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
 
9,840
09-15-2013, 03:34 PM
Last Post: Joe_W
 
33,440
12-31-2011, 10:04 AM
Last Post: dave_sd
 
25,812
12-12-2011, 03:41 AM
Last Post: Joe_W
 
13,414
03-12-2010, 10:24 AM
Last Post: surreypete

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
Hatch Chiles Rule!
Yesterday 06:18 PM
Are you mainly into Mountain Biking, Roa...
11-11-2026 11:08 AM
Are 26" really dying out?
11-11-2026 11:02 AM
Wanted | Magura Louse or Julie rear
11-11-2026 04:03 AM
Should eBikers have to get an eBike lice...
11-09-2026 05:21 AM
How Bad Are E-bikes By You?
11-08-2026 10:29 PM
Shortness of breath.
11-08-2026 09:56 PM
Hello All
11-06-2026 09:03 AM
I don't usually wear a bike helmet. Does...
11-06-2026 02:48 AM
Chain skips under heavy load when pedall...
11-06-2026 02:44 AM

[-]
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. Flowrider
21 posts
no avatar 2. meamoantonio
11 posts
no avatar 3. ReapThaWhirlwind
11 posts
no avatar 4. GirishH
8 posts
no avatar 5. Sidewinder
6 posts