>>1026981I wouldn't say one is better than the other, they are just different. Nearly everyone has moved to cartridge bearings, with the exception of some track hubs and Shimano.
ball bearing (also known as cup and cone)
>easily serviceable at home with cone wrenches>simple design, has been around for 100 years >can chose your own grease used >typically spin "more freely" >last for-fucking-ever if maintained >need to be serviced more frequently if riding in harsh/dirty environments roller bearing (also known as cartridge)
>set and forget, usually no adjusting required >replace entire bearing unit when worn out >replacement is more involved, sometimes special tools required >can last years without change or fiddling around>don't spin as freely, but still great rolling >typically better for harsh/dirty environments So it's just a matter of choosing what is important to you. 95% of people will choose the cartridge bearings for ease of use. If you're one to enjoy changing your own oil, the cup and cones might be worth a look. Otherwise I would probably go cartridge for a city bike.
