Cup ‘n’ cone vs sealed bearing

[Frankenorange]

Sealed cartridge bearings come in alot of different standards, types and quality. Some are serviceable and you can get a seal out with a stanley blade. If you aren't a hamfisted gorilla it can be done without righting the seal off. Emphasis on some.
Cheap chinese hubs, for example, will have the worst bearings and most dont last long at all. Swap them out for quality and they will serve you well. Old sealed bearings can be recycled into the metal bin just the same as cup and cone, too.

 

[trailstar82]

Another +1 in the cartridge camp here. Always use NTN or SKF in my hubs and pivots. I’ve seen too many cup / cone races worn due to poor maintenance and them being cheaply made hubs in the first place to deal with now.

 

[Russell]

When manufacturers do it on a budget and they fail in under six months!

Wouldn’t disagree.

I would be looking at warranty replacements for any product that failed in 6 months.

 

[Imlach]

Cup and cone. Been around forever, easy to adjust, easy to maintain. Easy part replacement should something fail.