Ceramic Bike Bearings Vs Steel

While the first two items were more.

Ceramic bike bearings vs steel. Steel bearings are significantly less expensive than ceramic bearings but expense does not translate to a product of a higher quality. Inevitably discussion ensues as to which bearings the wheels have and whether they are ceramic or not. The graph below shows a comparison between two steel bearings skf and ntn and a ceramic bearing enduro. 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.

Initially the enduro bearing has lower friction at around 600km of use the ceramic bearing has worn a track into the comparatively soft steel races and the bearing friction starts to increase dramatically. An eight pack of premium ceramic skateboard bearings along with 4 bearing spacers will set you back 130 as compared to 30 for steel bearings. They have the usb ultra smooth bearings which are a hybrid ceramic steel. Is this the first time it s happened or is this a reoccurring problem.

I albeit lighter at 160 lbs use standard bearing in both my rain and training bike and haven t had any problems. 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. We ve all done it. Even as the forward march of technology makes our bikes more and more advanced bicycles still rely on one of the most fundamental mechanical structures.

Been to the bike shop and spun the wheels to see which feels the fastest. I have around 8k miles on one set and over twice that on the other.