Ceramic Bike Wheel Bearings Vs Steel

More durable than high quality steel bearings.

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. 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. 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.

Quite a few wheel manufacturers state that the use of aftermarket bearings in their wheels voids the warranty. 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. The advantages of steel are not the only argument against ceramic 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 to turn the cranks or spin the wheels. 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. This impact leaves a very small dent or pit in the steel race. 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.

The graph below shows a comparison between two steel bearings skf and ntn and a ceramic bearing enduro. You choose your adventure we build the bearings to match. Cracking a race could stop a wheel from turning instantly and no good comes of wheels permanently locking up on a bicycle.