How long should a ceramic BB last?

asprilla
asprilla Posts: 8,440
edited August 2011 in Road buying advice
I'm guessing they should last more than 4 months and 3,500 miles?

My Sram GXP BB86 Blackbox bB has developed 3-4mm of lateral play over the last week. Have just ordered a replacement (not ceramic) so that I can get it changed over but is it just me that feels this is a stupidly short lifespan (especially for the cost) and I should be looking for a gratis replacement from the dealer or distributor?
Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
Sun - Cervelo R3
Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX

Comments

  • ddraver
    ddraver Posts: 26,810
    3,500 miles?!?!- pretty good I'd say!!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Sounds more like you're missing some wavey washers or it wasn't fitted properly...

    Pull the cranks out and see how the bearings themselves feel. I've got a hope ceramic bb in my commuting/coaching mtb which is regularly dumped in the river and generally neglected. It still runs butterly smooth after about the same distance.

    Proper bearing alignment is critical though.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    I'll not be removing it until I've got a replacement, which should be Friday, so I'll have a look then. Was chatting to the chap in the shop this morning and he reckons he's had 18,000 miles out of his ceramic BB, mind he also said the reason mine failed was because it was Sram and they were crap.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX

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