This morning, while fixing a puncture in the woods (someone keen put a barbed wire across the track…) I checked if there is any play in the cassette. And I discovered this: [video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNdWZcvQaOc[/video]

The freehub is still working (it engages no problem), it just simply comes away from the hub! Has something just unscrewed itself, or is it a proper warranty issue (the wheels are 5 months old)?

After I fitted the wheel back on I could ride with no issues, as the QR holds everything in place. Off to France on Saturday for two weeks for family holiday, with a perspective of some decent XC exploration…

Have Ultras still got a sizeable, screwed together, axle through the middle? If they do, I’d be getting the cassette off and having a look to see what condition it’s in, and making sure that it’s still screwed together

I can’t remember exactly how they go together, but they’re simple enough – I suspect something as come loose.

I’d take the cassette off and have a look, if anything is broken speak to S*, their warranty is very good and they’re usually very good about it.

As above, it should be the axle holding it together so something’s definitely not right. NDS endcap is the threaded one, iirc.

Mine did that.
You just need to take cassette off and tighten something.
Sorry, not very specific!

Or leave it – dynamic chain lube adjustment!

Thanks! So it is not some dramatic failure then. I’ll give it a check tonight!

OK, so after further inspection (which was really easy – I just took off the QR skewer) it turned out, that the axle broke. I’m pretty sure I’ll get the replacement, but the question is: will I die riding it for the next two weeks? When the wheel is back on the bike (which is a bit of a faffle, as the freehub & cassette does move a bit at first…) with the QR nice and tight, there wheel works perfectly fine. There is no play, no rattling, the hub engages as it should…

mine did the same.
Replaced axle and its fine again…

ordered new axle from superstar – delivered here (in Belgium) 48hrs later.

Mine broke (I believe) at the start of XC marathon. I could finish but it deteriorated throughout the event & eventually the bike wouldn’t freewheel anymore.

Just order a replacement axle on its own. You’ll have it tomorrow (probs). Then faff wth the warranty at a later date

I’m going to order the replacement in a minute then! Thanks!

Just a question: to replace it do I need to take the cassette off? Just so I know what tools to take with me for a holiday 😆

No, just two cone spanners (can’t remember which size but maybe 15mm)

Thanks! All sorted, the axle will be with me there at the beginning of next week – just in time when wife gets annoyed with me and lets me go for a ride 😆