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CeramicSpeed Drops in Ceramic upgrade for Cervelo

Written by Zach Overholt
21 Comments
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CeramicSpeed Cervelo Headset2
Photos courtesy of CeramicSpeed/ @roadbikedubai

Do you own a Cervelo? Have you been suffering headset envy after your friends upgraded their Specialized bikes to the new CeramicSpeed? Well, suffer no more. The Cervelo compatible CeramicSpeed model is finally available. Aside from offering a more corrosion resistant headset with ceramic balls and steel races, CeramicSpeed makes big claims to the headset’s impact on front end stiffness and handling. While we’re not sure if you’ll actually be able to detect the difference in stiffness (even though they claim a whopping 128% improvement), you will probably notice headset perfection. At least, you should, given the price…

CeramicSpeed Cervelo Headset1 CeramicSpeed Cervelo Headset

Originally launched with the intention of both Specialized and Cervelo compatibility, after the initial release, only the Specialized models were available. Now, the Cervelo compatible headsets are here for a total of 6 different models between Specialized and Cervelo fits. In addition to the four headsets for the Specialized Shiv, Tarmac, and Venge (there are three headsets for the Tarmac based on the size of the bike), now there are two more headsets to fit the Cervelo R, S, and P series bikes. One headset will fit both the R and S models which sells for €249, while the second headset is meant for the P series and sells for €239.

Cervelo headsets are available now through your local CeramicSpeed dealer, or through CeramicSpeed.com.
Zach Overholt
5,722 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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Mike
Mike
8 years ago

As someone who spends many thousands on bikes and bike parts, I still cannot for the life of me understand why one would care about the stiffness of headset bearings. Is this something people are worried about? Are the tolerances better with ceramic or something?

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KAW
KAW
8 years ago
Reply to  Mike

Because ceramic is better, duuuuuh.

(even though I’d wonder about durability in a hybrid design like this with steel races. Doesn’t matter how stiff the bearings are when they’ve chewed through the steel beneath them.)

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KAW
KAW
8 years ago
Reply to  Mike

“there are three headsets for the Tarmac based on the size of the bike”

If that’s what innovation looks like, I wish Specialized had chosen the “or die” option.

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AlanM
AlanM
8 years ago
Reply to  KAW

Why is that such an issue though? You just buy what you need for your bike.

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Chris
Chris
8 years ago
Reply to  AlanM

Right now it’s not a problem at all. In 5 to 10 years when you want to get a new headset, you’ve just got to hope someone’s still making the size that fits your model and frame size.
And then give up and get a new bike because nobody does.
It’s like all the fun of today’s MTB scene – three wheel sizes, a few different axle ‘standards’, god knows how many different BB sizes.

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Rixter
Rixter
8 years ago

@Mike, I agree. That has got to be one of the craziest upgrades going. Even the $400 ceramic jockey wheels at least are (arguably) going to save you 3 watts.

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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago
Reply to  Rixter

They really will save you wattage. The stupid thing is that you can buy $120 bearings and pulleys that’ll save you the same amount of wattage

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Rixter
Rixter
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Vegan, which $125 pulleys would those be?

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Gears4Good
Gears4Good
8 years ago
Reply to  Rixter

enduroforkseals.com – $104 and includes alloy bolts. I have no experience with them, just providing info.

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eric
eric
8 years ago

#firstworldproblems
…sigh

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Dave
Dave
8 years ago

These things make Chris King and Cane Creek 110 headsets seem low cost by comparison. “A fool and his money….. ” comes immediately to mind

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vincent
vincent
8 years ago

which K-edge model that is? (520)

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M
M
8 years ago

Why would anyone in there right mind spend this type of cash of a headset bearing and tape there bars that way

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Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago
Reply to  M

All my bearings are made of Q-carbon, harder than a diamond. But I have to wear catcher’s gloves on both hands and 3″ thick foam platform shoes to mitigate the extra 3000% increase in stiffness.

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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
8 years ago

I can’t count the number of races I’ve lost because my headset didn’t allow me to steer fast enough. There have also been times at the end of 100+ milers where I’ve had to stop, then lift and turn my bike because I was too tired to steer with my high friction headset

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fiddlestixbob
fiddlestixbob
8 years ago
Reply to  Veganpotter

Thanks for this, needed it 😀

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PsiSquared
PsiSquared
8 years ago

I’m 98% sure that Fignon lost to LeMond because of the lack of stiffness in his bike’s headset bearings and the power losses in steering due to his use of traditional, high quality steel bearings instead of ceramic bearings.

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ibcyclist
ibcyclist
8 years ago

So, ceramic bearings are really only necessary in machinery spinning at high RPM. Even wheels and pulleys on bicycles don’t spin to the degree that maximises the benefits of ceramic bearings. OK – leaving that behind, headsets don’t spin, they move in an arc. The headset is about compression and weight load. Ceramics don’t offer any benefit and are in fact inferior to heavy grade steel in this function.

Save those Euro’s and spend them on maintenance, a new chain, cassette and tyres. No use having a ceramic headset if you have worn drivetrain, slack chain or inferior rubber. And if you have to … get the ceramic speed bearings for your wheel hubs. Whatever makes you happy.

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pTymnWolfe
pTymnWolfe
8 years ago

Veganpotter wins this round.

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Luke Dordai
Luke Dordai
8 years ago

Guys.

I just. I just don’t understand. IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY LOGICAL SENSE.

Headsets move at maximum 180 degrees. They don’t even complete a complete 360 degree turn in their lifetime. Ceramics only provide noticeable differences at consistently high RPM.

I wonder if the editors of BikeRumor cringed as much when they posted this article as most of us did when we read it.

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JOHN HANSEN
JOHN HANSEN
8 years ago

ibcyclist wins with his comment, ceramic bearings are a scam, They are for high rpm, high temp, extremely long run time applications. This entire industry is destined to implode. we have let go of steel and titanium made by craftsman for carbon fiber made by a laborer in china. the frames of todays cost pennies to manufacture compared to quality hand crafted frames… the savings is not passed on to the consumer. people buy these frames stuff overpriced ceramic bearings into these frames all in the name of performance.

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