ceramic bearings?

[silver]

Sorry for all the questions......

What about ceramic bearings in wheels? I've read some say that it's not worth the cost and some say it is? what's your take?

[HillSlugger]

From what I've read, these will have a greater positive effect than the Veloplugs. Unfortunately, they're pricey.

[silver]

What is the cost?

I've heard $50 per wheel and I've seen $190 for both wheels. I need to call the shop.

[g19]

Best forget about these hybrid bearings for a while.

The biggest problem is drag from the seals.

A ceramic bearing in itself does very, very little in creating a less drag as it's only the material of the balls that is being changed.
Further is that on some hybrid bearings the balls itself are rounder and that is more a performance gain than the ceramic itself allthough the gain is in perspective and should be taken very seriously unless you are the female version of michael rasmussen ....

The real gain comes when these bearings become full ceramic than there is no need for any lube to use and no use for dustshields.

Either save you money or spend it on PW bearings they have a reputation or remove one of the seals in the back of the bearing cup that will do a lot more for a lot less money.

[silver]

hmmm....you pulled up my old thread.

I'll give an update.

I did have hybrid ceramic bearings installed on the new American Classic 420 wheels. the mechanic let me play with the different bearing assemblies in my hands. including some all ceramic bearings. He removed the interior dust covers on the hybrids and installed them on my wheels. In my hands they seemed to feel like they rolled better. It seemed like the wheels spun better in my hands after the ceramics were installed.

The total cost was $150. I never used the wheels prior to the change so I can't give a comparison for ride, but I'm very pleased with what I've got. It was worth the cost to me to try it.

[ttaylor508]

hmmm....you pulled up my old thread.

I'll give an update.

I did have hybrid ceramic bearings installed on the new American Classic 420 wheels. the mechanic let me play with the different bearing assemblies in my hands. including some all ceramic bearings. He removed the interior dust covers on the hybrids and installed them on my wheels. In my hands they seemed to feel like they rolled better. It seemed like the wheels spun better in my hands after the ceramics were installed.

The total cost was $150. I never used the wheels prior to the change so I can't give a comparison for ride, but I'm very pleased with what I've got. It was worth the cost to me to try it.

Resurrecting the thread again :)

Just wondering if you just did the ceramic bearings in your wheels or if you did the bottom bracket as well.

Has anyone else upgraded the bottom bracket with ceramic bearing and if so, did you notice an improvement?

[Eden]

A bit OT, but I like to use ceramic bearing jockey wheels on my rear derailleur, not to save weight (they are on my rain bike!), but because they really last nicely. The first set I had lasted about 3 years before they got cranky and squeaky, whereas before I'd be cursing them after about 3 months

[silver]

Hye, I've been away busy at work getting the kids off to Europe and a Triathlon yesterday.

I have realy LOVED my wheels with the ceramic bearings. I don't have a great comparison, but have had some great performance out of the wheels.

I recently got the new Cervelo and had an FSA crankset with a ceramic bearing bottom bracket installed and I'm going faster and faster on it. I also had cermic bearings installed in the Madone bottom bracket and love that too.

next step will be ceramic pulley wheels.

Definately feel that there is improvement with less resistance and smoothness. But I can't qunaitfiy that with data.

[ttaylor508]

Hye, I've been away busy at work getting the kids off to Europe and a Triathlon yesterday.

I have realy LOVED my wheels with the ceramic bearings. I don't have a great comparison, but have had some great performance out of the wheels.

I recently got the new Cervelo and had an FSA crankset with a ceramic bearing bottom bracket installed and I'm going faster and faster on it. I also had cermic bearings installed in the Madone bottom bracket and love that too.

next step will be ceramic pulley wheels.

Definately feel that there is improvement with less resistance and smoothness. But I can't qunaitfiy that with data.

Did you use hybrid bottom bracket bearings?