Originally Posted by
Slaninar
Wrote a bit about bicycle bearing(s construction). Generally, the "special" ones are not worth it unless a sponsor is paying for them. Here's the link:
Types and construction of bicycle bearings - Cycle Gremlin
[MENTION=364302]Doge[/MENTION]: did you measure any reduction in watts from lower friction, or a difference in riding time with ceramic bearings?
No numbers. I don't measure power much. I expect the difference is within the tolerance of a PM anyway. I don't know if it is the bearing material, or the seals, or the grease, but the full ceramic from the same manufacturer spins better than the steel bearings. Again, as I posted, this may be just seals, but also as posted, that is how the ceramics come and not how the steel ones come. So my argument is much less scientific (never said it was) and more logistic/what you can get.
I have had 3 Ceramic brand BBs and they are all are pretty lose compared to the steel ones.
I also do things to the freewheel too(used to be more important having a junior). So the system is lose and the ceramic BB is just part of it. So BB bearings, chain, freewheel, pedals - spin freely and can be easily felt by hand. It is somewhat of a stress reliever/popular thing for the kids on the team to just spin it backwards and see how many revs they can get.