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