Not so freehub
bompington
Posts: 7,674
Been off the bike for over a week after a good mile-rich summer. Back to school today (this is Scotland), drove in as usual then, when I went to set off home, I found I had an eleven speed fixie. Thankfully no damage done, I was just flicking the pedal back to get on, but I didn't fancy cycling the 20 hilly miles home fixed - the region was quite well jammed. With a bit of effort I could turn it manually, and eventually it eased off enough to work something close to properly.
Any suggestions from you fettling wizards what has gone wrong and what I should do about it? The wheels are bog standard Planet X. Vision Team 30s, Sram 11 speed, I couldn't tell you anything about the hubs. The bike's a year old and has only done about 2000 miles, I haven't touched the hubs at any point.
Any clues welcomed! Preferably before I ride in tomorrow morning...
Any suggestions from you fettling wizards what has gone wrong and what I should do about it? The wheels are bog standard Planet X. Vision Team 30s, Sram 11 speed, I couldn't tell you anything about the hubs. The bike's a year old and has only done about 2000 miles, I haven't touched the hubs at any point.
Any clues welcomed! Preferably before I ride in tomorrow morning...
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Comments
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It sounds like the freehub bearings have seized. Take the hub apart and inspect the bearings. If they're stiff/rough then they'll have to be pressed out and new ones fitted (of the same size/type). The size of the bearing will be printed on the old ones. New ones should be easily sourced -make sure that the new bearings are 2RS which means they're sealed both sides (better at keeping dirt out).
Alternatively you could find a complete freehub replacement.0 -
Yeah, thanks - I bathed it in oil overnight and it's definitely freer this morning, but I've come to the conclusion that replacement is the best option.
Am I right in thinking that this is a disappointing lifespan? I've never had a freehub fail on me before, and I'm fairly sure I've had ones that lasted for far longer.0 -
Yeah, thanks - I bathed it in oil overnight and it's definitely freer this morning, but I've come to the conclusion that replacement is the best option.
Am I right in thinking that this is a disappointing lifespan? I've never had a freehub fail on me before, and I'm fairly sure I've had ones that lasted for far longer.
I'd be disappointed. My RS10 Shimano freehub is still going strong after 8 years, and in that time it's only been off twice for a bit of preventive lubrication. Ridden year round for the first 5 years, but now on the best bike so it's getting an easier life.
Ditto the even cheaper R500; only 3 years old, but it's on the winter bike so generally only ridden in the wet. Might whip it off at the weekend for it's first inspection / lube.0 -
The Shimano freehub design is very strong. Because the freehub unit incorporates the bearings and ratchet assembly and is not user serviceable, they're able to run the bearings and the freehub in an oil bath and keep the seals away from the outside world.
The design is patented though, which is why pretty much everyone else ends up using industrial bearings. Unfortunately that means it's not very easy to employ the same level of protection as the bearings are much bulkier.
You might find that the bearings can be removed from the freehub body, in which case you can just measure and replace. Take a look at the axle surface; if you've been turning the axle in a seized bearing then it might not be in great shape.- - - - - - - - - -
On Strava.{/url}0 -
Yes, sounds like the freehub bearings are corroded - if the bike's been ridden for a year in all weathers, not entirely unexpected. It's likely that the freehub uses standard industrial cartridge bearings which are relatively cheap and easy to replace - your LBS should be able to do it for about £20. A friend gave me his P-X wheel to service as the bearings were a bit rough - replaced the bearings to only find the rim was cracked around the spoke holes - Planet-X out of rims, so nearest equivalent needed shorter spokes too - a bit like Trigger's broom by the time I'd finished.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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But if it's been ridden for less than a year in mostly good weather...Yes, sounds like the freehub bearings are corroded - if the bike's been ridden for a year in all weathers, not entirely unexpected.0 -
Maybe there was no grease in the bearings. Maybe the seals have been damaged. The only way to know is to look...- - - - - - - - - -
On Strava.{/url}0
