I bought a expensive Ceramic Speed bottom bracket and after about 500 miles it started to creak. After 1.5 k miles I took the crank off to inspect and there was some black substance around the bearings. I took the seals off the bearings and it looked like the bearings were disintegrating and they were very loose but still rolled smoothly but had a lot off play. Hambini was right when he said ceramic bottom brackets are sht. I put on a Dura Ace one. Rolls nice and I could buy 4 of them for the cost of a high end BB.
Sorry for your bad experience, I assume ceramic speed would issue a warranty for a bb failure with such a low milage. But you are correct that you can get several DA bb for that price
An interesting 3rd option is to buy normal industrial steel bearings and give them thin oil like ceramic speed and no seal to reduce friction on race day. Ceramic bearings have more friction after 1000-2000km compared to high end steel bearings.
I got a new bb few days ago. I asked the owner whats his opinion about a ceramic bb. He said you have to pay for it go for a standard bb, if sombody else is paying for it go for ceramic bb. He also said you have to service your ceramic bb more often. I ride in all conditions and the standard bb has better seals in it.
@@rosomak8244 And neither will a standard bb if the bearing seals are looked after. Ceramic bearings are at best marginal gains, and there are so many other MUCH cheaper improvements most of us can do before we should even consider ceramic anything. Lose a bit of weight, do some strength and mobility exercises and get more aero on the bike to just mention the very low hanging fruits.
Late comment here but as info the manufacturers warranty period is more of a marketing decision by the manufacturer than a fact based statement on life expectancy
So I have a standard Shimano bottom bracket from 2016 and it has survived 57000 km+ (outdoors and indoors) just fine, so the replacment frequecy your mentioning here I would take with a handful of salt. Yes, I only one person and that makes my observation anecdotal. Though I know a lot of fellow cyclist, and I don´t remember hearing that they replace their bb nearly close to as often as you mention here. And another thing: people should stop replacing whole parts like bottom brackets IF they can service or replace just the bearings.
According to your numbers.... if I save 4 secods by investign 1 watt (on the 200 watt example) and assuming we keep it linear I would be saving 400 sec from 200 w vs 300 w. this do not make much sence...
@@EricRidesDirt my point exactly... so what you are saying is that the difference of puttin 200 vs 300 in a linear system is 400 sec, but since is not linear for the cuadratic term is much less than that... so, the real ttime difference between a guy putting 200 vs 300 watts is less than 400 sec, lets say 180 which means 3 min diference in a half distance. that dosent make sance....
If you think about it, it’s pretty stupid to show reduced friction in absolute power, like watts, because that’s based off of a particular power input. Obviously, each person’s power input is different, so it follows that their “watts saved” will be different. It would be much more useful to express the watts lost as a percentage of rider power input. That could be applied to any rider.
Actually, friction is a function of the normal force and velocity. If we assume cadence remains relatively constant and there is not a massive increase in normal force between a low and high power rider then the power needed to overcome the friction of the BB is relatively constant no matter the power input.
@@EricRidesDirt yeah, unfortunately that’s a lot of assumptions. I stick with what I know. And what I know is that increased force generated means increased power. And that means increased friction. Less power is less friction. So the watts saved over whatever you’re comparing the ceramic BB to is assuming a particular power. For less power input, you’re saving less power. More power input means you’re saving more power. The only question is, what does the curve of that power savings look like as you increase in power output? Is it a linear increase or is there a curve to it? I don’t think anyone has the data on that. Also, the “watt savings” is derived from an assumption of what a rider is using before the switch to this hybrid ceramic BB.
I don't think there is an issue with marginal gains adding up. It's about the cost-benefit relationship. If I pay $100 and get back $1,000, then it's a no-brainer, but the reality is no upgrade is going to give anyone a return in the multiples. I think most people need to think about it a bit more carefully before splurging if the upgrade is only going to make them a few seconds faster over a long distance, especially if they are not racing for podium places.
It's not ultra low friction. It's just ultra crap sealing bearings. You can achieve the same for a fraction of the price by peeling the seals from your bearing cartridges, cleaning the grease and spraying some WD40 in instead.
Neither . Ceramic bearings are useless on bicycles. Ceramic bearings are too brittle . They are great for high speed high temperatures (speeds of 10,000 rpm or more) . Non contact seal steel bearings are a much better idea .
I. Believe if you do events enough ,the ceramic speed bottom bracket and over size single wheel derailleur definitely work smoother ,and more efficient.
I PROUDLY spent $19,600.00 on the latest, greatest 100% MADE IN CHINA plastic (carbon) "aero" bike with disc brakes (of course) and upgraded it with "aero" and uber ceramic EVERYTHING...... And it is SO righteously "fast". My entire kit is pure "aero", from top to bottom including my lip balm. I also have some super top secret Russian osmium-trilium grease and chain lube. I am SO "fast" on my new steed as I ride to the espresso bar to hook up with my hipster cycling bros.........
Even as an outsider to the intended audience this was very informative and interesting. Make more videos breakdowns like this.
I bought a expensive Ceramic Speed bottom bracket and after about 500 miles it started to creak. After 1.5 k miles I took the crank off to inspect and there was some black substance around the bearings. I took the seals off the bearings and it looked like the bearings were disintegrating and they were very loose but still rolled smoothly but had a lot off play. Hambini was right when he said ceramic bottom brackets are sht. I put on a Dura Ace one. Rolls nice and I could buy 4 of them for the cost of a high end BB.
Sorry for your bad experience, I assume ceramic speed would issue a warranty for a bb failure with such a low milage. But you are correct that you can get several DA bb for that price
Ceramic bearings are for the pros, not normal people.
An interesting 3rd option is to buy normal industrial steel bearings and give them thin oil like ceramic speed and no seal to reduce friction on race day. Ceramic bearings have more friction after 1000-2000km compared to high end steel bearings.
"Ceramic bearings have more friction after 1000-2000km compared to high end steel bearings."
Why? Is this confirmed and tested? Thanks
As a casual weekend MTB rider, this was an excellent analysis + presentation. Thank you, I learned a lot!
Many thanks for the time and effort necessary to present this data and your opine.
I got a new bb few days ago. I asked the owner whats his opinion about a ceramic bb. He said you have to pay for it go for a standard bb, if sombody else is paying for it go for ceramic bb. He also said you have to service your ceramic bb more often. I ride in all conditions and the standard bb has better seals in it.
The ceramics will not rust.
@@rosomak8244 And neither will a standard bb if the bearing seals are looked after. Ceramic bearings are at best marginal gains, and there are so many other MUCH cheaper improvements most of us can do before we should even consider ceramic anything. Lose a bit of weight, do some strength and mobility exercises and get more aero on the bike to just mention the very low hanging fruits.
If one gets a haircut before replacing the bottom bracket, how much faster can one go?
9:24
Love the analytical approach. Great job!
Thanks. Data over feelings!
Late comment here but as info the manufacturers warranty period is more of a marketing decision by the manufacturer than a fact based statement on life expectancy
So I have a standard Shimano bottom bracket from 2016 and it has survived 57000 km+ (outdoors and indoors) just fine, so the replacment frequecy your mentioning here I would take with a handful of salt. Yes, I only one person and that makes my observation anecdotal. Though I know a lot of fellow cyclist, and I don´t remember hearing that they replace their bb nearly close to as often as you mention here. And another thing: people should stop replacing whole parts like bottom brackets IF they can service or replace just the bearings.
Better to test the difference when you put power on those 2 BB's.Those 2 watts maybe not so relevant
Problem is your ceramic bearing will be shot waaaaaaay before your steel ones and will actually be slower
No it won’t be. But the steel races will be.
I have Chris King T47 Steel. Runs nice and bombproof. :)
Stumbled on this video… the dominoes helped me feel, retroactively, better about upgrading my BB to ceramic… 😎
You are better off with Hambini imo
BBInfinite ceramic bsa was incredible, just the smoothness was worth it, and I felt way better and faster with it.
Very thorough video. Thank you
How much do you save if you have ceramic bb, ceramic hub and free hub and ceremic ospw?
Wonderful presentation THANK YOU !!!!!!
Nice work! These are getting good!
How about a video comparing different shoes and comparing shoes with covers and no covers?!
Thanks, I will add that suggestion to the list. Check back soon for the results :)
So I don’t care about the speed. It’s the energy savings over 100+ miles for the same speed I currently do.
According to your numbers.... if I save 4 secods by investign 1 watt (on the 200 watt example) and assuming we keep it linear I would be saving 400 sec from 200 w vs 300 w. this do not make much sence...
Time saving is not a linear relationship. As you get faster it takes an ever increasing amount of power to go slightly fast.
@@EricRidesDirt my point exactly... so what you are saying is that the difference of puttin 200 vs 300 in a linear system is 400 sec, but since is not linear for the cuadratic term is much less than that... so, the real ttime difference between a guy putting 200 vs 300 watts is less than 400 sec, lets say 180 which means 3 min diference in a half distance. that dosent make sance....
Excellent vid!
Thank you for the great vid!
Great video!
Seems like the dura ace BB is better than Ceramic speed
If you think about it, it’s pretty stupid to show reduced friction in absolute power, like watts, because that’s based off of a particular power input. Obviously, each person’s power input is different, so it follows that their “watts saved” will be different. It would be much more useful to express the watts lost as a percentage of rider power input. That could be applied to any rider.
Actually, friction is a function of the normal force and velocity. If we assume cadence remains relatively constant and there is not a massive increase in normal force between a low and high power rider then the power needed to overcome the friction of the BB is relatively constant no matter the power input.
@@EricRidesDirt yeah, unfortunately that’s a lot of assumptions. I stick with what I know. And what I know is that increased force generated means increased power. And that means increased friction. Less power is less friction. So the watts saved over whatever you’re comparing the ceramic BB to is assuming a particular power. For less power input, you’re saving less power. More power input means you’re saving more power. The only question is, what does the curve of that power savings look like as you increase in power output? Is it a linear increase or is there a curve to it? I don’t think anyone has the data on that. Also, the “watt savings” is derived from an assumption of what a rider is using before the switch to this hybrid ceramic BB.
@@RB-xv4si you are free to collect your own data and make your own decisions.
I think marginal gains will add up, if you consider the OSPW of your other video it will add up to 5w save that is something
I don't think there is an issue with marginal gains adding up. It's about the cost-benefit relationship. If I pay $100 and get back $1,000, then it's a no-brainer, but the reality is no upgrade is going to give anyone a return in the multiples. I think most people need to think about it a bit more carefully before splurging if the upgrade is only going to make them a few seconds faster over a long distance, especially if they are not racing for podium places.
It's not ultra low friction. It's just ultra crap sealing bearings. You can achieve the same for a fraction of the price by peeling the seals from your bearing cartridges, cleaning the grease and spraying some WD40 in instead.
Excellent video
how about taking a laxative to lose a bit of weight
best infomation
this is so good
Great video
I'm planning on buying a ceramic speed product for an upgrade, should I get the oversized pulley or the bottom bracket?
Check this out:
th-cam.com/video/jfiLd-WBJwE/w-d-xo.html
Neither . Ceramic bearings are useless on bicycles. Ceramic bearings are too brittle . They are great for high speed high temperatures (speeds of 10,000 rpm or more) . Non contact seal steel bearings are a much better idea .
the mkbhd wallpaper
The only wallpaper I rock
I. Believe if you do events enough ,the ceramic speed bottom bracket and over size single wheel derailleur definitely work smoother ,and more efficient.
LMAO no way you still believe ceramic speed bottom bracket will save u any watts 😂😂
nice great video 👍,well agreed
Great Bike
❤ suscribed
What are the best BUDGET BBC's? all good ones seem to be a million bucks ! $$$$
Dura ace or SRAM red.
The the cheapest. They will be good enough. Even the worst industrial bearings will be good enough for something as simplistic as a bike.
I'd say the wheels and jockey wheels first for Dem cermies.
Shimano 105 is better than dura ace - LOL !
Sir how about the kactus press fit ceramic bearing is that brand popular?
I am not familiar with that brand, but I think it is safe to say the performance would be on par with most ceramic BB presented in this video.
I PROUDLY spent $19,600.00 on the latest, greatest 100% MADE IN CHINA plastic (carbon) "aero" bike with disc brakes (of course) and upgraded it with "aero" and uber ceramic EVERYTHING...... And it is SO righteously "fast". My entire kit is pure "aero", from top to bottom including my lip balm. I also have some super top secret Russian osmium-trilium grease and chain lube. I am SO "fast" on my new steed as I ride to the espresso bar to hook up with my hipster cycling bros.........
Stop making sense and take all of my extra money
Thanks 🏴✌