It's just below 5 mm, so I'm guessing it's inches, but my caliper won't do those figures sigh. It's from the front wheel hub in a vintage (70s) road bike, if that matters for statistical probability. I managed to drop one in the sink by the way. Can they be bough loose from my LBS or are you usually obliged to buy a bag with 50 pcs or so? Cheers!
by gevvstrr
8 Comments
A lot of shops would have some bulk ball bearings for sale. I would call a few and take a bearing to them. I doubt it’s that obscure of a size
From your caliper the other side is inches so I’d guess it’s 3/16ths ?
Googling that size gives me quite a few options, by Shimano among others, so that’s the size you’d want I suppose!
It’s 3/16″, the most common size for front hubs. A shop might be willing to sell you one or a few, but more likely a pre-packaged set of 20 or so.
That is 100% a 3/16″ bearing ball. That is also the most common bearing size for front hubs. There are usually ten per side in a front hub (so twenty in all), but of course there are exceptions and not all front hubs will use that size/quantity. It is considered “best practice” to replace all of the bearing balls on a side at the same time, not just the one missing ball. Your Local Bike Shop will be able to sell you 3/16″ loose bearings in the quantity you need.
When I worked in a bike shop we sold individual ball bearings. If you take it to them, they will most likely have a Park Tool spoke, bearings, and cotter gauge.[Park Tool spoke, bearing, and cotter gauge](https://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-Spoke-Bearing-Cottergauge/dp/B000OZBK82/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=2R5JRZNL27QV3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0C5TDxDVDddKRM5gb9UthsGwKToU-o3WHXwIb22f0EqjYKPrRf_Maskz1MPfgNfVqEbAIAiEXRFmKn2efFZZHf7ul030Hb3U-kT2C8Im0IK5PuDJx76mWtO4bgIjsgHcR2hAt9xM4TEyB5xiEvRf7PNQRHg4vci1fD6dX8jff1xm_JvXftOwvjvBfaGnAd-kWIAuIa_fw4sWheo0rzuybw.d4mlYPkWH6wzlyerBTtQMlwskMDs93IwQ-dZCefV3Ms&dib_tag=se&keywords=spoke+ruler&qid=1760990700&sprefix=spoke+rul%2Caps%2C290&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1)
Dude, a bag of hundred these things can be had for like 2 euro/$. Or better yet, go to a bearing shop and buy a set of grade 10 balls for both sides. Also should not cost you more that 2 $/Euro.
That said get all new balls, don’t just replace one.
Big thanks for all your delicate input! 🙏
When I worked in a bike shop we sold individual ball bearings. If you take it to them, they will most likely have a Park Tool spoke, bearings, and cotter gauge.