Ceramic Vs Steel Bearings Cycling

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

Ceramic vs steel bearings cycling.

Lubricants vary greatly in viscosity thickness finding varying points in a trade off between bearing protection and lower friction. The influx of ceramic bearing development into the bike industry sparked needed focus on reducing rolling friction in bearings. However the reality of why some bearing designs are faster than others doesn t always align with what is presented. 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.

Steel bearings are commodity items that are composed of hardened steel balls and a steel inner and outer race. 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. Most sealed ceramic bearings are actually hybrid ceramic bearings which combine a steel race with ceramic ball bearings. Get the newsletter click here if you want to subscripe to the latest news from ceramicspeed.

The only real big noticeable difference between the two is the bearing clearance. This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball. Ceramic bicycle bearings in all our products at kogel bearings we believe ceramic bearings set the gold standard for your bicycle bottom bracket derailleur pulleys and wheel bearings. A ceramic bearing is also harder than steel bearings up to 30 which improves durability and they also don t rust so less maintenance should be required.

The silicon nitride used to make ceramic bearings combines a set of material properties that makes it perfect for bicycle bearings. Ceramic deals with heat better so. Most cycling bearings feature a steel race though some do use a ceramic race which we will briefly touch on later. This article to try to assist with this fun little area.

Ceramicspeed has been one of the leading manufacturers of high performance bearings for the cycling industry since 2000. Next there is the lubricant. Geometrically the contact points inner and outer dimensions and thickness between steel and ceramic bearings is the same so they are interchangeable. Hybrid ceramic vs steel bearings.

Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel bearings.