Wear-resistant bearings reduce weight and increase rigidity in the rear frame

• What was needed: Plain bearings as a replacement for metal deep groove ball bearings on the lower rocker of the DW link on the rear triangle
• Requirements: wear resistance, insensitivity to dirt, moisture and vibration, maintenance-free, low weight
• Area of application: Bicycle industry, mountain bike technology, fully frame construction

The Californian mountain bike manufacturer ibis has been using bearings from igus® in its fullys since 2013. They were first used in the original Ripley trail bike model and are now used in all ibis full-suspension frames.

As in all joints, ibis originally installed sealed deep groove ball bearings on the lower rocker of the DW-Link rear triangle. "That was what the customer always wanted," explains Colin Hughes, lead engineer at ibis. "But some of our highest loaded pivot points were moving less than 20 degrees. It didn't seem to matter what quality of ball bearing we were using. It always started to feel rickety prematurely." So it made sense to switch to plain bearings, because they can handle high forces better than roller bearings at low rotations.

ibis opted for iglidur® plain bearings. They saved 80 g in weight compared to the predecessors, increased rigidity and reduced maintenance to zero thanks to dry running. However, the most important criterion for the change was the improved durability: "After the first year when the new frames with igus® bearings were on the market, I received feedback from customers who had taken their frames apart for maintenance", Hughes recalls. He received a few from the UK where the owners were delighted with how well the bearings were holding up. "I think our recent developments have proved their worth because our frames are some of the lightest and stiffest out there. We will certainly see more companies using igus® bearings to stay competitive."

Robin Wallner has been riding for the ibis Enduro Racing Team since 2014. In 2019, he finished 11th in the Enduro World Series world rankings. In 2018, he had his best year ever: he achieved three top 10 finishes in the EWS and was in second place in the world rankings for a time before a broken hand ended his season.

As an experienced rider, Wallner is particularly well attuned to his bike. When ibis started the switch to igus® components, he was initially sceptical. "I was worried that plastic wouldn't be able to withstand the forces we exert on our bikes", Wallner recalls. "I wasn't sure if it would withstand the load of dirt, water and rough terrain."

But since he switched to the iglidur® bushings, his Ripmo V2 has proven to be extremely robust in demanding mountain terrain. "In over two years, our enduro team hasn't broken a single bushing," says Wallner. "They definitely hold up better than I originally thought. They are also lighter and much easier to maintain than the bearings I used before."

Wallner is one of the world's top riders, and the development is geared towards them. "All mountain bike technology is developed for use in racing with a focus on speed," says Matt Floyd, igus® Sales Manager for the Western region of the USA. "However, the majority of the technology is used by recreational riders." And they will also be pleased to have lighter bearings in their bikes that have a long service life and do not require maintenance.