BB30 Ceramic Bearings

[smokeysmoo]

After much deliberation I've very nearly commited myself to sticking with BB30 on the CAAD *gulp*

BUT! If I'm going to to do this I want to use the absolute best bearings I can find, so can anyone recommend me a set of ceramic BB30 bearings through actual experience.

I know a bearing guy who deals in bearings and he's getting me a price for the best quality ones he can, but I don't a lot about bearings other than SKF are very good, so any comparisons before I blow £££'s on a pair would be very helpful

 

[NormanD]

Taken from a cycle mechanic on another forum about Ceramic bearings

" For clarification, don't waste your money (even if you have a ton to spare). Ceramic bearings aren't worth the extra cost and typically shorter lifespan of quality steel bearings. Especially with BB30 or any of the other inset bearings. If you just have to brag about the awesome bearings to someone that hasn't learned yet, you can just say you got them and save the $$$. Our shop went through a series of "upgrades" when ceramics hit the market big. And shortly thereafter we went through a series of "downgrades" back to good steel bearings. None of the racer mechanics here ride them, unless they came with whatever component they just put on. They wear them out and replace with steel. Let others' experiences be your guide"

I did a few searches myself on ceramic bearings and from the countless articles I've read, they all say the same ... the don't make a single difference and the life-span is just the same or worse, so just maintain the steel bearings and they should last you a long time.

Hope it helps mate

 

[smokeysmoo]

Argh! I was leaning towards ceramic purely as I'd heard they last better than steel due to no corrosion issues etc. Now you've thrown a spanner in the works. Back to the drawing board

 

[BigTam]

Was watching this with interest, everything I hear about BB30 puts me off

 

[NormanD]

Was watching this with interest, everything I hear about BB30 puts me off

Don't be put off by the BB30 system there BT, it really does work extremely well indeed, it was just a batch of dry bearings (ungreased during manufacture) found their way into the system (quality control guy was more concerned about who was greasing his Mrs, while he was at work, than what he should have been doing) I was one of the unfortunate ones that ended up buying a bike with dry bearings.

But I've replaced them now (quite an easy job too) and all is well again, I'm enjoying my outing on the biker once again, which is running as it should have been, super smooth

I'm sure by now the dodgy batch of bearings have made their way out of the system or have been checked, so if you buy a bike with BB30 you should be fine.

 

[smokeysmoo]

All this dithering on my part is only serving to keep the CAAD off the road. I may as well fit the new bearings the shop sent me and see how it goes, then at least I can get out a rode the damned thing!

I also plan on getting a pair of SKF stainless bearings to have 'on stock' just in case/ready for when they next need changing.

 

[NormanD]

Well I've put about 120 miles on the new bearings I fitted, and so far they are running perfect, just wish it had of been the same when I bought the bike but I'm confident and happy these will last me a good long while

Get them fitted and get out and enjoy the bike Smokey's , you're just suffering otherwise

 

[BigTam]

I have just bought a Boardman Hybrid Pro, so was getting concerned when I started reading the posts about the bearings.

 

[NormanD]

I have just bought a Boardman Hybrid Pro, so was getting concerned when I started reading the posts about the bearings.

If you've done more than 40 plus miles on it, then I wouldn't worry about the bearings at all, the bad batch ones seem to fail between 10 and 50 miles at most, others might reach 100 miles before they start to make a metallic popcorn sound and fail.

It seems it was only the Boardman Team CX which had the fault, I don't think it's affected the hybrids at all.

You should be fine BT as Boardman (so I understand) changed suppliers once it was known about the dry bearing problem, I've not heard of this years bikes failing yet.

 

[BigTam]

Cheers Norman

 

[smokeysmoo]

7uck it, final decision, stick with F.O.C. replacement bearings by FSA and see what happens. Old bearings now out but my mate forgot his press so the new ones will be going in tomorrow.

Everything crossed time I'm sure it will be fine, and the more I think about it the more I think I shouldn't read up about things on t'interweb

 

[smokeysmoo]

FWIW I've taken pics of the old and new bearings, and they seem to back up what NormanD was saying about his replacements.

You can see the new one, (on the left!) has an additional 'seal' underneath the outer cover. Time will tell I guess.

I've invested in a torque wrench that will do 45Nm so I can strip and re-fit the chainset regularly for routine checks on the bearings. I know it's not totally necessary, but as I suffer from a distinct lack of mechanical sympathy I need to ensure I don't over tighten the crank bolt and pre-load the bearing on the non-drive side.



The inner 'seal' looks like a smearing of grease, but it is in fact hard to the touch. Everything crossed that these prove as successful as yours have ND

 

[NormanD]

Same ones I bought
I placed the inner sealed side of the bearing to the inner of the BB30 shell (mark the outer Grey ring with a marker to indicate) that way the outer open side of the bearing I can service with grease if needed without having to strip the bearings out each time.

The new bearings have been super smooth, so I'm confident I'll have no more issues

 

[smokeysmoo]

Same ones I bought The new bearings have been super smooth, so I'm confident I'll have no more issues

Well I got the new bearings fitted on Friday but I've only just managed to get out this afternoon for a cheeky 10 mile shakedown ride.

Everything seemed super smooth and I set off smiling like a cheshire cat

Then I got to the hilly parts, stood on the pedals and the feckin' thing is still creaking!!!!!! Gutted

Should have stuck my original plan and converted it to Hollowtech II. Time to start saving
I've emailed the shop again and see what they say, but me and BB30 are well and truly finished

 

[Herzog]

Then I got to the hilly parts, stood on the pedals and the feckin' thing is still creaking!!!!!!

When was the last time you stripped and re-greased your stem/bars/headset? Is is definitely the BB? Seat? Cleats? I'm sure you've eliminated all these already, but thought I would ask.