Ceramic BB worth it for durability?

cantalach

I seem to get through an Ultegra or DA bottom bracket in about 9-10 months. I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet this time around and go for a fancy pants ceramic model? It's not for performance reasons - it's strictly because they supposedly last anything from 5-10 times longer. Alternatively, might it be better to opt for an expensive but still steel-based Chris King BB?

DirkVoodoo

How many miles do you get through in those months? That does sound like a pretty large turnover, I've got a lot of distance on my Ultegra BB and after 2 years it's still going strong. I've ridden in all sorts of conditions too.

What kind of cleaning routine do you do? Could it be that you are getting water/degreaser into the seals unknowingly?

I guess that if you can afford it, go for a ceramic BB.

cantalach

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

How many miles do you get through in those months? That does sound like a pretty large turnover, I've got a lot of distance on my Ultegra BB and after 2 years it's still going strong. I've ridden in all sorts of conditions too.

What kind of cleaning routine do you do? Could it be that you are getting water/degreaser into the seals unknowingly?

I guess that if you can afford it, go for a ceramic BB.

Difficult to estimate total mileage on them. Apr-Sep inclusive it'd be 250-300km per week and more if something is on. During the Winter, probably only half that because I use the turbo (with a different bike). I weigh 87-91kg so perhaps that is a factor.

In terms of cleaning routine, I use degreaser in my chain cleaner, so inevitably some of it is going to drip off the chain ring and onto the external BB. Last time around however, it was the non-drive side bearings that went and the degreaser wouldn't be getting near them I'd have thought? I never use a high pressure hose.

Ryaner

I was going to buy an SRAM Ceramic BB until I was told about the maintenance required. Every 100 hours in dry weather you need to regrease the bearings or immediately when wet. It will last longer, but only with the maintenance.

Considering the ceramic is 5 times the cost, it'd want to last a whole lot longer to be worth it.

cantalach

Ryaner wrote: »

I was going to buy an SRAM Ceramic BB until I was told about the maintenance required. Every 100 hours in dry weather you need to regrease the bearings or immediately when wet. It will last longer, but only with the maintenance.

Really? That's fairly shíte...must check that out. I'm not one for regular maintenance!

Single Malt

An Dura Ace bb is c. EUR30 or 35. A ceramic bb is at least EUR100 to 150.

Will ceramic last 3+ times as long??? I doubt it.