Ball Bearing Compatibility for Shimano Antares
Compatible with the following Shimano Antares models:
- ANTARES 25 | 100MG, 101MG, 100HG, 101HG, 100XG, 101XG
- ANTARES 23 DC MD | HG Right, HG Left, XG Right, XG Left
- ANTARES 21 DC | Right, Left, HG Right, HG Left, XG Right, XG Left
- ANTARES 19 | Right, Left, HG Right, HG Left
- ANTARES 18 DC MD | XG Right, XG Left
- ANTARES 16 DC | DC Right, DC Left, DC HG Right, DC HG Left
- ANTARES 12 | Right, Left, HG Right, HG Left
Spool Bearing Differences – Core vs Edge vs Apex Compared
Spool Bearing Differences – Core vs Edge vs Apex Compared
Our spool bearings differ in material composition, ball quality, cage system, ABEC precision class, and optimal tuning for your casting weight. Each class is designed for a specific application. The decisive factor is not just the ABEC rating but the entire construction and its tuning to your setup.
Apex – ABEC 9 with S30 Ceramic Balls and PEEK Ribbon Cage
Apex bearings are our uncompromising high-performance option. They consist of ABEC 9 precision-made stainless steel rings, equipped with S30 ceramic balls and a PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) ribbon cage.
S30 ceramic balls enable extremely low friction and very high speeds. The PEEK ribbon retainer is a high-performance cage that ensures stability, temperature resistance, and reliable ball guidance at very high speeds.
- ABEC 9 precision standard
- S30 ceramic balls for maximum rotational pleasure
- PEEK ribbon cage for stability at high speeds & minimal friction
- Very fast spool acceleration
Thanks to this design, the spool of your baitcasting reel starts very quickly and reaches extremely high speeds, especially in the lower casting weight range.
Sweet spot casting weight: 2 to 60 g
If you mostly fish well above this range, a slightly more robustly tuned design makes sense. In this case, switching to the Edge class is recommended.
Edge – ABEC 9 Hybrid Ceramic Bearings with S25 Balls
Edge bearings are also based on an ABEC 9 precision standard. They use S25 ceramic balls combined with precision-made steel rings and a Japanese ribbon retainer.
Compared to Apex, Edge is tuned to be a bit more versatile. The design offers high speed capability combined with greater mechanical stability for a broader range of applications.
- ABEC 9 precision standard
- S25 ceramic balls for high speeds
- Japanese ribbon retainer for stable ball guidance
- Balanced performance tuning
Edge bearings are available in two versions:
- With Orange Seal: Additional protection against dirt and moisture
- Without Seal: Minimal resistance for maximum rotational pleasure
Sweet spot casting weight: 5 to 100 g
If your setup regularly exceeds this range significantly, the Core class is the technically more suitable choice.
Core – ABEC 5 Stainless Steel Bearings for High Load
Core bearings consist of ABEC 5 precision-made stainless steel bearings with a sturdy ball and cage construction. They are designed for durability, continuous use, and consistent performance.
Here, ABEC 5 does not mean lower quality but a more robust tuning compared to high-speed hybrid ceramic bearings.
- ABEC 5 precision standard
- Robust stainless steel construction
- High mechanical load capacity
- Consistent performance under load
Sweet spot casting weight: 8 g to over 200 g
Casting Weight is the Deciding Factor
All our spool bearings are high-quality and designed for high speeds. The key difference lies in tuning to your actual lure range.
Those who mostly fish very light lures benefit from maximum startup dynamics. Those covering a broader range should choose a more versatile tuning. Those who consistently cast heavy should rely on robust stability.
The best performance is achieved when bearing class and casting weight match.
EDGE Spool Bearing Set for Shimano Antares
EDGE Spool Bearing Set for Shimano Antares
The EDGE spool bearings are the ideal choice for a high-performance spool bearing upgrade on your baitcasting reel. They combine high rotational speed capability with controlled stability and cover a wide range of applications in the light to medium casting weight range.
Construction and Material
EDGE bearings operate with ABEC 9 precision and use S25 ceramic balls in combination with precision-engineered steel rings and a Japanese ribbon retainer. This design ensures smooth ball guidance, high rotational stability, and a balanced ratio between speed and durability.
- ABEC 9 precision standard
- S25 ceramic balls for high speeds
- Japanese ribbon retainer
- Sport-tuned performance
With Orange Seal or without Seal
EDGE spool bearings are available with or without the Orange Seal. The sealed version offers additional protection against dirt and moisture, while the open version is designed for minimal resistance and maximum spinning enjoyment.
Recommended Application Range
The optimal application range is a casting weight of 5 to 100 g. This makes EDGE bearings ideal for all-round setups where different lure weights are used.
Classification within Bearing Classes
For especially light applications and maximum spool acceleration in the lower weight range, the APEX class is tuned more sensitively. For consistently high loads and heavy lures, the CORE class is the more robust solution.
EDGE positions itself exactly in between, offering versatile performance for demanding baitcaster anglers.