Ceramic Bike Wheel Bearings Vs Steel

So for safety reasons ceramic wheel bearings on bicycles are in fact almost always hybrid design meaning ceramic balls on steel races.

Ceramic bike wheel bearings vs steel.

This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball. 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. 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. Steel rings and ceramic balls are the gold standard for bicycle wheel bearings.

This impact leaves a very small dent or pit in the steel race. 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. The graph below shows a comparison between two steel bearings skf and ntn and a ceramic bearing enduro. 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.

Because ceramic races are more brittle than steel. You choose your adventure we build the bearings to match. Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel 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.

The advantages of steel are not the only argument against ceramic bearings. Built specifically for road or off road use. More durable than high quality steel bearings.