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Schaeffler has decades of experience in the development and manufacturing of bicycle bearings. Rolling bearings from the FAG brand have been used in bicycles ever since Friedrich Fischer developed a process for manufacturing ball bearings on an industrial scale 130 years ago and laid the foundation for modern rolling bearing technology.
Schaeffler now supplies a large number of precision components for bicycles under the INA and FAG brands. In addition to bottom brackets, there are bearing solutions for hubs and headsets as well as bearings and seals for gear hubs. The product range also includes extremely high-performance special bearings for racing bicycles, e.g. FAG Cronitect® hybrid bearings.
FAG Cronitect® hybrid rolling bearings for maximum smooth running
A special combination of materials for bottom bracket and hub bearings provides maximum efficiency in top-class racing bicycles. The combination of bearing rings made of Cronitect® high-performance steel and rolling elements made of ceramic, an improved ball raceway geometry and a new low-friction seal concept offer decisive advantages: Smooth running and reliability are significantly improved. Cronitect® is the result of consistent further development of high-performance corrosion-resistant steels by Schaeffler. Rolling bearings based on this material can be operated under extreme conditions, for example, if there is contact with corrosive media (water, acids, cleaning agents) or even under dry running conditions. Innovative seal and cage solutions provide additional protection and freedom from maintenance. In combination with ceramic rolling elements, this results in a product that meets the highest requirements in terms of smooth running and ease of maintenance.
For very demanding operating conditions: 2nd generation bottom bracket unit BB66
Schaeffler has developed a new version of a classic design with the second generation FAG BB66 bottom bracket. This bottom bracket offers smooth running and a long service life even under the most demanding conditions thanks to its high-precision components that can handle heavy loads. It is the only bottom bracket to have so far received DINplus certification in Germany. The BB66 FAG bottom bracket is particularly suitable for heavy-duty and delivery bicycles and has, for example, been the preferred bottom bracket in the bicycles of Deutsche Post for many decades.
FAG deep groove ball bearings for minimal friction
All the geometric parameters of the inner ring, outer ring and rolling elements in FAG deep groove bearings, which are also used in the bottom bracket BB66, have been revised compared to conventional deep groove ball bearings. The improved surface structures of raceways and balls reduce noise generation by 50 percent in comparison to conventional deep groove ball bearings. The osculation between the balls and rings was optimized with the objective of minimizing friction. In combination with the improved surface quality, these design measures reduce friction by 35 percent compared with previous deep groove ball bearings. The lower frictional torque and reduced heat generation make this bearing particularly suitable for high speeds. The innovative HRS seal also increases the operating life of the grease and the entire bearing.
Other bearing positions and components
FAG angular contact ball bearings fitted as headset bearings in the connecting point between the handlebar stem and the bicycle fork ensure the necessary precision and safety. The forces acting on the stanchions of the suspension forks during riding are supported and transmitted by INA plain bearings with ELGOGLIDE.
| Product Model | Inside Diameter | Outside Diameter | Thickness |
| NATV25LL/3AS NTN | 25 | 52 | 25 |
| NATV20LL/3AS NTN | 20 | 47 | 25 |