If you’re looking for a performance edge on your bike but have already upgraded every other component in the quest for more speed, then perhaps it’s time to go ceramic.
The advantages of ceramic balls over steel for ball bearings are several: formed of silicon nitride (Si3N4), they are about 30percent lighter than steel equivalents and rounder (closer to a perfect sphere) for smoother running. They are also harder, so they lose less energy to elastic deformation and last longer with greater resistance to water and dirt ingress and loss of lubricant.
This ceramic bottom bracket has just arrived from CK Ceramics, based in France. Grade 3 silicon nitride balls run in ground and hardened chrome steel races housed in CNC-machined aluminium cups. Weight is 92g and six colours are available.
Price for the bottom brackets is £99.99 including insured postage. More when we’ve covered a few miles.
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