Ceramic Bearings Vs Steel Bearings Cycling

Ceramic bearings in my opinion are just not worth it.

Ceramic bearings vs steel bearings cycling.

Lubricants vary greatly in viscosity thickness finding varying points in a trade off between bearing protection and lower friction. Hybrid ceramic vs steel bearings. On a bicycle which is considered a low speed application compared to a formula 1 car or motorcycle engine for example the ball bearing material itself steel or ceramic has little to no effect on the friction of the bearing assembly. Steel bearings are commodity items that are composed of hardened steel balls and a steel inner and outer race.

In our higher end cult bearings ceramic balls and races lighter lubrication is needed so they roll much quicker with less drag than standard steel bearings. A top class set of steel bearings as compared to a much promoted ceramic bearing is just as high performing. This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball. I am considering transitioning to the ceramic bb bearings and complimentary smooth races.

The ceramic balls are often silicon nitride or equivalent. Ceramic bearings vs steel bearings ceramic materials offer superior corrosion and heat resistance higher dimensional stability and lower density which facilitates high speed. Most sealed ceramic bearings are actually hybrid ceramic bearings which combine a steel race with ceramic ball bearings. Most cycling bearings feature a steel race though some do use a ceramic race which we will briefly touch on later.

From the numerous articles i have read it appears at face value that the ceramic bearings and races can handle the torque and pressure better than the standard sealed steel bearing bbs. On the one hand much of the cycling public associates bearing upgrades with going ceramic and on the other hand there is a healthy chunk of cyclists from all demographics who believe ceramic bearings are just marketing hype and a waste of money. Ceramic deals with heat better so. Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel bearings.

Next there is the lubricant. Cutting to the chase on ceramic bearings on a bicycle. Geometrically the contact points inner and outer dimensions and thickness between steel and ceramic bearings is the same so they are interchangeable. Sorry for strangling the hype.

The first thing that strikes the eye when looking at bicycle bearings is the difference in price between steel bearings and hybrid ceramic bearings.