Plastic plain bearings for the mountain bike

1 Vario seat post

Guide ring made of iglide® J material are particularly suitable for linear movements and are ideal for use in telescopic and 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

iglide 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

2 Rear frame

iglide 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. The following are particularly suitable for use on the rear triangle Bushings made of iglide® J3 material alternatively also our thick-walled iglide® M210-bearing.

2 Rear frame

iglide J3 plain bearing

• Excellent coefficient of friction
• 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

2 Rear frame

Thick-walled plain bearing iglide M210

• Suitable for pivoting loads
• Excellent coefficient of friction
• 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

2 Rear frame

Lower weight and increased rigidity in the rear frame
The Californian mountain bike manufacturer ibis has been using plain bearings from igus in its full suspension mountain bikes 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 iglide 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.

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 Collar bearing made of iglide® GLWTrouble with rust, squeaking or rattling is spared over the long life of the bearings.

3 Battery cover

Plain bearing iglide 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

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 -  iglide P is ideal for use in the brake lever: 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

iglide 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

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 iglide 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.

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 bearing made of iglide® E are ideally suited for guiding the standpipes in the immersion pipes. Alternatively, you can also guide ring made of J3 material food and packaging areas. Compared to the commonly used metal composite bearings, iglidur bearings are lighter and last longer.

5 Suspension fork

iglide E plain bearings

• Wear-resistant material for continuous operation
• Low coefficient of friction
• 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

5 Suspension fork

Guide ring iglide J3

• Good wear resistance at medium temperatures
• Excellent coefficient of friction
• High media resistance
• Resistant to edge pressure, shocks and impacts
• Lightweight

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.

6 Shock absorber

For years, igus bearings have proven themselves in the eyelets of shocks. If you ride your bike properly and get your shock to work properly, you don't have to worry about iglide® J3B not have to worry about rapid bearing wear. 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 iglide bearings is much easier, special kits as with metal composite bearings are not required here.

6 Shock absorber

iglide J3B plain bearing

• Excellent coefficient of friction
• 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

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, the following are suitable, for example iglide J3, iglide W300 and iglide Zwhich 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 iglide J3 and W300

• Excellent coefficient of friction
• 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 iglide J3 and iglide W300 in the shop

7 Freewheeling

Plain bearing iglide Z

• 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

8 Derailleur

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. iglide® plain bearing of the G series 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 Derailleur

iglide 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

8 Derailleur

No bearing maintenance in the SRAM derailleur
In the guide roller of the SRAM rear derailleur, iglide 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.

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

iglide gears

• Low coefficient of friction
• Low moisture absorption
• Quiet
• Lightweight
• Lubrication-free
• Custom production: injection-moulded, 3D-printed, turned or milled

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.

10 Pedals

The iglide 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. Sockets made from the shock-resistant Endurance material J3 are particularly suitable here. In addition to our all-plastic bearings, we also offer special bushings with a felt seal that additionally protect the bearing point from dirt ingress.

10 Pedals

Plain bearing iglide J3

• Excellent coefficient of friction
• 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

10 Pedals

Optimum performance with iglide 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.

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. bearing of the iglide® H material series, especially H4, H2 and CPR, are proven classics, as they can withstand the high temperatures in this application without any problems. Together with our experts you will find the right bearing for your brake.

11 Disc brake caliper

Plain bearing of the iglide H series

• Suitable for high temperatures
• Upper long-term application temperature 200°C
• Upper short-term application temperature 240°C
• Low moisture absorption
• Good wear resistance under water
• Very high media resistance
• Resistant to high loads (>60N/mm²)

▸ More about H4, H2 and HLW iglide® in the shop