7
Why does nobody talk about the difference a proper bearing preload makes on old cup-and-cone hubs?
I just rebuilt a set of Shimano 600 hubs from the 80s that had been sitting for years, and the before-and-after in smoothness was huge. The key was using a cone wrench to get that tiny bit of drag just right, not just cranking them down. Anyone have a good trick for setting that preload without a special tool?
3 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In3 Comments
mitchell.val16d ago
Glad you got them rolling smooth again. One small thing, that tiny bit of drag you feel is actually the bearing clearance being taken up, not preload. True preload means you're putting a constant squeeze on the bearings, which you really don't want on a bike hub. You're just removing the wiggle.
6
the_christopher16d ago
Yeah, that point from @mitchell.val about bearing clearance is key. I've made that same mistake before, thinking a little resistance was good. It's easy to over-tighten when you're just trying to get rid of the play. Getting that feel for the sweet spot takes some practice.
9
finleyw5816d ago
Yeah, that "wiggle" part is so true... I spent a whole afternoon on my old mountain bike hub once, convinced I had it perfect. Took it for a ride and it felt like I was pedaling through mud after a mile. Had to take it all apart again and start from scratch. It's one of those things you only learn by messing it up yourself.
5