If maximizing your watts or minimizing maintenance are your goals, at any cost, Ceramicspeed has got a new oversized pulley and rear derailleur cage system for you.
The company was displaying its new OSPW X cage and pulley system for Shimano’s RX800/805 clutch-based derailleurs that are popular for gravel and cyclocross.
The company claims the system reduces rear derailleur friction by 35-40%, which translates to about two watts. As mentioned, those watts come at a cost, with the new OSPW X system starting at $519.
If you’ve gotta have everything, this might be for you. Ceramicspeed offers a new OSPW X cage and pulley for the RX800 and RX805 derailleurs. It features 13-tooth top and 19-tooth bottom pulleys, and is said to reduce friction by up 40%, or save you 2 watts. But it’ll cost you. $519 for the “standard” ceramic bearings, or $619 for coated bearings. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
The ceramic bearings and oversized pulleys (19-tooth bottom pulley, 13-tooth top pulley) are also supposed to reduce maintenance by eliminating regular lubrication or replacements and last 3-4 times longer than the stock pulleys.
Installation takes 10-15 minutes and involves removing the clutch cover of the RX800 or RX805 rear derailleur. There are four different spring tension options so that you can optimize the chain management to your liking.
Those “free watts” will certainly cost you though. The company offers the OSPW X with standard ceramic bearings for $519, with a four-year warranty, or with coated ceramic bearings for $619 with a six-year warranty.
The company also offers other options for different derailleurs.
Ceramicspeed says the oversized pulley and bearings are designed for cyclocross and gravel, greatly outlast the standard pulleys and are warrantied for 4 years, or 6 years if you upgrade to coated bearings. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
Need more watts for your big (dry) gravel race? The company showcased the OSPW X system on a gravel bike with its pre-coated UFO (Ultrafast) Racing Chain.
The chain comes treated with the company’s proprietary wax blend and is said to last up to 370 miles. After it wears off, you can apply the company’s UFO Drip lubricant to maintain some of the friction-fighting properties.
Ceramicspeed was also showing off its Ultrafast Racing Chains. The pre-coated chains are not for muddy conditions but could be used for dry gravel. They’re said to save 4-5 watts and last for 370 miles before you need to add the company’s UFO Drip coating. 2019 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
The chains, which start at $140, are said claim to save you 4-5 watts compared to a typical oil-lubricated chain.
The treated chains won’t be an advantage when conditions get sloppy, however, as the treatment isn’t designed for muddy or wet conditions.
More info: ceramicspeed.com
All of our coverage of new bikes and products is available in our 2019 Sea Otter Classic archive.
