Baitcaster - and especially BFS fans - can get an instant performance boost with the ultra high quality Roro bearings. It can be difficult to know exactly which size and specification to get though - particularly if you want to order some while you are waiting for your new reel to be delivered. Often it's really difficult to discover the size of the two most important bearings that affect casting performance (the spool shaft bearing and the brake-plate bearing) before you receive your reel and either take it apart. If you're lucky the bearing sizes might be listed in the reel schematics or specifications.
↓↓↓ Scroll down or Click the Table of Contents to see if your reel is listed ↓↓↓
Paul Gaskell
Over time, I want to grow this page into the one-stop resource for you to find the bearings you need - even before you order your next reel.
I've organised this page so that the reels are listed alphabetically (by manufacturer, then reel model). This makes it easier to find your reel, then click the link to take you directly to the Roro product.
In many cases you'll be able to double-check on the Roro bearings site that the bearings and your reel model match.
Roro Bearings: Size and Construction Materials Options
Rorolure make bearings in steel (quieter) as well as ceramic (durable, high-performance and can be run without lube) bearing options - and the diameter of the spherical bearings within the races vary according to lure weight. The smaller the spheres, the lower the start up inertia (so the more suitable for light lures). However, for heavier lures those micro-bearings (designed for BFS reels) can "max out" sooner. That's why you'll see lure-weight ratings for each of the different bearings.
Remember: After clicking the link for each of the Roro bearings make sure to select your ideal lure weight from the drop-down menu on Rorolure's site.
The diameter of the spheres inside the bearing races is completely different from the external size of the complete bearing unit. Roro bearings have physical dimensions listed in mm in the following sequence format:
I'll keep adding to this list as I research and find the specifications for more reels. - please comment at the end of this article with suggestions if you discover sizings that are available for particular reels that you'd like to see featured.
Note, Roro generously donates a commission for sales made using the links on this page. This doesn't add anything to the cost you pay - and it helps support our site (thank you). Paul
WARNING: Despite my best efforts, it might be possible that an error might creep in on the sizings for a particular model - while we cannot accept liability for costs of purchases made, it is important to let me know on paul@fishingdiscoveries.com of any errors so that I can correct them right away.
Abu Garcia
Roro bearings for Ambassadeur 1500C & 2500C (most common) plus 1600C, 2600C & 3500C
This reel needs two bearings of the 1154 sizing.
The Ceramic option is available to buy as a two-bearing kit for lures up to 40g.
For the BFS Roro bearings in Steel or Ceramic - you'll need to add two separate bearings (both sized 1154) to your cart from the drop down menu on the Roro website. Use the appropriate button under the following picture to jump to the right page on their site.
Roro Bearings for Abu Garcia Old Max (Black Max, Silver Max, Pro Max)
These are the 1034 and 1054 set (i.e. 10mm x 3mm x 5mm and 10mm x 5mm x 4mm). Both bearings are supplied as a PAIR for the Ceramic Bearing product. Be sure to pick your desired lure weights from the drop down menu on the Roro Site.
However, for the Stainless Steel option you will need to select two separate bearings - the Red 1-10g 1034 and the Red 1-15g 1054 from the dropdown menu on the Rorolure site. Personally, I would favour the ceramic option in this case:
Abu Garcia Morrum SX High Speed Roro Bearings
Here's another reel requiring, two identical bearings of the 1154 sizing. The Ceramic option comes in a kit containing a pair of bearings rated for lures up to 40g.
Abu Garcia Revo Big Shooter Bearings (also Revo Toro Winch) Roro Bearings
Again two identical bearings of the 1154 sizing for these reels. The Ceramic option comes in a kit containing a pair of bearings rated for lures up to 40g.
Abu Garcia Salty Stage Revo (LJ1 & LJ2) Roro Bearings
Two more models using paired bearings of the 1154 sizing. The Ceramic option comes in a kit containing a pair of bearings rated for lures up to 40g.
Daiwa
Alphas Air TW 20
Bearing sizes 1034 and 834 are needed for the Alphas Air TW 20, which means you'll need to select either the Ceramic KIT (supplied as a pair) or individual, separate Steel BFS bearings of the correct sizes.
NOTE: Make sure to select the bearings that match your desired lure weights - and for the Alphas Air TW I would make sure that these are in the 1-10g range.
Tatula (multiple listed models)
OK - so take care to get the right lure-ratings choices here. Also, make sure your Tatula model is listed one of the following:
TATULA SV TW 2020
TATULA TW 2019
TATULA SV TW
TATULA CT
TATULA CT TYPE-R
TATULA
TATULA HLC
TATULA TWS 100HSL
TATULA HD CUSTOM
The bearings sizes are 1034 and 834 - Remember to match your lure-weight in the drop-down menu on Roro's product page
IF in any doubt about your model compatibility, call Roro using the contact details below the product listing on their site (after you click the button below).
Fishband Roro Bearings
Fishband Clamber Hyper Micro CR-HM06 Roro Bearings
The bearing sizes are 1154 and 1034 - you may need to check if the 1154 bearings are in stock (either separately or as kits). BECAUSE of the ultralight spool and the dedicated BFS application of the Fishband Clamber Hyper Micro reel, keeping to bearings rated 1-10g or 1-15g is highly recommended. Note, that Jimmy from raWr Fishing
Fishband GH100
Roro Bearings Sizes are 1054 and 1034 for the GH100 and, from personal experience, can give a significant performance boost compared to "out of the box" performance.
Fishband PW100 Plus
Bearings Sizes are 1154 and 1034 As above, check stock availability for kits or individual bearings of the 1154 size. The stock spool of this budget reel is surprisingly light, so ultralight lure casting applications could benefit greatly from BFS bearings rated in the 1-10g or 1-15g range.
KastKing
KastKing Zephyr
Bearing sizes: 1054 and 1034. The first dedicated BFS reel to be offered as a mainstream product in the USA, the Zephyr (and its light stock spool) casts great for standard overhead and side casts (for distance). For flipping and super-accurate, flat-trajectory casting upgrading to high performance micro-bearings can be beneficial (when matched to an appropriate rod with flexible - usually solid - tip). The Roro bearings rated for 1-10g or 1-15g are most suited to that application.
[…] Roro Bearings: Look up Your Reel & Click Button for Matching Bearings […]
[…] Roro Bearings: Look up Your Reel & Click Button for Matching Bearings […]
The bearings question is somewhat complex I find, and I’m tempted not to bother… Past couple of years I’ve considered my best light casting reels (nb not this “BFS” business, but casting lures around 5-15gm for largemouth bass) to be the Shimano XT1000 Scorpions (I have a pair) and my Ambassadeur Morrum SX1600 Mag – none of these imported to UK I believe, bought them from abroad. They’re equipped with factory bearings – but Japanese Avail or similar skeletonised spools from Hedgehog or other Jap dealers. The very light precision spool makes a great difference I find, easy to cast light lures and the reduced spool momentum means easier control, fewer backlashes. But fishing from my sit-on kayak, I’m casting only 10-20 yards! I’m really not sure better bearings will make a noticeable difference. Figuring out the bearing size seems fraught with potential difficulty – especially when dealing with e.g. RoRo, whose site has the somewhat strange English one associates with China, and I do not want to receive the wrong items! Anyway, my Morrum has an inboard ball bearing on the drive side, not sure how to remove it. Think I’ll leave well alone…
Postscript: I was too hasty. Still not sure I’ll bother with fitting new bearings to my Morrum, which casts light lures very nicely already using a Japanese ultra-light spool; same goes for the matched pair of Shimano Scorpion XT1000s, fitted with those super alloy spools that make such a difference. But I’ve ordered ceramic bearings from RoRo for my old Ambassadeur 1oooC – which unlike other “C” models in my experience, has from the factory only one (ball) bearing on the drive side, with a bushing on the centrifugal brake side. My initial email to RoRo was answered promptly and usefully, and I ordered straight away. Will provide feedback in a few weeks’ time after tests in France…
rgds Tony
I look forward to your findings Tony – since I’m always keen to absorb as much info as possible on everyone’s experiences.
Paul
[…] Roro Bearings: Look up Your Reel & Click Button for Matching Bearings […]
Roro Bearings for Abu Garcia Old Max (Black Max, Silver Max, Pro Max)
These are the 1034 and 1054 set (i.e. 10mm x 3mm x 5mm and 10mm x 5mm x 4mm). This seems to be in error.
Hi Kevin, thanks for this, I’ll double check the specifications as soon as I can – do you happen to know what the bearing sizes are for the old Black Max?
Paul
My old Black Max 1600 has 2 bearings of 3 (Inner Diameter) x 10 (Diameter) x 4 (Thickness) mm – the same as many Shimanos.
Thank you so much – I’ll update the information at the very next chance I get.
Paul
[…] Roro Bearings: Look up Your Reel & Click Button for Matching Bearings […]