Kevindale

When replacing a blown tube on the front tire of my 'new' 1980 Univega, I noticed that when holding the wheel by the lock nut and gently spinning the wheel that there's a pronounced crunchy feeling coming from the bearings. The wheel spins fine when in the dropouts, but I'm guessing that the bearing grease is gone, and perhaps there's some dirt in there (though the bike doesn't look like it was ever run in dirt/mud). It feels kind of like there's sand in with the bearings, it's that rough. The obvious answer is that it needs to be repacked, and likely needs new bearings.

My problem is that my wrenches, grease, and bearings are back in Louisiana (I'm in Redondo Beach currently). I'll be back there in 3-4 weeks, where I can give the bike a proper cleaning and take care of both hubs and the BB. I checked and the local bike shop charges $25 to repack the hub, and it might take several days. I'm working so much M-F that I can only ride on weekends, so that means I can't ride today.

My question is, should I stop riding for now? How much damage to the hub might I do on a 20 mile ride? I've already been riding the bike this way since I got it, but I've probably only done 80-100 miles, since my riding time is so limited.

Lazyass

There is absolutely no way to know what kind of damage could be done in that time frame. 20 miles isn't much, just hope the cups aren't ruined. When I get a vintage bike I won't do anything besides ride it around the block before the hubs and everything else come apart and get serviced.

due ruote 

I have often bought bikes where the hub felt that way, only to find that it spun quite freely with just a slight loosening. That's not to say it shouldn't be repacked. But for the cost of a couple cone wrenches you could at least do that much and give it a full overhaul when you are home and have more time. It also wouldn't hurt a thing to drip some oil in the hub. Something is better than nothing.

FBOATSB

In answer to your question, yes, stop riding for now until the repack. Or start saving for a new hub.

canklecat

All the hubs on both of my bikes (1992 Univega, 2008 Globe) have a slight palpable resistance, including a new wheel installed in the spring. When I spin the axle with my fingertips on a stationary wheel, there's a slight palpable feeling of resistance. Not "crunchy" as if there was grit in the hubs. It's a slight ratcheting feeling from the bearings. But the wheels spin freely when mounted on the bike and ridden normally. Presumably normal for these hubs, especially since the new hub felt the same way.

Kevindale

Awesome, thanks for the info. I definitely don't want to ruin the cups, if they aren't already ruined. I should be able to find some cone wrenches locally and I'll grab a little tub of grease and repack 'em. Now I feel stupid for not having checked all this right away.

Kevindale

Very interesting, and a little reassuring. I'll still go ahead and repack them, and adjust the tightness, and see if they feel the same way. If they do (and the cups and bearings look OK), then I'll chalk it up as normal for these hubs. Thanks!

FBOATSB

You got it together bearing wise Just keep in mind bearing feel of an unmounted wheel is going to be different than a wheel that's clamped into it's fork. I'm currently watching and regularly checking an old Normandy hub that I allowed to be "just a little off" and damaged the cones, cups seem to be doing OK for now.

P.S. I always replace the bearing balls regardless any time the hub comes apart

Lazyass

There's a Performance Bike where you are. They probably have some cheap cone wrenches.

JohnDThompson 

No nearby bike co-op where you could find tools to do the service yourself?

Kevindale

A bike co-op was a good idea that I hadn't thought of. I ended up going to the Performance Bikes in Redondo Beach, and got cone wrenches and some grease. By happenstance they had some lightly used Gatorskins on the clearance table, and I picked those up for cheap. They didn't have any ball bearings (literally had 6 bb's in the shop drawer in the correct size!). So no new bearings.

When I got home I realized that one 'Duro' Speedy Arrow whitewall tire (that came on the bike) which I'd removed and remounted yesterday in replacing the tube, was bulging and about to come off the super thin original Araya rims. I was so glad I hadn't tried to ride the bike this morning, as I'm sure the tire would have come off, and probably at 20 mph while I was 10 miles from home. Those tires are junk!

It turns out that due ruote was correct - the cone nuts were a little too tight. The grease looked in fine condition, there was no dirt or grittiness, the wheels spun fine with a slight loosening. I did wipe the old grease off the cone nuts, and checked that the races were good and smooth, and added back a bit of new grease. The bearings inside look shiny. I still plan to replace them in a month or so, but I don't feel any urgency now.

And I've mounted up the Gatorskins, which look much better on the bike that the irregular, low-quality Duro whitewalls. Plus the Gatorskins are noticeably lighter. I'll ride them till I can get some Conti Classic GPs, which should go well with the gum hoods I'll source when I have time. Now it's time for a ride in this southern California beautiful weather.

Oh, yeah, and I love the little peg on the drive-side seat stay to hang the chain when removing the rear wheel. What a great idea! First time I've used that. Wish all bikes had it.

FBOATSB

Well played, Sir.

merziac

+1 agreed, love it when this happens. This is the opposite of the new disposable mentality and a very good thing when you can keep it going. I have been keeping cup and cones alive all my biking life. They can be used even when compromised and with PDX washouts I have seen a lot of compromise.

exmechanic89

^I've done this many times. It often works just fine until you can repack the hub. I also doubt you'll damage the hub doing a some miles on it until you get home. JMO.

Editing to add: I see you fixed everything. Glad to hear it!

Kevindale

A little windy, a few too many chuckle-heads on the bike path, but a lovely ride. That's a container ship partially eclipsing the setting sun, near El Segundo.