arghhh stupid rear hub
12-08-10, 07:44 AM
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arghhh stupid rear hub
Hi all,
thought I'd get some quick advice before I head along to my LBS (again).
It has been such a shoot winter - first I had to get my BB replaced because it failed, then I managed to fall in some ice and destroy my chain.
Anyway, I'm having problems with what I think is the rear hub. For a few weeks now, it's taken about a minute for the pawls to start working in my bike (i.e. if I coast, the pedals move forward). The rear hub has also been making intermittent clunking/creaking noises (and I really mean intermittent - sometimes they will appear half way though a ride, sometimes they don't, and sometimes they're there from the start...). Today I've noticed that when I'm pedalling, the drivetrain will occasionally not engage on some pedal strokes (i.e. the pedal will suddenly jump a quarter turn).
Is this an LBS job? Or is it just my rear hub not liking the cold weather?
thought I'd get some quick advice before I head along to my LBS (again).
It has been such a shoot winter - first I had to get my BB replaced because it failed, then I managed to fall in some ice and destroy my chain.
Anyway, I'm having problems with what I think is the rear hub. For a few weeks now, it's taken about a minute for the pawls to start working in my bike (i.e. if I coast, the pedals move forward). The rear hub has also been making intermittent clunking/creaking noises (and I really mean intermittent - sometimes they will appear half way though a ride, sometimes they don't, and sometimes they're there from the start...). Today I've noticed that when I'm pedalling, the drivetrain will occasionally not engage on some pedal strokes (i.e. the pedal will suddenly jump a quarter turn).
Is this an LBS job? Or is it just my rear hub not liking the cold weather?
12-08-10, 08:25 AM
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If it's an lbs job is really dependent on your skills, preferences and wallet. The freewheeling mechanism can sometimes be flushed enough w/o disassembly to cure problems like those. They can also be replaced straight off at limited cost(if it isn't a high end unit). Not many LBSes will disassemble the actual ratchet mechanism, which usually isn't seen as cost effective. It's quite readily doable for Shimano freehubs, while freewheels can be more challenging.
12-08-10, 08:47 AM
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Hi badhorsy, welcome to the forums. sorry to hear about your streak of bad luck but I hope you are OK after your tumble in the ice.
I have a few questions. what kind and quality rear hub are you talking about? freewheel or cassette? Deore quality or walmart? ( I am not knocing or bashing walmsrt bikes just want some info on quality of seals.)
where do you store your bike?
I assume this started after your plunge? odds are pretty good you just got some water in your hub and as dabac points out it may just need a good flushing. I would consider parking your bike close to a heat source overnight. see if that make a difference when you ride.
if the hub is lowend once you get it warm and dry you can likely just spray some lube (NOT wd40) into the cracks and crevices and that will sort things out. a higher end hub needs a bit more care to lube because of better seals
I have a few questions. what kind and quality rear hub are you talking about? freewheel or cassette? Deore quality or walmart? ( I am not knocing or bashing walmsrt bikes just want some info on quality of seals.)
where do you store your bike?
I assume this started after your plunge? odds are pretty good you just got some water in your hub and as dabac points out it may just need a good flushing. I would consider parking your bike close to a heat source overnight. see if that make a difference when you ride.
if the hub is lowend once you get it warm and dry you can likely just spray some lube (NOT wd40) into the cracks and crevices and that will sort things out. a higher end hub needs a bit more care to lube because of better seals
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12-08-10, 09:22 AM
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If your problems only started with freezing temperatures, odds are the oil or grease in the ratchet mechanism thickened and is now too viscous for the light springs of the ratchet mechanism.
Depending on the model hub, it can be field stripped, cleaned and lubed with something lighter, or soaked or flushed with solvent, and re oiled. Your local shop shouldn't have any problem with the job, which shouldn't be expensive at all. If it's been a long while (beyond your memory) since the rear hub was totally serviced, you might as well do this at the same time, because they're related jobs.
Depending on the model hub, it can be field stripped, cleaned and lubed with something lighter, or soaked or flushed with solvent, and re oiled. Your local shop shouldn't have any problem with the job, which shouldn't be expensive at all. If it's been a long while (beyond your memory) since the rear hub was totally serviced, you might as well do this at the same time, because they're related jobs.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
12-08-10, 09:22 AM
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Hi there,
thanks for the replies!
The bike isn't too low end - it's a Specialized Secteur Elite 2010:
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...cteur#features
It's my first road bike, so apologies for being a bit of a noob... The rear hub is just
a stock Shimano one I think.
To be honest, the rear hub has been acting a little funny for a while now, although it may be that the crash has made it worse. It's only been over the last couple of days that I've noticed the drivetrain actually disengaging as I'm pedaling. Until now, I kinda thought that I would try and push through the winter before spending even more cash on getting another repair. I'm now slightly concerned that the hub might seize completely, and I'll be stuck without the ability to pedal miles away from home!
I live in a block of flats, and store my bike in an shared outdoor bike shed. So, it's completely protected from rain/snow etc, but it's still outside so it will get cold. We've had a real cold streak weather wise in London lately, so its regularly been below 0 degrees over night.
Thanks again for the help! It's much appreciated!
thanks for the replies!
The bike isn't too low end - it's a Specialized Secteur Elite 2010:
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...cteur#features
It's my first road bike, so apologies for being a bit of a noob... The rear hub is just
a stock Shimano one I think.
To be honest, the rear hub has been acting a little funny for a while now, although it may be that the crash has made it worse. It's only been over the last couple of days that I've noticed the drivetrain actually disengaging as I'm pedaling. Until now, I kinda thought that I would try and push through the winter before spending even more cash on getting another repair. I'm now slightly concerned that the hub might seize completely, and I'll be stuck without the ability to pedal miles away from home!
I live in a block of flats, and store my bike in an shared outdoor bike shed. So, it's completely protected from rain/snow etc, but it's still outside so it will get cold. We've had a real cold streak weather wise in London lately, so its regularly been below 0 degrees over night.
Thanks again for the help! It's much appreciated!
12-08-10, 10:41 AM
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This is one of the reasons fixed gears are popular for off-season riding.
12-08-10, 11:11 AM
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It sounds like the problem is with the freehub body - the ratchet mechanism that is one of two parts of the hub assembly.
It is unlikely the hub was made by SHimano - Specialized uses house-brand (taiwanese and Chinese components with the Specialized logo) components, and they back these up with a pretty good warranty - in Canada, anyway. If the bike is pretty new they might just send you a new freehub body, as 0 degree weather is not so cold that it should be causing your freehub to fail. It gets a whole lot colder than that here and a new freehub will usually work just fine throughout the winter. After they get older and the grease gets contaminated and starts to break down we expect to see some failures, but even then not usually until it gets much colder.
So the question is: How old is the bike, and are the parts still covered under warranty?
It is unlikely the hub was made by SHimano - Specialized uses house-brand (taiwanese and Chinese components with the Specialized logo) components, and they back these up with a pretty good warranty - in Canada, anyway. If the bike is pretty new they might just send you a new freehub body, as 0 degree weather is not so cold that it should be causing your freehub to fail. It gets a whole lot colder than that here and a new freehub will usually work just fine throughout the winter. After they get older and the grease gets contaminated and starts to break down we expect to see some failures, but even then not usually until it gets much colder.
So the question is: How old is the bike, and are the parts still covered under warranty?
12-09-10, 11:32 AM
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the OP said it was a 2010 I would think despite the plunge it would be a warranty issue.
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12-09-10, 12:55 PM
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It isn't necessarily a warranty issue, regardless of cause. If he purchased the bike at a local shop, they'll likely resolve the problem either free or at a very nominal charge. As a long time all season rider, I can tell you that many new bikes need to be "winterized" for cold weather riding. The bikes were built for use in temperate conditions, and the lubes were chosen accordingly.
Cold temperatures change the lubricant's properties and can cause problems, such as sticky freehubs & cables. It's no big deal, just a user adjustment for off book conditions, comparable to how select motor oil for a car depending on climate, and driving conditions.
Cold temperatures change the lubricant's properties and can cause problems, such as sticky freehubs & cables. It's no big deal, just a user adjustment for off book conditions, comparable to how select motor oil for a car depending on climate, and driving conditions.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
12-09-10, 01:01 PM
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Hi there,
thanks for the replies!
The bike isn't too low end - it's a Specialized Secteur Elite 2010:
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...cteur#features
It's my first road bike, so apologies for being a bit of a noob... The rear hub is just
a stock Shimano one I think.
To be honest, the rear hub has been acting a little funny for a while now, although it may be that the crash has made it worse. It's only been over the last couple of days that I've noticed the drivetrain actually disengaging as I'm pedaling. Until now, I kinda thought that I would try and push through the winter before spending even more cash on getting another repair. I'm now slightly concerned that the hub might seize completely, and I'll be stuck without the ability to pedal miles away from home!
I live in a block of flats, and store my bike in an shared outdoor bike shed. So, it's completely protected from rain/snow etc, but it's still outside so it will get cold. We've had a real cold streak weather wise in London lately, so its regularly been below 0 degrees over night.
Thanks again for the help! It's much appreciated!
thanks for the replies!
The bike isn't too low end - it's a Specialized Secteur Elite 2010:
https://www.evanscycles.com/products/...cteur#features
It's my first road bike, so apologies for being a bit of a noob... The rear hub is just
a stock Shimano one I think.
To be honest, the rear hub has been acting a little funny for a while now, although it may be that the crash has made it worse. It's only been over the last couple of days that I've noticed the drivetrain actually disengaging as I'm pedaling. Until now, I kinda thought that I would try and push through the winter before spending even more cash on getting another repair. I'm now slightly concerned that the hub might seize completely, and I'll be stuck without the ability to pedal miles away from home!
I live in a block of flats, and store my bike in an shared outdoor bike shed. So, it's completely protected from rain/snow etc, but it's still outside so it will get cold. We've had a real cold streak weather wise in London lately, so its regularly been below 0 degrees over night.
Thanks again for the help! It's much appreciated!
--
Regards
12-09-10, 01:12 PM
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perhaps it was the OP choice of phrase "I managed to fall in some ice" that lead me to believe he fell through.
but as Frmr President Clinton would say in a case like this " it all depends what your definition of IN is" LOL
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Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
12-09-10, 01:22 PM
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Yup, sounds like stiff grease in hub pawl mechanism caused by cold weather.
Some greases also become more susceptable to stiffening in cold weather when they get old and break down, specially if the greas is contaminated with dirt and moisture.. The hub needs to be serviced/cleaned/new grease applied.
Sorry to hear about all your winter misfortune, so early in the season.....anyway, how do you manage to break your chain falling on your bike??
Chombi
Some greases also become more susceptable to stiffening in cold weather when they get old and break down, specially if the greas is contaminated with dirt and moisture.. The hub needs to be serviced/cleaned/new grease applied.
Sorry to hear about all your winter misfortune, so early in the season.....anyway, how do you manage to break your chain falling on your bike??
Chombi
