Mattyb13

Loving my new Crosstrail Expert disc. Prob 250 miles on it so far. Curious from some of the experts out there.
I have had a bit of a hard time with my front wheel. The brakes were dragging pretty drastically. I was able to fix that with advice from members of this forum, so thanks.

Next question. Will my wheels break in? I.E., will my wheels roll more freely with time and use. It seems like my hubs (front) might be a little tight. I may be crazy too. So thanks for any help.

RickGr4

Very simple test. Does the wheel spin freely when you lift the wheel off the ground and spin it?

There where always be a "break in period" but only Greg Lemond or Lance Armstrong would notice it. If you have concerns, look elsewhere than "break in". Are you sure you aren't confusing the wind or an incline with "resistance"???

Mattyb13

Thanks RickGr4. I should have clarified. When I pick up the front end and give the front wheel a spin it doesn't seem to spin as freely as it could. Like the hub is tight or something… Thanks.

RickGr4

Well.... Sorry to post such an obvious answer but you are gonna need to figure this out on your own or pay someone. If the problem were the brake you should easily be able to hear it or feel it when you spin the wheel. If you don't have disc brakes you should release or back off the brake pads. If you back off the brakes and still hear or feel something when you spin the wheel then you will know you have a hub/wheel friction problem.

I long time ago I thought my Jamis bike had a slightly tight wheel. I gently put a little sewing machine oil on the axle openings and I have never needed to deal with it again...

jimc101

For a current bike, would expect them to be working in optimum condition from the moment you took it out on the road the first time, if you are having issues with the hub being 'tight', time to take it back to the LBS you got it from.

Are you sure it's the hub, and not the tires?

ColdCase

Not an Expert model, but my Comp Disc uses the same hubs. The wheels spun freely out of the box. In fact, If I'm not watching, the bike will just take off on its own

Edit: I should add that as I spin the wheel I can hear what I think is the rotor lightly kiss the pad at one point... doesn't seem to slow things down.

prj71

I had the same problem with my Crosstrail. Hub bolts were overtightened and there was lack of grease in the hub.

So...I took my wrenches and loosened the hub bolts, greased the crap out of the bearings on both sides and reassembled the hub bolts using my hands and no wrenches. Problem solved.

Mattyb13

I had the prob with the brakes rubbing a little and was able to fix that. However, it just feels like the wheel is spinning freely enough when I spin it off the ground. Im gonna get it to a shop and have it checked out.

ColonelSanders

Please report back on what they say and do here and the results.

badger1

If you can't hear the rotor rubbing against the pads when spinning the wheel, the only thing (if anything) it could possibly be is the front hub adjustment/grease. It is not at all uncommon for factory-built stock wheels on bikes to come inadequately greased/adjusted. This is especially the case with loose bearing (cone/cup) hubs, which I believe your wheels have.

Take front wheel off; hold it by the axles and get it spinning. If there is a problem, you'll 'feel' it in your fingers, and possibly hear it: roughness/noise. If there is, you need to take the hub apart and check greasing/adjustment (or have this done).

If the wheel feels 'free/smooth/quiet' with that test, put wheel back on bike and re-adjust the quick-release tension -- it might have been done up too tightly. Loose bearing hubs should be adjusted so they are very, very slightly 'loose' off the bike, with the final bit of load applied by the quick release. Over-tightening the latter can over-tighten the hub, causing friction.

prj71

That's what I explained above. Its a simple fix. Not even worth the trip to the LBS IMO.