mackgoo

It's time I service my wheel hubs. They have ceramic bearings. The manufacturer recommends using a fully synthetic low temperature oil. Just for the heck of it I looked at Ceramic speeds' web site and they too make the same recommendation. I'm looking for a synthetic oil for this application. I came across a product called liquid bearings, it seems it would fit the bill.

I wanted to ask though, those of you that have hubs with ceramic bearings and you're using the synthetic oil recommendation. What are you using?

HillRider

How about Mobile 1, SAE 0W-20. Full synthetic and excellent at low temperatures.

Troul 

Evoo?

GhostRider62

I use Finish Line Extreme Flouro Grease but don't have many ceramic bearings anymores (just a ceramic speed BB)

KerryIrons

Any quality oil or grease will work. It doesn't need to be synthetic or contain any magic ingredients. They hype-machine that is ceramic bearings has got you in its thrall.

shelbyfv

I'd be interested to hear how many others have hubs with ceramic bearings. Just curious.

smd4

I've got 'em in both hubs. Dura Ace 7700s.

GhostRider62

I have XD-15 ceramics in one set, but rarely use those wheels. I am curious why you are curious? What make and model bearings do you use in your wheels?

shelbyfv

Just curious because it's unusual. I remember a few years ago there was a lot of talk about ceramic bearings. IIRC, it shook out that there was no demonstrable benefit for cycling applications. Maybe I remember incorrectly? Anyway, I haven't read much about them recently, then they popped up in this thread. Simply wondering if I'd missed something and they'd been widely adopted while I snoozed. Carry on.

smd4

They’re smoother, but nothing I notice when riding. But they’re definitely lighter than steel. And if you’re hot-rodding your bike during COVID lockdown, why not? Any downside to them?

GhostRider62

It depends who you believe and what bearings you buy.

I prefer NTN LLB industrial steel bearings with the aforementioned grease. The might be a couple tenths of a watt slower than high quality ceramic. These bearings last a long, long time and run smooth, They are not cheap per se but when considering my labor and how long I get from them, I'm ok with $20 per bearing

Coated bearing surface models of CeramicSpeed are guaranteed for 6 years. Many stock bearings are not very good and if comparing CeramicSpeed would perhaps be a couple watts difference. I have a hard time seeing sufficient value in CeramicSpeed bearings to spend the money. My BB has one because that is what came on the bike. I have XD-15 ceramic because during the pandemic, I could not get bearings and settled on these since they were on sale. They are smooth as silk

mackgoo

I ordered some oil from Amazon. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Troul 

IMO, running ceramic bearings reduce the chances of having dissimilar metals reacting, especially when sitting stagnant for a period of time & moisture is trapped in the cages. It's my theory & opinion, others may roll that into an experiment on their own.

mackgoo

So I got around to doing this a couple days ago. The front wheel didn't look like it had grease, I'd say it was oiled. The back wheel appeared to have been greased and of course the free hub had som grease. I did have synthetic grease with teflon so I went ahead and cleaned everything up and greased.

The crank bearings, Campy Ultra Torque, on the drive side I pulled the grease seal on the bearing, which turned out not to be a seal, It was the bearing cage. What a nightmare. I applied grease at about 70%. Thankfully the cage was not metal, but a nylon plastic affair. After about an hour of screwing around and mumbling I did get it together. I did leave the other bearing alone, they spun fine.

HillRider

Did you replace the OEM steel balls with ceramic balls? I have a pair of 7700-series hubs still in service from about 2006 and they came with (and still have) regular steel bearing balls. The rear hub has about 90,000 miles and the front hub about 70,000 miles and both are still in daily service so durability is obviously not an issue.

smd4

Yeah, it wasn’t necessary to replace them. Just something to play around with during lockdown. The original steel balls are great.

t2p

ordered ???

could not find at an area retailer ? ... auto parts store ... motorcycle shop ... Walmart ...

smd4

Weird thing nowadays. Many if not most of us get our stuff online.