When you're shopping for frame bearing kits, understanding exactly where bearings are located on your mountain bike can save you time, money, and frustration. Whether you're maintaining your own bike or just want to understand what you're buying, knowing these locations is essential.

Please bear in mind that location and number of pivots with bearings will vary between make and model of bike.  Therefore, the below is general information as to what can be expected.

 

Why Location Matters

Different bearing locations experience different types of stress:

• High-load areas (main pivot, shock mounts) need robust bearings that can handle heavy forces

 

• High-movement areas need smooth-running bearings for optimal suspension feel

 

• Exposed areas benefit from sealed bearings to keep dirt and water out

 

Main Pivot 

The main pivot is where your rear triangle chain stays connect to the front triangle of your bike. This is (typically) the largest bearing on your frame and handles the most stress during riding. Most bikes have two bearings here - one on each side of the pivot point. These bearings see constant movement every time your suspension compresses and extends.

What to look for: Large bearings, usually 15mm inner diameter or bigger, positioned where the chain stays meet the main frame.

 

Seat Stay to Link

On four-bar linkage bikes (like many Specialized, Trek, and Yeti models), the rocker plate connects the shock to the seat stays. This link typically has four bearing locations - two at each end. These bearings are smaller than main pivot bearings but still crucial for smooth suspension operation.

What to look for: Small bearings, usually 8mm to 10mm inner diameter, at both ends.

 

Horstlink

The Horstlink is situated to the rear of the bike, where your gear hanger and dropouts would be.  It is part of the seatstay and bolts to the chainstay.  It, typically, contains two bearings on each side.  You may see some bicycle brands splitting bearing kits into two kits; one for the left of the Horstlink and one for the right.

What to look for: Small bearings, usually 8mm to 10mm inner diameter, at both ends.

 

Shock Mount 

The Shock is connected to the front triangle and to the Rocker (with the Rocker being connected to the seat stays).

What to look for: Depending on the make of your shock, it may or may not require bearings. Bushings may be required instead.

 

Rock Mount

The rock mount is positioned at the top of the bike; attached to the main triangle of the frame, shock and seat stays.  The bearings will be similar in construction to the main pivot bearings.

What to look for: Typically four to six bearings which can vary in size.

 

Finding Your Specific Bearings

Each bike model uses different bearing sizes and configurations. That's why we stock specific kits for models like the Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek Fuel EX, Yeti SB series, and many others.

Our kits include all the bearings for your specific frame, taking the guesswork out of ordering.

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Need bearings for your specific bike model? Search our range of frame bearing kits using your bike's model name, or contact us if you can't find what you're looking for. We stock kits for all major brands with fast UK delivery.