A method for preparing monodisperse crosslinked bead polymers by introducing droplets having a harmonic mean size from 50 to 1500 microns and comprising at least one monomer, at least one crosslinker and a free-radical polymerization initiator into an aqueous medium through orifices to produce an aqueous suspension of droplets having a volume fraction of droplets from 35 to 64%; wherein the droplets are not encapsulated; causing the aqueous suspension of droplets to flow in a downward direction in a pipe in which the temperature is maintained at least 20° C. below the temperature at which the polymerization initiator has a half-life of 1 hour; and polymerizing the droplets in a reactor.