There are a few Italian frame builders and manufacturers who still use a 70mm wide Italian threaded bottom bracket shell for external bearing BB cups. In fact, just as we have seen the return of more BSC standard threaded shells, more frame and bikes are again coming with threaded shells, which are very reliable, quiet, and consistently machined. Cyclists with these bikes can upgrade to the top quality upgrade available. Ceramic Speed bottom bracket models save you watts and energy by reducing friction with every turn of your crankset. The science and testing behind the efficacy and benefits of ceramic bearings is definitive, but all ceramic bearings are not made the same. Ceramic Speed bearings are harder, perfectly round, and widely surpass the quality standards of most ceramics on the market. With average lifespans of 3-5 times that of high-quality steel bearings, these Silicon Nitride offerings from the Danish company pay for themselves over time in longevity alone, never mind the mechanical and performance benefits gained. If you are a competitive cyclist or triathlete who seeks every component, accessory, and bike advantage, invest in the proven friction reduction of Ceramic Speed.

Italian thread frames use a 70mm wide BB shell (36mm ID). The 24mm spindle standard that is the dominant seller on the market is: Shimano's Hollowtech straight 24mm crank spindle system. The aluminum shells and interfaces are designed to mate perfectly with the dust covers with integrated spacers. The 16 notch 44mm OD Shimano/SRAM cup interface is used so Park's BBT-9, BBT-19 or other 16 notch tools should be used for installation. Ceramic Speed's bearings ride in composite carriers and high-quality, steel races. The ceramic balls are polished to perfect smoothness, and should they make contact with a race, they won't damage it, but will actually serve to clean and eliminate any surface issues inside the race. Lubrication is specific to the Ceramic Speed system, as are the bearing seals. A syringe of the grease lubricant comes with the bottom bracket. Detailed instructions for installation and service come with the bottom bracket and can also be found on Ceramic Speed's Cycling website.

Properly installed, your bottom bracket should not creak or make noise. The crankset will spin freely, with the absolute minimum resistance. Machining and hand-assembly is done in Denmark, with each part and the final assembly thoroughly inspected before shipping to distributors. The 84 gram bottom bracket delivers performance far in excess of standard options on the market. Save watts and energy with every pedal stroke as you optimize your equipment to fully realize your human potential with the Ceramic Speed Italian Road Ceramic External Thread Bottom Bracket.