Lubrication-free bearing technology for cargo bikes

1 Suspension seat post

Whether in suspension or Vario seat posts - plain bearings made of iglidur material play out their advantages here. In suspension seat posts, it is not only the freedom from lubrication and the weight reduction compared to metal alternatives, but also the vibration damping specifications of the plastic material. This brings a clear plus in riding comfort. Plain bearing made of iglidur P are ideal for use in the seat suspension, achieving a longer product life so that cyclists can sit comfortably on the saddle for a long time.

1 Suspension seat post

iglidur 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

1 Suspension seat post

Best suspension on the saddle with maintenance-free iglidur flanged bearings
For their G.2 suspension parallelogram seat post, the designers at by.schulz were on the lookout for a suitable material for the four bearing points at the pivot points. The bearings are subjected to high stresses on a small section during spring deflection. With brass bushings, which had been used in the first series, one was dissatisfied in view of the constant lubrication effort. After a series of tests, flanged bushings made of the material iglidur W360 convinced the developers: they are maintenance-free, have a long service life, a low coefficient of friction and are insensitive to edge pressure.

2 Headset

Our heavy duty bearings are also used in the two-wheeler sector. Bearings made of iglidur Q material are able to absorb forces of up to 100MPa. Even the biggest and heaviest rider can lean on his handlebar and pedal without hesitation. However, every application is individual and safety is also the top priority at igus. Therefore, we always advise you to discuss your application with one of our experts. Together we will find the best solution.

2 Headset

Plain bearing iglidur Q

1. Resistant to high loads (>60N/mm2)
2. Specially developed for extreme loads
3. Resistant to shocks and impacts
4. Excellent coefficient of friction
5. Corrosion-resistant
6. Small installation space required
7. Lubrication-free

3 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 -  iglidur 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.

3 Brake lever

iglidur 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

3 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 iglidur 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.

4 Box lid

Box lids are often moved several times a day. Here, too, the bearings must be able to absorb shocks without losing their precision. High-performance polymers from igus can do just that. Bearings made of the material iglidur GLW are also particularly cost-effective. Unlike other bearings in this price category, worries about rust and loss of quality are unnecessary. Millions of test cycles in our laboratory have proven that iglidur GLW bearings are optimally created for such applications.

4 Box lid

Plain bearing iglidur 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

5 Guide bar

As an extension of the handlebar, the guide bar must ensure that the bike moves in the desired direction. This is why it not only requires lasting precision, but also stability - two criteria that can be realised with our  igubal rod ends. Placed near the front wheel hub, the joints are regularly exposed to wetness, dust and mud. Conventional rod ends need to be cleaned and lubricated regularly, otherwise they start to squeak and corrode and the guidance becomes wobbly and inaccurate. With our dry-operating spherical plain bearings, you do not have this problem. The steering remains consistently precise with no maintenance required.

5 Guide bar

Rod end for high loads

• Metallic rod end with female thread with stainless steel spherical ball for high transverse loads
• Maintenance-free inner ring made of iglidur J
• Housing made of zinc die-cast or stainless steel (upon request)
• Dimensional series K following DIN ISO 12240
• Resistant to dirt
• Lubrication-free

5 Guide bar

Strong spherical and plain bearings in heavy-duty e-cargo bike
More and more logistics companies are bringing packages to people's doorsteps on e-cargo bikes. Above all, the bikes have to be robust and low-maintenance. The company b&p engineering therefore relies on bearings from igus in its heavy-duty model. .A good plastic bearing can withstand whatever a steel bearing can., says Vincent Okroy, designer of the vehicle. In the handlebar, wear-resistant igubal EGLM spherical bearings contribute to a higher durability of the cargo bike, they reduce maintenance thanks to their dry operation and additionally score with their lightweight feature. The advantages are also utilised by b&p in the trailer coupling, where iglidur X bushings with particularly high compressive strength are used.

5 Guide bar

igus bearings make agile e-cargo bike low-maintenance
The developers of chike were looking for suitable bearings for a new type of spring-loaded tilting chassis that makes their cargo bike just as manoeuvrable in bends as an ordinary bicycle. igubal rod end bearings and cylindrical iglidur plain bearings are the perfect solution. The rod end bearings are used on the track rods. As they consist entirely of high-performance polymers, they are resistant to corrosion, dirt and temperatures of up to -30°C. On the transverse control arms and in the tilt lock, the dry-operating plain bearings ensure an almost maintenance-free continuous operation. In contrast to metal solutions, the components produced by injection moulding are very light and cost-effective.

5 Guide bar

Weight and production costs reduced with small iglidur bushings
Butchers & Bicycles was also looking for suitable bearing components for the patented steering and tilting mechanism of its cargo trike. The main requirement: dimensions as small as possible to fit into the slim design and reduce production costs. The solution was found at igus: iglidur bushings are extremely robust, but they require far less space than conventional bearing solutions. They made it possible to reduce production costs by using simple sheet metal frames for the surrounding structure.

6 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 the flanged bearing made of iglidur GLW Trouble with rust, squeaking or rattling is spared over the long life of the bearings.

6 Battery cover

Plain bearing iglidur 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

7 Disc or rim brake

Whether in the disc brake caliper, V-brake or side-pull brake: igus has a variety of bearing solutions for every type of brake. 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. Be it bearings of the iglidur H material series, especially H4, H2 and HLW, or the proven classics of the series iglidur J or iglidur G – together with our experts, you will find the right bearing for your brake.

7 Disc or rim brake

Plain bearing of the iglidur 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 iglidur in the shop

8 Free-wheeling

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, e.g. iglidur J3, iglidur W300 and iglidur Z, which 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.

8 Free-wheeling

Plain bearings iglidur 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 iglidur J3 and iglidur W300 in the shop

8 Free-wheeling

Plain bearing iglidur 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

9 Dérailleur

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 dérailleur. iglidur plain bearings of the G series reduce this problem. Thanks to their dry operation, they attract less dirt. Washing the bike and dérailleur 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.

9 Dérailleur

iglidur 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

9 Dérailleur

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

10 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.

10 Motor/Drive

iglidur gears

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

10 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.

11 Pedals

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

11 Pedals

Plain bearing iglidur 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

11 Pedals

Steady performance with iglidur 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. No dirt sticks to the dry-operating bearings, and they can be easily cleaned from the outside without any loss of performance.

12 Stand

On the cargo bike the stand is located under the box and directly behind the front wheel. This leads to the bearing point being exposed to particularly high levels of dust, dirt and water. On conventional lubricated bearings, the dirt adheres to the bearing point. This not only impairs the sliding properties of the bearing, but also causes it to be scratched from the inside, resulting in clearance. The fact that the stand squeaks, wobbles and rattles over time can be avoided with our lubrication-free bearings. Our low-cost bearings made of iglidur R material are ideal for this application.

12 Stand

Plain bearing iglidur R

• Low-cost material for high-volume production
• Resistant to edge pressure
• Resistant to dirt and dust
• Insensitive to shocks and impacts
• Low moisture absorption
• High media resistance

13 Box sliding door

With our preloaded drylin N low-profile guides, sliding doors of transport boxes slide open and closed smoothly and stably, and permanently. Like all our linear guide systems, they are designed according to the principle of sliding instead of rolling, they run completely without external lubrication and thus remain free of adhering dirt. No clogging, rusting or rattling - in all weather conditions and under frequent shocks and vibrations.

13 Box sliding door

drylin N low-profile linear guides

• Material specialised in linear motion
• Firm guidance due to preload
• Extremely lightweight and low-profile
• Minimal abrasion
• Smooth and precise
• Resistant to dirt
• Resistant to high impact and edge loads

13 Box sliding door

Easy to open and close with every stop
It carries a payload of up to 350 kilos and is almost as light as a two-wheeled e-bike: the cargo bike from Fulpra is the ideal vehicle for the last mile of city logistics. Each component is designed for high loads and minimal maintenance requirements. For the sliding doors of the cargo space, the designers rely on drylin W profile rails, which, thanks to their dry operation, run maintenance-free and permanently smooth.