The innovative oversized pulley system by CeramicSpeed is said to to reduce friction by 60 oer cent.
By Jessica Lamb
Friction fighters rejoiced this week when CeramicSpeed launched an oversized pulley system it claims is so smooth it will save you up 3watts.
The Danish bearings manufacturer has developed 17-tooth alloy pulleys, fitted with low-friction ceramic bearings, an aerodynamic carbon fibre cafe and titanium bolts.
When replacing the most commonly used, high-end 11-tooth pulleys, this system is said to reduce friction by 60 per cent and increase a rider's power by 2.4watts; based on a 250w output.
And the power saving goes up to nearly 3watts when an older chain is used to run it.
A close-up of the new oversized pulley system on display at Eurobike where the product was launched.
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Ben Powell, head of business development in the Americas, explained: "It's a logical and simple system.
"If we take a standard drivetrain system there are 11 teeth in the top pulley and 11 teeth in the bottom pulley.
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"That means it's a very compressed system. It's running a very tight S-bend through the derailleur system. That generates a lot of friction.
"What we do with the oversized system is we lengthen the articulation of the chain running through the derailleur, reducing the friction."
The product launched at EuroBike this week will only be compatible for Shimano DuraAce and Ultegra 10 and 11spd setups, adding a claimed 8-10g over a standard DuraAce rear derailleur with an overall weight of 55.4g.
The CeramicSpeed oversized pulley system at different stages in the development process. Sizes from 15-tooth to 17-tooth were intensively tested.
It was developed and tested with the help of World Triathlon Champion Tim Don in Boulder, Colorado, and the Briton described it as "flawless".
He said: "It has been an incredible experience to see the development of the system from prototype A to the amazing results of the final product.
"Racing with it on a 90 km triathlon was flawless. The shifting performance is sweet."
CeramicSpeed say they are working on rolling out an SRAM version in early 2016 and a Campagnolo edit after the spring. Check it out in action in the video below.
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