Ceramic Bike Wheel Bearings Vs Steel

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

Ceramic bike wheel bearings vs steel.

Cost of purchase for ceramic and steel bearings. 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 advantages of steel are not the only argument against ceramic bearings. This impact leaves a very small dent or pit in the steel race.

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. 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. The graph below shows a comparison between two steel bearings skf and ntn and a ceramic bearing enduro.

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. 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. This is mostly due to the additional time spent to perfect a quality ceramic ball.

Built specifically for road or off road use. More durable than high quality steel bearings. So for safety reasons ceramic wheel bearings on bicycles are in fact almost always hybrid design meaning ceramic balls on steel races.