Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

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zelmo
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Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by zelmo » Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:45 am

I have the 2016 Aldebaran BFS XG Limited that I use to cast baits in the 4 to 5 gram range. It is currently stock and handles that task well most of the time, but if I am not careful and try to amp up a cast I can get a professional overrun.

My reel is currently completely stock. Has anyone improved the performance of one of these by replacing the bearings? If so what did you use?

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Hobie-Wan Kenobi
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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:57 am

I got Roro ceramic bearings in mine. 733 x 733 is the size for stock 16 Aldebaran BFS.

Bearings will help get the same-ish distance with less effort, resulting is less backlashing. Low end casting will improve a bit too.
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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by zelmo » Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:10 am

Thanks. Are those the “best” choice for this reel?

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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:13 am

zelmo wrote:
Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:10 am
Thanks. Are those the “best” choice for this reel?
For me, I think they are the best value for performance. I can't really tell much of a difference between Roro and Hedgehog for BFS casting.
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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by zelmo » Fri Sep 17, 2021 4:48 am

Hobie-Wan Kenobi wrote:
Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:13 am
zelmo wrote:
Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:10 am
Thanks. Are those the “best” choice for this reel?
For me, I think they are the best value for performance. I can't really tell much of a difference between Roro and Hedgehog for BFS casting.
I really don't know anything about bearings. Is there anything special about bearings that have the BFS label on them? Both the Roco and Hedgehog do, while the Boca Bearing ABEC 7 Ceramic Orange Seal do not. Are they comparable?

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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Fri Sep 17, 2021 6:20 am

"BFS" bearings usually have smaller balls than "normal" bearings.

The smaller balls have less inertia so, gets the spool spinning easier.
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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by zelmo » Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:39 pm

Thank you very much. I am thinking that for what I use the reel for the stock bearings will be fine after a good cleaning.

Can you “rate” the stock bearings?

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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by Hobie-Wan Kenobi » Fri Sep 17, 2021 6:43 pm

zelmo wrote:
Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:39 pm
Thank you very much. I am thinking that for what I use the reel for the stock bearings will be fine after a good cleaning.

Can you “rate” the stock bearings?
I think they are good enough for most casting. You will notice a difference upgrading them but, not a huge difference.
IG @hobie_wan_kenobi_fishing

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Re: Bearings for '16 Aldebaran

Post by zelmo » Fri Oct 08, 2021 7:58 pm

I haven’t done anything with the bearings on my Aldebarans (12 & 16) yet. Instead I got the Hedgehog Air bearings and put them in a Chronarch 50Mg to see what the difference would be.

I know that reel with stock bearings had trouble with a 1/8 oz weight but was fine with 1/4 oz. With the stock bearings I could cast the 1/4 oz weight 80’. After installing the HH bearings that moved up to 100’. Additionally it seemed smoother. When I have a chance I will see how it works with 1/8 oz.

After that experience I am going to try new bearings in one of the Aldebarans. Not wanting to waste anything I am going to put the Chronarch bearings in a Curado D. I believe Shimano calls them ARS bearings. Is that what I am going to find in the Aldebarans? Any problem putting those in another Curado?

Edit: I looked up the bearings that I will need for the Aldebarans and they don’t fit in the Curado. That makes my original question mute.

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