Hub Bearings

A riding pal took his front hub apart last night to rebuild it, however he’s just e-mailed me to say he’s lost some of the ball bearings. I told him to look under the fridge but he’s lost them forever. He says he’s found a bearing supplier on the internet but obvioulsy doesn’t know the size.

Are bearing a standard size in a modern cup and cone hub?

in a modern cup and cone hub?

ain’t no such animal

Sorry I should have said in a ‘non-disposable’ hub.

erm… firstly, you do get modern cup and cones, and secondly, non cup and cone doesn’t mean a disposable hub. Look at hope…if, after 5 years use, the bearings do happen to need changed (which they may not), you just change the bearings for a few quid. The hub can last forever. What you mean is non-serviceable bearings surely.

I wasn’t actually being serious when I said ‘non-disposable’ hub and I’m aware that modern hubs use cup ‘n’ cone – shimano for example. I just couldn’t be arsed entering into a discussion about it.

Parktools suggests:

For rear hubs, the common number is 9 balls of 1/4-inch diameter per side. For front hubs, the common number is 10 balls of 3/16-inch diameter per side.

If you’re not sure, have a look at the Shimano website (I assume your mate has a shimano hub). Search for the hub and it should say in the guide somewhere what side BBs they are. Once you know the size, pop round to your LBS who’ll probably have a packet of them on the shelf.

Not sure what hubs he’s got. He went to his lbs this afternoon and the guy said to him, “folk these days just get a new hub” so he doesn’t stock bearings – nob.

Shimano are 3/16″ Check the suppliers website. Most bike shops will sell bearings and a tube of grease for less than a couple of quid (look for weldtite).

I would describe cone and cup as disposable, especially shimano where the race is the hub. I’ve just had to replace one after a ball bearing cracked (18months old) and destroyed the hub.

Listen to uplink.

Probably 3/16″ (4.76mm). Get him to pop into lbs with one of the old balls, they will sort him out. This is a standard service spare part.

TBH I wouldn’t generally re-use ball bearings anyway, they are so cheap to replace.

Marv

“He went to his lbs this afternoon and the guy said to him, “folk these days just get a new hub” so he doesn’t stock bearings – nob.”

Sorry, didn’t spot that bit. That’s rollocks. Getting a “new hub” means a complete wheel re-build.

If he really gets stuck :
http://www.peddlers.co.uk/category/450/Ball_Bearings

Marv

It it was me, I would imprison the LBS bloke in a cage made from old rims, and lots of spokes.

And poke him with a stick from time to time, to remind him of the error of his ways.