Ceramic BB recommendation for BB86?

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RedRacer
Posts: 412
Joined: Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:13 pm

by RedRacer

Currently using a standard Shimano DA BB but want to upgrade to ceramic bearings, ideally with a full sleeve BB that connects the L & R bearings to reduce the likelihood of noise and improve the bearing angle.

C60 frame Is compatible with the standard Pressfit 86.5 (diameter 41mm cups).

The main players appear to be Ceramic Speed ($$$), Wheels MFG, F1 Ceramic, C-Bear, Kogel, and HSC but are there others worth considering? Any I should stay away from?

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kkibbler
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by kkibbler

Consider Praxis and Enduro as well. They don't necessarily have the specific BB for your needs but they make the type of BB that you're looking for.

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cedced74
Posts: 93
Joined: Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:26 pm

by cedced74

I have installed a Ceramicspeed BB on my C60 : works flawlessly, no noise, but no full sleeve bb...
Hope that helps,

Have a good ride !

rbrtwyn
Posts: 252
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 1:57 pm

by rbrtwyn

Of the ones you mentioned I've used ceramic speed and F1 Ceramic with great results. They have both been around for over a decade if that matters. Wheels MFG is good too. Don't forget Enduro and VCRC, both of whom are old school players who have been doing this for a long time. C-Bear has been around for a little while and seems good. The others are newer, so not as much long term reports.

My shop recommends F1 Ceramic (I'm currently using their threaded BB30), Ceramic Speed, Enduro and VCRC.

bikerector
Posts: 44
Joined: Thu Nov 12, 2015 4:04 pm

by bikerector

I've had good luck with VCRC BB's. I've only tried FSA, Sram, and VCRC ceramic bearings so my experience is limited with ceramic bearings. I run the pressfit BB86 VCRC bearings currently with CX extra seal and it seems to keep a lot of the water out. One of the only bearings left working on my CX bike after a very wet gravel race this spring.

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ms6073
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by ms6073

Although it requires two specialized wrenches, I am thinking the Enduro Torqtite thread-together BB86 bottom bracket will check off all those boxes.
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"

mr4fox
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Joined: Sat May 15, 2010 2:01 pm

by mr4fox

i had good luck with a HSC ceramic BB86 BB which i bought from Fairwheelbikes. Rode it for 18 months, including two wet Norwegian winters and its still ok. have cleaned the bearings once in about 15000km. I used carbon assembly paste when i installed it, dunno if its recommended or not It never creaked and weighed much less than many other alternatives. The tube in the middle is not threaded though, so it doesn't screw together like the Enduro torqtight/wheels mgf outboard style bbs.

I have since purchased a wheels manufacturing bb86 outboard (thread together) for a different frame after the dura ace BB that came with it was creaking like crazy from day one...even with carbon assembly paste. this one isnt ceramic and i havent installed it yet so cant really comment on it

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spookyload
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Location: Albuquerque, NM

by spookyload

Kogel bearings does a nice one too.

BONJUNGU
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Joined: Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:10 pm

by BONJUNGU

I recommend ceramic bearings. because very smooth and no noise.

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reknop
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by reknop

ms6073 wrote:Although it requires two specialized wrenches, I am thinking the Enduro Torqtite thread-together BB86 bottom bracket will check off all those boxes.


Looks like a cool solution, is you wouldn't require a high quality tool-set to remove and install a press-fit bottom bracket. What version do you use specifically?
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DavidMLee
Posts: 172
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2015 3:48 pm

by DavidMLee

Ceramicspeed is good one.
Legend HT 9.5 RED 22
Colnago C60 Super Record
S-Works Tarmac 2016 eTap
S-Works Tarmac 2015 DA
Cervelo R3 2015 UT
Cervelo S2 2014 UT
Spesh Venge Elite 105

lannes
Posts: 418
Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2007 9:51 pm

by lannes

Wheels manufacturing is one of the cheapest, they do a nice ceramic bearing screw together bb86 unit.

http://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/bb ... black.html

however you could consider the angular bearing unit as well, I would have thought an angular bearing would last longer.

http://wheelsmfg.com/bottom-brackets/bb ... black.html

muntos
Posts: 247
Joined: Wed May 29, 2013 5:41 pm
Location: Romania

by muntos

I have a question, does the inner sleeve is required ? Because I saw a couple of BB86 kits that come only with the cups...

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ms6073
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by ms6073

reknop wrote:What version do you use specifically?

Our Scott Solace frames have carbon bottom bracket shell and currently, I have Shimano's 9000 series BB86 bottom brackets, which I installed using Loctite primer and Loctite 609. I have been contemplating the Enduro Torqtite BB for quite some time and will probably switch to that if/when the Shimano BB's go bad, but that may take a while since I no longer race and annual mileage has dropped to half of what is used to be.
- Michael
"People should stop expecting normal from me... seriously, we all know it's never going to happen"

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ultimobici
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by ultimobici

Why ceramic? What's the point?
BTW I run SR11 in a BB86 setup as well as regular Record UT in BSA cups. No discernible difference between the two. If pushed I'd say the Record is smoother.


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