billh

I've concluded I need to replace my mega exo gossamer bottom bracket bearings on my 2006 Ridley Supercross. there is a pretty good sticking point after playing with different tightness on the dust cap screw. plus I can pop out the drive side bearing cartridge by hand, which cant be good. my question: should I replace with ceramic bearings? part of my concern is being able to match the new ceramic mega exo BB to the existing FSA Gossamer crank since I've read the mega exo BB is specific to the model of crank, that is, not all mega exo BB are compatible, even within FSA mega exo BB. The crank arm says CK 6020, but not sure that is enough to order the right BB online. Guess I can always ask the shop but that is more bucks. Alternatively, I'm pretty sure I can order the correct steel bearing mega exo replacement. So from my view, is ceramic worth the extra hassle of possibly several online order and returns, me paying the shipping. Advice, suggestions? anyone have a link to a compatible ceramic BB? bh

Secret Squirrel

I have gone through a similar exercise. My FSA Carbon SL-K crankset ceramic bottom bracket was available from Bikewagon for cheap ($80.00) so I decided to jump on the deal. https://www.bikewagon.com/fsa-bb-8000...sealed-english
Cross Check Chart:
https://www.bike-components.de/bedien...structions.pdf
Installed the BB-8010 bottom bracket on my Litespeed and did not feel any real difference. The ceramic BB was lighter,but it didn't feel any smoother
I purchased a FSA Gossamer Compact Crankset with MegaExo Bottom Bracket to install on my other bike. It came with a BB-6000 Bottom bracket which I replaced with the BB-8000 (non ceramic) Bottom bracket. So far no problems with the Gossamer crankset.

billh

thanks that chart is super-helpful . . . it shows that the Gossamer crankset takes only the BB-6000, but you were able to install a BB-8000 ceramic bearing BB on a Gossamer crankset? I have the 130 bcd Gossamer Megaexo CK-6020 . . . if I can be sure that crankset takes the BB-8000 ceramic, that would be a great help.

Secret Squirrel

I have the Gossamer compact crankset (110 BCD). I have not installed the ceramic Bearing BB on this crankset. I used the non ceramic bearing BB from the stock SL-K crankset. The SL-K BB was constructed differently than the Gossamer BB. The overall length of the SL-K BB was a couple of Millimeters longer than the Gossamer BB. After installation on my bike, the bearing preload was adjusted and the bolts locked in place with no problems. In other words, it was not a perfect fit. The chart is correct in the cross application, but due to Frame BB shell width differences, it fit on my frame.
My previous thread response was more to show that a ceramic bearing upgrade does not yield a huge performance improvement. I would probably stick to the BB-6000 as a better value cost replacement.

dsbrantjr

Ball/roller bearings are already so efficient that going from steel to ceramic will yield an imperceptible improvement in friction. It will however be a significant drain on your wallet.

FastJake

+1 Ceramic bearings offer no significant improvement in smoothness/efficiency/power or whatever else marketing departments make up.

However, if you're having problems now, was your BB shell faced before the BB was installed? Also, I've heard very few good things about those FSA Gossamer cranks. If it were me I'd junk the whole setup and put on a Shimano Hollowtech II crank.

3alarmer 

.........................I find threads like this absolutely astonishing.

I suppose the answer depends upon whom you ask. I would not do so personally, but I am not you.

billh

as a result of this thread, I purchased a new BB-6000 mega exo instead of ceramic BB-80xx that wouldn't have fit . . . thanks!

Secret Squirrel

Good Choice

rydabent

If you race and are consistantly in the top 3 then maybe yes. If not it is a total was of money. At that level of bearing a ceramic might get you 10 feet in a 100 mile race.

miamijim

Setting aside the whole effeciency thing.....

Do you ride in the rain or get the BB area wet? If so then yes, go for the ceramic. I've seen many, many steel bearing assemblies that have gone bad to water penetration.