As a Mechanical Engineer, I think using ceramic balls in steel races is a terrible idea. Using only a single ceramic ball is a gimmick. The real solution to contamination is to use better seals (and don't ride in mud). Been riding bikes for 50+ years - never had any problem with modern bottom bracket bearings getting "gunked up." I've only had to replace them when changing cranks to a different spec (GXP to T47, for example). I found the sealing on the old square taper BBs to be abysmal - I had to repack them yearly. The beauty of the outboard BBs is that they seal pretty well, they last pretty long, and they are cheap and easy to replace. But if you want to spend 3x as much on a gimmicky design that might maybe last a little bit longer, well, it's your money.
Interesting. I've had good luck with regular external WheelsMfg bottom brackets. They have silicon lipped outer covers that do a good job of keeping contaminants out. Ingress of water and dirt is otherwise, IMO, the downfall of all BBs on an MTB. I'd also be curious to try the Enduro XD-15 bearings. They're expensive as hell, but they also claim to be able to break down contaminants, similar to how this BB does.
This is exactly the kind of technology we need for BBs! Now, the next step would be to (re-)introduce grease ports to BBs in order to be able to push out old grease as well. Now that would be a forever system.
So would one ceramic ball bearing be good for square taper bottom brackets as well? If a customer replaced the loose bearings in an old square taper bottom bracket and used one ceramic bearing, would they get the same positive benefit? Does it have to be a specially designed cartridge bottom bracket? Interesting idea.
I've had the same square taper BB on my bike since 1997 and it hasn't worn out. I've been a mechanic for 5 years and I've only seen STBBs wear out from sitting in water/snow. At which point you pay 10-15 bucks for a new one.
@@oftankoftan Mine wore out on my steel bike after 25 to 30 years. I replaced the non cartridge type with an inexpensive cartridge square taper bottom bracket. I guess the ceramic ball bearing in a square taper bottom bracket could be considered like an unnecessary frill. Why fix it if it ain't broke?
Thanks for the product spotlight. I learned something! I like the Soma brand and you seem like a refreshingly no-BS product manager. But .. Cmon you gotta lose the bedsheet backdrop
![กิโลเมตรที่ 0 เดินทางรอบโลกไม่ใช้เครื่องบิน [Around The World Ep. 1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/toJG9oofLFY/mqdefault.jpg)
Cool to hear more about this weird bb, always was intrigued
As a Mechanical Engineer, I think using ceramic balls in steel races is a terrible idea. Using only a single ceramic ball is a gimmick. The real solution to contamination is to use better seals (and don't ride in mud). Been riding bikes for 50+ years - never had any problem with modern bottom bracket bearings getting "gunked up." I've only had to replace them when changing cranks to a different spec (GXP to T47, for example). I found the sealing on the old square taper BBs to be abysmal - I had to repack them yearly. The beauty of the outboard BBs is that they seal pretty well, they last pretty long, and they are cheap and easy to replace. But if you want to spend 3x as much on a gimmicky design that might maybe last a little bit longer, well, it's your money.
Very interesting talk through,thank you.
Interesting. I've had good luck with regular external WheelsMfg bottom brackets. They have silicon lipped outer covers that do a good job of keeping contaminants out. Ingress of water and dirt is otherwise, IMO, the downfall of all BBs on an MTB. I'd also be curious to try the Enduro XD-15 bearings. They're expensive as hell, but they also claim to be able to break down contaminants, similar to how this BB does.
Cool. GXP available version?
This is exactly the kind of technology we need for BBs! Now, the next step would be to (re-)introduce grease ports to BBs in order to be able to push out old grease as well. Now that would be a forever system.
So would one ceramic ball bearing be good for square taper bottom brackets as well? If a customer replaced the loose bearings in an old square taper bottom bracket and used one ceramic bearing, would they get the same positive benefit? Does it have to be a specially designed cartridge bottom bracket? Interesting idea.
I've had the same square taper BB on my bike since 1997 and it hasn't worn out. I've been a mechanic for 5 years and I've only seen STBBs wear out from sitting in water/snow. At which point you pay 10-15 bucks for a new one.
@@oftankoftan Mine wore out on my steel bike after 25 to 30 years. I replaced the non cartridge type with an inexpensive cartridge square taper bottom bracket. I guess the ceramic ball bearing in a square taper bottom bracket could be considered like an unnecessary frill. Why fix it if it ain't broke?
Nice🎊👍
Thanks for the product spotlight. I learned something! I like the Soma brand and you seem like a refreshingly no-BS product manager. But .. Cmon you gotta lose the bedsheet backdrop
Brother you look like FPS Doug from the series "Pure Pwnage". Look it up :)
What do you mean? You run faster with a knife!
i thought Jeb Corliss switched to bikes for a second :D