Dt Swiss 180 hub issue premature bearing ware.

Hello all, this relates specifically to the ceramic bearings..  2 sets of wheels, (mine and a mates) have had both front and rear bearings go really tight (like you can feel it even pedalling ) over a period of 10 and 6 months use.  These are stupidly expensive bearings that should last, and on a previous set (not mine) we know they’ve lasted very well.  Has anyone else experienced this / heard similar.  Both sets were in xmc1200’s.

Thanks

No issue with my XMC1200s, 3 years old now. Bad batch?

Thanks Tom, that’s what I’m thinking.  Am exploring warranty with shop but no idea what DT are like in these situations.

If DT Swiss don’t want to play, get some decent bearings instead.
SKF or NTN both make very good bearings, in far more suitable materials than ceramic.

No issues with my 180 hubs, they far out lasted the carbon rims they were originally attached to. I’ve found that the bearings need to be perfectly square when fitting. If you remove the bearing does it run freely?

[hammerandcycle]

hammerandcycle

Free Member

No issues with my 180 hubs, they far out lasted the carbon rims they were originally attached to. I’ve found that the bearings need to be perfectly square when fitting. If you remove the bearing does it run freely?

ive not removed the beaings yet, ill let the shop do that with proper tools, though i belive on my mates set i think the bearings ran pretty freely once out.  I’ve been reading that DT hubs have had a bit of a bad rep for machining tolerance and this is what has caused bearings to go to quick!

My previous King hubs i never had to replace bearings in years – and Hopes before that lasted ages too.

No issues with my 180 hubs, they far out lasted the carbon rims they were originally attached to. I’ve found that the bearings need to be perfectly square when fitting. If you remove the bearing does it run freely?

I ran my EXC 1200’s for 3 years and sold them with the original bearings still in them, the guy I sold them to has done a Scottish winter on them and hasn’t changed them yet.

I’d be having a word with the shop you bought them from.

I’ll be keeping an eye on my xmc1200s of a similar age but haven’t noticed anything.

Out of curiosity, were yours from Merlin (6 bolt rotor mounts)?

[nuke]

nuke

Full Member

I’ll be keeping an eye on my xmc1200s of a similar age but haven’t noticed anything.

Out of curiosity, were yours from Merlin (6 bolt rotor mounts)?

Hi, no these were centre lock with adaptors straight from the shop.  It’s worth taking the wheels off and spinning the bearings just with your fingers – they should be a really light action – in the bike with wheels and spunk on i hadnt noticed/paid attention until i did the usual mistake of cleaning my bike (off to America on Monday)..

I’ll be keeping an eye on my xmc1200s of a similar age but haven’t noticed anything.

Out of curiosity, were yours from Merlin (6 bolt rotor mounts)?

DT bearings and seals are designed to work under load from a tightened up axle or QR so sometimes they can feel quite draggy in your hand but then run smoothly once they’re in the bike.

Do they feel better in the bike?

it was the under load bit that was making me think i’d put on a few extra pounds!

just been to shop to compare next to a new set – night and day difference.  DT have been approached, will let ye all know outcome.

So update on this. Madison have refused to accept there is soething wrong with the bearings.  They are pointing to a discolouration on the hub shells due to a muc off incident that there is no original grease left, which is bullsh1t, it’s there and the bearing faces are clear of rust.  The search for DT bearing issues throws up whole pages of results for tight bearings brought about by poor install and in a lot of cases the hub shells not being reamed out correctly.

To top it, i cracked (slightly) the rim in America, had to do a Superglue repair to keep me spinning, but this is now causing consternation for a crash replacement..  yeah nice one Madison.

So they want £240 to supply and fit new bearings that are likely to do th same thing and £414 for a new rim

CARBON and DT Swiss can GO @@******???@:::

What was the Muc Off incident?

Left it on bike too long, so discoloured the shells.  It didn’t get through any seals as they were all checked.

Interested in the super-glue repair.

How long is too long for muc-off?

About 30seconds, it was the strong stuff though.

The super glue was enough to hold the fibres together to keep it tubeless, its lasted a couple of rides so far and does t show signs of weakening, but it’s carbon which is like dark magic so who knows .  Just kept layering it on and letting it sink in.

Crash replacement is crash repair. Wouldn’t have resolved your bearing issue as you’d still have your same hub, but yes, appears cheaper than that supply only rim.

I had a 3 season old daily driver set of xmc1200 front bearings go tight over their last  winter in storage. Popped the bearings out and put them back and they were fine.

I’ve put new bearings in other dt hubs and they’ve been tight after install. Back out and others in and all good.

Madison seem to be your problem, try dt direct?

We used to sell gallons of Muc-Off pink when I worked in a bike shop, the profit margin was huge. We also called it “bike killer” as we could always tell enthusiastic users when their bikes came in as everything would be squeaky clean, bearings included!
As for ceramic bearings, I’m not sure that they’re ideal for bicycles used anywhere other than a velodrome, as I understand that whilst they are low friction and don’t strictly need lubrication if full ceramic, they don’t withstand impact very well and have to be kept very clean.

Muc-off is Satan’s piss.

I’ve had both my latest generation dt 350s kill bearings early. The first one I had the shop replace and it seems okay. The second one I did myself (ex shop mechanic) and it tightened up as the second bearing went into the hub shell, which points to an undersize hub shell bore.

Next time around I’ll re size the bearing bore with a bit of emery paper. I’m not wasting my time with Madison

HAve anther update -this time good news.  Between Madison, DTSwiss and I we’ve got a pragmatic resolution on repairs which i’m happy with.  I do also have to offer humility as at least one bearing seal has shown to be discoloured so clearly some cleaning fluid has got past the end caps (though whether that’s the same for all i don’t know).  SO THANK YOU Madison and DT Swiss for addressing it, i don’t like sending snotty emails.

Now bin the Muc-Off!

Should be invoicing Muc-Off for the replacement bearings as well as binning it.

Glad you’ve got it resolved.