Fitted a pair of Hope-issued SKF bearings in May. They've developed a tiny amount of lateral play already.
Should I be pished off with them?
Bike Forum
Hope Pro2 front bearings - how long should they last?
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Posted 8 months ago #
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Probably, but it seems to be the time they last. Tiny little bearings aren't they?
Posted 8 months ago # -
Seems to be very variable - I get years, PeterPoddy gets days
I would say just a summers use is not much tho - but its a simple job to change them
Posted 8 months ago # -
I get about 10 months, maybe you just got unlucky and some dirt got in
Posted 8 months ago # -
Cheers.
Back up to the shop in a minute then to buy another pair...Posted 8 months ago # -
You're not running Pikes are you?
Known issues with 20mm axle wobble with Pro IIs.
Posted 8 months ago # -
If the original (factory fitted) ones lasted longer, maybe you didn't fit them 'square'?
Posted 8 months ago # -
Still on the orginal ones from 2007 doing 100+ miles a week
Posted 8 months ago # -
I put new bearings in (proper Hope ones) did one ride and they are still fine!
But they are now sticking to the axel (RS Maxel) - never did that before. You can see two rusty colour stripes on the axel where it contacts the bearings
Posted 8 months ago # -
Seems to be very variable - I get years, PeterPoddy gets days
He's not wrong.
They SHOULD last years (My XC hub bearings last years) but they don't.
Why? Becasue the Pro 2 is a compromise hub. In the days of the XC there was the Bulb as well, for tougher duties, but they trimmed that down so the Pro 2 did everything with the aid of adaptors. And it does that just fine.
But pick up an XC bearing and a Pro 2 bearing and look at them from the side. The XC bearing looks like a Polo mint, the Pro 2 bearing like a Hula Hoop.
To make the hub adaptable there was a compromise - Smaller bearings. And they don't last as long.Simples.
Also, an XC has the same beairngs front and rear. 6 bearings of the same size to change at both ends of the bike. the Pro 2 has 3 sizes in the rear alone!
Posted 8 months ago # -
Small bearings with virtually no seals (especially in the 20mm axle case). Of course they get knackered quick.
Posted 8 months ago # -
yup i get really poor wear times out of my pro2's
2-3 months of 2-3x weekly ridesPosted 8 months ago # -
Don't buy them from a bike shop; take one along to a bearing stockist and get double shielded for less money than from the LBS.
Posted 8 months ago # -
My LBS did them for cheaper than anywhere I could find on the 'tinterweb.
used a proper Hope press to fit them.
Running 20mm Maxle on Thors.Is there a 20mm hub that uses bigger bearings?
Posted 8 months ago # -
I run mine with Pikes. This'll be their 4th winter with no issues.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Mine are into their 3rd year, occasionally I'll regrease them when I remember. Bike gets used everyday commuting to work offroad.
Posted 8 months ago # -
I get 6 months max.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Years / thousands of miles for me. I suspect a variable clearance / quality control issue especially with some forks. so on some hubs the bearings get misaligned or get end loads they can't take thus wear prematurely.
Posted 8 months ago # -
my pro 2's ate bearings too.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Mine are just on the way out after about 10 months use.
I'll be properly packing the replacements with grease.
Posted 8 months ago # -
I run mine with Pikes. I'm in my 5th winter with no issues.
No issues on the other bike either. Replaced the rear ones allright.
Posted 8 months ago # -
My last set were 'proper' Hopes but I took the shields off anyway to czech grease fill and about 1/3 of the balls had no grease at all.
Posted 8 months ago # -
just had a thouhgt. i bought the bearings in May, but only fitted them when my Thors were away for service and was using different forks and wheel for a while.
Which means I've only been using them since August, less than 2 months
Posted 8 months ago # -
It does seem strange that a 'premium' product has almost no sealing.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Lasted me about 12 months. Got the bearing tool kit, bought some new bearings and all sorted in the space of about 10 minutes. Very simple. Have these on my winter bike which gets caked in mud on every ride.
Posted 8 months ago # -
You're not running Pikes are you?
Known issues with 20mm axle wobble with Pro IIs.
I am, mine are well wobbly! Must get round to doing something about that
Posted 8 months ago # -
Yeah, I had problems with mine, new bearings would sort it but only for a very short while. Grrr.
Getting new forks (new Pikes) solved it for a while.
Getting some Marzocchi 44 RC3s solved it for good!
Seems to be very user-specific though - some folk get on fine.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Not knowing exactly where the front wheel will go just makes a descent more interesting
Posted 8 months ago # -
Correct. It just steers round the rocks!
Posted 8 months ago # -
Shh! Don't give away the secret of my radness!
Posted 8 months ago # -
fwiw both sets of my pro2s bearings seem to last a couple of years
1 is on my xc bike fox floats, 9mm thru axle theyve been fine on some grim bb destroying peaks rides and lots of muddy welsh weekends
the other on my dh bike 20mm bolt thru marzocchis theyve seen abuse in the alps and uplifts in the uk
Posted 8 months ago # -
years for me on pro 2s too, but i also re-grease them.. i do that to all bike bearings especially suspension ones even (and most importantly!) when new. Makes a big difference as many new bearings are " under greased" for a bike application IMHO.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Radioman - I get years and I don't disturb the seals to regrease.
Posted 8 months ago # -
2-3 months for me everytime,shite!
Posted 8 months ago # -
Got a week out of a set in Morzine - it was wet for 3 days, loads of free play and as rough as a rough thing - siezed solid by the time I got back home, have never got more than a couple of months out of a set in the UK - very poor sealing.
Posted 8 months ago #
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