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


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
 
1,466
05-14-2020, 08:14 AM
Last Post: Dany6
 
8,189
09-15-2013, 03:34 PM
Last Post: Joe_W

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
I got new Tioga FASTR X Tires (Ask Me An...
Today 01:31 AM
Cassette shifting Problem
Today 01:06 AM
Attack // Force tire style narrow front ...
Today 12:55 AM
Gandolfi "Super" model 1985-86 racing bi...
Yesterday 01:10 PM
The great thing about trikes
Yesterday 11:10 AM
Doctors are Prescribing Cycling
Yesterday 10:40 AM
How to improve cycling endurance? I've h...
06-30-2025 06:27 PM
Hot Weather Safety
06-30-2025 06:05 PM
Variation in Conti GP5000 sizing?
06-30-2025 05:42 PM
Budget Gravel Bikes - useful YouTube vid...
06-30-2025 03:43 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. GirishH
21 posts
no avatar 2. Flowrider
18 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
13 posts
no avatar 4. rydabent
12 posts
no avatar 5. Jesper
11 posts