CeramicSpeed has just finished up the first samples of their new XX1 derailleur pulleys. The ones shown installed are the aluminum versions. They’ll retail at $249 with their standard ceramic bearing.
In front, the titanium ones come in at $449 and get an additional glass bead blasting to smooth the edges. Want their higher end coated bearings? Those will set you back $529.
So what’s the point? Smoother rolling with less friction and much better durability, especially in nasty conditions. They say the titanium ones will last a lifetime. Weight savings isn’t the driving factor. They come in at 17g each on our scale, same for both materials, which they say is about as heavy as the plastic ones that come stock.
Detail shots below…
The machining process for the titanium wheels takes an hour to get from the starting point on the left to the third stage. Then it’s bead blasted before the bearings are installed.
