The CeramicSpeed SLT OHD Kit for ENVE (Solid Lubrication Technology)/(Optimized Headset Design), features a unique combination of an oil-encapsulated solid plastic polymer and stainless-steel materials which results in a self-lubricating, corrosion-resistant, and maintenance-free bearing.
The micropores in the otherwise solid polymer evenly distribute just enough oil to keep the bearing well-lubricated, while also containing sufficient oil for it to be self-lubricating over the lifespan of the bearing – even when ridden in the harshest of conditions.
The CeramicSpeed SLT OHD Bearing is designed, developed, and hand-built in Denmark and comes with a lifetime warranty.
B-Stock - This product has one or more B-Stock units available. These units can be purchased at a discount (see option select). B-Stock units were returned from other customers and may have missing or damaged packaging materials. These units are otherwise as new. The full manufacturer warranty applies. Click Here for more information.
Mfg PartNum: 114894 | |
With the integration being normal for bikes these days, bearings suffer because you can't get to them easily, so you get lazy. I'm a heavy sweater, so my headset bearings see some grime. I also don't shy away from rain.
The ceramic bearings seem like a farse, and they are expensive, but honestly, they do last longer and don't get all chunky like regular old steel ones do. I grease them all the same when I install, and other than my "hmm I should check these" checks, where I pull the stem up and wipe/regrease, I just leave them alone. These do last longer, so I wait for a sale or points, and get them around the time I'm building a new bike.
If you have regular old steel, you're fine, don't worry about it, but if you have the bike apart anyway, and want to save some down the road work, these do help. No performance gain otherwise, you won't be more aero, and you won't sprint faster, and your FTP will be the same.
