Loose ball ceramic bearings?

[mattyNorm]

More just to do it than because it's necessary but I was wondering if it would be possible to get ceramic bearings to replace the ones in my dura-ace track hubs? Furthermore if there is anything better than the standard dura-ace octalink bb I could use to replace mine as it's worn out.

[sungod]

cs ones are high quality... http://ceramicspeed.com/sport/products/ ... SpeedBalls

low quality ones will certainly be available cheaper

octalink is shimano proprietary, only a few licensed the right to make compatible components, not sure any made a bb, if you want to keep the cranks i'd stick with the da one

[eric]

The DA Octalink BB is a good one. It's rebuildable but not sealed as well as sealed bearing BBs. So it does need a rebuild periodically. It's also adjustable, so check that as well.

A track bike that's not ridden in the rain should go a long time between rebuilds.

[mattyNorm]

Mine does get ridden in the rain fairly often. I've heard they are rebuildable but I can't figure out how to open it up and I don't want to just go in hammer a blazing. I'm an experienced mechanic but I've been brought up in the age of pressfit sealed bearings.....

[eric]

The rebuild and adjustment instructions are on Shimano's techdocs site: http://si.shimano.com

There also were a couple sealed cartridge bearing versions. The track model may be one of them. The Ultegra one is no longer available.

[mattyNorm]

Thanks guys!!

[Rick]

Also available here: (scroll to bottom of page)

http://www.vcrcbike.com/Individual_Cera ... s_s/36.htm