Though I have never had a drum spinner I can testify to the durability of taper roller bearings on fighting robots.
I calculate Saint has been in over 250 fights in it's life and in that time after all the flips and hits that robot has endured. The bearings on the big wheels are perfectly fine. the exact same system is now fitted to Gabriel.
But like anything they have to be fitted correctly. I'm sure Dave, myself or many others can advise.