Ceramic Vs Steel Bottom Bracket

Ceramic bearing equipped bottom brackets or hybrid ceramics to be more precise are generally much more expensive than their stainless.

Ceramic vs steel bottom bracket.

While the first two items were more prevalent distinguishers between ceramic and steel bearings in the past today there are often comparably built steel versions of a given bearing assembly. The ceramic balls are often silicon nitride or equivalent. When analyzing the individual components that contribute to the total frictional losses of a bottom bracket the frictional losses due to the seals and lubricant is greater than the frictional losses. Steel bearings are commodity items that are composed of hardened steel balls and a steel inner and outer race.

Ceramic is not always better than steel. For bottom bracket applications the maximum sustained rpm may be 130 explains lew. They use ceramic balls and usually a steel inner and outer race. Ceramic bearings are in actual fact hybrid.

Full ceramic bearings use ceramic races which can be lighter and provide the lowest friction but come at a durability cost. Zerø ceramic bearings and bottom bracket proven time and again in world cup race conditions zerø ceramic bearings are the ultimate race day weapon. Silicone nitride si3n4 grade 3 balls roll on black oxide races ground to a mirror finish after receiving magnetite and cryogenic treatments for hardness and longevity. Most sealed ceramic bearings are actually hybrid ceramic bearings which combine a steel race with ceramic ball bearings.

Ak posted by ard kessels. Ceramic bottom brackets ceramic oversized derailleur pulleys tools and accessories ceramic bearings vs. If there is one thing we see a lot in comments sections about ceramic bearings it is people claiming ceramic bearings do not offer benefits and are not. Which ones do you need.