Ceramic Vs Steel Bearings Hubs

The concept behind a bearing is simple.

Ceramic vs steel bearings hubs.

The different elements balls retainers and closures can change a bit. While regular bearings are made from stainless steel ceramic bearings are made from ceramic silicon nitride si2n4. 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. Rolling resistance is the key trump card promoted by ceramic bearing fans.

Ceramic bearings vs steel. Ceramic bearings are often represented as the ultimate way to minimize rolling friction on your bike. However the reality of why some bearing designs are faster than others doesn t always align with what is presented. Five different parts go into building skateboard bearings and longboard bearings.

The graph below shows a comparison between two steel bearings skf and ntn and a ceramic bearing enduro. Ceramic bearings vs steel bearings ceramic materials offer superior corrosion and heat resistance higher dimensional stability and lower density which facilitates high speed. Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel bearings. Steel bearings the silicon nitride used in kogel ceramic bearing balls has a set of material properties making them perfect for bicycle wheel bearings.

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. Initially the enduro bearing has lower friction at around 600km of use the ceramic bearing has worn a track into the comparatively soft steel races and the bearing friction starts to increase dramatically. I decided to test the capabilities of ceramicspeed enduro a cheap ebay bear. The material can be polished smoother than any metal reducing friction and wear.

Things don t slide or roll. This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball. Optimization is possible for the disparity that exists between these parts. The influx of ceramic bearing development into the bike industry sparked needed focus on reducing rolling friction in bearings.

Supercharge your hub bearings for race day video the bearing diameters loose ball bearing systems require a measurement of ball diameter which is something like 3 16in 4 7625 mm.