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05. Barbell sleeves, rotation mechanisms, and removal noise

The part of the barbell where the plates are attached is called the "sleeve."
This page explains the shape of the sleeve, the characteristics of various surface treatments, and the types of rotation mechanisms.


[Sleeve shape]

The sleeve shapes are not all the same and there are slight differences depending on the purpose.
Olympic barbells, specifically those designed for powerlifting competitions, often have sleeves with longer attachment points for the plates.
This design allows for more plates to be attached and minimizes the flex of the barbell even under extremely heavy weights, but care must be taken as the feel of use is very different from that of a regular sleeve.



[Sleeve rotation mechanism]

The sleeve of an Olympic barbell contains rotating mechanisms such as bearings and bushings.
Generally, powerlifting and all-purpose bars use bronze or copper bushings, which have a certain degree of rotational resistance and are highly durable, while weightlifting bars use needle bearings, which have less rotational resistance and are able to keep up with intense movements.

When it comes to rotation mechanisms, many people think that "the less rotational resistance there is and the faster it rotates, the better," but that's a mistake.
When used for the BIG3 or slow lifts, a barbell with a certain amount of rotational resistance is easier to use, and even among weightlifting bars, first-class products have moderate rotational resistance that takes user ease of use into consideration.
An easy-to-use barbell needs to rotate consistently and smoothly, with appropriate rotational resistance for the intended use.


GYMWAY weightlifting competition bars are equipped with built-in needle bearings. These needle bearings have a patented structure by GYMWAY, and do not produce the rattle noise that is common in weightlifting bars. They provide ideal rotational resistance and smooth movement for quick lifts.


[Sleeve surface treatment]

The characteristics of the surface treatment of the shaft of a barbell are explained on the page "About surface treatment of barbells". However, the sleeve part, which is not gripped directly like the shaft but is subject to repeated friction and collision with the plates, requires a surface treatment with different characteristics than the shaft.

- Chrome plating is highly resistant to friction and collisions with metals and has a smooth surface, making it the most standard surface treatment for sleeves.
The weak friction, which is a weakness of the surface treatment for the shaft, becomes an advantage of the surface treatment for the sleeve in that it allows for easy attachment and removal.


- Zinc plating, like chrome plating, is resistant to friction and collisions with metals and has good sliding properties.
Since it is not as hard as chrome plating, it wears out somewhat quickly and may discolor over time, but it is more corrosion-resistant than chrome plating and has the advantage of being resistant to rust.


・Ceramic coating (Ceracoat)
Similar to the surface treatment for the shaft, ceramic coating is becoming increasingly popular as a surface treatment for the sleeve.
Ceramic coating has better abrasion and corrosion resistance than metal plating, but it is also considered to be inferior to metal plating in terms of durability against friction and collisions with metal, and even in North America it has not yet replaced metal plating as a sleeve coating.


・Black oxide (black dye)
Before ceramic coating became widespread, many Olympic shafts were treated with a black oxide surface.
Black oxide has a very thin coating that is susceptible to rust, so rust will appear on the sleeve at an early stage due to deterioration over time.
Rusty sleeves make it difficult to attach and remove plates, so frequent maintenance is essential.


・ROGUE's unique matte black
This is a special surface treatment finish developed exclusively by ROGUE, which is extremely corrosion-resistant and impact-resistant, and the coating will last for a long time.



- Stainless steel sleeves that are not coated with stainless steel. These are increasingly being used in high-end products in North America in recent years.
One major advantage is that there is no need to worry about rust or coating peeling, but the high price is a drawback.



[Threading sleeve]

Some barbells have fine grooves on the surface of the sleeve.
This is a specification called a threading sleeve.

- When combined with regular steel plates or coated plates, it has the effect of improving the sliding of the plates by reducing friction, making it easier to attach and remove plates with small inner diameter clearances, such as powerlifting competition plates.

- When combined with a competition bumper plate that has threads engraved on the inside of the holes, the plate is less likely to slip.

It has the following characteristics:

The combination of the threading sleeve and the competition bumper plate makes it difficult for the plate to slip off, and also produces a unique frictional sound when attaching and detaching. (More details about the attachment and detachment sound will be given later.)



[Disassembly and cleaning of sleeve]

The mechanism inside the barbell sleeve is generally maintenance-free, but depending on the manufacturer it may be possible to disassemble it and grease it.
The method for disassembling sleeves varies depending on the manufacturer, and some cannot be disassembled easily and require special tools.
Please be careful when disassembling the product as this may lead to irreversible damage.

- For information on disassembling and cleaning ROGUE FITNESS barbells, please refer to the explanatory video on our official channel.

- The sleeves of GYMWAY and ELEIKO barbells are basically maintenance-free, and we do not recommend disassembling them for cleaning. If you do disassemble them, you do so at your own risk.
When rotation becomes poor, the easiest and most effective solution is to inject lubricant through the gap.



[About the sound of attaching and detaching plates]

Depending on the combination of barbell sleeves and plates, they can make a loud noise when being put on and taken off.
If you are using this product in a home gym or other environment and want to keep noise levels as low as possible, please be careful when combining it.

① Combination of threading sleeve and bumper plate

Threading Sleeve
(ROGUE Ohio Power Bar)
+
Bumper Plate
(ROGUE Training 2.0 Bumper Plate, GYMWAY Thin Training Bumper Plate)

Both the threading sleeve and the bumper plate have fine grooves (threads) engraved on their friction surfaces, and when the two are combined they produce a unique sound, as shown in the video.
This is because the threads on both the sleeve and the bumper plate interlock, making the plate less likely to slip.
- The sound made makes it easier to notice when the plate has shifted, increasing safety.
There are several reasons for this.
The distinctive sound of the plates being attached and detached is proof that this is competitive free weight equipment.



If you want to reduce the noise made when attaching or removing the bumper plate, sand the inside of the hole with medium-grit waterproof metal sandpaper (approximately 200-400 grit).
The more you polish it, the quieter the sound of it being put on and taken off will be.



②Combination of threading sleeve and coating plate

Threading Sleeve
(ROGUE Ohio Power Bar)
+
Coating Plate
(American Barbell Urethane Olympic Plates)

In the case of plates that do not have grooves (threads) on the friction surface, the characteristic attachment and detachment noise is hardly heard even when combined with a threading sleeve.
If you want to keep noise to a minimum in your home gym, we recommend polishing the inside of the bumper plate holes, choosing a barbell with a threaded sleeve, or using a combination that reduces the noise of putting on and taking off the barbell (threading sleeve + plates other than bumper plates).

Barbell Basics, Table of Contents, Glossary

1. Differences between various barbells

2. Recommended barbells by type

3. Surface treatment of barbells

4. About barbell knurling

5. Barbell sleeves, rotation mechanisms, and removal noise

6. Barbell maintenance

7. Durability of barbells



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