Ceramic Bottom Bracket
Moderator: robbosmans
Does a ceramic BB worth the investment ? I have a Scott Foil with BB86 PressFit (Shimano Ultegra BB I think, anyway the one shipped with the frame) and I noticed that the cranks doesn't spin as smooth as my friend's bike BB.
So, I have some questions:
1) Does a Ceramic BB that will make the cranks run smoother make a difference in terms of performance (Watts gained) ?
2) What buget ceramic BB for BB86 (under 150 Euro/USD) ? I've found from Rotor, FSA and Stronglight but I don't know anything about how good the bearings from these manufactures are.
So, I have some questions:
1) Does a Ceramic BB that will make the cranks run smoother make a difference in terms of performance (Watts gained) ?
2) What buget ceramic BB for BB86 (under 150 Euro/USD) ? I've found from Rotor, FSA and Stronglight but I don't know anything about how good the bearings from these manufactures are.
What reduces bearing friction are the seals and grease, not the materials of the balls. To reduce friction to a minimal level you can take an inexpensive steel sealed bearing and remove the seals and replace the grease with a low viscosity oil. Or as a compromise get a sealed bearing with a non-contact seal. The common ceramic bearings that you see on videos most likely have non-contact seals and low viscosity type grease for reduced friction. The ceramic balls themselves don’t reduce friction.
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It's not worth it. You will pay a lot of money to save a watt or two.
Thanks for the info, in this case I will stick with something from Shimano.
Because yours still have some bearing grease in them.
There is some difference in BB bearing performance under load, but it's probably something you shouldn't worry about. If you feel that your BB is slowing you, I'm 98% sure it's only in your head.
This article (https://university.trisports.com/2016/1 ... end-a-lot/) from TriSportsLounge (dated January 2018) includes the following summary of savings per component with ceramic bearings:
* Derailleur Pulleys: 0.5-2.0 watts
* Wheel Hubs: 0.5-1.0 watts
* Bottom Brackets: 0.03-0.5 watts
Looks like bang-for-the-buck is definitely not in BBs. I'm unclear whther the wheel hubs savings is per hub or for both hubs combined (I would guess that's per hub).
The author also quite sensibly note that the realized savings depend heavily on what you start with -- replacing your Shimano 105 BB with ceramic bearings will realize a bigger savings than swapping your Dura-Ace BB for CeramicSpeed.
I have seen pulleys from from Kogel, CeramicSpeed, C-Bear, Digirit and Tacx -- what are folks experiences and recommendations on upgrade ceramic-bearing pulley wheels?
Scott
* Derailleur Pulleys: 0.5-2.0 watts
* Wheel Hubs: 0.5-1.0 watts
* Bottom Brackets: 0.03-0.5 watts
Looks like bang-for-the-buck is definitely not in BBs. I'm unclear whther the wheel hubs savings is per hub or for both hubs combined (I would guess that's per hub).
The author also quite sensibly note that the realized savings depend heavily on what you start with -- replacing your Shimano 105 BB with ceramic bearings will realize a bigger savings than swapping your Dura-Ace BB for CeramicSpeed.
I have seen pulleys from from Kogel, CeramicSpeed, C-Bear, Digirit and Tacx -- what are folks experiences and recommendations on upgrade ceramic-bearing pulley wheels?
Scott
2003 Klein Q Carbon Race (aluminum with carbon fiber seatstays) in purple haze, Campagnolo Record 11s groupset, Bora 50 Ultra (rim-brake clincher) wheelset, full Deda Elementi finishing kit, Fabric ALM Ultimate saddle [7.2kg/15.9lbs]
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Just received a BSA for DUB BB by CS. Wondering why it doesn't come with a sleeve? Isn't it needed? The cables go directly through there and I dont really like the spinning axle and the cables to ever interfere.
Standard DUB sleeve doesn't fit.
Standard DUB sleeve doesn't fit.
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This is questionable and I personally disagree. 105 BB uses standard size balls, while Dura Ace BB uses sub-sized balls, which are even smaller than those in 6706, and that counts for the weight of DA BB. Smaller bearing usually has higher friction + the material is the same and both are G25 standard. 105 and DA BBs both are overloaded with grease, which counts most of the friction.
Correct, they don't come with the sleeve. I've installed mine in my Aethos BSA DUB without the sleeve and I have no issues (other that I was missing the dust covers and had to order the dust covers kit from them)FlatlandClimber wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 4:59 pmJust received a BSA for DUB BB by CS. Wondering why it doesn't come with a sleeve? Isn't it needed? The cables go directly through there and I dont really like the spinning axle and the cables to ever interfere.
Standard DUB sleeve doesn't fit.
Is it possible or easy enough to open the seals on a Dura-Ace bb? They have a fair amount of friction, would be at least a nice placebo to get them spinning a bit more freely.alanyu wrote: ↑Tue Feb 22, 2022 6:00 pmThis is questionable and I personally disagree. 105 BB uses standard size balls, while Dura Ace BB uses sub-sized balls, which are even smaller than those in 6706, and that counts for the weight of DA BB. Smaller bearing usually has higher friction + the material is the same and both are G25 standard. 105 and DA BBs both are overloaded with grease, which counts most of the friction.
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I would agree with everything above, BB is not a cost effective way to generate watt savings and that ceramic makes little sense for bicycles. That being said, I've recently been riding on a CS BB for the first time and I can say that it feels noticeably smoother. I am not saying that this means I am saving watts or going faster, only that subjectively the ride quality of my bike has improved. Despite this, for the price I would not recommend CS.
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I got a CS BB last season and can confirm it feels smoother than a 'normal' BB. Same with wheel bearings, Camy CULT bearings spin more smoothly than wheels with steel bearings.wolflikeme wrote: ↑Thu Feb 24, 2022 8:09 pmI would agree with everything above, BB is not a cost effective way to generate watt savings and that ceramic makes little sense for bicycles. That being said, I've recently been riding on a CS BB for the first time and I can say that it feels noticeably smoother. I am not saying that this means I am saving watts or going faster, only that subjectively the ride quality of my bike has improved. Despite this, for the price I would not recommend CS.
Does it make ceramic bearings any more efficient? Probably not, but they sure feel nice.
One thing I would say about CS bearings is they need to be re-greased every 1,000 miles of normal use. Steel bearings under normal use are greased for their operating life. Not sure that will mean CS bearings last longer if they are well maintained, but I hope so.
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I have Ceramic Speed and Kogel ceramic BB's on all my bikes. My girlfriends Liv Langma with a $20 Ultegra BB spins better than any of my bikes
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