CeramicSpeed adds Shimano-compatible version to its OSPW-X off-road pulley system

CeramicSpeed's oversize pulleys offer 30% to 40% lower friction in the rear mech than standard jockey wheels

Back in January, low friction bearing specialist CeramicSpeed launched its OSPW-X off-road pulley system. As well as CeramicSpeed’s bearings, this also features oversized jockey wheels with a wide/narrow tooth profile to mesh more closely with the two link widths in the chain. There’s also a new lightweight carbon fibre mech cage.

Now there’s a new version, compatible with Shimano’s Ultegra RX mechanical and Di2 clutched rear mechs, alongside the SRAM Force 1 and Rival 1 compatible versions announced in January. All are hand built in Denmark.

CeramicSpeed says that the OSPW X pulley system is designed for off-road riding and offers 30% to 40% less friction than a conventional pulley system. It was used and abused last cyclocross season by rising star Tom Pidcock.

CeramicSpeed says that its pulleys will reduce jockey wheel friction by between 30% and 40%

Clutched rear mechs have been shown to generate greater friction in the drivetrain than a non-clutched mech, although that’s balanced out by the more consistent chain tension leading to less chainslap, better pedalling dynamics and less risk of losing a chain over uneven surfaces.

CeramicSpeed says that the new OSPW X is the first oversized pulley wheel system designed to work with clutched mechs and helps to lower that efficiency gap.

According to CeramicSpeed’s executive vice president Martin Banke: "When we realised our first OSPW System back in 2015, we always knew the product could provide major benefits to the off-road rider.

“We have learnt so much over the years in developing OSPW Systems. Gravel and CX is the natural progression from road. With thousands of testing kilometres banked, this is a brilliant product that is already proven in the harshest environments."

>>> CeramicSpeed Driven: no chains, no mechs for a super-efficient drivetrain

CeramicSpeed offers a warranty of up to six years on the OSPW X system. Given the damage that muck and water can do when riding off-road, that shows a lot of confidence in the new system’s durability. It claims that its pulleys will last between three and five times as long as a standard cage.

The new Shimano-compatible version will be on display at Sea Otter this week, alongside the SRAM-compatible version.

 

 

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Paul Norman

Paul started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2015, covering cycling tech, new bikes and product testing. Since then, he’s reviewed hundreds of bikes and thousands of other pieces of cycling equipment for the magazine and the Cycling Weekly website.

He’s been cycling for a lot longer than that though and his travels by bike have taken him all around Europe and to California. He’s been riding gravel since before gravel bikes existed too, riding a cyclocross bike through the Chilterns and along the South Downs.