If it’s not aero savings, it’s rolling drag savings that everyone’s after. The new Token Shuriken runs $330, making it one of the more affordable oversized ceramic bearing systems on the market. And it’s not just drag savings they were after. They’re promising equally crisp shifting and performance that’s quiet…like a Ninja.
It uses a 12/19-tooth combo, and the lower large wheel has a dual tone titanium PVD coating over the AL7075 alloy. The cage is carbon fiber, held together with AL7075 and hardened steel hardware. Claimed weight is 69.5g.
They say, at the most, you’ll need to add two chain links, and it works with cassette cogs up to 34 teeth. It fits Shimano Dura-Ace R9100/R9150 and Ultegra R8000/R8050 derailleurs.
For bottom brackets, they have a limited edition Team Fortuneo Banque team bottom bracket they’re using in their BH bikes. It’s just graphics, same as their other PF bottom brackets. More important is the new Threadfit bottom bracket for Trek PF90.5 (road) and PF95.5 (MTB) frames, which only have the bearings pressed into the frames, similar to a true BB30.
This solves the problem of creaky, loose bearings by threading each side of the BB shell into each other to create a stiff, one-piece unit once installed.
It’s available with standard bearings for $51, and a ceramic bearing upgrade is probably coming. The installation tool runs $8-10, but you could order the BB thru your shop and ask them to get it.
The new ProSet headset is the top part only and lets you slam that stem. The upper cup matches standard Inset headtube diameter, and the bearing’s bevel angle fits into most frames that stick to the Integrated standard. So, it works for both Inset (ZS44) and Integrated (IS42) frames.
The top cap is ultra thin. For integrated frames, you end up with just 2.8mm of stack height, and about 4mm for inset installs using the cup. Weight is 30.5g (IS42) and 33.4g (ZS44), retail is $45…which is a steal considering you’re also getting a carbon top cap cover and their TBT ceramic bearings and a TiNitride coated bearing race, which they say eliminates the need for extra sealing. They come with a two-year warranty.