Are Ceramic Bearings Really Worth It? | GCN Tech Clinic

[@gcntech]

Have you got any burning tech questions? Comment below with them using #AskGCNTech!

[@kedarkulkarni3030]

#askgcntech...can I put sealant inside tubes..with tubeless tyres on, or clincher tyres on

[@Calum_S]

What should I do to care for my steel frame? I'm worried about corrosion forming on the insides of the tubes.

[@Wildschwein_Jaeger]

Can you do a little info piece on the rubber carbon frame seals for cables and wires?

[@sonderfall1979]

#askgcntech: Ich liebe Schwarzwälder Torte Ollie!

[@twatts4436]

Got an annoying chainbrub with my front deraileur, but my cable has the max available tension. The cables are fresh, so would expect shifting to be good. What on earth have I done wrong?

[@Adurianman]

In my experience (mechanical and industrial engineering) full ceramic bearing is used in specialized functions like acidic environment or things like mri due to non magnetic properties and as a plus, does not need lubrication. Hybrid ceramic bearing are used in higher speed function as the balls does not expand with heat and metal races are less brittle. According to SKF (their frictional model calculator) 'The higher values for the modulus of elasticity of rolling elements made of silicon nitride decreases the contact area in the raceways to significantly reduce rolling and sliding friction. Additionally, the lower density of ceramic rolling elements, when compared with steel, reduces the centrifugal forces, which also may reduce friction at high speeds'. So CeramicSpeed is not lying as to the potential of friction reduction. However I highly doubt that any parts of bicycle rotates quick enough to make any meaningful/observable difference in friction. As far as I know I'm usually more concerned with who actually makes the bearings and I am not sure that a small company like CeramicSpeed can make bearing anywhere as good as large scale manufacturers like SKF can, but eh I might be wrong. So in summary, can hybrid ceramic bearings be beneficial? Possibly yes. Is the savings noticeable to any rider? I highly doubt it since at lower speed friction from lubrication and seals are still big factors. Is it worth the absurd amount of money any name brand is charging for them? In my opinion, no.

[@Kyros9119]

Ceramicspeed as a whole does pretty good research, but generally focuses on marginal gains with overstated marketing to accompany them. It is absolutely not worth it for the money. But if you are chasing the last watt you can maybe start looking into their products, since you probably have more money to burn than sense at that point.

[@MrBJPitt]

@@Kyros9119 if you have money to burn, simply remove the bearing seals. That is where the real friction savings are. Anyone who claims a ceramic ball is going to be more efficient on bicycle applications, is a salesmen, it's like charging extra for "gluten free" honey. But I guess a sucker is born every minute.

[@jeidun]

@@Kyros9119 don't buy from ceramicspeed. buy from actual, real manufacturers that dont jack their prices up like NTN etc

[@trizvanov]

@@jeidun Also, be sure to buy your NTN, SKF, etc bearings from your local supplier and NOT from eBay, where majority are fake. I found that the hard way.

[@YesItsKevin]

hi i see my question has caused some controversy...

[@Hambini]

I've got ceramic bearings on my train set.

[@Lestalad1961]

Haha...I’ve got a ceramic kitchen knife. ‘kin sharp!

[@1dree1]

Show us sometime please :D

[@jakobjarle4597]

Maybe you and Olli should race your “cheap aero bikes” when they’re done. It would give both of you the chance to practice your German together as well 🤔😂

[@glennoc8585]

I'm jealous

[@deskelly9313]

I've got ceramic cups and plates. They're amazing

[@jochem1986]

If you want the extra speed of ceramic bearings but you don't have the money, just lose one spacer from underneath your stem and you'll have gained just as much, if not more speed.

[@YesItsKevin]

hi i see my question has caused some controversy...

[@callumrose9605]

I am a student who works in a bike shop. I bought a bike with 105 groupsets as the performance difference nowadays is so minimal. Best to spend the money saved on a new wheelset down the road.

[@gcntech]

Great advice!

[@scipiones]

Baz Luhrmann (Sunscreen) one of my all time favorite songs! Great opener!

[@gcntech]

Glad you liked it!

[@victorvandermeulen3945]

I came here just to compliment Ollie on the Baz Luhrmann reference 😂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@nicolaspadron3167]

But you are young and healthy...

[@tychoMX]

From a chemical engineer - the shout out for dichloromethane was greatly appreciated :) And yeah, acetone will eat the decals or any logos without a thick overcoat. Orange degreaser is cheap and easy to handle.

[@YesItsKevin]

i am still shocked i got my question answered. thanks ollie! this made my day haha

[@YesItsKevin]

cracks me up every time when ollie says "random asian?"

[@1TimeRunner]

I buy citrus degreaser or Simply Green cleaner in gallon size from Home Depot in the US. It cost less than $10 per gallon and works great, it’s easy on the environment and your bike.

[@endurancesweat]

A very good degreaser is Dawn Liquid Detergent. The same Dawn that is used for washing dishes. Probably any quality dish washing detergent would work.

[@jmac74]

Ceramic bearings are a rip off in cycling! You have to pedal with a cadence of 20.000 to 30.000 rpm to be worth it 😄

[@FabioFerraro76]

They were only good for Chris Froome

[@charlificity]

Re the skipping chain on the smallest gear, I had the same problem and by LBS found out that I put on a thicker chain than the cassette would take (ie 8 speed chain on a 9 speed cassette). The chain didn’t have any space to move around the cassette. You can see this by putting the bike on a stand and checking the clearance between chain and larger gears when you shift up and down. This might be worth a go.

[@arne_mh]

Hey Ollie, just a quick reminder. Fixed gears can have brakes, I daily a fixed gear bike with 2 brakes.

[@OllieBridgewood]

Straight chlorine I said don’t ride one without brakes.

[@rob-c.]

Impossible to ride a fixed gear without brakes (plural) - in UK law the fixed gear is a brake, so you only require an additional (front) brake to be legal.

[@Not_Sure_]

How come you don't use a freewheel/single speed ? BTW, You have a left leg, and a right leg. Those are your 2 brakes :)

[@arne_mh]

@@OllieBridgewood to be fair, your immediate reaction was actually "no don't do it, I don't know what the rules are in your country" but you did say don't ride without brakes, so fair enough.

[@kalijasin]

Fixies used to have coaster brakes.

[@johnsonjae]

I've gotten a couple new KMC chains lately, and they all had a few stiff links that caused the rear mech to throw the chain. Over lubricating the chain for 24hrs, and working the links helped a little. What worked better was just riding, after about 50 miles not a stiff link to be found. I also have had the same issue arise from waxing chains.

[@mopedvieh]

Thanks Ollie for addressing the chain wear and correcting the 'chain stretching' 👍

[@TronyCoke]

Regarding the issue with the chain jumping on smallest sprocket there's also another issue I observed lately. When using a quick link from Connex those create interference with the end cap of the cassette (at least on Dura Ace 9000). I changed to a Shimano quick link and problem was solved.

[@dylanbolf8226]

Had the same issue. Wippermann Connex. It's just a very strange quick link. Swapped to a SRAM one and was immediately fixed. 105 groupset for me.

[@rimtism123]

Ceramic bearings are great if you're getting paid to race with them. Otherwise, it's a big no.

[@glennoc8585]

Where the mechanic can refit per 500 kms.

[@YesItsKevin]

@@boliverfridgewater3140 nice name haha

[@YesItsKevin]

hey thats me!

[@NewEnglandDirtRoadie]

the 1-second answer: NO

[@gcntech]

Haha. Why do you think that is?

[@larsborgman3443]

@@gcntech they are only fast in the beginning, after a couple of rotations the hard ceramic balls wear into the steel of the bearing housing

[@moritzaufenanger2537]

Lars Borgman True, while good quality steel bearings as NTN or SKF will bed in after a few 100/1000km, which makes them a little faster

[@factotum6245]

They are not manufactured to the same standards as precision bearings like FAG, NSK, SKF or NKE. They perform poorer while costing more.

[@deans2239]

@@gcntech Hambini has a video on this explaining exactly why. here is a link to his blog if his colourful language puts you off - www.hambini.com/ceramic-bearings-vs-steel-bearings-an-engineering-analysis/

[@willb8343]

#AskGCNTech would it be worth building up a road and gravel mix bike with about 32mm tyres for about ~£700 to £800 or should I buy a nearly new or used bike? Is there any suggestions for something to look out for? or any suggestions on how to get a decent frame for less than £300!

[@michaelvanleeuwen3221]

I use acetone to degrease my chain and gears (off the bike of course) works perfectly, what also is a good one is Dasty (as far as i know only for sale in the Netherlands)

[@stealfwayne]

Baz Luhrmann wouldn't mind a bit there. That was spot on. thanks for the smile

[@RickRubinesque]

Ceramic bearings? Oli "yeah, why not? A month ago. Also Oli "Rim braks save 13 watts and 300g over disc brakes but that's insignificant"

[@glennoc8585]

Yes but you have to consider like for like eg same frame. On say an aero frame with rim calipers behind the fork the 10w to 13 watts is very real less so with a conventional mounted caliper. The 300g extra weight is moot in pro racing when 6.8kgs is a reality with disc. Mind you i think ceramic bearings are pointless until a race can be hard enough to last or a full ceramic bearing can take more torque.

[@RickRubinesque]

@@glennoc8585 On the bikes that were used in the wind tunnel the rim breaks weren't mounted behind the fork if I remember correctly. Pretty sure tho. And your point about my 'moot' point is actually a moot point in itself because pros are pro. They ride what they're told to ride depending on sponsorships etc. And they don't need advice from GCN and who amongst us GCN viewers can afford a bike that's 6.8kg with discs? I'm tempted to take stats that GCN gave for time savings per kg up hills and work out how much 300gs equates to up a given hill at a given speed. Same with the 13 watts at a given speed.

[@RickRubinesque]

@@jeidun Even if I could afford it I wouldn't bother with ceramic, certainly not in the BB or head tube. But what really temps me is the look of oversized jockey wheels. Especially when they have coloured rings on the centre! Enough to make a grown man drool!

[@jeidun]

@@RickRubinesque buy aliexpress ones, get the bearing code (6000) is the wheel bearings for some brands) head over to NTN, SKF, FAG and buy 2 nice smooth bearings. CeramicSpeed is over priced and bull. They won't fail and are good, but are overpriced. And ceramic bearings, like i said, won't last long.

[@sabamacx]

Nope. Snakeoil.

[@galaxyfilms5657]

#AskGCNTech Hi Ollie, I just bought a new road bike. I have owned the bike for about 2 weeks. Recently the bikes back wheel has started to shift from side to side if you wiggle the wheel. It is almost like the thru axle is not tightened down all the way but it is. I don't know if I explained this well enough, but thanks for the great show.

[@freewheels7544]

Ceramic bearings worth it? I saved 1.5 watts from cuting 15 cm of cable , 1 w from taping all the bolts , 2.7 from the lubricant and 2w from beter budget jokey wheels , so 6.2 watts for 40 lei ( around 8 euros) so would i go for 850 euros ceramic speed jokeys , nah

[@yogatriathlete]

The only way to know how many watts you saved from allegedly doing all that is through wind tunnel testing and friction testing, which is way more expensive than 450-500 euros (not 850) CeramicSpeed jockeys. Also, if you were able to cut 15cm of cable housing it means someone did a very poor job of installing your housing the first time.

[@freewheels7544]

@@yogatriathlete i didn't install the first housings , those are the factory ones

[@freewheels7544]

@@yogatriathlete you need wind testing for accurate data, i don't think there is a major problem with small errors , i just use what other estimate cuz it's free

[@matthiasmaes4857]

What are the jokey wheels you installed? asking for a friend :D

[@freewheels7544]

@@matthiasmaes4857 tacx , found them in decathlon , compared to the old ones they are realy smooth

[@littlevo9]

i have sram centerline X rotors (very light) on 105 it's perfect !

[@davidfinn9828]

There are bike specific crem bearings out there but if u are going to go there make sure the bearing race the outer pice is cream as well as hybrid ones dont last long , the ball just cuts into the race in no time , also industral bearings dont take the shock from uneven roads well , bike specfic is the way to go

[@coreyallert1482]

Student on a budget buying 105, I'm a grown adult with a job riding Sora

[@euantan1167]

All about priorities !

[@glennoc8585]

Ceramic bearings are great in rc toys but they must be full ceramic. You see benefits after 15000 rpm which is electrical drill speed. Hybrids wear fast.

[@Aubreykun]

Yea at about 20mph a 700c wheel with 25mm tires is only moving at 254 RPM (based on wheel circumference). I don't know if even jockey wheels will be spinning anywhere near the RPM that ceramic ideally works at.

[@glennoc8585]

@@Aubreykun The jockey wheels go slower as the rider selects faster gearing that's amusing. There was a formula for jickey rpm vs wheel rpm versus cog and chainwheel selection. Easiest way is average cadence of the crank at 80 rpm. Most jockey 11 teeth and 50t chainwheel. As the trend is for larget jockey wheel then rpm will change but only matginally.

[@Not_Sure_]

Luke Jackson. Get a 34t cassette. And possibly change the 34t compact to a 30/48t chainring. If possible. I'm using 105 group with 11-34t cassette.

[@AndrewBlucher]

Ollie channeling Boris. What could be less confidence inspiring?

[@GCNuser123]

i'm definitely not.

[@MatthewBeedham]

Fixed gear bikes only need one brake to be legal. Highway code says that a bike must have efficient ways to slowing each wheel independently. So on a fixed gear, the fixed drive counts as the brake, so only a front brake is needed to remain legal.

[@Wildschwein_Jaeger]

Pop!!! Wriggle Wriggle. That's the sound of "opening can of worms."

[@kasimovskibiketeam]

#AskGCNTech How do you think: why main drivetrain components manufacturer don`t produce many different versions of cassettes with 13-14 teeth first cog? For example - by Shimano we have 13-26 for 8 speed and 13-25/14-25 for 9 speed. This reason make my choise - Sora, because i want to get small smooth steps between gears and i much time i dont need even 50/13-14 ratio. I think for amateur and fittness riding this can be better. If i can choose 13/14-26/28/32 10/11 speed cassette, i think i can buy Tiagra/105 group.

[@Bondadz]

If you cycling more than 6000rpm, ceramic bearing worth to try. If not, just use steel bearing with best grease.

[@walsallcyclecam1445]

Loose ball and cone outweight all sealed bearings for rolloing resistance. I was told that by a bearing engineer because the tolerences are so tight on sealed bearings it actually increases the friction.

[@bobbutler2203]

Hey Ollie, I'll bet the chain skipping is due to chain length since it happens on the smallest cog and it started when fitting a new chain. I know it will cause chain drop but I'm thinking that the new chain is too long and there's not enough tension as a result.

[@GCNuser123]

good shout!

[@phillipwong3237]

i upgraded OSPW few yrs back. And never regret it. i bought a new bike, running on the latest R8000 jockey, damn..... it’s not spinning like my old bike. waiting for this lock down to be over, to upgrade another OSPW. Enough said, once an OSPW, you always wants the same ‘high’ So, dont buy OSPW cause you will wants it more.

[@richardharris8538]

I once tried adding salt to my bidon for a 100 mile TT, because I noticed what seemed to be salt residue on my skin on hot days. I did my slowest ever 100.

[@cegmino]

Good advice re riding a track bike on the road, it's something that's almost as bad as people driving while texting/using phones - people seem to think, "Oh it doesn't really matter, it'll be ok" when it totally isn't! For both! Don't ride without a front brake!

[@markwatson8783]

Sunscreen, that was an ear worm that was welcome. Loving the show Ollie 👍🏽

[@kangmi26]

Nowadays did Shimano build any ceramic bearing ??? I'm looking for BB ceramic bearing in shimano website, can't found one, why ?

[@dylanbolf8226]

For the chain skip guy if you're reading these comments. Check your quick link! I had a Wippermann chain that skipped in the smallest sprocket. Swapped the quick link to a SRAM quick link and no more skip. The Wippermann was an oddly sized/shaped quick link that just didn't make it around the 11t sprocket very well. Ctrl+f Tags: skip, skipping, chain, index, limit, screw, mech, derailleur, Jabin Lim

[@iancanuckistan2244]

Most of the bike couriers in Toronto use fixed gear bikes because they get stolen less. The fixed gear is considered a brake as the rider can slow it with their legs.

[@FRamirez1A]

#askGCNteck what is the best all around depth in a carbon wheel? 45mm? Thank you!!!

[@graemewoodward]

I think that question about degreasers was whether you need to buy the bicycle specific stuff in small bottles at inflated prices? No - a citrus degreaser in 1L or 4L bottle from the hardware store works well and is much cheaper. It's probably pretty much the same formulation too. Concentrated dishwashing detergent can work OK if that's all you've got, though I'd be a bit concerned about corrosion with possibility of salts and long drying time. Carwash detergent is a better option.

[@gcntech]

Yes of course you can use other products to clean your bike, just make sure you check it's suitable beforehand!

[@jorenvandaele1301]

About tubeless tires: check that they can accomodate a tube. My dad had tubeless already installed on his bike from the factory, when he went to put tubes in the tires because the sealant was dried up, they didn't fit because the beed was to thick. For riding on the road, I don't even recommend it, looking at the road and the right pressure is al you need to ride punctureless

[@nickc4716]

Excellent use of Sunscreen reference. 10/10

[@john2933-u2k]

at 10:00 Ollie means H-limit screw instead of L-limit screw

[@hugoko970]

#AskGCNTech I wonder is it necessary to bleed the hydraulic brake after travelling with my bike on a plane. Also I want to ask is there anything that I should be aware of when travelling with my bike on the plane?

[@caillou450]

#askgcntech Interested too!

[@emilandrevalaker2029]

Life lesson 101: If you remove your rear wheel, be careful with the sideways compression og the rear triangle (fork as well, but stiffer so less prone). I recently had to pay 500€ for a carbon repair due to cracked chainstay. I have now invested in a spacer so I can re-instal the thru-axle with the spacer in place so the rear triangle does not compress while being stacked at the bottom in a pile with other bags. Bike shops also might have something similar when they receive boxed bikes they might be willing to give away if you ask politely. Bleeding: Nope. should not be needed unless the system had tons of air in it from before. In that case, they should have been bled anyway. Others: Decrease tyre pressure, but not too much. You still want the pressure to protect the rim in case of impact and you do not want to unseat the tyre beed. Especially if you're running tubeless.

[@jabinlim5459]

Hi Ollie and fellow cyclist! My skipping chain has been fixed! I adjust my b-screw and the chain slipping has reduced significantly! But i also got myself a new 12-25T cassette

[@CyberdyneSystemsSkynet]

Simple Green FTW.

[@kurtroeder8785]

#askGCNtech : I was out for a ride today and a person in a pickup showed out a question to me. I didn't have an answer. I pondered it for the rest of my ride (light rain, but still nice). I still don't have an answer. He asked, "Hey! Why don't you get off the f#@

[@kurtroeder8785]

Shouted out, not "showed out"

[@xGshikamaru]

I wish I saw this video before ordering a ceramic bottom bracket for my new chainset. My bet was lifespan would be better, not really concerned about performance though

[@seniorcycling5352]

#AskGCNTech So I’ve been having problems with my speed sensor. It works fine most of the time but sometimes when I’m on the turbo trainer and I go up over 37-38 mph it will fall and say I’m doing about 19. Is this a faulty sensor or something else? How can I fix this?

[@sheahoffman3218]

Senior Sports change the battery first and then move from their

[@rek32805]

Schwarzwälder Kirsch 🇩🇪 Love it!

[@OllieBridgewood]

René Kohlhause 😉

[@jochem1986]

I've been running Dura Ace discs on my 105-equipped BMC Roadmachine 03 aka "the bitch" and she works beautifully for nearly three years now. I did swap the pads to metallic infused ones with cooling fins.

[@estelja]

Skipping small cassette cog guy: Make sure the cable can release all the way. The RD spring by that position is somewhat weak and if your cable is sticky it sometimes can't pull the derailleur cage all the way outboard.

[@fomrug]

Also just put a new kmc chain on a new ultegra cassette, tons of noise in the tallest cog. Pins catching on the 12t on both the mech side and the top side. Bummer

[@vincenttichenor8373]

Ceramic bearings have their greatest benefit in high rpm applications, and bearings on a bike just don’t spin fast enough. The only bearings that might possibly benefit from them are jockey wheels, and a portion of that benefit goes away when you oversize the jockey wheels because that decreases their rpm.

[@CyberdyneSystemsSkynet]

I wouldn't mind if they started investing in better ways to design 13t jockey wheels though, then we moved back to 53t chainrings and 12t cogs. 11t jockey wheels and 10t cogs eat up more watts than ceramic bearings can ever save.

[@Norm0770]

For the question about the chain skipping on the smallest cog, did the person install the quick-link properly? They are directional, and usually don't show any issue other than the 11-cog (or whatever your smallest is).

[@playandteach]

My wheels, which have tubes, say 'tubeless only', which I first thought meant it was dangerous to use tubes. Now I understand that you must use tubeless tyres with it, because they're designed to work with the (hookless?) rims. The bike shop - at my request - put tubes in on the new bike, because I wasn't sure which tyres to go with, and wanted a try-out period for tyres. Incidentally, I now realise that the 38mm gravelkings on Mavic all-road 23tc rims, are an overkill. -despite my best intentions, I haven't really been off road yet. How narrow can I safely go with tyres on those rims? And is it true that Mavic have gone under?

[@robertestes3554]

as far as riding fixes downtown messengers in New York then sf and dc and other us cities have been running them going back 40years in nyc and 20-30 sf/dc seattle because its simple with fewer parts to steal, plus before hipsters nobody else could ride them . whats the point of fitting brakes that can be easily stolen and then leaving you to either Flintstone it or jam your foot into the frame behind the rear seat like some bmx'ers do which is hard on a road bike

[@retroonhisbikes]

The placebo affect, i feel Ceramic made me faster. But its more likely i got fitter. Avoid ceramicspeed. buy from Hambini instead he is uk based and ships next day.

[@ericarnold1739]

#AskGCNTech where would you guys say the most noticeable jump in performance is located in Shimano lineup? Tourney, Claris, Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace

[@robbchastain3036]

Thanks, Ollie, and I like the occasional response when I'm not really sure you are answering the question. It keeps me thinking, O how it keeps me thinking.

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

Ceramic bearings do not give any gains at all beyond 50-100 km, because the steel races become damaged by the much harder ceramic balls. Also ceramic bearings only perform better in the short term at much higher rpm’s than we can accomplish on bike components. Only ceramic bearings that spin at high rpm’s AND do revolve without impacts (not on bikes....) will be ok, at a certain price level.....

[@KenSmith-bv4si]

I think ceramic bearing are cool , the only thing I can think of is. The ceramic ball bearings are harder then the stainless steel bearing race they roll in , so the race will wear out faster then the ball bearings , but up until that point I'm sure they are smooth , just don't last as long as a metal bearing .

[@dorsetyid1969]

Olly tech question for you , what hair gel do you use?

[@tquindt1]

#Ask GCNTech. Hey Ollie, I know you can use Sram AXS Eagle and Force/Red components, but how about mechanical groupsets. i.e. a Sram NX 11-50t cassette, GX Derailleur, and Force/Red Shifters

[@Rover200Power]

Hi Ollie, not tech related, but as all my races are cancelled for the season I've decided to attempt an Everesting. I was wondering what was the most climbing you did in training before your attempt, and how many days of rest did you have beforehand?

[@OllieBridgewood]

Rover200Power I will tell you next week 👍🏼

[@Rover200Power]

@@OllieBridgewood nice, looking forward to it!

[@Dave-lf5kv]

Hi, guys! I have a question about Di2. Should you use a chain catcher with a Di2 front derailleur? Isn't it able to prevent the chain from falling off by itself? I don't like catchers that mount on the derailleur's bolt, but there aren't many other type. #AskGCNTech

[@marcelr.9035]

No, if you want good bearings go to your local bearing wholesaler with the numbers from your bearings and ask for their highest quality versions of them, they’re like $20

[@akivamaxwell1999]

hi what is the difference between groupsets besides for weight for example shimano tiagra vs ultegra

[@vickyjeffries8809]

Best vid ever Ollie the Smoker You Drink The Player You Get love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@paulbowen6763]

At 7:53 i think ollie just became aware of being pranked by 'AnushIti' another one to watch out for is 'Hugh Jardon' he gets about a bit and of course 'Mike Hunt' is the most famous :-)

[@JimKJeffries]

I wish you would be more direct about ceramic bearings. How the majority of the friction is in the seal and the grease. That, depending on who did the study less than 5% of a bearings friction is from the ball. How a ceramic ball in a metal race wears like a locamotive on blacktop. Not to mention what holds the balls in place, plastic or metal, has a bigger impact to friction and durability than the ball. If you have an open budget, plan to use them for a race, have at it. For the rest of us it is simply foolishness. Particularly since their friction increases greatly with wear.

[@denisdrc5836]

Ceramic bearing are efficient in industrial applications on high speeds, well over 10 000 rpm. So if you are able to reach such cadence - why not...

[@julmeissonnier]

Like when you hit Mach1 on those downhills?

[@michalkupczyk7]

#AskGCNTech Clipless pedals with threaded mounts on BOTH sides: Of course it's for non-bicycle use. Maybe you know of particular model in which (after some drilling) the axle can be replaced with longer one, and fixed on both sides? Any suggestions much appreciated.

[@iragreenberg5432]

Hi, I changed a cassette on a Cannondale Caad5 R2000si and could not separate the cassette removal tool from the original locking ring. I mistakenly placed the original locking on to the freewheel. I can't get the freewheel to stop spinning in order to get purchase with the cassette removal tool. Do I have to remove the spokes from the wheel to remove the hub and is there then a way to remove the original locking ring? Any help will be appreciated.

[@duaner3817]

#AskGCNTech got a light cheap set of 50mm carbon wheels with hubs that rhyme with ‘clovatech’. I have tested them in various ways to be just as good as the stock aluminium synchros wheels on my foil. Would buying ceramic or ‘better’ bearings improve performance immensely carbons?

[@MildStallion1]

At 5:00 Ollie looks like the singer from Flock of Seagulls.

[@matthewtan714]

Ollie, I have a question about my bike groupset, currently my bike have a tiagra crankset, tiagra FD, however my RD is 105, can I just change my crankset to 105? Do i need to change the bottom bracket as well? Or do i have to change the whole group set?

[@TheWaxChainFanClub]

Also a Maldon fan. Good call.

[@kylecouture1917]

Thoughts on simple green for cleaning chain and cassette? Ive heard mixed thoughts. I use about 1 part simple green, 5 parts water. So its not very concentrated. I use this with an ultrasonic cleaner.

[@Numeriwar]

Ive never succeeded to fit a gp5000 TL tyre with a tube... i dont get how they did in the factory

[@att0987654321]

Hi Ollie, I see you have some squirt chain lube in the background, can you do a review on wax based lubes, I have just started using squirt, so far seems great 👍🏻 #AskGCNTech

[@kalijasin]

I’m surprised CeramicSpeed hasn’t threatened legal action against GCN. Lol 😂

[@abstractgroove160]

Hey Ollie. Loving the lockdown content. I'm planning a cheap gravel/commuter build and have an old Campy Veloce 10spd groupset knocking about. 1) Can I get some disc brakes that'll work with these levers and 2) are there any bigger cassettes that'll work Ideally a 34. Guessing I'd need a Wolftooth extender for the hanger? Thanks! #askgcntech

[@johnandrew6320]

Heyy Ollie! Just got my first carbon road bike, was wondering if you have any tips or do's and don'ts to looking after it and maintenance??

[@reflectionpoint]

Cheers on the Baz Luhrmann answer. 🤘

[@oscarcarr-middleton1951]

I'm looking at purchasing a new race bike, currently there is a significant discount on the rim brake vs disc brake models. Whilst it seems the performance difference currently is minimal and based on personal preference. Given disc looks to be the future, is there going to be a far greater depreciation in future value of the rim brake model compared to the disc brake model? Should this be a consideration when looking at the price difference? #AskGCNTech

[@Alphard_adventures]

I love watching GCN... however recently I’ve become distracted by some seriously scary hair !! Today I was half way through and had absolutely no idea what was said 😂 had to rewind and put the phone down so I could concentrate on just listening with no scary images on screen ... 😂

[@M1K3L-98]

#AskGCNTech Hello i have a bottom bracket with ceramic bearings, so I decided to do maintenance. The ceramic bearings they needs special grease or anything else grease?

[@peter4923]

#AskGCNTech Hello Ollie, I have recently put my hands on an old Raleigh Sceptre. 2x5 gear combination. I would like to convert the bike to drop bars. I cannot seem to find STI levers compatible with the current gear setup. Should I consider down tube friction shifters or bar end shifters? Do you have any recommendations and is there anything else I should consider when making the change?

[@martincove6054]

'GCN tech after dark' - looking forward to the first episode !

[@jamiefox8389]

#AskGCNtech I have an entry level MTB with a cup and cone bottom bracket which needs replacing because it is on a angle which destroyed the bearings I think it was put on like that and I am struggling to get a hold of a cup and cone spanner 36mm and advice on taking it off and what's the chances of being cross threaded?

[@efusco]

#AskGCNTech I have a Wahoo! Kickr Core with a Shimano 105 R7000 11-Speed Cassette that I usually use with my Cannondale 105 gravel bike, but I'm finding myself getting tired of taking the bike off and on the trainer. I'd like to find a way to use an old Trek mountain bike on there semi-permanently, but it has a incompatible group set.What's the most affordable way to convert my old bike to work with the current cassette on my trainer but still with fairly reliable shifting?

[@hugobrown2516]

Ollie. I got a question. I have been riding for many years but just switched to clipless pedals this season. I’m in Canada and we can ride here. LOVE the feeling of being at one with bike and road. However I have realized that my right foot is 1/8” [maybe more] longer than my left foot. My cleats are as far forward as they can go. I like being up front on the balls of my feet. But I wish I could move my longer right foot a bit more forward, but I cannot. Other than trimming my toes?!?! Any realistic ideas or hacks on how to fix this issue? Thanks. Hugo from Brighton presently living in Toronto. #askgcntech

[@rhcprpz543]

Hi Ollie, love the show, i would like to know which tubeless sealant brand is best for road and gravel use. Thanks