In my experience they don’t last any longer on average (YMMV absolutely) but it gets riders doing them more often which keeps the bikes riding nicer. It’s like two wins for marketing for the price of one - “FREE BEARINGS!” and when you jump on your buddy’s Santa Cruz it’s less likely to feel like shit.
Shops still getting paid for install (most folks don’t have the tools, space time) and it might get folks thinking about other service at the same time.
I’m not hot on the idea of training mountain bikers that wear items are covered under warranty (free chains for life next?) but I get, for what they pay for bearings, why they do it.
Nov. 30, 2021, 11:28 a.m. - Andrew Major
In my experience they don’t last any longer on average (YMMV absolutely) but it gets riders doing them more often which keeps the bikes riding nicer. It’s like two wins for marketing for the price of one - “FREE BEARINGS!” and when you jump on your buddy’s Santa Cruz it’s less likely to feel like shit. Shops still getting paid for install (most folks don’t have the tools, space time) and it might get folks thinking about other service at the same time. I’m not hot on the idea of training mountain bikers that wear items are covered under warranty (free chains for life next?) but I get, for what they pay for bearings, why they do it.