Another relatively New Person answering...
Just re-built 2 French bikes (1970 Gitane, 1980 Peugeot) One with New #25 Steel Ball Bearings, and one with #5 Ceramics... First Grease/Bearing service ever!
I can tell you that it doesn't matter what type of balls you put in, you WILL TELL a difference in Old 30 to 40+ year old Grease, with NEW Grease, Balls, and Cones.... BOTH Bikes roll so much better now than before!!! Night and day difference!
The short ride I took on each a month ago, I Was I able to tell a difference between Steel & Ceramic on the two bikes? NO! I could not tell a difference between the two! They both rode far better than before!
Cost? (Ceramics would have been completely free if I hadn't requested the wrong bearing size
! I paid approximately the same: ~ $14 for new bearings on each bike! (Ceramics were a 'gift').
BUT... The re-build of the bikes with New Waterproof Grease, New Bearings, (and New Cones on the Peugeot).... FAR Outweighed any perceived benefits of Ceramic vs. Ball Bearings!
But... The Direction Received Here on positioning of Seat, Handlebars, etc., probably is just as important, and will be confirmed in 4 months!.
It's a 0 degree wind chill in Chicagoland...... Come on MAY!
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