Ceramic Vs Steel Bearings Bike

The folks at enduro bearings argue that for bicycles the materials are far more important than abec ratings and that for most applications abec 3 and 5 are appropriate for all things bicycle.

Ceramic vs steel bearings bike. Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel 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 required. Steel bearings the silicon nitride used in kogel ceramic bearing balls has a set of material properties making them perfect for bicycle wheel 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.

In our higher end cult bearings ceramic balls and races lighter lubrication is needed so they roll much quicker with less drag than standard steel bearings. Cutting to the chase on ceramic bearings on a bicycle. Steel bearings are commodity items that are composed of hardened steel balls and a steel inner and outer race. Geometrically the contact points inner and outer dimensions and thickness between steel and ceramic bearings is the same so they are interchangeable.

Ceramic deals with heat better so. When a bike with ceramic bearings goes over a bump the ball bearing which is harder than the steel race that contains it strikes the inner surface of the race. On a bicycle which is considered a low speed application compared to a formula 1 car or motorcycle engine for example the ball bearing material itself steel or ceramic has little to no effect on the friction of the bearing assembly. This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball.

The material can be polished smoother than any metal reducing friction and wear. The ceramic balls are often silicon nitride or equivalent.