In this article I will share my thoughts about the CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheels Shimano 12-14T that I’ve installed on the Shimano Ultegra R8170 rear derailleur of the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 8.0 Di2. These 12 speed Rear Derailleur Ceramic Pulley Wheels were discounted, so an easy replacement despite not having a full ceramic bearing.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key features CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheels Shimano 12-14T
On the product page of the CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheels (12-14T) for Shimano Ultegra R8170 the following extensive description can be found:
Enhance your ride and unlock superior drivetrain performance with the CEMA Ceramic Jockey Wheelset, precision-engineered for Shimano ́s latest 12-speed road groupsets. This premium upgrade is designed for demanding cyclists who demand maximum efficiency, smoother shifting, and improved durability from their drivetrain. By replacing your stock pulleys, you can significantly reduce mechanical friction, save precious watts, and transfer more of your power directly to the road.
The high-quality bearing options, especially the SRC and all-ceramic variants, rotate with unrivalled smoothness compared to standard steel bearings. This efficiency gain is further enhanced by the oversized 12-tooth and 14-tooth pulley design. The larger diameter of the jockey wheels allows the chain to run in a wider, more natural arc, reducing chain linking and friction at each link. The result is a quieter, more efficient drivetrain that feels incredibly smooth, whether you’re climbing a steep incline or sprinting to the finish line.
In addition to pure speed, this set offers a remarkable improvement in your shifting quality. The pulley bodies are precision CNC machined from a solid block of high-quality 7075 T6 aluminum. This rigid construction eliminates the flex that standard plastic pulleys exhibit, making every shift sharp, direct, and precise. You can count on flawless gear changes, even under high torque loads. This precision and reliability provide the confidence needed to focus on your ride, knowing that your gear is performing perfectly. It’s a smart investment in the durability and reliability of your high-end drivetrain.
Specifications
- Product: Pulley wheelset (12-14T)
- Compatibility: Perfectly suitable for Shimano 12-speed race rear derailleurs, including the Dura-Ace R9200, Ultegra R8100 + R8150 and Shimano 105 R7100 + R7150 series. But also Shimano GRX 820/822/825, XTR M9100, XT M8100, SLX M7100 and DEORE M6100 series
- Body Material: Precision CNC-machined 7075 T6 aluminum for maximum rigidity and minimum weight
For me there are two go-to brands for bottom brackets and rear derailleur pulley wheels. These are C-Bear and CEMA Bearing. Both are solid aftermarket options, where on the bottom bracket side I would have a slight preference for C-Bear.
On the Canyon Ultimate CF SLX 9.0 I have been using a similar set of CEMA Bearing Full Ceramic Pulley Wheels in combination with the Dura Ace 9000 rear derailleur. Especially I liked the aluminum construction with an open pulley wheel design that has huge benefits in maintenance (and dirt clogging up on the pulley wheel side). The C-Bear OCM Ceramic Pulley Wheels Shimano GRX-RD-820 also have this open design, which is even more important in gravel and mountain bike usage.
Most likely there is also a contribution to smooth shifting and a bit of friction reduction, but with the Shimano Ultegra R8170 rear derailleur the shifting is supperb. I’m not a professional World Tour cyclist so I will not be able to feel the difference with the watts I can put down on the pedals. However, the maintenance ease and durability of the bearings is something that I will certainly experience.
Installation CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheels on Shimano Ultegra R8170 rear derailleur
I’ve installed the CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheels without removing the rear derailleur, only taking the wheel out to properly work on the upper pulley wheel. I would go for a like-for-like replacement approach (replacing one pulley wheel after the other);
- You simply untighten the bolt for the pulley wheel and remove the bolt from the rear derailleur cage. The Gear Mech Plate is still in place with 1 bolt (that advantage of like for like) and see also Fibre Lyte Gear Mech Plate Shimano Dura Ace 9000
- Remove the stock Shimano Ultegra R8100 stock pulley wheel from the rear derailleur;
- Slide in the CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheel into the rear derailleur, and put back the bolt. Tighten it to dealer manual specification (2.5 – 3.0 Nm);
- Check if the rotation markers on the pulley wheels are correct, or in the case of the different sized CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheel, make sure you have them in the correct position (big and small);
- Repeat the steps above for the other CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheel;
It will take you less than 15 minutes and after installation no adjustments are needed. And when needed Shimano has some good technical documentation, manuals and exploded views available.
Concluding thoughts and wrap-up
The price point of CEMA Bearing Ceramic Pulley Wheels Shimano 12-14T is around € 95,00 (while the list price would be around € 120,00 for the ceramic option). The full ceramic bearing option has a list price of € 150,00.
For me the most important and valuable aspect is easy maintenance with the open design for easy cleaning. A full aluminum pulley wheel and good quality bearings make sure that these pulley wheels last (without having to look after these).
- Have you used any CEMA Bearing products before ?
- What after market derailleur pulley wheels are you using ? What brand and type?
- Would you invest around € 100,00 for after market pulley wheels?
Please let me know in the comment section below. A full list of CEMA Bearing and C-Bear product reviews can be found below.
- C-Bear OCM Ceramic Pulley Wheels Shimano GRX-RD-820 12-speed
- CEMA Bearing Full Ceramic Pulley Wheels
- CEMA Bearing Interlock BB86-BB92 Bottom Bracket
- C-Bear BB86/BB92 Ceramic Bottom Bracket PF41–AC for All Conditions
- C-Bear Ceramic Bottom Bracket for BB86/BB92
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