Mountain bike bearings (MTB)
Mountain bikers ride on rough terrain: they travel over roots, rocks, dust, mud and grass, over ramps into compression. Failure of a bike component can be dangerous for the rider as speeds of up to 80km/h can be reached on downhill trails. A rider has to be able to rely on his bike and, for this, he needs fail-safe components. In addition, precise haptics (responsiveness e.g. of the suspension fork) and low weight are among the most important characteristics that a mountain bike must have. Bearing components made of plastic instead of metal have been gaining in popularity for years – and for a very good reason.
Lightweight plastic mountain bike bearings reduce the strain on the frame and can make the bicycle easier to manoeuvre. Moreover, the lighter the bike, the easier it is to travel uphill. Our iglidur® plain bearings are around 80 % lighter than metal bearings.
Would you like more information about bearings used within mountain bikes? Our experts will be happy to get in touch with you.
Lightweight plastic mountain bike bearings reduce the strain on the frame and can make the bicycle easier to manoeuvre. Moreover, the lighter the bike, the easier it is to travel uphill. Our iglidur® plain bearings are around 80 % lighter than metal bearings.
Would you like more information about bearings used within mountain bikes? Our experts will be happy to get in touch with you.
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Application examples
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Mountain bikers ride on rough terrain: they travel over roots, rocks, dust, mud and grass, over ramps into compression. Failure of a bike component can be dangerous for the rider as speeds of up to 80km/h can be reached on downhill trails. If a bike rider wants to reach his best form, he has to be able to rely on his bike and, for this, he needs fail-safe components. In addition, precise haptics (responsiveness e.g. of the suspension fork) and low weight are among the most important characteristics that a mountain bike must have, and not only in professional sports. Bearing components made of plastic instead of metal have been gaining in popularity for years – and for a very good reason:
1 Vario seat post
Guide rings made of iglidur J material are ideal for linear movements and are ideal for use in the telescopic or Vario seat post. Compared to PTFE-coated metallic alternatives, they are not only lighter and 100% corrosion-free, but also insensitive to edge loads.In metal composite bearings, these lead to rapid abrasion of the gliding layer, causing coefficient of friction and wear to increase rapidly. In iglidur bearings, the solid lubricants and reinforcing materials are distributed over the entire cross-section; coefficient of friction and wear rates remain constant over their entire life cycle.
1 Vario seat post
iglidur J guide rings
Suitable for linear movements
Good wear resistance at medium temperatures
Outstanding coefficient of friction, low slip-stick effect
Low moisture absorption and high media resistance
Resistant to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts
Insensitive to dirt and dust
Not susceptible to expansion due to moisture or thermal influences thanks to the slot
More about iglidur J guide rings in the online shop
2 Rear frame
iglidur bushings have proven themselves at various bearing points on the rear frame as an alternative to metallic rolling bearings. They are not only many times lighter, but also require less installation space. In addition, their dry operation is also a huge advantage here, because if the frame is covered with dust or mud after the ride, it can be washed without hesitation. Even cleaning with a high-pressure cleaner does not harm the bearings. You can save yourself the worry of corrosion caused by water penetration and regular relubrication. For the application on the rear frame, bushings made of iglidur J3 material are particularly suitable, alternatively also our thick-walled iglidur M210 bearings.
2 Rear frame
iglidur J3 plain bearing
Excellent friction coefficients
Lightweight
Excellent wear resistance
Low moisture absorption and high media resistance
Good wear resistance under water
Resistant to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts
Insensitive to dirt and dust
Lubrication-free
More about iglidur J3 in the online shop
2 Rear frame
Thick-walled plain bearing iglidur M210
Particularly suitable for pivoting loads
Excellent friction coefficients
Good wear resistance
Low moisture absorption
Resistant to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts
Insensitive to dirt and dust
Lubrication-free
Special material for thick-walled bearings
Enables 1:1 replacement of needle bearings
More about iglidur M210 in the online shop
2 Rear frame
Lower weight and increased rigidity in the rear frame
The Californian mountain bike manufacturer ibis has used plain bearings from igus in its MTB fullies since 2013. As in all articulated links, ibis had originally fitted sealed deep groove ball bearings on the lower rocker of the rear frame, which led to the rear frame feeling rickety after a while. Switching to iglidur plain bearings brought several advantages: a weight reduction of 80g compared to previous models, greater rigidity, no maintenance thanks to dry running and - the most important aspect for ibis - significantly improved durability.
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3 Battery cover
Compared to other applications, a battery cover does not require high-precision or heavy-duty bearings. However, contact with moisture and dirt and the shocks of everyday riding also bring challenges. Since they are insensitive to corrosion and dirt, our plastic plain bearings also excel here. We have a range of low-cost bearings that meet the quality requirements for this application, such as flange bearings made of iglidur GLW. Trouble with rust, squeaking or rattling is spared over the long life of the bearings.
3 Battery cover
Plain bearing iglidur GLW
Low-cost material for high-volume production
Resistant to shocks and impacts
Insensitive to dirt and dust
Resistant to high loads (>60N/mm²)
Lightweight
Lubrication-free
More about iglidur GLW in the online shop
4 Brake lever
The importance of a fully functional brake is probably indisputable. But comfort and light weight are also important criteria. All three can be improved by iglidur bearings. Whether as a catalogue product or as an individual special part – iglidur P is ideal for use in brake handles: The outdoor all-rounder is insensitive to moisture, dirt, shocks and impacts and is also cost-effective. As with all iglidur bearings, no lubrication is required here to protect the bearing from corrosion and wear. Also annoying squeaking and creaking, which occurs with metallic bearings in the brake lever, especially in wet conditions, can be avoided with our bushings.
4 Brake lever
iglidur P plain bearing
Excellent coefficient of friction
Low moisture absorption
Resistant to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts
Dirt-resistant and corrosion-free
Lightweight
Inconspicuous in black
Lubrication-free
More about iglidur P in the online shop
4 Brake lever
Individually manufactured encoder piston in the Trickstuff Piccola
At just 158 grams, Trickstuff's Piccola is the lightest hydraulic disc brake in the world. The company sets high standards for components. In order to achieve perfect dosing, a short encoder piston works in the core of the lever mechanism, which is manufactured as a special part from precisely CNC-turned iglidur J material. The material is characterised by good pressure stability, very low wear and very low weight. It also has a very low coefficient of friction in the housing, which in turn is important for slip-stick-free dispensing.
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5 Suspension fork
Whether long or short spring travel, firm or comfortably soft - the setting of the suspension fork depends on the personal riding style, the track conditions and also a bit of a matter of taste. In any case, a fork should have a good response with a low breakaway torque. In order to minimise the slip-stick effect, igus has developed the iglidur E material. It is also extremely wear-resistant, vibration-dampening and performs particularly well on aluminium shafts in linear movements. Plain bearings made of iglidur E are ideally suited for guiding the stanchion tubes in the immersion tubes. Alternatively, guide rings made of J3 material can be used. Compared to the commonly used metal composite bearings, iglidur bearings are lighter and last longer.
5 Suspension fork
iglidur E plain bearings
Wear-resistant material for continuous operation
Low coefficients of friction
Particularly suitable for linear movements
Particularly long service life in combination with aluminium shafts
Vibration-dampening
Upper long-term application temperature 90°C
Upper short-term application temperature 120°C
More about iglidur E in the online shop
5 Suspension fork
Guide ring iglidur J3
Very good wear resistance at medium temperatures
Excellent friction coefficients
High media resistance
Resistant to edge pressure, shocks and impacts
Lightweight
More about iglidur J3 in the online shop
5 Suspension fork
Less weight with special plain bearings in the suspension fork
This project was the incentive for us to further develop bearings that are perfectly suited for suspension forks. For their XC model "Magura Durin Race" the developers were looking for a way to reduce the weight of the fork without sacrificing performance. For this, the guidance of the immersion tubes lent itself to specially manufactured iglidur bushings with grooves instead of metallic bearings. The performance of the fork was convincing, the bearings were used in the Olympic bike on which Sabine Spitz won gold in Beijing in 2008.
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6 Shock absorber
For years, igus bearings have proven themselves in the eyelets of shocks. If you move your Fully properly and make your shocks work in an appropriate manner, you don't need to worry about fast bearing wear with iglidur J3B . Compared to PTFE-coated metal alternatives, the iglidur bushings withstand many times more pressure and have a significantly longer service life. Flying dirt is less likely to stick to the dry-stored eyelets, and wetness during driving or cleaning does not bother them because they do not rust. Another advantage is that the pressing in and out of iglidur bearings is much easier, special kits as with metal composite bearings are not required here.
6 Shock absorber
iglidur J3B plain bearing
Excellent friction coefficients
Excellent wear resistance
Low moisture absorption and high media resistance
Good wear resistance under water
Resistant to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts
Insensitive to dirt and dust
Inconspicuous in black
Lightweight
Lubrication-free
More about iglidur J3B in the online shop
7 Freewheeling
When freewheeling, everything must run smoothly and easily. And for the bearings used in them, this means the best possible sliding properties in permanent motion and at high speeds. Here too, igus offers a selection of materials that are specially made for high speeds. Depending on the type of construction, iglidur J3, iglidur W300 and iglidur Z, for example, are suitable here and can also withstand high temperatures in the long term. Compared to typically used ball bearings, they are lighter, require less installation space and remain free of adhering dirt thanks to their dry operation. The problem of the freewheeling losing smoothness due to seals can be avoided with our plastic bearings.
7 Freewheeling
Plain bearings iglidur J3 and W300
Excellent friction coefficients
Excellent wear resistance
Low moisture absorption and high media resistance
Good wear resistance under water
Resistant to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts
Dirt-resistant and corrosion-free
Lightweight
Lubrication-free
▸ More about iglidur J3 and iglidur W300 in the shop
7 Freewheeling
Plain bearing iglidur Z
Very wear resistant especially at high loads and speeds
High thermal resistance up to +250°C
Impact-resistant and insensitive to edge pressure
Lubrication and maintenance-free
Standard range from stock
More about iglidur Z in the online shop
8 Dérailleur
A good, correctly adjusted rear derailleur moves the chain smoothly and precisely to the next sprocket when shifting up and down. One of the most common problems is the contamination of the many bearing points and the loss of lubrication when cleaning the rear derailleur. iglidur plain bearings of the series G reduce this problem. Thanks to their dry operation, they attract less dirt. Cleaning the bike and rear derailleur is no problem, no lubricant is washed out, so there is no risk of corrosion and the usual maintenance with relubrication. With our plastic bearings, weight can also be saved compared to metal bearings.
8 Dérailleur
iglidur G plain bearings
Excellent coefficient of friction
Resistant to edge pressure
Insensitive to shocks and impacts
Particularly resistant to dirt and dust
Resistant to high loads (>60N/mm²)
Lubrication-free
More about iglidur G in the online shop
8 Dérailleur
No bearing maintenance in the SRAM dérailleur
In the guide roller of the SRAM rear derailleur, iglidur G plastic plain bearings perform reliably at all pivot points. Contact with water, mud, sand and oil, cleaning with a steam jet and stresses caused by jumps, for example, do not affect the bearings; they operate with lasting precision and low friction. In addition, the absence of external lubricants eliminates the need for costly bearing maintenance.
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9 Motor/Drive
The motor is the heart of the e-bike and a decisive influencing factor on the riding experience. There are different types of e-bike motors and igus bearings and gears have already proven themselves in various applications. Freedom from maintenance, vibration dampening specifications and a longer service life than generic plastic solutions are just three of the many advantages that you get with the right dry-tech component. We can also manufacture this for you as custom special part. Let us advise you which material is best suited for your motor application and which manufacturing process is most advantageous for you.
9 Motor/Drive
iglidur gears
Low coefficient of friction
Low moisture absorption
Quiet
Lightweight
Lubrication-free
Custom production: injection-moulded, 3D-printed, turned or milled
Learn more about our gear product range
9 Motor/Drive
New 3D printed gears in e-bike motor
A customer was looking for a replacement for the badly worn gears in the planetary gearbox of his e-bike. Since the bicycle manufacturer was unable to deliver additional gears, the customer found the solution in the 3D printing department of igus. The new gears could be traced on the basis of the old, worn components and printed using the laser sintering process. The customer was able to install the gears immediately after receipt and noticed an improvement in the performance of the gearbox after only a short time.
Find out more about this application
10 Pedals
The iglidur plain bearings are used as a maintenance-free, insensitive alternative for metallic roller bearings in numerous high-quality pedals. They are lightweight, require less installation space and have a much longer service life than metallic counterparts. Bushings made of the shock-resistant endurance material J3 are particularly suitable here. In addition to our solid polymer bearings, we also offer special bushings with felt seal, which additionally protect the bearing position against penetrating dirt.
10 Pedals
Plain bearing iglidur J3
Excellent friction coefficients
Excellent wear resistance
Low moisture absorption
Good wear resistance under water and high media resistance
Resistant to edge pressure as well as shocks and impacts
Insensitive to dirt and dust
Lightweight
Lubrication-free
More about iglidur J3 in the online shop
10 Pedals
Optimum performance with iglidur JB in Crankbrothers pedals
The manufacturer of premium mountain bike components Crankbrothers needed a solution for their pedal bearings. Resistance to dirt, a reduction in weight and a long service life were the main aspects. Thanks to plain bearings made of the material iglidur JB, the company was able to achieve an eight times longer service life compared to the previous solution and reduce the weight. Dirt does not stick to the lubrication-free bearings, they can simply be cleaned from the outside without any loss of performance.
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11 Disc brake caliper
Our lightweight plastic bearings are space-saving, resistant to corrosion and dirt. They thus not only offer a technically superior alternative to metallic solutions on the market, but also reduce costs in the long term by being durable and maintenance-free thanks to their dry operation. Bearings of the iglidur H material series, especially H4, H2 and HLW, are proven classics, as they easily withstand the high temperatures in this application. Together with our experts you will find the right bearing for your brake.
