Ceramic Bearings

[spytech]

where would i get ceramic bearings, lets say i have mavic ksyriums sl, and i want to change all the bearings to ceramic, where would i buy them, has anyone done this to their hubs?

[nikh]

No idea where you'd begin but these guys sell them:

http://www.bocabearings.com/ceramic/grade_5.cfm

[spytech]

thanx. i just called them up. they said i need to get the size of the bearings, does anyone know the size of mavic ksyrium sl 2004 bearings? the ceramic bearings start at about 7 bucks and go all the way up to 50 bucks each.

does anyone else know who else makes ceramic bearings, or if the bocabearings have great quality, or do you know of anyone that makes better bearings.

[nikh]

If you check Damond Rinards links page (which can be found on the links section on this website) he had a link to a ceramic bearings dealer.

It's a big list so good luck.

[nikh]

Not that its going to be much help but they list a popular bicycle sizes:

http://www.bocabearings.com/bicycle/bike_bearings.cfm

[spytech]

i found some more sites, if anyone is intrested

http://www.cerbec.com/main/home.asp

http://www.bearingworks.com/

check out this article

http://www.mmsonline.com/articles/0901td.html

[Superlite]

No wonder Z series hubs costs so much, the bearings alone are several hundred dollars! Spytech, don't be silly trying to replace all you bearings, it will cost a grip, and the performance will be unoticeable.

[nikh]

Found that link http://www.ntnamerica.com/

[nicrump]

we tested ceramic bearings a few years back, and unless they have come a long long way.... you are gonna find they just dont work on those loads.

they crumbled like a cookie after a few dozen miles on the front wheel with a 175lb rider

[nikh]

Tune are using them

[spytech]

i would doubt they would crumble, its what they use in formula 1 and other cart car axle bearings.

if they are not to expensive, i think i might do it for the heck of it, IF THEY DONT COST AN ARM AND A LEG.

[nikh]

Actually if you look at the 'lightbike' world record, the BB has ceramic bearings.

Bottom bracket:

Tune full ceramic bearings, modified J.U. spindle 124,6 g

I wonder

[nikh]

i would doubt they would crumble, its what they use in formula 1 and other cart car axle bearings.

if they are not to expensive, i think i might do it for the heck of it, IF THEY DONT COST AN ARM AND A LEG.

You got me thinking about replacing the bearings in my King headset

[spytech]

Yup, i think they can take large loads. i am only 184 lbs.

now to find who make the best ones. does anyone know anything about ABEC rating, i hear ABEC 9 has the best tolorance. are tighter and smoother.

[Superlite]

So are Zipp, and other non bike manufactures. Ceramic bearings are far superior to steel. Crushed bearings? Ok. Ceramic bearings have a steel core, there not pure ceramic, they are stronger then steel, harder then steel, and resist deformation better then steet. They also have a much higher operating velocity due to lower mass and roundness, and can operate at much higher temperatures, 160 vs. 800. Sure you were using cermic? maybe you had plastic ones.