Ceramic Bearings Vs Steel Bearings Road Cycling Wheels

Cracking a race could stop a wheel from turning instantly and no good comes of wheels permanently locking up on a bicycle.

Ceramic bearings vs steel bearings road cycling wheels.

This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball. Steel rings and ceramic balls are the gold standard for bicycle wheel bearings. A ceramic bearing is also harder than steel bearings up to 30 which improves durability and they also don t rust so less maintenance should be. Built specifically for road or off road use.

Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel bearings. As more and more of the cycling masses look to advanced technology formerly seen in use only by the pros the question arises of where the hard earned money of the average cyclist should be spent. More durable than high quality steel bearings. Steel bearings are commodity items that are composed of hardened steel balls and a steel inner and outer race.

The advantages of steel are not the only argument against ceramic bearings. The first thing that strikes the eye when looking at bicycle bearings is the difference in price between steel bearings and hybrid ceramic bearings. Because ceramic bearings are rounder with a smoother surface and more uniform size friction is reduced and that can contribute to a less energy required to turn the cranks or spin the wheels. Because ceramic races are more brittle than steel.

Geometrically the contact points inner and outer dimensions and thickness between steel and ceramic bearings is the same so they are interchangeable. Ceramic bearings are used in industrial machines because they spin at 25 000rpm and there are significant advantages but a bike wheel only spins at say 300rpm so the differences compared to. So for safety reasons ceramic wheel bearings on bicycles are in fact almost always hybrid design meaning ceramic balls on steel races. Quite a few wheel manufacturers state that the use of aftermarket bearings in their wheels voids the warranty.

The ceramic balls are often silicon nitride or equivalent. Gone are the days when ceramic bearings were a technology limited to the pro peloton. What technologies will get them the largest gains for their money. The wheels come ready to ride as a tubeless application out of the box with pre installed rim tape and valves and freehub spacers.