The Hawk Racing BBs do NOT use ceramic ball bearings. They are high grade stainless steel. Nothing is brittle, nothing can crack. The difference is in the Non-contact seal and the quality and viscosity of the lubricant.

I apologize for stating that Hawk was using ceramic bearings. When I watched the video, I didn't hear him mention that they use steel bearings.

I think one thing people forget is that most testing is done on new or very good condition bearings. Most of us are really concerned with how bearings stand up over time, and this is where I think many of the new systems fail. I have mostly square taper bb, with one DA octolink and one ISIS. So far the ISIS and Octolink have been used in very crappy wesather for over a year and are still smooth.

Hearing reports of higher friction on outboard, poor wear, and higher Q factor really makes me wonder why the outboard bearings are so popular.

Styrrell

plenty of reports of ISIS problems too =)

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Kat Hunter reports on the San Dimas Stage Race from inside the GC winning team
Aeroweenie.com -Compendium of Aero Data and Knowledge
Freelance sports & outdoors writer Kathryn Hunter

There is a book (in French) on 'cycling mythology'...forgot the title but it was a funny read...including lead-filled bottles to go downhill faster, no drinking during climbs, or only alcohol, Merckx adjusting his seat height when going uphill or downhill, etc...

Ah, yes ... the good ol' days!

Another of the secret tricks was to remove one bearing ball from each race. More psychology than science, I'd say!

then there is this...