "2019-05-20T18:53:41Z")
Alleycats, Theodore’s, Walters, they’re all responsives, not really a fair comparison at all. Not the same as most of ODs yoyos. ---
**Author:** ![Blieske](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@Blieske](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Blieske)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 6:56pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/90 "2019-05-20T18:56:57Z")
I started on flat bearings and in my opinion, flat bearings stay smooth longer, and snag less. Because I started on flat bearings, I don’t feel that strong of a difference in play. I only care if the bearing is smooth. Center trac bearings also seam unreliable to me. In my experience, they can be perfectly smooth on one throw and seize on the next. Every time this has happened to me with a center trac (it has been 4 times), I have been unable to get the bearing smooth again through cleaning. The bearings that have a groove in them seem really snaggy in comparison to other bearings as well. I do like concave bearings though, not because they do a good job in centering, but because they stay smooth forever. ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 7:02pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/91 "2019-05-20T19:02:34Z")
Flat Bearing is a Flat Bearing 🤷‍♂️ I could go in the “training wheels” direction, but that probably belongs in the unpopular opinion thread 🤣 ---
**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:** [May 20, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/92 "2019-05-20T19:05:44Z")
It’s strange that all of the worlds contenders use training wheels :thinking: My point still stands. Very few modern unresponsive metals ship with flat bearings besides OD. Actually I can’t think of any other than OD off the top of my head right now ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/93 "2019-05-20T19:06:32Z")
> [@AaronW](#): > > But I don’t think [flat bearings are] as rare as you think, when you _really_ think it through. I’m… pretty sure they _are_ as rare as I said they are. Outside of one particular brand. :wink: The market has spoken. But again, if it’s your company you can do literally anything you want, up to and including shipping peanut butter on the bearing post instead of an actual bearing. ---
**Author:** ![AaronW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/aaronw/32/49251_2.png) [@AaronW](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/AaronW)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 7:08pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/94 "2019-05-20T19:08:17Z")
> [@codinghorror](#): > > if it’s your company you can do literally anything you want, up to and including shipping peanut butter on the bearing post instead of an actual bearing. Very true. Although, personally, I’m glad OD does what they do. Now, on to that bearing post thread! ---
**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:** [May 20, 2019, 7:16pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/95 "2019-05-20T19:16:42Z")
I am very thankful for OD’s bearing seats. I don’t have to fight with the yoyo to put in my bearing of choice. I also don’t mind the fact that my favorite bearing is regarded as a form of “training wheels” by some. I’m still in training as a rank beginner after all! ---
**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:** [May 20, 2019, 7:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/96 "2019-05-20T19:19:56Z")
The reasons aren’t mutually exclusive. We also love our bearing and we’re going to keep using them. We good now? ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/97 "2019-05-20T19:21:25Z")
> [@zslane](#): > > I also don’t mind the fact that my favorite bearing is regarded as a form of “training wheels” by some. I’m still in training as a rank beginner after all! Only in the sense that “training wheels” is unresponsive and Real Men™ do all their tricks on narrow responsive fixed axles because that jacks the difficulty level to extreme. 🤷‍♂️ In essence what I’m saying is, there has been real technological progress, and sticking with ‘the old stuff’ to prove how ruff and tuff you are is kinda… lame. Now if you legitimately like and prefer the old stuff, more power to you. An Amish Paradise for all! :wink: ---
**Author:** ![SpyseaRice](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/spysearice/32/82121_2.png) [@SpyseaRice](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/SpyseaRice)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/98 "2019-05-20T19:21:33Z")
I’m not against stock flat bearings, I’d just love to have OD centering bearings, since your flats are so good! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Machinist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a4c791/32.png) [@The\_Machinist](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/The_Machinist)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/99 "2019-05-20T19:23:48Z")
damm for such “disruptors” and “free thinkers” you sure are expecting us to go along with the herd here. argumentum ad populum much? ---
**Author:** ![codinghorror](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/codinghorror/32/8052_2.png) [@codinghorror](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/codinghorror)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430/100 "2019-05-20T19:32:27Z")
Like I said – it’s your company you guys can do what you want! Do I _personally_ find it annoying that I’ve had to swap out 30+ flat bearings on my One Drops? Kinda, to be honest? But not enough that I’d ask you to _change the way your whole company does business_. I mean I don’t think that’s a fair request. [Previous page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430.md?page=4) [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/one-drop-flat-bearings-are-outdated-change-my-mind/302430.md?page=6)