Ceramic Bearings Vs Steel Bearings Bicycle Wheels

Steel rings and ceramic balls are the gold standard for bicycle wheel bearings.

Ceramic bearings vs steel bearings bicycle wheels.

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 races are more brittle than steel. More durable than high quality steel bearings. The advantages of steel are not the only argument against ceramic 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. Cracking a race could stop a wheel from turning instantly and no good comes of wheels permanently locking up on a bicycle. So for safety reasons ceramic wheel bearings on bicycles are in fact almost always hybrid design meaning ceramic balls on steel races. 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.

Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel bearings. Built specifically for road or off road use. You choose your adventure we build the bearings to match. Steel bearings are commodity items that are composed of hardened steel balls and a steel inner and outer race.

How to get the best performance from ceramic bearings ceramic speed. Quite a few wheel manufacturers state that the use of aftermarket bearings in their wheels voids the warranty. How to get the best performance from ceramic bearings ceramic speed. They ceramic bearings do run with less friction which offers a significant advantage in industrial applications running at 20 000 rpm.

Geometrically the contact points inner and outer dimensions and thickness between steel and ceramic bearings is the same so they are interchangeable. This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball.