Abstract: A roller bearing having inner and outer raceways and a series of rollers interposed between the raceways characterized by a roller profiled in a predetermined manner to produce a residual frictional moment when the bearing is loaded which tends to control the direction of roller skew. To provide the residual frictional moment, the roller is designed with a profile contour having a predetermined variable curvature and the inner and outer raceways are designed with a constant radius of curvature. Thus designed, the frictional moment distribution on the roller is made to produce a positive skew resulting in decreased heat generation, less bearing friction and longer bearing life. The principle of the invention applies to bearing assemblies having barrel-shaped rollers as well as assemblies having hour-glass shaped rollers. In assemblies with barrel-shaped rollers, the geometric relationships are preferably as follows: R.sub.r2 <R.sub.o <R.sub.r1 <R.sub.iwhereinR.sub.