Which is better Rubber or Metal Shielded Beraings?

[RH Customs]

Which is better Rubber or Metal Shielded Beraings? I would like to know which type of bearing is better for a TC3.

[SS Pede]

Do you mean rubber sealed? Sealed bearings keep stuff out of the bearings better, but tend to have a little more rolling resistance than un-sealed bearings. Metal shielded bearings might roll a little faster, but won't keep the bearing as clean on the inside. Personally I'd go with sealed bearings, for durability's sake.

[-=ADA$=-]

as i understand, shielded bearings prevent larger particles from entering, and rubber filter finer once. I would say rubbers are safer

[Chase023]

Use Rubber for wheels and anywhere dirt would have alot more contact with the bearing and use metal ones for the transmission and axles parts that will see less dirt.

[gizmoguy303]

The metal shielded ones will spin better, and in your TC3 dirt shouldn't be an issue. Just keep them clean and oiled. :)

[rcguy2477]

If you are running off-road, I would run rubber shielded. But on on-road, I would get metal so the car is more free. The cheapest place i have found to buy bearings is www.avidrc.com

[GuyIsDamGood]

I have DuraTrax Bearings in my TT-01.

The Best Bearings are Teflon Sealed Bearings.
DuraTrax sells the Best Teflon Sealed Bearings.

Even better bearings are Ceramic Bearings.

Take Care.

[Buff]

Like Guyisdamgood said, Teflon bearings are the best way to go period. The AE rubber sealed bearings that come with the "team" kits are junk. Go ahead and spend the money on the teflon sealed bearings. Boca and Avid both make great bearings and decent prices. ALL AE kits I used to run, I would throw out the rubber sealed bearings and replace them all with teflons. There's a reason that AE's rubber sealed bearings are about half the price of AE's teflon sealed bearings....you get what you pay for.

Personally I run Avid bearings now. They're sealed well and are smooth and last a LOT longer than typical sealed bearings.

Ceramics are killer bearings if you can afford em.

[viper2002]

Avid vs. AE Teflon? Which balls are of higher quality and will last longer? Of course with regular cleaing and re-oiling.

Thanks

[Pro3/nmt105]

It all depends on your application, out of all sealed bearings, metal shielded are probably the smoothest. Teflon sealed are a compromise, they offer more protection than metal shielded bearings, but arent as smooth due to the seals and dont offer as much protection as rubber sealed bearings. Rubber sealed bearings offer the most protection, but arent as smooth as the others.

[Pro3/nmt105]

As far as Im concerned Duratrax doesnt make the best of anything, unless it is in a budget category.

[viper2002]

Let me rephrase my question - the balls themselves, which are of higher quality - AE Teflon or Avid shielded?

[GuyIsDamGood]

Believe me; the Teflon Bearings are Really Good Bearings.
The Teflon Bearings are Mid-Range Bearings.

The Highest/Best Bearings are Ceramic Bearings.
The Second - Best Bearings are Teflon Bearings.
The Lowest is all the others.

Check R.C. Car Action; they`ll tell you the same thing.

Take Care.

[thedominator]

For a tc3 i would just stick with the shielded. I have had the same sheilded bearings in my xxx-s for a year and a half. Just clean them out after every couple races or about 16-20 runs. For offroad i would always get sealed though because cleaning bearings after every couple runs bites.