Replacing linkage bearings

[Kernow]

Suspension linkage bearings and servicing them seems to be a big task for lots of riders , lots don’t bother until, they are falling aviary and some require expensive or specialist pullers to remove , and it’s not a cheap job in some bike shops
Giant make a great set that does many of the common bearings and I find that set adapts to most bikes .it s relatively cheap at around £100 , but perhaps not cheap enough if own just one bike .

I came across these in the link below the other day while looking for a solution to remove the 2 small back to back bearings on my commencal linkage . A bargain at £20 for a set of 3 pullers ! The seller lists a solution for most bike bearings and also by bearing number he is very helpful if you contact him .
Also if you order for a meta power , message him as it seems it doesn’t use all the same bearings as the normal 4.2 ,
on a different note that was also another plus point to find that commencal have fitted larger stronger bearings to thier ebike where required

Bearing Puller for Commencal Frame - Meta, Extractor, Remover, Blind Tool | eBay

 

[Kiwi in Wales]

Changing bearings already? How long have you had you Commencal ebike?

 

[R120]

I am slightly dreading what state the bearings in the Vitus will be like after some of the conditions I am putting it though this winter - all fine after 9 months but pretty much having to do a full wheels off and drivetrain deep clean after every ride at the moment, and that's pretty much twice a week on the FS.

 

[Gary]

because I have (and work on) loads of bikes I have a universal blind bearing puller set. it's handy for hub bearings as well as frames


I also have universal bearing presses/punches seats for fitting them.

If anyone need a shock bushing tool my mate makes these
mowicu | eBay
He's really sound so if you need bulk bushings etc. he'll probably sort you out.

 

[R120]

Have you checked the bearings on your Sommett?

 

[Gary]

I am slightly dreading what state the bearings in the Vitus will be like after some of the conditions I am putting it though this winter - all fine after 9 months but pretty much having to do a full wheels off and drivetrain deep clean after every ride at the moment, and that's pretty much twice a week on the FS.

Dude. If you don't alrady, get yourself a warm water hose and adjustable nozzle gun and decent brush. I almost never remove my wheels and my drivetrain is clean as after every shitty ride in 10mins.
Bike lives indoors so it's cleaned after every ride.

Bearings all good

 

[R120]

I have all that, its more the jockey wheels on the rear mech are pretty much solid with clay/mud mix that we have here, and you have to get in there with a toilet brush, my tool of choice for such jobs

 

[Gary]

See that Box components R/mech I reviewed? That's turned out to be a little bastard for picking up shite and plantlife compared to the shorter XT
I'm not the biggest fan of masssive wide range cassettes and the extra long mech cages they require.. Fine for trail centres/built trails but a ballache to keep clear for natural riding

 

[Tamas]

Suspension linkage bearings and servicing them seems to be a big task for lots of riders , lots don’t bother until, they are falling aviary and some require expensive or specialist pullers to remove , and it’s not a cheap job in some bike shops
Giant make a great set that does many of the common bearings and I find that set adapts to most bikes .it s relatively cheap at around £100 , but perhaps not cheap enough if own just one bike .

I came across these in the link below the other day while looking for a solution to remove the 2 small back to back bearings on my commencal linkage . A bargain at £20 for a set of 3 pullers ! The seller lists a solution for most bike bearings and also by bearing number he is very helpful if you contact him .
Also if you order for a meta power , message him as it seems it doesn’t use all the same bearings as the normal 4.2 ,
on a different note that was also another plus point to find that commencal have fitted larger stronger bearings to thier ebike where required

Bearing Puller for Commencal Frame - Meta, Extractor, Remover, Blind Tool | eBay

Meta V4.2 and Meta Power 2018 have the same bearings:

Meta/Meta Power 2018 bearing kit

For 2019 they changed the rocker link bearings but the same pullers work with them because their ID's are the same 10/15/20mm as the 2018 models.

Meta Power 2019 bearing kit

 

[Kernow]

Changing bearings already? How long have you had you Commencal ebike?

It’s about a year old now , just had its second strip down and check . I removed the seals and greased the bearings when it was new . Linkage bearings hardly move so they tend to get a tiny bit of dust in them and seize up , I bet if you strip any bike that’s had winters use in the uk the linkage bearings will be sticky . Usually just removing the seal cleaning and blowing out the bearing gets it going again , some bearing will just rotate on the axles and you don’t know they have seized until the axles worn and the bearing collapses .
While it’s apart I was checking the bearing numbers etc so i could get some in stock and realised I didn’t have a puller to remove the back to back bearings in the lower linkage , which will clearly be the first to go on the commencal .
Strange though I Recently checked my old vitus escarp , 2 years old and the bearings were fine , my daughters been using it a lot recently and she’s tough on bikes , Her giant had 2 sets of bearings in one year , some bikes seem to suffer more than others . I wish they were all sealed like my Whyte .

 

[Kernow]

Meta V4.2 and Meta Power 2018 have the same bearings:

Meta/Meta Power 2018 bearing kit

For 2019 they changed the rocker link bearings but the same pullers work with them because their ID's are the same 10/15/20mm as the 2018 models.

Meta Power 2019 bearing kit

Hmm that’s what I thought , this guy seems to be feeding me a story then ?

 

[Tamas]

Hmm that’s what I thought , this guy seems to be feeding me a story then ?

I don't know what story he's feeding I just looked at the bearings...

 

[Kernow]

I don't know what story he's feeding I just looked at the bearings...

They are quite recently on the site I think , I couldn’t see any info there earlier in the year when I looked , they know how to charge for them too , half the price online here in uk . But good to just order the right thing without hassle for some

 

[Tamas]

They are quite recently on the site I think , I couldn’t see any info there earlier in the year when I looked , they know how to charge for them too , half the price online here in uk . But good to just order the right thing without hassle for some

The 2018 not bad 60€ for 12 bearings... but I never buy a full set they don't need to be replaced at the same time.

 

[Kernow]

Giant Maestro Bearing Service Tool Kit 6+1pcs | Tredz Bikes

This is the giant kit I have , It felt reassuring pulling bearings from the carbon frame especially on the lower shock mounts , and the carbon centre rocker . there’s no way I would liked to have tapped them out . Seems expensive but peace of mind

The selection of pullers and bushes etc can be mixed up to get just the right combination , it cups around the outer of the bearing and pushes on iether inside or outside race , lots of feel , and also presses the bearings back in very gently and squarely .

The meta is the first bike I’ve come across where I’ve needed another tool for the back to back bearings in the end of the seat stays where they meet the chainstay.

 

[ULEWZ]

Great thread and I love to work on my mountain bikes, but unsure where to find the Giant bearing sizes for the Trance E+2 pro? I have searched high and low. I want to also buy the Giant Maestro bearing press, but it appears to no longer be available in the states, so an alternate would probably be in my future, thusly needing to know the bearing sizes so I buy the correct tools. I would prefer a press over a dent remover type. Thanks.

 

[Kernow]

Great thread and I love to work on my mountain bikes, but unsure where to find the Giant bearing sizes for the Trance E+2 pro? I have searched high and low. I want to also buy the Giant Maestro bearing press, but it appears to no longer be available in the states, so an alternate would probably be in my future, thusly needing to know the bearing sizes so I buy the correct tools. I would prefer a press over a dent remover type. Thanks.

I got my bearing press from the giant dealer , it was on the giant website . Not sure how much postage would be to ship,from uk
I can probably still find the bearing numbers for the trance we have , looking at the e version the suspension looks the same those lower shock bearings do tend to get buried in muck so neeed plenty of maintenance . The original giant bearings weren’t the best and they had little grease in them ,which caused early failure of ours in the wet uk conditions , so well worth taking it apart and re greasing the bearings in place And checking the numbers while your at it . They do use some strange letters that I couldn’t find a meaning for , but the number got me the correct bearing . I used stainless bearings but they weren’t the full pack bearing that’s normally used in linkages , it worked fine for a light girl riding the bike but may not be good for heavier use .
That giant linkage is very good to ride

 

[Kernow]

I don't know what story he's feeding I just looked at the bearings...

I just had an email from the bearing guy apologising for giving me wrong info and only sending 2x pullers when I should have had 3 ,hes sending the missing puller ?