CeramicSpeed BB ALPHA for ITA SRAM DUB Road

 

The flagship ceramic bottom bracket purpose-built for SRAM DUB 28.99mm axle cranksets and ITA Italian threaded frames (70mm shell width). CeramicSpeed BB ALPHA features grade-3 Silicon Nitride ceramic balls and hardened stainless-steel races, hand-built in Denmark. With custom-engineered seals delivering 500% better moisture protection, ultra-low friction, a 10% weight reduction over previous generations at just 84g, and a lifetime warranty. Includes DUB Spacer Kit for precise axial alignment. Compatible with Colnago, De Rosa, Pinarello (legacy), Bianchi, and other ITA-threaded frames.

 

The CeramicSpeed BB ALPHA is the brand's flagship bottom bracket, and this version is purpose-built for SRAM DUB cranksets (28.99mm axle, including SRAM RED, Force, Rival, and eTap series) in ITA Italian threaded frames.

ITA (Italian Threaded) is one of the oldest bottom bracket threading standards, originating from Italy's golden age of bicycle manufacturing. Its specification is 36mm × 24tpi (threads per inch) with a 70mm shell width. The most critical distinction from the more common BSA (British Standard) threading is that both the drive-side and non-drive-side cups use standard right-hand threading (clockwise to tighten). In contrast, BSA uses a reverse left-hand thread on the drive side. Additionally, ITA has a slightly larger thread diameter (36mm vs 34.8mm for BSA) and a wider shell (70mm vs 68mm), making the two standards completely incompatible.

ITA threading is found primarily on classic Italian frame brands, including Colnago, Pinarello (legacy models), De Rosa, Bianchi (select models), and Wilier (select models). While many Italian manufacturers have transitioned newer frames to BSA or press-fit standards, numerous classic steel, aluminium, and some carbon frames still retain the ITA threading. Always confirm your frame's bottom bracket specification before purchasing.

SRAM DUB (Durable Unified Bottom bracket) is SRAM's unified crankset spindle standard, using a 28.99mm diameter axle designed to work across various bottom bracket standards through the use of adapter spacer kits. Compared to SRAM's earlier GXP system (24/22mm), the DUB spindle is significantly stiffer and offers improved sealing. This BB ALPHA version includes the DUB Spacer Kit to ensure correct axial positioning of the crankset within the ITA threaded shell.

Where most bottom brackets compromise between lifespan and price, the BB ALPHA is engineered around one principle: outlast the frame it's installed in. At its core are grade-3 Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramic balls — CeramicSpeed's highest-grade in-house produced bearing balls — paired with hardened stainless-steel races to ensure ultra-low friction and exceptional longevity even under high-RPM demands.

The sealing system went through 28 design iterations, with laboratory testing confirming a 500% improvement in moisture and contamination resistance over conventional designs. Whether you ride in rain, humidity, or dusty conditions, the BB ALPHA keeps performing. A newly simplified spacer tube design makes installation faster and more straightforward, while simultaneously achieving a 10% weight saving over the previous generation — coming in at just 84g net, making this one of the lightest versions in the entire BB ALPHA range.

As a threaded design, the ITA bottom bracket installs by simply threading the cups into the frame shell using an appropriate wrench — significantly simpler than press-fit alternatives. CeramicSpeed offers the Dual Socket Tool BSA/ITA (€69), a single tool capable of installing and removing both BSA and ITA threaded bottom brackets. When installing, note that both ITA cups tighten clockwise (right-hand thread), unlike BSA where the drive-side cup uses a left-hand thread.

Every BB ALPHA unit is hand-assembled by technicians in Denmark and backed by CeramicSpeed's lifetime warranty.

 

 

Key Features

Ultra-Low Friction: Grade-3 Silicon Nitride ceramic balls paired with hardened stainless-steel races deliver minimal rolling resistance, converting every watt of power into forward motion.

500% Moisture Protection: Custom-designed seals and precision dust covers, refined through 28 iterations, dramatically improve waterproofing and contamination resistance to extend bearing life.

Exceptionally Lightweight: Optimised cup material and a super-light spacer tube achieve a 10% weight reduction over the previous generation, with a net weight of just 84g — one of the lightest in the BB ALPHA range.

Corrosion Resistant by Design: Hardened stainless-steel races inherently resist corrosion without relying on additional coatings — particularly suited for Hong Kong's humid climate.

ITA Italian Threaded Design: Purpose-built for the 36mm × 24tpi right-hand threaded, 70mm shell width ITA standard, ensuring a precise fit for Colnago, De Rosa, Pinarello (legacy), Bianchi, and other Italian-threaded frames.

SRAM DUB Dedicated: Engineered specifically for the SRAM DUB 28.99mm spindle standard. Includes DUB Spacer Kit to ensure correct axial positioning, compatible with RED, Force, Rival, and all DUB-series cranksets.

28-Iteration Dust Covers: Precision dust covers refined through 28 design iterations, optimised for fitment and protection in threaded installation environments.

Simple Threaded Installation: Threaded design with fewer spacer variants and included DUB Spacer Kit — no press tools required. Simply thread into the frame using the appropriate wrench.

Serviceable Design: Bearing seals and dust covers can be individually replaced and maintained, extending overall product lifespan.

Lifetime Warranty: Backed by CeramicSpeed's official lifetime warranty programme for maximum peace of mind.

Hand-Built in Denmark: Each bearing unit is individually assembled and quality-inspected by Danish technicians.

 

 

 

In the Box

• CeramicSpeed BB ALPHA for ITA SRAM DUB Road × 1
• DUB Spacer Kit × 1
• UFO TECH All Round Bearing Grease 5ml × 1
• CeramicSpeed Decal × 1

Frame & Crank Compatibility

Compatible with all frames featuring the ITA Italian threaded bottom bracket standard (36mm × 24tpi right-hand thread, 70mm shell width), paired with SRAM DUB 28.99mm axle cranksets. ITA threading is found primarily on the following brands (including but not limited to): Colnago (C68, C64, V4Rs legacy, etc.), Pinarello (Dogma series legacy), De Rosa (SK Pininfarina, Merak, etc.), Bianchi (select models), Wilier (select models), and other European brands using the Italian threading standard. Compatible SRAM DUB cranksets include SRAM RED AXS, Force AXS, Rival AXS, RED eTap, and all other DUB-series road cranks.

⚠️ Many Italian brands have transitioned newer frames to BSA or press-fit (e.g. BB86) standards. Please confirm your frame's bottom bracket shell specification before purchasing. Contact Jollymap customer service if unsure.

What is ITA (Italian Threaded)?

ITA (Italian Threaded) is a bottom bracket threading standard originating from Italy's bicycle manufacturing tradition, still used by select classic Italian brands. Its specification is a 36mm thread diameter, 24 threads per inch (24tpi), with a 70mm shell width. The most important characteristic is that both cups use standard right-hand threading (clockwise to tighten). This differs from the more common BSA standard, where the drive-side cup uses a reverse left-hand thread (counter-clockwise to tighten) to prevent loosening during riding. Additionally, ITA has a larger thread outer diameter (36mm vs 34.8mm for BSA) and a wider shell (70mm vs 68mm), making the two completely non-interchangeable.

What is SRAM DUB?

SRAM DUB (Durable Unified Bottom bracket) is SRAM's unified crankset spindle standard introduced in 2018, using a 28.99mm diameter axle to work across road and mountain bike bottom bracket standards (BSA, ITA, BB30, PF30, BBright, BB86, etc.) via adapter spacer kits. Compared to SRAM's previous GXP system (24/22mm), DUB offers greater stiffness and improved sealing. This product includes the required DUB Spacer Kit for ITA fitment.

Recommended Accessories

• CeramicSpeed Dual Socket Tool BSA/ITA (BSA/ITA dual-standard BB installation and removal wrench) 
• CeramicSpeed Preload Ring for SRAM DUB (SRAM DUB crank preload ring) 
• CeramicSpeed Crank Bolt Removal Tool