19 Oct CERAMIC BEARINGS SERIES “PRO” ISB SPORT
The eternal question in the cycling world… Steel or ceramic bearings? Our response? Depends on! Since it is not the same training than competing or the bearings used in disciplines such as cyclocross or triathlon. Their needs are different and yours, as a cyclist, too. Today we bring you a little closer to the ISB Sport PRO Series and the characteristics of ceramic bearings.
ISB Sport bearings from the “PRO” series have been designed to be multi-objective and provide optimal performance in competition, in terms of friction reduction, with the consequent benefit in overall performance, which can be significant if the marginal benefit from a single component is considered.
DATA SHEET
- Series: PRO for high performances
- Type of bearings: Ceramic / Hybrid Ceramic
- Application on the bicycle: Wheel hub and bottom bracket
- Suggestion for use: Training and Competition
- Main application sectors: Road bike, Triathlon, Time trial, Track cycling
We call ceramic bearings those bearings in which the usual steel used in its manufacture is replaced by a ceramic material either only in the balls for hybrid bearings or both in the balls and in the tracks for the Full Ceramic. Normally located on the wheels, ceramic bearings are able to provide a significant improvement in efficiency, maximizing the performance of the bicycle itself.
Its main advantages over standard bearings are, on the one hand, a higher operating speed and on the other, a longer service life under the same conditions of use. Its low coefficient of friction (up to 10 times lower than in steel bearings) due to that of the balls, provides an extremely smooth operation generating less heating, less wear and therefore, prolonging its durability.
Ceramic balls, since they are lighter, generate a lower centrifugal force that translates into less friction and allows the bearings to move faster since they require less energy to maintain speed. Ceramic is very resistant to oxidation, so its service life is also longer than that of steel bearings. Ceramic balls retain their rolling characteristics longer and do not have the same need for maintenance as steel balls, working properly even with a very small amount of lubricating oil.
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
The superior degree of hardness of this type of bearings requires a more demanding surface finish than in steel and in the case of hybrids, the ceramic balls much smoother and resistant, are microscopically polishing the steel tracks improving their finish and producing a smoother roll. Hence the expression that ceramic balls “clean” the tracks and require a period of shooting.
The PRO Series of ISB SPORT differentiates 3 types of ceramic bearings:
- SC: Stainless bearings with ceramic balls. They are the perfect complement to protect the bearing avoiding corrosion and deterioration caused by the most common external pollutants such as water, dust, mud … They are the bulk of the PRO Series.
- CB: Chrome steel bearings with ceramic balls.
- Full ceramic: fully ceramic bearings recommended exclusively for track cycling.
¡Here you can see our catalog of bearings ISB Sport PRO Series for High Performance!