Today I took the Tarmac out for it's first hill climb of the year. I had but a new Ceramic BB in it a week ago but had not had good weather to go try it out. Today was a nice morning for a 28 mile ride with a 1000' climb in the middle. The new BB is smoother under foot - I can feel the subtle difference. Is it any more efficient, faster - I will probably never know but what I can say is that this morning I had a great ride, the type of ride that usually comes in June when my fitness is better. My riding buddy and I made quick tracks out to the hills, he flies up the hills (he's about 35 lbs lighter than me) but I felt very comfy going up, I was not lugging the engine and actually maintained a better cadence than I usually am able to on that hill this early in the season. We made quick tracks home, charging the rollers and cruising in the low 20's on the flats. I usually feel like I am holding him back but not today, He spent a lot of time in my rear view mirror and I spent a lot less time looking at his bony a$$.

So is the new BB worth the bucks, the data is imprecise but the "gut feel" or should I say, the pedal feel is a definite yes.

Does your Tarmac use the OSBB internal or the threaded external cup bearings? Those external bearings have noticeable drag but I often wondered how much if any difference it made.

The Tarmac has the threaded cup bearings, my crank is an FSA mega exo so this is what I put on:

If I ever wore out my current BB I might consider a ceramic replacement. Problem there is I haven't worn out many BB. I did have to replace the old UN72 BB in my 9sp bike once but I think I messed it up somehow.