Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the January Giveaway for a Chance to Win the Movcan V80 E-bike Worth $889


Feeling hub adjustment
#1
Hi all, I just attempted my first hub overhaul on my beater bike last night. The adjustment phase took me more than 2 hours. It felt like playing a harp as I was hugging the wheel and have one hand on each end of the axle feeling for play as well as turning the cone. Now I understand what the 'art' is about.
Mine is a solid axle, not QR. This might be tough to answer, but my question is what does it feel like, or how can I tell, if the bearings are binding? Is it a 'gritty', instead of 'gooey' feeling when I turn the axle with my fingers? I have the cones adjusted now so there's no play at all if I wiggle the axle, and the wheel pendulums if I suspend it by the axle ends.
Given it doesn't give a gritty feeling, is it advisable to err for no play at all and give up that extra looseness to ensure all bearings in the hub share the load instead of just one or two carrying the load at any given time (with an adjustment that has play).

  Reply
#2
Sounds right, the hub cones should be adjusted just at the point where there is no play, but the wheel should spin freely. The hub shouldn't sound 'gritty'... if so your hub's bearing races or cones may be worn or pitted. A 'gooey' feeling is ok.

  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread
Author
Replies
Views
Last Post
 
1,212
05-14-2020, 08:14 AM
Last Post: Dany6
 
7,520
09-15-2013, 03:34 PM
Last Post: Joe_W

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Where do you put your phone when riding?
Yesterday 02:06 PM
Wishing you an Awesome 2025 & many fun r...
01-31-2025 05:55 AM
Fingers going numb especially last 2 on ...
01-30-2025 10:00 PM
New Travel Battery
01-30-2025 09:27 PM
Evglobal 24 volt bike
01-30-2025 01:08 AM
My 1981 COLNAGO "Super" possible early "...
01-29-2025 01:19 PM
The big difference in cyclist
01-29-2025 12:32 PM
How did your cycling start?
01-28-2025 06:58 PM
Beginner Mountain Biking Tips
01-28-2025 06:44 PM
Condor Acciaio, a premium steel road bik...
01-27-2025 01:49 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. SPINMAN
14 posts
no avatar 2. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 3. enkei
12 posts
no avatar 4. Flowrider
12 posts
no avatar 5. ReapThaWhirlwind
11 posts