CeramicSpeed BB ALPHA for ITA Shimano Road

 

Product Introduction

The flagship ceramic bottom bracket purpose-built for Shimano 24mm 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 80g, and a lifetime warranty. Compatible with Shimano Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, GRX, and other 24mm axle cranksets. Fits 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 Shimano 24mm axle cranksets (including Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, GRX, and other brands with 24mm spindles) 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.

Shimano's 24mm axle is one of the longest-standing and most widely adopted crankset spindle standards in road cycling. Since the introduction of Shimano's Hollowtech II system, the 24mm diameter has been the unified standard across Shimano's entire road crankset lineup, from entry-level Claris to the flagship Dura-Ace. Unlike SRAM's DUB system (28.99mm) or the older GXP (24/22mm stepped), Shimano uses a consistent 24mm diameter along the entire axle length, paired with two bearings of identical inner diameter — a structurally simple and reliable configuration. This ITA Shimano version requires no additional spacer kit for spindle adaptation — the bearing bore directly accommodates the 24mm axle. Additionally, many third-party crankset brands (such as Rotor, FSA, and Praxis) produce 24mm-compatible road cranks that will work with this bottom bracket.

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 80g net, making this the lightest version in the BB ALPHA ITA range (4g lighter than the SRAM DUB version).

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. When installing Shimano cranksets, the CeramicSpeed Alloy Preload Bolt for Shimano Cranks (€18) is recommended to replace the factory plastic preload cap, providing more precise preload adjustment.

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 80g — the lightest in the BB ALPHA ITA lineup.

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.

Shimano 24mm Dedicated: Engineered specifically for the Shimano 24mm spindle standard (Hollowtech II). Compatible with Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, GRX, and all other Shimano road/gravel cranksets, as well as third-party 24mm cranks from Rotor, FSA, Praxis, and others.

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 — no press tools required. Simply thread into the frame using the appropriate wrench. No additional spacer kit needed for Shimano 24mm axle fitment.

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 Shimano Road × 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 Shimano 24mm axle cranksets or other brands' 24mm spindle cranks. 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 cranksets include: Shimano Dura-Ace (R9200, R9100, 9000, etc.), Ultegra (R8100, R8000, 6800, etc.), 105 (R7100, R7000, etc.), GRX (RX-820, RX-810, etc.), as well as Rotor ALDHU/VEGAST/2INpower (24mm versions), FSA Gossamer/Omega/Energy (MegaExo 24mm versions), Praxis Zayante/Alba, and other third-party 24mm axle 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.

About the Shimano 24mm Axle Standard

Shimano's Hollowtech II system uses a 24mm diameter hollow aluminium or carbon fibre crankset axle — one of the most widely adopted road crankset standards in cycling. Since the Dura-Ace 7800 series (2004), all Shimano road cranksets (Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, Tiagra, Sora, Claris) and gravel cranksets (GRX series) have used the unified 24mm spindle. Unlike SRAM DUB (28.99mm) or Campagnolo Ultra-Torque (25mm split design), Shimano's 24mm is a one-piece design — the axle is permanently attached to the right crank arm and passes through the bottom bracket from the drive side, secured by the left crank arm's pinch bolts. This design requires no additional spacer kit for spindle diameter adaptation (the bearing bore is directly sized at 24mm), making the installation straightforward.

Many third-party crankset brands also offer 24mm spindle versions, including Rotor (ALDHU, VEGAST, 2INpower 24mm versions), FSA (MegaExo standard), and Praxis (Zayante, Alba), all of which are compatible with this bottom bracket.

Recommended Accessories

• CeramicSpeed Dual Socket Tool BSA/ITA (BSA/ITA dual-standard BB installation and removal wrench) 
• CeramicSpeed Alloy Preload Bolt for Shimano Cranks (replaces factory plastic preload cap for more precise adjustment) 
• CeramicSpeed Bottom Bracket Seal and Dust Cover Service Tool (for seal and dust cover maintenance)