Bicycle Mechanics - I think I just ruined my XTR hub :(

I hang my bike on its toptube...

Then, I spinned my front wheel, while still on the fork... then I noticed that it had more than the normal resistance..

So I checked if my brake shoes were touching... but no it wasn't.
I loosened the QR, maybe I tightened it too much.. Still the same..

I compared it to my other wheel, on another bike..

There is definitely something wrong with it!

I have scheduled a check-up at the LBS tommorrow.. Until then, I think I just need to ask what you think..

Do you think regreasing would do it? I hope so......
What grease should I use? Any recommendations.

Although I pay the mechanic a fee, they charge me if I use high end grease since they ask me to buy the whole tube. What grease do you think would be great for my hubs.

BTW, these are XTR hubs.

thanks

A complete overhaul of a hub costs $20 at my LBS.
How do you think YOU specifically ruined your hub? Maybe it's just getting old and/or dirty.

Relax. Most likely your front hub just needs to be readjusted. Assuming that's the case, it's not a big deal. I think that it's real easy to overstate the differences in grease for bicycle use. I use Park Polylube grease for almost everything. A lifetime supply for an individual retails at about $5.00 or you can buy a handy little tube for about the same price.

For High End hubs, I use nothing but Bull Shot! It's pricey, hard to get, but great stuff. I'm kinda shocked the shop charges you for something they should already have and use.

Kinda like, next time I work on a new XTR bottom bracket, I'll charge the customer for the new tools needed. Just bad business. I'd consider talking to the manager about this.

L8R

you have a point a2psyklnut (http://www.bikeforums.net/member.php?u=225). They do have "free" grease, but if ever I would like the good stuff on the shelves, they'll charge me. They use "regular" grease, the mechanic said on the phone.

I asked him if its good, he said the grease they sell is much better...

I've worked in shops for close to 20 years now. I've NEVER charged a customer for grease. We had our regular tub of "cheap" grease that we used for Huffy's, Murray's...etc. and our "stash" of higher quality lubes for our "Specialty" bikes.

You don't use Park grease on a Campy Chorus ANYTHING!!!!!

I like Phil Wood and Bull Shot. Bull Shot for bearings definitely!

L8R

I like Phil Wood and Bull Shot. Bull Shot for bearings definitely!

L8R

have you ever tried motorex lubes? what about the motorex white grease? any good?

Philwoods and bullshot is not available. They only carry pedro's and motorex, unfortunately. :(

Actually, NO! I haven't tried Motorex. That's a division of Answer/Manitou is it not?

I like Pedro's products, but they're kinda "middle of the road" with their grease. I do like their Dry Lube for my chain and cables. I really like their degreaser, but their Syn Lube pales in comparison to Phil's and BullSnot.

L8R

Actually, NO! I haven't tried Motorex. That's a division of Answer/Manitou is it not?

I like Pedro's products, but they're kinda "middle of the road" with their grease. I do like their Dry Lube for my chain and cables. I really like their degreaser, but their Syn Lube pales in comparison to Phil's and BullSnot.

L8R

thanks.. perhaps I'll give it a try..

I'm not sure if its a division of answer.. all I know that's its a big lube company based in switzerland.
has lots of products, from motorcycle racing specific oils, bicycle specific lubes, to automotive racing..

I hope its good.. I'll be buying a whole tube. :D :D :D :D ;)

BTW, I love perdro's chain lube and degreaser products.. :)

Phil Wood grease is extremely, even suspiciously, similar to green marine bearing grease, which is what I typically use in my wheelsets. A tub at Home Depot will set you back a whopping $3 and the stuff is obviously very water resistant.

Phil Wood grease is extremely, even suspiciously, similar to green marine bearing grease, which is what I typically use in my wheelsets. A tub at Home Depot will set you back a whopping $3 and the stuff is obviously very water resistant.

Thanks for the tip bro -going to pay H-Depot a visit today.

If they insist on charging you for a full tube of grease, insist in getting the rest of the tube when they're done.

Like mad said, get the tube from them if your paying. I've used Phil Woood grease for years and was never impressed with it. If it wasnt used the oils in it would settle and the grease would harden up. The problem with industrial or automotive grease is thier viscosity. They tend to be a bit thicker than bicycle specific grease. currently I'm using Shimano high end grease and have been impressed with it. My $5 tube has been taking up space in my tool box for 4 years now.

Luckily your XTR hub is serviceable. Bearings and cones are replaceable. You should be up and running in no problem.

Why dont you buy the cone wrenches and let us talk you through it?

Phil Wood grease is extremely, even suspiciously, similar to green marine bearing grease, which is what I typically use in my wheelsets. A tub at Home Depot will set you back a whopping $3 and the stuff is obviously very water resistant.
Very interesting. I've heard similar things said of it but this is the first I've heard from someone who has actually tried it.

Motorex is great stuff. I stocked alot of thier stuff. I have run their dry lube on my primary bike and have no complaints. They are based out of Switzerland,and Manitou is the distributor.

Very interesting. I've heard similar things said of it but this is the first I've heard from someone who has actually tried it.


It can be thicker as someone stated, but when you open the tub there is always a lot of oil thats seperated... if you mix it a bit it thins out some. Its thicker but I actually prefer a bit heavier grease in my wheels... it doesnt all leak out so fast :p

thanks everyone.. I had been busy all weekend but i will bring the wheels to the LBS on monday.

I'll take Hunter's word for it. I'll be using MOTOREX grease. And I'll take the tube from them :)

With the wheel off the bike, how easy/hard does the axle rotate? Your fingers could feel grit (sand, dirt) or feel "clunks" (damaged cones or bearings). Also, if you support the axle ends with your fingers and spin the wheel, you can really feel the condition.

FWIW, I use Park Polylube. Any bicycle specific grease should be fine. I've used Phil Wood, Nashbar house -brand lithium based greased - all work out fine. A tube of that stuff lasts a long time!

had my wheels repacked with motorex white grease.

The owner gave me a 20% discount on the grease, i bought a entire jar(small one) with an applicator. he gave it to me for just $6 (US)!

What can I say, the wheel now turns very smooth... there was no damage to the cones and bearings.. The mechanic told me that I picked a very good time for the grease change, or else the bearings would have been damaged if I rode my bike since the original grease has lost much of its effectiveness due to water contamination..

I think I'll stick to this grease for now, until I use it all up -- in say 3-5yrs :D...

And the white grease... is literally white!! ;)

"And the white grease... is literally white!!"

It won't be after a couple weeks. :)

why Dex, you don't know how to repack your hubs, just asking, or maybe you don't have time to do it

i've used expensive bike store stuff and the cheapest stuff you can find at the local hardware store, wheel bearing grease, all-purpose, synthetic, white, etc. i'll let you know when i feel/find a difference.

sd

why Dex, you don't know how to repack your hubs, just asking, or maybe you don't have time to do it

i had been so busy the past few weeks, including saturdays and sundays, since I had lots of orders(computers) from schools and other institutions since the start of the semester, w/c was last week. And since we we're hit by two tyhpoons back to back, my packages we're delayed(shipping), twice..... :(

If I had the time, i would have done it myself.. ;)

"And the white grease... is literally white!!"

It won't be after a couple weeks. :)

:D :D :D :D
at least, its still white after my ride today....:D