First introduced as the OSPW-X system for the new SRAM Transmission T-Type mountain bike derailleur, CeramicSpeed now has their ALPHA solid pulley wheels for road and gravel bikes, too.
First spotted in the CX pits this past season, the OSPW-RS does more than just add new wheels, it’s an entirely new stronger, more angular carbon cage that replaces their prior design. Which means you can get it with these new ALPHA solid pulley discs, or their traditional 5-spoke machined alloy wheels.
The ALPHA discs have their patent-pending ADR active debris remover design, which uses small angled grooves surrounding the bearing covers to send water and grit flying away from the bearings as they spin.
The ALPHA discs also use an alloy wheel with composite teeth. Those teeth are 5x more durable than the machined alloy ones on their original models, are quieter, and cause less wear on your chain.
UPDATE: Originally, I wrote that the composite material reduced chain wear compared to alloy (because, you know, metal on metal). However, CeramicSpeed’s Head of Product replied to clarify:
“In relation to chain wear with different pulley materials, our OSPW System reduces chain wear compared to stock/smaller size pulleys due to the reduced articulation of the chain. The primary wear factors on chains come from the interface of the chain on and off of drivetrain teeth and the sliding surfaces within the chain. The type of lubricant used and how cleanly the drivetrain is maintained play the largest part in how much wear occurs on the chain through use. There is no measurable impact on chain wear from pulley material as the chain is only lightly tensioned on the pulleys, compared to the full pedaling load on the cassette and chainrings”.
Starting March 26, they’ll be available for all SRAM and Shimano 12-speed road and gravel derailleurs. They have 13/19 (upper lower) tooth counts for Shimano, and 15/19 tooth counts for SRAM.
Also new is a Lifetime warranty on it, which they say is possible because the new design is so strong and durable. MSRP €579 ($669) with the solid Alpha Disc, and €529 ($599) with the alloy pulleys, which are available in a range of anodized colors.
