Superstar hubs / wheelset issues ?!?!

mattyboy199

So my superstar wheelset has been returned today because there is excessive side to side play in both wheels. Has anyone had this issue before ? My front hub has being doing this from new, i intially thought it was a quick release issue, the rear not so bad but unexpected from a £300 wheeelset. I have been running shimano hubs for years with no issues at all. Any advice would be great.

Thanks

Matt

cooldad

What's the question?

benpinnick

Beginning to hear more complaints around SS wheels on the forum. How tight were the spokes?

cooldad

Aaah so it's a complaint.
I must have missed that bit.

mattyboy199

Yes I m complaining cause I can't ride my bike for who knows how long ! Jus wondered if anyone else has had the same problem and what the outcome was. Superstar have suggested bearing replacement after 8months a non warranty issue?

cooldad

Bearings are not generally warranty issues. But sounds like you have been running a wobbly front wheel for eight months?

mattyboy199

Oh btw the spokes are tight and wheels are straight. Bearing may not be a warranty issue but 8 months light cross country and road use ? Somethings not right !

Neal_

My Superstar Tech2 EVO AM/Enduro 135 Switch Wheelset are spot on, no problems yet so I'm more than happy with them. If the bearings are knackered then replace them with FAG INA from here > http://www.akbearings.co.uk/default.asp?

dusk

I have a Superstar wheel albeit with a Mavic rim but it's been spot on so far

mattyboy199

Neal_ wrote:

My Superstar Tech2 EVO AM/Enduro 135 Switch Wheelset are spot on, no problems yet so I'm more than happy with them. If the bearings are knackered then replace them with FAG INA from here > http://www.akbearings.co.uk/default.asp?

How do you know which ones to buy ?


How long have you guys owned your wheels what type of riding do you do ?

supersonic

The code for the bearings is written on the bearings in the hub.

stubs

mattyboy199 wrote:

Neal_ wrote:

My Superstar Tech2 EVO AM/Enduro 135 Switch Wheelset are spot on, no problems yet so I'm more than happy with them. If the bearings are knackered then replace them with FAG INA from here > http://www.akbearings.co.uk/default.asp?

How do you know which ones to buy ?

Try this fella on ebay he does kits for SuperStar wheels KaTec bearings

Neal_

mattyboy199 wrote:

How do you know which ones to buy ?

The internet...and Stubs PM'd me the info

Switch Evo front Hubs take 6804-2RS X 2 http://www.akbearings.co.uk/product.asp ... rtRecord=1
Switch Evo rear Hubs take 6902-2RS X 4 http://www.akbearings.co.uk/product.asp ... rtRecord=1

The hubs are made by Novatec (Front = http://www.novatecwheels.com/novatec/en ... hp?sid=278 & rear = http://www.novatecwheels.com/novatec/en ... hp?sid=280)

mattyboy199 wrote:

How long have you guys owned your wheels what type of riding do you do ?

I've not had them long to be honest, I fitted them on 6th Jan this year and they have so far done 109km on and off road. There's no loosening spokes and they're running smoothly, if there's a problem I'll post back here but you could be waiting a while.

mattyboy199

I m actually shocked that these wheels have failed so soon. I was running XT / D521 wheels before totally faultless i just couldnt justify the weight for the type of riding i do & i wanted green hubs. Expected more from the SS wheelset & its crapy bearings.

Neal_

By the sound of it the wheels haven't failed but the bearings have. You would expect them to last longer but they're a wear and tear component and there's no way of SSC knowing if you've been pressure washing them every weekend so I wouldn't expect them to replace them at their cost. A full set of FAG INA bearings are £50ish but you can get a full set of stainless bearings (blue seal) for £25 from AK bearings. What have SSC said?

stubs

If you had side to side play from the start sounds like the bearings were duff when installed, its too late now but you should have told them straight away. No hub should have side to side play even a cheapo cup and cone set on a supermarket special shouldnt wobble when new.

There has been a few reports of SS wheel bearings failing but they do sell wheelsets by the thousands, everywhere you go now someone has a shiny set of wheels from them. As Neal_ said get some good quality bearings installed and chances are thats the last time you will touch them for a good while. The hubs are made by Novatec who make hubs for lots of firms like Halo and Nukeproof so if there was a design fault we would have heard a lot more about it by now.

Its not very helpful but dont think SS will pay for new bearings but if your very nice and polite they might fit them for nothing or just do it yourself its easy and all you need is a couple of allen keys, a hammer and a drift to knock them out and a vice to press them back in using the old bearings as a drift.

bails87

Neal_ wrote:

FAGINA

Sorry,but....

mattyboy199

what i dont get is how shimano cone bearings can last so much longer than than a supposed sealed unit. Ive never had a problem with sealed bearings before in headsets or pedals surely these take more of a beating.

I thought a £300 wheelset would justify reliability how wrong was i :x

Neal_

bails87 wrote:

Neal_ wrote:

FAGINA

Sorry,but....

Pro tip: Don't google image search that with safe search off when your boss is stood behind you :oops:

cooldad

mattyboy199 wrote:

what i dont get is how shimano cone bearings can last so much longer than than a supposed sealed unit. Ive never had a problem with sealed bearings before in headsets or pedals surely these take more of a beating.

I thought a £300 wheelset would justify reliability how wrong was i :x

Shimano hubs are sealed. You are confusing sealed with cartridge.

cooldad

One possible problem with cartridge bearings in hubs is that they can't take side loadings as well, unless they are angular bearings, which are common in better headsets. Shimano cup and cone are better at taking angular loads.

Northwind

Neal_ wrote:

By the sound of it the wheels haven't failed but the bearings have. You would expect them to last longer but they're a wear and tear component

He does say that the front's done it from new... Which begs question, why not get it fixed when new rather than waiting til now?

If it's just the bearings, well, that's not hard or particularily expensive to sort- not likely that they'll all need done, check individually and replace as appropriate. But is that definately the issue? Bearings this size and in this sort of application have to be very worn before you get a significant amount of play.

Neal_

Definitely should have got it sorted 8 months ago!

mattyboy199

I understand where your coming from why have i left it so long ? i ll explain, initially i thought it was a quick release issue on removal of the wheel & re-installation it seemed to cure itself but after a ride would wobble again. I switched from quick release to bolt through forks & the problem still occurred so i then contacted SS december with xmas etc i just havent had the time to srip down the wheels completely (i took delivery of the wheels mid may).

mattyboy199

Also can i just point out i m not expert on wheels & bearings, i wasnt aware of the 2 year warranty excluding bearings, infact i didnt even get receipt or warranty document.

Neal_

Fair enough, have they received your wheels back and what have they said?

supersonic

It may not be a bearing issue, but spacer issue.

mattyboy199

Still waiting to hear from SS I'm afraid

supersonic

Can you see the wheel sliding on the axle when it is done up ie a gap between the fork and spacer edge? Whot fork and axle is it?

mattyboy199

Its a maxle. Seemed like there was just play in the hub caps,obviously there's more to it

mattyboy199

I heard back from Superstar today they have suggested all bearings are wear & tear / water damage (never been jet washed might i add). I accept this on the rear hub, but the front hub there is far too much play. Cost for replacement is £20.

Im a bit annoyed that with SS to be honest they dont provide a warranty card, they dont provide installation or maintenance guides, they obviously dont check bearings prior to dispatch. When things go wrong they were pretty quick to outline where i stand (the 2 year warranty is worthless). No intention of buying anything bearing related from them again.