What have I done to my wheel?

Eiger

I have uploaded a video, sorry if it takes a while to load. It illustrates the problem better than I can describe it:

So I think the bolts are just loose, but I have no idea how they got like this... I have since tightened them up with a wrench on either side, is this sufficient?

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/ca...956900wg6WFdJR

Monty Dog

www.parktool.com - can't link to your video - but suspect that if you aren't using a pair of cone wrenches to tighten up the nuts it will just go loose again

Eiger

I do have some cone wrenches, but dont understand why a normal wrench wouldnt do them just as tight?

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/categ ... 00wg6WFdJR

There is full link to video..

Eiger

Not it can't be right that they have to be tightened up.... beause now when I put the wheel on the bike it can't physically move when the pedal turns... what the hell have I done?

amaferanga

There should be two bolts on each side. Tighten the inner one to remove the play and then the outer one (as you hold the inner one) against it. Might take a bit of trial and error to just remove the play without being so tight that the axle is difficult to turn.

Those look like the wheels that came on my Tricross Single. I found the hubs really difficult to adjust actually and gave up using the rear.

desweller

There should be locknuts for the cones. Carefully screw in the cones until there is no play, and then tighten the locknuts against the cones so they don't loosen in use. It's a bit of an art, as frequently you have to leave some play in there to be taken up when you tighten the nuts that hold the wheel onto the frame.

But if you have overtightened them, chances are you've damaged the race surfaces.

DW

NB The only reason we use cone spanners is because normal spanners are too thick to fit onto the cone once the locknut is against it. A cone spanner is just a thin spanner by another name.

Eiger

But everytime I try to remove the play, it is too tight and then the wheel cannot turn when on the bike, if you see what I mean, any looser so that it moves and there is loads of play...

It is indeed Tricross Singlespeed, good spot!

oldnslowcp

there needs to be a cone and locknut each side. Have you removed the ball bearings, regreased and then follow the above instructions with the final setting like this:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZp-9xQf ... re=channel

Eiger

Ok I think I got it, by doing this:

1. get cones just less than fingertight so that that the hub is not loose, if too tight, even slightly too tight, the axle will try to rotate when you pedal (this is the prob i was trying to descirbe)
2. holding the cone with the cone spanner, tighten the locknuts so that they but up against it, ensuring the cone is not tightened any further.
3. seat on bike, and test not too tight by pedalling once chain attached...
4. done

Why couldn't I find anywhere online to describe it that simply?!

Thats right isnt it?

Velonutter

Just a thought...you have got the right size and number of bearings in there?

Eiger

I didnt build the hub, for some reason it has just come loose...

desweller

Eiger wrote:

Ok I think I got it, by doing this:

1. get cones just less than fingertight so that that the hub is not loose, if too tight, even slightly too tight, the axle will try to rotate when you pedal (this is the prob i was trying to descirbe)
2. holding the cone with the cone spanner, tighten the locknuts so that they but up against it, ensuring the cone is not tightened any further.
3. seat on bike, and test not too tight by pedalling once chain attached...
4. done

Why couldn't I find anywhere online to describe it that simply?!

Thats right isnt it?

That's what I said ! Carefully tighten the cones until there is no play, then tighten the locknuts against the cones!

Does sound like your bearings are a bit tired though. If you put the bike upside down and spin the wheel, can you feel rumbling in the chainstays?

DW

nmcgann

PS: you can loosen the cones a tiny bit after you have locked the locknuts down. Just use a pair of cone spanners, one either side. I lock it at a fraction too tight and then back the cones off a touch (less than 1/4 turn) and that can get it absolutely spot-on.

Eiger

What is the chainstay? :oops:

keef66

thats the bit of the frame between the bottom bracket and the rear dropout, ie the bit you can see between the upper and lower chain runs

nicklouse

Eiger wrote:

Why couldn't I find anywhere online to describe it that simply?!

Thats right isnt it?

http://sheldonbrown.com/cone-adjustment.html

Wappygixer

I wonder if the bearing races have come adrift and or cracked.These are the bits that are pressed in the hub body for the bearings to rotate in.If play suddenly developes then this can usually be the cause.If its wear it happens progressively.