Are Ceramic Bearings Overrated?

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  • čas přidán 10. 09. 2024

Komentáře • 116

  • @TrickyTree84
    @TrickyTree84 Před 6 měsíci +13

    NTN. Stainless steal. Full contact seals. Ceramic bearings don't last. The race gets wrecked by the harder ceramic balls

  • @Jacob99174
    @Jacob99174 Před 6 měsíci +41

    Like marketing’s use of “aerospace grade aluminum” for my jacket’s zipper?
    😂

    • @wokex
      @wokex Před 6 měsíci

      but just imagine how well it will zip up and down when you're in space

    • @davidburgess741
      @davidburgess741 Před 6 měsíci +1

      Made of surgical stainless steel comes to mind. Mindless marketing.

  • @tommays56
    @tommays56 Před 6 měsíci +35

    Ceramic was developed for high speed life NOT the low speed of bicycles

    • @JohnnyRabbitQC
      @JohnnyRabbitQC Před 6 měsíci +5

      Exactly and they don't resist to shocks. And by the way Enduro bearing are shiet.

  • @deanf2259
    @deanf2259 Před 6 měsíci +17

    Ceramic bearings are for ultra high speed rotation applications, 100,000 revs per minute of shafts. Cycling is a very low speed rotation. So using Ceramic bearings on bikes is the incorrect application. So pointless.

  • @Ergustavinho
    @Ergustavinho Před 6 měsíci +24

    The SEALS hahahaha i pissed my pants ! HAHAH

  • @pedwah
    @pedwah Před 6 měsíci +12

    In my experience, ceramic hub bearings can be prone to brinelling the races when used on poor road surfaces (ie all of the UK) 😢

  • @josh33172
    @josh33172 Před 6 měsíci +5

    Ceramic is harder than steel and dissipates heat better. Nothing on a bike spins fast enough to generate the heat to require ceramic. The corrosion and contamination aspect is what kills ceramic faster than anything, and they generally have worse seals to lower the resistance.

    • @user-od7hh8qg9d
      @user-od7hh8qg9d Před 6 měsíci +1

      Harder always means more fragile. Meaning, they'll be smashed after some time.

  • @petersouthernboy6327
    @petersouthernboy6327 Před 6 měsíci +17

    Ceramic is meant for very high rpm’s under dry conditions. Think drones. There is zero *performance* advantage to ceramic turning 300 rpm. The quality of the ball and race and seal and grease are more important to harmonics and resistance.

    • @bchearne
      @bchearne Před 6 měsíci +1

      Not to mention, your bearings won’t meaningfully affect bike speed unless they are defective. Even if they were slightly better, it wouldn’t be enough to matter. Speed is definitely not the issue here, only durability

    • @petersouthernboy6327
      @petersouthernboy6327 Před 6 měsíci

      @@bchearne well stated

  • @lynxg4641
    @lynxg4641 Před 6 měsíci +3

    Absolutely, 100% agree, ceramic for the avg person is definitely a waste. Don't think Enduro had the special SS finish/coating when I tried the ceramic BB in 2005, it died the same as the others during the wet season and lack of maintenance, as I thought I wouldn't need to be doing as much as with normal ones, water ingressed and caused rust on the races, they got pitted and bam, done.

  • @vaporizer82
    @vaporizer82 Před 6 měsíci +5

    Please show any data that says a ceramic bearing has any meaningful increase in lifespan being used on bicycles in real world applications. ANY

  • @LongbranchOlivetti
    @LongbranchOlivetti Před 6 měsíci +7

    They're not overrated, they're just used inappropriately. Ceramic bearings have their uses in industry where the environment is clean and the rotational speeds are exceptionally high. Ceramic bearing do not belong anywhere near a bike. Moreover, the kind that are used on bike are not durable. Even if the races are made out of this nitrogen infused steel nonsense, it will never and can never be stronger than ceramic. And so the ceramic ball bearing will always eat into the races. Then you've got the fact that most of the drag in a bearing comes from the seals, not the balls.

    • @yonglingng5640
      @yonglingng5640 Před 6 měsíci

      In the case of a PressFit bottom bracket, angular alignment plays a role too. That's why one-piece BBs with steel bearings can spin smoothly as the angular alignment between the two bearings is already perfect.

    • @davidburgess741
      @davidburgess741 Před 6 měsíci

      Jet engines are the main usage.

    • @diehardbikes
      @diehardbikes Před 6 měsíci

      The Chris King ceramic bearings are very durable. Best durability in the market.

    • @LongbranchOlivetti
      @LongbranchOlivetti Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@diehardbikes Have you got any evidence for that?

    • @diehardbikes
      @diehardbikes Před 6 měsíci

      @LongbranchOlivetti I used to work for Chris King, first off, so I know that company. Secondly, our bearings being the strongest, hardest, and some of the fastest, as well as the best tolerances on the market is literally what we are known for. But specifically we are known for how good our bearings are. Our ball bearings are all made in house, and are hardened in house. Again, the more we have control over that, the better, because we can make the best possible product. Literally you are asking for evidence of what Chris King is known for. You want the evidence? Go look it up. We are legendary in that realm. I no longer work for Chris King, but I know a good quality product when I see one. I've bought products from BB infinite, Wheels Manufacturing, even Ceramicspeed- none have impressed as much as the Chris King bearings. Fun fact for you: you can run Chris King bearings completely dry: it's actually faster and Chris King bearings wear so well that they only get faster with time. That's how hard both the balls and the races are.

  • @AG-el6vt
    @AG-el6vt Před 6 měsíci +4

    Ceramic bearings do *not* last longer than steel ones! The races are still metal! Wtf is this guy talking about?

  • @BlueMoonday19
    @BlueMoonday19 Před 6 měsíci +4

    Ceramic bearings are not just for the Dave Brailsford fans. There's also the Gucci crowd, who I suspect are the real target audience, as with so much of the industry's high end products.

  • @psychoal1967
    @psychoal1967 Před 6 měsíci +4

    The cage wears in ceramic bearing (and the races also). Riveted steel cages in steel bearings give best life.

  • @adaycj
    @adaycj Před 6 měsíci +10

    I really have no idea what they are talking about in this video. As a person that has changed thousands of bearings in my life, from vehicle bearings, motors, bikes, to industrial machinery. The number one failure of bearings is contaminated lubricants, by far. Like 99%. Now that we all use cartridge bearings with seals that aren't supposed to by pried out to service the lubricant, corrosion is only the effect, not the cause. The seals already failed at their job.
    Bikes are a difficult problem for bearings. Tiny bearings with crazy and unpredictable dynamic loads, exposed to varying and unpredictable levels of potential contaminants. Any quality bearing with good seals should have a long life. We are sacrificing seal quality for speed, and the impact of some minute change in ball or roller drag is so insignificant that it almost can't be measured. Listen to 5:50 to 6:20, they even admit it in the video. Why are they going on about in the beginning?

    • @user-zu4nl7bm9e
      @user-zu4nl7bm9e Před 6 měsíci +2

      This comment should be pinned.

    • @stuartdryer1352
      @stuartdryer1352 Před 6 měsíci +1

      This is the TRUTH.

    • @kevinfrost1579
      @kevinfrost1579 Před 5 měsíci +1

      "i really have no idea what they are talking about in this video" .............nor do they ............😂

    • @stuartdryer1352
      @stuartdryer1352 Před 5 měsíci

      @@kevinfrost1579 More TRUTH.

  • @adrianbotting6015
    @adrianbotting6015 Před 6 měsíci +4

    Please from an engineer ceramic bearings are for high speed low load cases, not cycling. Used in n the food industry.

  • @JohnnyRabbitQC
    @JohnnyRabbitQC Před 6 měsíci +7

    I think you got shares in Enduro. These bearings don't last and the company name is the only thing that gets people thinking they are durable. SKF, NTN, NSK is a better choice.

  • @roymendez6615
    @roymendez6615 Před 6 měsíci +6

    A Enve sale rep told me if I don’t use the approved rim tape for tubless that would void the wheel warranty

    • @richardggeorge
      @richardggeorge Před 6 měsíci +2

      Fark enve. They wonder why people are turning to Chinese brands (my tubeless rims have no spoke holes and hence no tape required)

    • @davidburgess741
      @davidburgess741 Před 6 měsíci +1

      I don't Envy you!

  • @bchearne
    @bchearne Před 6 měsíci +1

    I assume the ceramic material doesn’t have good tensile strength, which would explain why it isn’t suitable for the bearing race

    • @yonglingng5640
      @yonglingng5640 Před 6 měsíci

      Ceramic is also harder than steel, that's why their bearing races wear out faster than steel bearings.

  • @stuartdryer1352
    @stuartdryer1352 Před 6 měsíci +1

    There is some nuance here. Not all ceramic bearings are created equal, just like all metal bearings are not created equal. Some are good, and some are made to poor tolerances, etc. Of course, ceramic bearings in cycling normally have a specific user in mind. So, generalizations are maybe not a great idea, even though that is what you always like to do with these underrated vs. overrated schticks. They came in one of my wheelsets and once they're dead, I'll replace them with metal. But if I raced very seriously, maybe I'd do something different. Of course, they would always be dumb in a head tube.

  • @seahorserider33
    @seahorserider33 Před 5 měsíci

    "1 Watt.. that would double both our FTPs" Hahahaha 😂

  • @singletrack4614
    @singletrack4614 Před 5 měsíci

    At my old job, we had a machine that used ceramic bearings. One day we took one of the ceramic balls out of the bearing and tried to smash it with a sledge hammer. Long story short, the ceramic ball ended up denting the sledge hammer, and it also made a divot in the steel table it was sitting on. It took several over head swings before the ceramic ball finally broke.

  • @sultanabran1
    @sultanabran1 Před 6 měsíci +2

    the ignorance of the industry and its consumers is staggering. everyone believing bullcrap marketing. if you think about how a bearing works, why would you believe a ceramic bearing is going to give you so much performance??

  • @SingaporeUntold
    @SingaporeUntold Před 6 měsíci +1

    Tried a ceramic once and lasted 1000km. I use a cheaper steel one and then replace it more often
    Nothing makes me cringe more than the overdone unloaded crank spin on a brand new bb. What’s the point ? Ah if spins. Spins like a 50 buck bb the same. How much pressure are you putting on the cranks when you spin. Nothing measured. No data. Just hey look a spinning a crank

  • @foxy1706
    @foxy1706 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Can we get view on seat masts.... limit bike future saleability and options to change

  • @donavinnezar
    @donavinnezar Před 6 měsíci +3

    in the case of bottom brackets , they can be rebuilt if you have some knowhow and the tools
    you probably wont catch me paying for a ceramic bearing EVER , steel one shot? replace the bearings ride for another 3-5 years

    • @jamesmckenzie3532
      @jamesmckenzie3532 Před 6 měsíci

      I had steel bearings on my bottom bracket and I was replacing them every three months due to corrosion. Switched to ceramic bearings and this stopped. The bearing was not corroding anymore.

    • @Finnspin_unicycles
      @Finnspin_unicycles Před 5 měsíci

      @@jamesmckenzie3532 Sounds like an issue with your seals. I've had a bike that was ridden in all weather and stood outside a lot and no corrosion..

    • @jamesmckenzie3532
      @jamesmckenzie3532 Před 5 měsíci

      @@Finnspin_unicycles It WAS a Trek after all but the shop said the seals were ok. I also had this issue with a Specialized Roubaix and they have cups external to the bike. Probably because I didn't get them serviced as often as I should have.

  • @br5380
    @br5380 Před 6 měsíci

    I've a ceramic bearing Hope bottom bracket in my Cotic MTB, originally bought back in 2006 for my Specialised S-Works Enduro and been moved across many bikes over the years - still spins freely.

    • @adaycj
      @adaycj Před 6 měsíci

      Hope has enough sense to use good seals in their BB.

    • @krzysiu4003
      @krzysiu4003 Před 6 měsíci +2

      Even standard Hope bottom brackets last forever.

  • @CycoWarriorx
    @CycoWarriorx Před 6 měsíci +2

    The bigger question is do ceramic bearings make a rider ** feel ** they’re faster… if they feel they are, then they generally are… let’s not ignore the psychological benefit(s)… lol… stop being the little old lady in the park, with a needle, popping little kids balloons… 😂😂😂🙌🏽

  • @_cpdchua
    @_cpdchua Před 6 měsíci +1

    Emily bit with the SEALS hahahahahahahaha

  • @razorree
    @razorree Před 6 měsíci +2

    well.... set of CeramicSpeed bearings for my roval wheels is ONLY 775eur ! it's a steal ! take my money ! I want 2 sets !

  • @songjoseph3314
    @songjoseph3314 Před 6 měsíci +1

    its good for race bike, but for mtb or gravel, i felt like you wont get any benefit from ceramic bearings, and because of the shock you received from off road the bearing will got damaged. ceramic bearings cant last as long as steel bearings.

  • @cycling2005
    @cycling2005 Před 6 měsíci +2

    Ceramic bearings are not more durable than steel. This is nonsense. You have two materials pressing on each other and one is 3 times harder than the other. The races will pit. High quality Japanese steel bearings are the best application for bicycles.

  • @PorscheCaymanB
    @PorscheCaymanB Před 6 měsíci

    Honestly, I'm getting some because they're a cool color! If I want to gain speed, I'll lose another pound.

  • @DoNuT_1985
    @DoNuT_1985 Před 6 měsíci

    Here's your "magic" comment: I don't know if this was only justifying spending 1000€ on alloy wheels but when I went from the stock wheels to upgraded Fulcrums RZs which happen to have ceramic bearings (or "Ultra Smooth Bearings", as they call them), the first few descents felt like the bike was rolling away under me compared to the old wheels. To be fair, the wheels are light, I like Campag/Fulcrum, bearings weren't part of the negotiation.

  • @alistair410
    @alistair410 Před 6 měsíci +2

    1 watt is the difference between 56th and 57th place.

  • @davidburgess741
    @davidburgess741 Před 6 měsíci

    If it fails when not riding it= no warranty. I did observe one of my spokes pop, while standing 5 metres away. Where would I stand! Waiting for warranty performance has never been one of my strong points.

  • @kovie9162
    @kovie9162 Před 6 měsíci

    The only reason I'm even thinking about ceramic bearings is because I have to remove one of the sealed bearings on my rear wheel to fix a freehub play issue, and because I might damage it in the process and have to replace it, might as well consider doing so with a ceramic version, which doesn't cost that much more. But I'd like to know of any downsides first beyond the additional cost.
    I couldn't care less about speed as I'm not a racer and the traditional bearings on the wheel are super smooth, but if ceramic ones last longer or are more rugged on rough roads or handle moisture and so on better, then they'd be worth considering.

    • @yonglingng5640
      @yonglingng5640 Před 6 měsíci

      The thing about hybrid ceramic bearings are that the bearing races wear out faster than those with steel ball bearings because ceramic is much harder than steel on the Mohs hardness scale. They also usually have a larger bearing clearance when compared to a steel counterpart.

  • @Manetty6
    @Manetty6 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Most stupid thing engineering wise a ceramic or (in most cases) ceramic hibrid bearings. There's no heat and/or high rpm in a bike. And there's always be a problem: ceramic balls are much harder than the heat treated ball race.
    3:39 If you BUY something and CONSIDER sustainability, you don't understand this world.
    Buy things when you actually need it. Stop green washing.

  • @cb6866
    @cb6866 Před 6 měsíci +2

    Thanks Emily , Jimmi, and Nic...what about chains ? SRAM has several different priced options , which is better ? Please ?

    • @appelflapdrol
      @appelflapdrol Před 6 měsíci +2

      "best" is quite a broad concept

    • @ericpmoss
      @ericpmoss Před 6 měsíci +2

      At least one video (with the Silca guy?) was saying that the hard chromed models (X01 and above) last many times longer than the lesser models.

    • @cb6866
      @cb6866 Před 6 měsíci

      Thank you. I did see another as well , saying the same thing . Im learning
      @@ericpmoss

    • @davidburgess741
      @davidburgess741 Před 6 měsíci +1

      Save your money. Lube it once In a while, and when the CC-4 says it's worn, replace it. Chain religion sucks.

    • @cb6866
      @cb6866 Před 6 měsíci

      Thank you. I am learning !@@davidburgess741

  • @tristramcharnley2581
    @tristramcharnley2581 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Do you think you could get a bit closer to the microphones please?

    • @bchearne
      @bchearne Před 6 měsíci

      Just turn up your volume, smart guy

  • @JohnnyRabbitQC
    @JohnnyRabbitQC Před 6 měsíci +1

    The tolerance on most powermeters is +/- 1% so all the stats on ceramic bearings are rubbish.

    • @chris1275cc
      @chris1275cc Před 6 měsíci +1

      LOL, Take that Knowledge and go to the Trainer Road forums and count up all the "None of my power meters read the same" threads and you realize if a PM is actually consistently acerate in RL situations to within about 10-15w of what you are actually putting out you basically found a Unicorn.

  • @overland_adventure_nz
    @overland_adventure_nz Před 6 měsíci

    Why is no one talking about the hybrid bearings that SRAM put in some of the derailleurs?

  • @danjohnson9705
    @danjohnson9705 Před 6 měsíci

    Steel bearings are fine, the problem is they're always shipped with cheap white grease instead of a quality synthetic (waterproof, wide temp range). True of every bearing i've ever bought (bike, snowmobile, ORV).

  • @ardenburns1719
    @ardenburns1719 Před 22 dny

    Seems like wheel bearings would be a bigger savings on wattage

  • @bluemystic7501
    @bluemystic7501 Před 6 měsíci

    When should we replace bearings? Are all stainless-steel bearings the same or can an upgrade be purchased?

    • @yonglingng5640
      @yonglingng5640 Před 6 měsíci

      Not all steel bearings are made equal. Industrial-grade ones are considered an upgrade, such as SKF and NTN among others, since most bearings used on a bicycle and its components are standardised and are not proprietary, such as 6902, 6805, 6806 and so on.

    • @bluemystic7501
      @bluemystic7501 Před 6 měsíci

      @@yonglingng5640 I've been looking at NTN but cannot tell which ones would fit my wheels or BB.

    • @yonglingng5640
      @yonglingng5640 Před 6 měsíci

      @@bluemystic7501 Look at the numbers on your bearings, usually four digits, that will be the bearing sizes you need.

  • @alistairmacfadyen9365
    @alistairmacfadyen9365 Před 6 měsíci

    Where can we find XT15, is it possible to have a link? Great videos, thank you

    • @GHinWI
      @GHinWI Před 6 měsíci

      Google xd15 enduro

    • @ericpmoss
      @ericpmoss Před 6 měsíci

      Google “enduro bearings XD-15”

  • @zethjugos1250
    @zethjugos1250 Před 6 měsíci

    Ive been using ceramic bearings and the only real advantage i have noticed is that i dont have to worry about rust

  • @carlosflanders518
    @carlosflanders518 Před 6 měsíci

    I think they missed the point of ceramic bearings and the main disadvantages. Look up Hertzian contacts to understand the small efficiency gains. They also don't chip or flatten like steel bearings can. Disadvantage is increased wear on the races because of hardness and elastic differences. In general, it's a poor choice to have a bearing made out of mismatched materials. Ceramic not a good choice for races though.. Tune made a ceramic bb with 100% failure rate, btw.

    • @mrtjcom
      @mrtjcom Před 6 měsíci

      You should check out XD15 in that case…

    • @eagerbob
      @eagerbob Před 6 měsíci

      About the difference in hardness and elasticity: Hambini compared ceramic bearings with a steel race to driving a train on a tarmac road...

    • @carlosflanders518
      @carlosflanders518 Před 6 měsíci

      @@eagerbob It's quite an exaggeration, but it gets across the point. tbh, I don't think Hambini knows much about friction or Hardness. It's quite a specialized subject that is little covered in engineering education.

  • @gerrysecure5874
    @gerrysecure5874 Před 6 měsíci

    Yeah 1 Watt *can* be the difference between 1st and 2nd. But what is the cost of the win and what does it pay ? Lets stay real please. I never ever buy top of the line, exotic overpriced stuff. If it did change my life, it would to the worse, for sure.

  • @illuminatustm
    @illuminatustm Před 6 měsíci

    6:08 😂

  • @AntoineThisdale
    @AntoineThisdale Před 6 měsíci

    Ceramicspeed bearings (because they come with the bike, not my choice, really) - 3k in dusty/gravel/mud. Super crunchy and sticky. Replaced under warranty through my bikeshop. very happy.

  • @user-zu4nl7bm9e
    @user-zu4nl7bm9e Před 6 měsíci

    1 watt saving for 100 bucks, sounds delicious.

  • @tomaslarsen7814
    @tomaslarsen7814 Před 6 měsíci +1

    F1 Dont use them

  • @brunoserafim4599
    @brunoserafim4599 Před 6 měsíci

    I bought ceramic bearings for my wheels for 5 bucks from China. I bought them for speed/performance on racing wheels. Why are they so inexpensive? I mean, what's the difference in terms of construction and materials?

    • @dtibor5903
      @dtibor5903 Před 6 měsíci +1

      Buy stainless steel bearings, they are perfectly fine for the job and they fail slowly

    • @pierrex3226
      @pierrex3226 Před 6 měsíci

      Curious as well. That 80-100 price point mentioned in the video sounds insane.

    • @johndef5075
      @johndef5075 Před 6 měsíci

      Why would you put cheap bearings in your race wheels?

    • @dtibor5903
      @dtibor5903 Před 6 měsíci +1

      @@johndef5075 for training is perfect. Actually the expensive ones may come from the same factory and from the same production line.

  • @stephensmith2820
    @stephensmith2820 Před 6 měsíci

    More repeats. I hope you can sleep at night.

  • @hockysa
    @hockysa Před 6 měsíci +1

    Nic might be mistaken on this one. Until we can make a race with the same Rockwell hardness as a ceramic ball bearing. Ceramic bearings will not last longer.
    The harder bearings slowly cut into the race, even heat treated races will suffer this fate.
    Hambini tested steel vs ceramic bearings and we see ceramic drop off at 500 kms and continue to decline.

    • @GHinWI
      @GHinWI Před 6 měsíci

      The ball is always harder than the race for any rolling element bearing, even steel.

    • @hockysa
      @hockysa Před 6 měsíci

      @@GHinWI I’m talking Rockwell hardness of a material though. It’s a property of the material.

  • @GokkunGuru
    @GokkunGuru Před 6 měsíci

    For MTB they’re a waste of $!

  • @DiegoHorchata
    @DiegoHorchata Před 6 měsíci +1

    Ceramic bearing for the bb and the wheels are worth it.

  • @michaelhatch1994
    @michaelhatch1994 Před 6 měsíci

    1 watt for a rider with 200w ftp over 40k is 11 seconds (typical power range for amateur racers) . I have won a triathlon by 1 second.

    • @JamesSmith-qs4hx
      @JamesSmith-qs4hx Před 6 měsíci

      Your maths is wrong... it is 0.11 seconds.

    • @michaelhatch1994
      @michaelhatch1994 Před 6 měsíci

      Apparently both of my responses have been deleted. But the reality of a 1 watt change in power is shown exactly by any bike calculator program.

    • @michaelhatch1994
      @michaelhatch1994 Před 6 měsíci

      If you were using a bike calculator program that's 0.11 minutes (or more).... not 0.11 seconds

  • @michaelmappin4425
    @michaelmappin4425 Před 6 měsíci

    I put ceramic Kogel bearings on my Bontrager wheels, and it was like a $5000 better bike. The wheels spin for days. I was convinced on first ride after. 🎉

    • @petersouthernboy6327
      @petersouthernboy6327 Před 6 měsíci +5

      Or it could have been that your original bearings were trashed

    • @michaelmappin4425
      @michaelmappin4425 Před 6 měsíci

      @petersouthernboy6327 wheels bought new. Bearings were all replaced last year. I'm very aware of these wheels and how they feel and spin. Ceramics are faster. Kogel bearings all the way.

    • @petersouthernboy6327
      @petersouthernboy6327 Před 6 měsíci

      @@michaelmappin4425 No way Bontrager put NTN or FAG or SKF bearings in their OEM wheels. They went Chinese.

  • @bicikircho
    @bicikircho Před 6 měsíci +1

    hats off to dry seal / wet seal image.