Ceramic or not

[JanJ]

Well.... Enough time has gone by (1/2 a riding season), that I can post some observations...
NOW... To a certain Extent, this is almost an "Apples vs. Oranges" argument, as the difference between last year and this was 2 bikes with original steel BB, and this year, New Steel BB on one, Ceramics on other...  But comparison of 30-40+ years of bearings & grease vs. New is what I'm comparing...

Last year, both had Steel BB... Coasting downhill the 1970 Gitane out-coasted the 1980 Peugeot repeatedly on the same hill.   Both had not been overhauled since manufacture.

Last fall both bikes were re-build with new bearings:   Steel BB on 1970 Gitane, Ceramic BB on 1980 Peugeot.

Same riders, same hill, both have new bearings and grease.  
This year, the speeds achieved on both bikes exceeds what was achieved last year, (Overall the bikes are more responsive) on the flat or coasting down our 'reference' hill...   They both have considerably improved over last year.
 BUT...  This year, the Peugeot always out coasts the Gitane...
Always...
$.02

[DaveM]

(07-09-2015, 11:27 AM)JanJ Wrote:  This year, the Peugeot always out coasts the Gitane...
Always...
$.02

Unless both bikes have identical tires, I don't think this tells you much of anything. Rolling resistance from different tires is going to vastly overwhelm any difference between BB quality. My $.02

[suyan]

For bearings, I suggest choosing a brand after all, there are standard sizes

[ichitan]

I believe all cartridge bearings will last a long time. I suggest buying the least expensive.

I am running cartridge bearings in my back wheels. I have had axles break, spokes break, and rims break, but never had a cartridge bearing fail. Even if they did need replacing every 10,000 or 20,000 km, they are not very expensive, and easy to replace.

https://forums.bikeride.com/thread-8365.html

[suyan]

The bearings you want should be here

[suyan]

(07-18-2023, 11:13 PM)suyan Wrote:  The bearings you want should be here

I have encountered such problems, and then I did n’t have any problems after using this bearings. After all, this is the address recommended by my friend ’s repair master Hope to help you
https://en.tradebearings.com/clist_112.html