What’s the biggest con in cycling tech? Alex Paton is on a mission to find out! In this deep dive into bearings, Alex speaks with Matt Harvey, co-founder of Enduro Bearings, to uncover the truth about upgraded ceramic bearings. Are they really worth the price? And how much do they really improve performance? Hit play and join the conversation to learn everything you need to know about bike bearings!
⏱️ Timestamps: ⏱️
00:00 Are ceramic bearings the biggest con in cycling?
00:41 Speaking to Matt Harvey, from Enduro Bearings!
07:40 The purpose of bearings & how they differ
12:57 What makes a great bearing? 👌
16:12 Are upgraded ceramic bearings actually better?
19:16 Is the price worth it?
21:29 Differences between balls & bearings
26:28 Social media & ceramic bearings
27:54 How are bearings affected by load?
31:09 Longevity with performance bearings
33:31 Are upgraded bearings good value for money?
35:38 ABEC ratings
39:04 High-quality bearing & low-quality grease
40:21 Matt’s thoughts on solid lubrication
44:17 What does the future hold for bearings?
45:22 So, are ceramic bearings worth it?
48:34 Thank you, Matt!
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What did you think of this conversation? 💬 Do you use ceramic bearings? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!
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25 Comments
What did you think of this conversation? 💬 Do you use ceramic bearings? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments!
Helicopters have all gone over to ceramic bearings . they last much longer .
Had Ceramic bearings in my wheel hubs that were too hard for the actual racers. They very quickly ate through the steel racers and ruined my hubs. i’ve been using high-quality steel bearings ever since and haven’t seen any noticeable losses in speed and get far better life.
A few years ago I considered getting ceramic bearings for my Trek Emonda. I only rode it spring to autumn, so no salt roads, but found myself needing a new bottom bracket, (I did use muc-off, does that have salt in it?)virtually every year. So I thought I'd shell out for expensive ceramic bearings, then read that they still needed servicing every year. So what's the point, might as well have cheaper steel bearings put in every year?
For once it's not just GCN "tech experts" talking out of their arses. BRAVI!
I remember a tech seminar awhile back where the presenter told us how consumers thought ceramic bearings were great…because they cost a lot, they could be abused with poor (or zero) servicing!
Long Story short story : my 180er DT didn’t last long 😅
Enduro bearings even the regular ones are great. I got their headset bearings.
"I wanted to speak with a bearings expert" speaks with an enduro guy instead of a propper bearing manifacturer. Lmao.
Bearing test engineer from a big bearing company here. I approve of this message. He knows his stuff. I'm glad he pointed out the marketing bs of ceramics and pulley wheels. I didn't hear anything that was murky or intellectually dishonest.
Just what I needed to see as I’m building my bike from scratch. When my new ceramic rear hub eventually fails I’ll look for those nitrogen steel bearings.
In my youth, I rebuilt motorcar engines and gearboxes.
I was also a pro skateboarder at Morris Vulcan in Solihull.
Wheel bearings for a skateboard wheel are a special breed. They are type 608 and back in the 70s, the skateboard world took the 'Loose' spec for Deep Race Ball Bearings.
They were 'loose' but you couldn't tell until the grease was washed out and sewing machine oil applied.
For bike bearings, where Precision Ball bearings are used, go to your local Bearing Supplier ( I was lucky in Birmingham ) and talk to them about 'Looseness' grades.
'Cartridge' is the modern name for 'Precision race bearing'.
The chain is a Tribologist's nightmare 🙂
Everyone knows the best are Swedish.
I bought a ball bearing factory. The money it made was enough to keep me rolling. 🙂
Excellent video guys!
Who wears out their bb every month or two? That wasn't a very good example. But we get the point.
I'm surprised we haven't seen chains using tiny cartridge ball bearings. Cost: $2000, but what an "upgrade" to brag about… hahaha
GCN probably stands to lose some sponsors with videos like these, but I really like the "myth busting" of the ceramic bearing hype. I'm all about marginal gains, but my wallet can't afford to spend excessive amounts of money on components that promise nothing more than marketing hype.
Ceramic bearings belong to the category: If you have to buy it, you don't need it. Like Dura Ace.
Good job by Alex here. His knowledge allows him to ask the right questions and understand the answers.
I recently got bearings from Boca Bearing to rebuild my hubs.(DT 240) I figured I’d try the ceramic option, being that I live and ride in Southern California and rarely ever see rain or muck. I was pretty disappointed with how short their life was before becoming rough. Went back to Enduro bearings as my original set lasted ~10,000 mi
This was an excellent and timely video. My Sram GXP BB has over 6,000 miles on it and is need of replacement as servicing it seems impossible (can't find proper parts). I contemplated another GXP BB but also found a low cost ceramic BB. I wasn't sure if I should go for the ceramic or stick with the GXP. After this video, I have decided to stick with the GXP. Thanks Alex for putting this together!
Loved this video! Yes, it's a cycling nerd thing, but it really gave great insight and understanding about bearings. Kudos!
Replaced my bottom bracket with a ceramic one and felt no difference in riding, but have not had to replace them in the 5 years since which is great.
Have DT swiss 180 hubs with ceramic bearings. In the 4years that I ride them I did not have to service them.
I’m just looking for the comment from Hambini, assuming they have banned him😂😂
Maybe I am a complete ignoramus or I trust my mechanic too much, but I ride a 2016 Cannondale Synapse and as far as I am aware, all the bearings are original from the sale of the bike. It was an expensive bike at that time with Ultegra DI and hydraulic disk brakes. I do take the bike in for yearly maintenance and I do ride 4-5,000 miles a year (so about 35000 or so total miles on the bike), but I honestly have ever given bearings a second thought.
I guess my mechanic may take better care of me than I realize (or maybe I am quite lucky).