Bicycle Mechanics - Hub and BB maintenance

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Go here http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

wow, does the $200 include a new set of tires? id say buy some cone wrenches, a crank remover, and a BB tool and learn how to do it yourself. The park tool website like he said will explain exactly how to do it

Another vote for "home wrenching" here :)

Cheers,

Ed

Beetle check your PM's

Check them again please

At $200 buckazoids a whack, I've saved enough money so far this year to buy a NICE new bike.

I called my LBS to see what it might cost to repack the bearings on a 1995 Shimano Alivio bottom bracket and hubs. The bike has maybe 150 miles on it, but I'm planning on adding slicks and riding 60-100 miles per week going forward.

That said, they want $200.00 to do this work, and suggested I may want to consider buying a new bike! I think I'd rather buy some new tools...

I'd like to think I can handle this myself. Any suggestions on where I can get detailed instructions on how to complete this project with minimal stress and anxiety?My bet is the BB is a disposable cartridge type that can't be serviced. You probably just talked to the village idiot that was there swabbing toilets,and answered the phone.

$200.00 sounds to me like the charge for a complete overhaul of your eintire bicycle. At 150 miles, you certaintly don't need that yet. For that matter, I doubt there's much point in opening up the hubs yet either. Modern bicycles with sealed mechanisms in the hubs and headsets and cartridge bottom brackets don't require near the maintenance that we used to find necessary.

I called my LBS to see what it might cost to repack the bearings on a 1995 Shimano Alivio bottom bracket and hubs. The bike has maybe 150 miles on it, but I'm planning on adding slicks and riding 60-100 miles per week going forward.

That said, they want $200.00 to do this work, and suggested I may want to consider buying a new bike! I think I'd rather buy some new tools...

I'd like to think I can handle this myself. Any suggestions on where I can get detailed instructions on how to complete this project with minimal stress and anxiety?

Good Grief! I just dropped my bike off at the LBS and they are overhauling the BB for $25!! Are you sure they didn't quote you for a whole new one??

Raiyn,

Thanks for taking the time to help me out today!

The hubs DEFINITELY needed to be repacked. There was very little grease from the factory and it was pretty congealed. The BB was fine, and we got the derailleurs running better and the fit dialed in.

It's nice to be able to see how things go together. There is no question that it pays to have the right tools.

Thanks again, Raiyn!
Not a problem. What happened to your original handle?

Do you actually have any mechanical aptitude?

150 miles on any bike isn't much for needing hub and BB overhaul. For a 1995 job, has it been hanging in a garage for 10 years? Why do the hubs need repacking, or do they just need adjustment? Do you know how to do that? Do you know how to get the rear freewheel/freehub off (I don't see a tool listed)? Do your hubs have quick releases or nuts on the axles -- it makes a difference to hub bearing adjustment? Do you know how to check for bearing adjustment on a BB? Do you know which side of the BB shell threads is lefty or righty? Is you current BB a spindle, cup, cone and balls arrangements that only needs relubricating without going to a cartridge? Do you... get the picture?

Maybe you should shop around the LBSs a bit more and actually drop some some dollars with someone who knows what they are doing.

Then buy as many tools as you want, go find a beater bike, from a tip or recycling shop, and practice on that, concentrating on one area at a time (maybe BB first, then rear hub, then front hub, etc). Read up on everything as you go.

At least you'll have a reliable commuter, and your stress levels won't skyrocket when you suddenly realise your commuter transport won't work when you need it most.

150 miles on any bike isn't much for needing hub and BB overhaul. For a 1995 job, has it been hanging in a garage for 10 years? Why do the hubs need repacking, or do they just need adjustment? Do you know how to do that? Do you know how to get the rear freewheel/freehub off (I don't see a tool listed)? Do your hubs have quick releases or nuts on the axles -- it makes a difference to hub bearing adjustment? Do you know how to check for bearing adjustment on a BB? Do you know which side of the BB shell threads is lefty or righty? Is you current BB a spindle, cup, cone and balls arrangements that only needs relubricating without going to a cartridge? Do you... get the picture?
.
Rowan, I AM a mechanic. I was the one who actually serviced beetle's bike (on my own time at my house) and the hubs were in need of attention. The "grease" that was used had congealed to the point of being sludge. I cleaned repacked and reassembled both front and rear hubs for him while explaining what I was doing on each step. I handled the hub repair as well as the tune up in a very "hands-on" manner so that he could learn while I worked. His bottom bracket was in serviceable condition so I mearely explained the operation of removal / reinstallation for him. Believe me the bike's condition was indeed worse than it's term of storage / lack of miles would suggest and while the shop's estimate was a bit high for what was actually required a complete stem to stern overhaul is in the $160 and up ballpark in our area.


The BB is a cartridge. When it's time to change it, I'll get Raiyn to help me again if he's available.
You know how to reach me. Have you decided if you want your wife's bike looked at?

Absolutely no reflection on you Raiyn, and I've been around these forums long enough to know that YOU know what you're talking about.

It was more a warning to others new to cycling (weren't we all once) who think: "Oh yeah, this can't be too hard, and I'll save a bundle of LBS dollars".

And in fact, it was as I had suspected.

Glad you were on hand and so willingly able to help him out and set him on gaining some wrenching knowledge.

<sucking up off>

The lack of grease in hubs, particularly, when bikes are delivered from the factory is always a worry. I always strip and repack on new hubs just to satisfy myself that there is enough there.

Me too!


I inflated the tires on my wife's bike, so she's happy for now :D .

On my bike, here's an update:

I removed the rack and kickstand, removed all of the reflectors, and added the reflective tape. Also, I got a Mity 8 computer and picked up a pair of puncture resistant Specialized 1.5" tires and installed all of that.

When I was at the LBS I asked if they had on old set of Alivio 7 speed shifters lying around. They said no, but suggested prior to replacing them that I disconnect the cables, disassemble the exterior case, zap the guts with WD40, clean out all the crud (it looks like there were caterpillars living in there at one point), lube and reassemble. Voila - my front derailleur works!

Now all I have to do is ride!!!
Bonus! Usually when I encounter shifters that perfromed the way yours did they're completely shot. I'm glad you were able to revive them.


Absolutely no reflection on you Raiyn, and I've been around these forums long enough to know that YOU know what you're talking about.

It was more a warning to others new to cycling (weren't we all once) who think: "Oh yeah, this can't be too hard, and I'll save a bundle of LBS dollars".

And in fact, it was as I had suspected.

Glad you were on hand and so willingly able to help him out and set him on gaining some wrenching knowledge.

<sucking up off>

The lack of grease in hubs, particularly, when bikes are delivered from the factory is always a worry. I always strip and repack on new hubs just to satisfy myself that there is enough there.No harm, no foul. You're also quite right on the hubs. I also normally like to clean and relube the headsets for the same reason.

He can get rather "interesting" when wound up.

No actually, I was pretty relaxed when I wrote those, but there were a few hang-overs from times past...