Lubrication-free mountain bike's parts (bearings)

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:

Light, space-saving, vibration-dampening bearings in mountain bike (MTB)

Metal bearings vs. iglidur plain bearings on the scales

Lightweight plastic components 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.

Comparison of installation space: ball bearings vs plain bearings

Compared to rolling bearings, our polymer bearings have the advantage that they need around one third less installation space. Moreover, thanks to their greater elasticity, they have much better vibration-dampening qualities than metal bearing solutions. This means more effective shock absorption and greater comfort for the rider.

What are the main parts of a bike? how plastic components optimize the performance of MTB?

igus® bike magazine: motion plastics parts in bikes - exciting stories and product information for cyclists

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Customer use case

Where are our plain bearings used?

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Free sample box

Hold them in your hands before purchase and get to know them. Order the sample box with our top products for bicycles. It contains plain bearings made of various iglidur materials, a gear, an igubal rod end and a drylin N linear rail.

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Why you choose plastic bearings? No lubrication, no corrosion, no maintenance

Dirt and moisture have an adverse effect on metal bearings. In the case of PTFE-coated plain bearings, the gliding layer is quickly worn away after the ingress of dirt. Metal rolling bearings wear out quickly unless they are regularly maintained. In addition, cleaning the bike can be a problem for them if the jet of water hits the bearing point with too much pressure and flushes out the grease. The result is corrosion.* For iglidur plain bearings, dirt and moisture do not present a challenge thanks to the absence of lubricants. No external lubrication and no maintenance are needed here.* This problem can also occur with bearings that are often referred to as "industrial bearings" in the bicycle industry. What is meant are non-adjustable metallic rolling bearings that are standardised and sealed.

Metal plain bearings, needle roller bearings and ball bearings vs iglidur plain bearings

Bearing points for dry-tech high-performance plastics on the E-Fully

Bearing points for iglidur plain bearings on the e-Fully

iglidur plain bearing in telescopic seat post

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

iglidur plain bearings on the Fully rear frame

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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Plain bearings in the hinges of the battery cover

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

iglidur special bearing and Magura MD100R suspension fork

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

Freewheeling with iglidur plain bearings

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.

Find out more about this application

E-mountain bike with highlighted motor area

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

3D-printed gears in the planetary gearbox of an e-bike

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.

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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

Crankbrothers bicycle pedals with iglidur plain bearings

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.

Find out more about this application

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.

11 Disc brake caliper

Plain bearing of the iglidur H series

Suitable for high temperatures

Upper long-term application temperature 200°C

Upper short-term application temperature 240°C

Very low moisture absorption

Good wear resistance under water

Very high media resistance

Resistant to high loads (>60N/mm²)

▸ More about H4, H2 and HLW iglidur in the shop

Further information

ICB 2.0 – mtb News on a visit to igus (in German)

iglidur plain bearings on the mountain bike, cargo bike, recumbent bike and folding bike

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Lubrication-free mountain bike's parts (bearings)

Light, space-saving, vibration-dampening bearings in mountain bike (MTB)

Light, space-saving, vibration-dampening bearings in mountain bike (MTB)

What are the main parts of a bike? how plastic components optimize the performance of MTB?

Customer use case

Free sample box

Why you choose plastic bearings? No lubrication, no corrosion, no maintenance

Why you choose plastic bearings? No lubrication, no corrosion, no maintenance

Bearing points for dry-tech high-performance plastics on the E-Fully

1 Vario seat post

1 Vario seat post

iglidur J guide rings

2 Rear frame

2 Rear frame

iglidur J3 plain bearing

2 Rear frame

Thick-walled plain bearing iglidur M210

2 Rear frame

Lower weight and increased rigidity in the rear frame

3 Battery cover

3 Battery cover

Plain bearing iglidur GLW

4 Brake lever

4 Brake lever

iglidur P plain bearing

4 Brake lever

Individually manufactured encoder piston in the Trickstuff Piccola

5 Suspension fork

5 Suspension fork

iglidur E plain bearings

5 Suspension fork

Guide ring iglidur J3

5 Suspension fork

Less weight with special plain bearings in the suspension fork

6 Shock absorber

6 Shock absorber

iglidur J3B plain bearing

7 Freewheeling

7 Freewheeling

Plain bearings iglidur J3 and W300

7 Freewheeling

Plain bearing iglidur Z

8 Dérailleur

8 Dérailleur

iglidur G plain bearings

8 Dérailleur

No bearing maintenance in the SRAM dérailleur

9 Motor/Drive

9 Motor/Drive

iglidur gears

9 Motor/Drive

New 3D printed gears in e-bike motor

10 Pedals

10 Pedals

Plain bearing iglidur J3

10 Pedals

Optimum performance with iglidur JB in Crankbrothers pedals

11 Disc brake caliper

11 Disc brake caliper

Plain bearing of the iglidur H series

Further information

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