CeramicSpeed BB ALPHA for T47/68 Shimano Road
$3,280.00
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Danish-made CeramicSpeed flagship ceramic bottom bracket for T47 threaded frames (68mm shell width) paired with Shimano 24mm axle road cranksets. Grade-3 Silicon Nitride ceramic balls, hardened stainless-steel races, 28-iteration seal and dust cover design, 500% improved moisture protection, 115g net weight. Hand-built in Denmark. Lifetime warranty. Black finish.
Product Description
BB ALPHA is CeramicSpeed's latest flagship bottom bracket series, engineered with one uncompromising goal: to outlast your frame. This model is purpose-built for T47 threaded frames (68mm shell width) paired with Shimano 24mm axle cranksets, with bearings placed outboard. It is suitable for road cycling, triathlon, and track disciplines.
About the T47 Standard
T47 is a modern bottom bracket standard that combines the proven reliability of traditional threaded installation with the larger bearing cavity of oversized shells. Compared to BSA's 34.8mm bore, T47 features a 47mm bore diameter, providing greater bearing space for improved load capacity and rotational efficiency.
This product fits the T47/68 symmetric specification with a 68mm shell width — the same shell width as BSA, but with a significantly larger bore diameter. The advantage of threaded installation lies in precise torque control during fitting and removal, eliminating the creaking issues common with pressfit systems, while ensuring convenient future maintenance. An increasing number of next-generation road and triathlon frame brands have adopted the T47 standard.
Core Technology
Grade-3 Silicon Nitride Ceramic Balls (Si₃N₄) — Exceptionally high spherical precision, approximately twice the hardness of steel balls at only 41% of the density. Smoother surface and inherent corrosion resistance dramatically reduce rolling friction and inertia losses. Grade-3 designation indicates strict manufacturing tolerances ensuring top-tier roundness and dimensional consistency across every ball.
Hardened Stainless-Steel Races — Inherently corrosion-resistant at the material level, preventing rust or pitting even in wet riding conditions or humid environments. Hardening treatment ensures the races maintain precise raceway geometry under high loads such as out-of-saddle efforts or sprint forces.
Custom-Engineered Seal System (28 Iterations) — CeramicSpeed's engineering team developed precision dust covers and multi-barrier seal structures through 28 design iterations, optimising fitment and protection. Moisture and contamination protection is improved by 500% over the previous generation, while precisely controlled seal contact pressure ensures no sacrifice in rotational performance.
Simplified Spacer Tube Design — A new super-light spacer tube structure with fewer variants ensures faster, more intuitive installation. Cup material and geometry have been optimised for strength and reduced weight, achieving a 10% overall weight reduction while facilitating future maintenance.
Hand-Built in Denmark — Every BB ALPHA is individually assembled and spin-tested by technicians at CeramicSpeed's Holstebro factory, ensuring quality consistency far beyond mechanised mass production.
Key Features
- Lifetime Warranty — CeramicSpeed's lifetime warranty programme ensures long-term performance under normal use — invest once, ride with confidence
- Low Friction — Grade-3 Silicon Nitride ceramic balls with hardened stainless-steel races for supremely smooth rotation, converting more pedalling force into forward motion
- Corrosion Resistant by Design — Hardened stainless steel and ceramic materials inherently resist corrosion, extending service life — particularly suited to humid climates
- Exceptional Bearing Protection — Seal system and dust covers refined through 28 design iterations deliver 500% improved moisture and contamination resistance, significantly extending maintenance intervals
- Lightweight & Serviceable Design — 10% lighter than previous generation (115g net), threaded installation ensures stable, quiet, creak-free performance with easy future removal
Specifications
The SKU is 115440, part of the BB ALPHA flagship series in black. It is designed for road cycling, triathlon, and track disciplines. The BB type is T47 threaded with a 68mm shell width, with bearings placed outboard. It is compatible with Shimano cranksets featuring a 24.0mm axle diameter.
Bearing balls are Grade-3 Silicon Nitride (Si₃N₄) ceramic, paired with hardened stainless-steel races. The cup design is optimised for strength and weight. The seal system features custom-engineered seals with precision dust covers developed through 28 design iterations, delivering 500% improved moisture and contamination protection over the previous generation.
Net weight is 115g (10% lighter than the previous generation), with a gross weight of 226g including packaging. Hand-built in Denmark with a lifetime warranty. The EAN/Barcode is 5711050143153.
In the Box
One BB ALPHA for T47/68 Shimano Road ceramic bottom bracket, one 5ml tube of UFO TECH All Round Bearing Grease, and one CeramicSpeed decal.
Compatible Frames
This product is designed for T47 threaded frames with a symmetric 68mm shell width, with bearings placed outboard. T47 is increasingly found on next-generation frames from brands including Cervélo, Factor, Allied, Orbea, BMC, Basso, and others.
Note: T47/68 (symmetric 68mm) is a different specification from T47a (asymmetric 77mm), BSA (68mm shell but 34.8mm bore), and ITA (70mm). Although T47 and BSA share the same 68mm shell width, T47 has a 47mm bore diameter with different thread specifications. These are not interchangeable. Please verify your frame's bottom bracket shell markings or frame specifications before purchase.
Compatible Cranksets
All Shimano road cranksets with 24mm axle diameter are compatible, including Shimano Dura-Ace (R9200/R9100/9000), Ultegra (R8100/R8000/6800), 105 (R7100/R7000/5800), GRX (RX820/RX810/RX600), and Tiagra (4700), as well as any other cranksets from other brands using a 24mm axle.
Not compatible with: SRAM DUB (28.99mm axle), Campagnolo Ultra-Torque (25mm axle), SRAM GXP (24/22mm asymmetric axle), or any 30mm axle cranksets.
Installation Notes
Use the correct tool: T47 is a threaded standard requiring a dedicated T47 installation tool (CeramicSpeed Dual Socket Tool T45 Colnago/T47 recommended).
Thread lubrication: Apply the included UFO TECH grease to both frame threads and cup threads before installation to prevent seizing and facilitate future removal.
Threading direction: The drive side (right) uses left-hand thread and is tightened anti-clockwise; the non-drive side (left) uses right-hand thread and is tightened clockwise.
Torque control: Use a torque wrench to tighten to the recommended torque specification; avoid over- or under-tightening.
Preload adjustment: A preload bolt is required when installing Shimano cranksets (CeramicSpeed Alloy Preload Bolt for Shimano Cranks recommended) to adjust axial play — ensure no lateral movement while maintaining smooth rotation.
Professional installation: If unfamiliar with T47 bottom bracket procedures, professional workshop installation is recommended. CeramicSpeed provides an official installation video covering BB ALPHA for BSA, ITA, and T47 threaded frames.
Suggested Accessories
CeramicSpeed Dual Socket Tool T45 Colnago/T47 — Dedicated T47 installation and removal tool.
CeramicSpeed Alloy Preload Bolt for Shimano Cranks — Shimano-specific aluminium preload bolt.
Bottom Bracket Seal and Dust Cover Service Tool — Seal and dust cover maintenance tool.
BB ALPHA vs Previous Generation
BB ALPHA surpasses the previous generation across multiple dimensions. Race material has been upgraded from stainless steel to hardened stainless steel, with moisture and contamination protection improved by 500%. Dust covers feature a precision design refined through 28 iterations, replacing the previous standard design. Weight has been reduced by 10% (net 115g), and the spacer tube uses a new simplified super-light design for more intuitive installation. The warranty has also been upgraded from a limited warranty to a lifetime warranty.
