Single speed disc hub for commuter?

The rear hub of my day one disc doesn’t turn smoothly, it doesn’t have cartridge bearings but cones and ball bearings, I’ve managed to make it turn smoother by loosing the pressure on the bearings, but it still turns quite rough, so I guess it wont last long.

I’m looking for something durable that I can service myself. First thought was a Hope Pro 4 trials, a bit overkill for a commuter, but if is a no brainer it might be worth it, as I use the bike daily.

Any other suggestions?

Get a bag of new balls. So long as the cones aren’t pitted or rusty, that could make a huge difference for probably less than a quid (go to a bearing shop).

Pro 2 trials? You’ll find a 2nd hand one easy enough and can sometimes pick them up for about £50-60. What gear ratio are you going for?
Could maybe go with a fixed hub and screw on freewheel.

Surly single speed hub. You’ll need a freewheel but it’s bombproof

May as well at least attempt a service the hub first, strip, degrease, regrease, possibly new bearings.

Thing with servicing it is that I have to source the correct ball size and I have no clue if it’s straightforward or there are 1000s of slightly different ball bearing sizes, I asked Genesis and they forwarded me to visit a dealer, and that is probably more costly than a new hub. I’d rather pay £100 for a wheel that doesnt require periodic maintenance. I might go to Evans and ask though.

I opened the hub and it’s properly greased, my guess is that the ball bearings need replacement.

(Im running the stock 17t)

I’d go fixed hub and a screw on freewheel then, also be cheaper and easier to fix if it ever breaks.

That might be a bit more expensive: hub + WI eno + sprocket. I think I’ll got he Hope way as I already have the spacers for the freewheel and the cog (The Genesis has a cassette hub so I can reuse the cog).

I would go Hope hub as won’t be anymore expensive than single speed hub with WI (and WI is the only freewheel worth having). Ongoing costs are then down to £12 for a cog every year (instead of £70 for a WI Eno every year)

spaniardclimber – Member
Thing with servicing it is that I have to source the correct ball size and I have no clue if it’s straightforward or there are 1000s of slightly different ball bearing sizes..

I opened the hub and it’s properly greased, my guess is that the ball bearings need replacement.

Remove one ball and take it to the bearing dealer. Easy. 🙂

How about one of these?

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/HUOOMAX/on-one-max-32h-adaptable-maxle-hub-6-bolt

Pity that on one is not for qr or 9 mm, otherwise it was the perfect candidate.
The day one has a dropout design were two pieces pull the axle backwards and Im not sure the maxle can go through them, I’ll measure!

spaniardclimber – Member
Thing with servicing it is that I have to source the correct ball size and I have no clue if it’s straightforward or there are 1000s of slightly different ball bearing sizes..

if only there was a place, maybe a shop, that sold bikes and serviced them, even the hubs!, lets call it a local bike shop shall we. i bet they’d service those hubs for a huge amount less than the cost of a new hub and wheel build.

well maintained cup and cone bearings will last years and years

rOcKeTdOg – Member
if only there was a place, maybe a shop, that sold bikes and serviced them, even the hubs!, lets call it a local bike shop shall we. i bet they’d service those hubs for a huge amount less than the cost of a new hub and wheel build.

well maintained cup and cone bearings will last years and years

Indeed. 🙂

Or if the OP took one of his ball bearings to a bearing shop and got a bag of replacement bearings for less than a quid, it would save a wheel build with a new hub. 🙂

I think he’s really looking to justify some new shiny bits, and who here can blame him for that? 🙂

The OP is not new to cycling, the OP knows taking it to a shop can be fine if the shop has the bearing in stock and the cone is not screwed up. The OP knows that if that is not the case sourcing the bearings and the cone is going to take ages as it’s too much hassle for such a little benefit.
The OP also doesn’t want to take the hub for servicing every few months as that means getting for a few days into Londons tube, which the OP knows very well, and doesn’t like that much.
The OP might try changing bearings first and if that doesn’t work then change the hub.

Decent bike shop will have a bearing gage & if not in stock can get them in for the next day

Isn’t that on one hub for use with a 10mm skewer (dtswiss rws) in qr dropouts. Should be perfect.

Pity that on one is not for qr or 9 mm, otherwise it was the perfect candidate.

It is for QR frames, you just run a 10mm qr through it. Eg DT, superstar etc…

I think I’ll get the hub, as the cassette pawls are starting to do that ‘cling’ noise more often than not, I’d rather go for a long term fix rather than a patch.
The LBS is going to lace the wheel, so they will probably earn more, in less time and have less hassle!

Thanks for the advice guys.

Any old hub with a spacer kit? XT and service it once in a blue moon, even the freehubs are cheap and they’re the only real weakness.