I haven't seen much new happen with bearings until I see ceramic bearings popping up on the net so I give it a try on my road bike.

Happy to report smooth as silk. As for durability only time will tell. My front wheel spins for a half mile. It takes 5 full minutes for the front wheel to stop spinning upside down w/ computer on.

I picked these up with zirconium balls and stainless races for $10 each.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d186/phi...ing/ceramic.jpg

i've been running ceramic/hybrids in my BB and rear hub for awhile. i got them mainly because of the better durability and the corrosion resistance since the bike they are on (road bike) is used almost exclusively in wet conditions.

they do seem smoother "by hand"...hard to tell when riding, though - but that wasn't my main concern in getting them.

That's good so they are durable? I was thinking about putting some on a front wheel of one of my flatland bikes. I wonder if they would hold up on any jumping??

from a wear-and-tear friction standpoint, they are longer-wearing. not sure they handle pounding/jumping any better, though (?).

You say ten dollars each? I wonder why a set of campy record bearings will set you back $329.

Campy Ceramic Bearings

there are different grades and materials used for ceramic bearings. the zirconium-based are the least expensive option .

That's simple, many companies are in the business of ripping people off. Campy and Chris King would be at the top of the list. The higher grade balls cost about $30 a piece with the Si3N4 balls.

Holy Hell, 329 for 4 rings, jeez.
how much are the hub that these come stock in? I could only hope it's cheaper for the hole hub.

HOLY F. $3,299.00 for the wheelsets they came in.
I think I'll stick to BMX. haha.

[ April 23, 2007, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: bullyhotrod86jh ]

Bearings are easy to press just be careful. I pressed mine into forte titan wheels using the skewers. The whole wheels/bearing deal about cost $220 with cassette new. Paying over $300 for anything imported is a waste of money and probably adding to the national debt!!

I've had my Kovachi hubs with ceramic bearings for four NBL seasons now. I have not opened up either wheel since I bought them. They spin for EVER and are smooth as silk. They are durable - believe me.

Thanks Stodd that's good to know. Though I hav'nt been crazy enough to line up for a race in like eighteen years, I do know what a wheel goes through in just a month,let alone 4 years!!

Where can you buy those bearings? I want to put some into the front wheel of my flatland bike.

I have been riding those bearings for 6 months now and have no problems. Of coarse I don't ride my road bike that often since I really love bmx. I did my bike and two friends bikes with those bearings and only one of the bearings has failed. I suspect they were damged though when pressing it into the hub. I have found the best deal on bearings at vxb bearing online. Hope that helps.