Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 43,982
Likes: 6,169
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
The friction introduced by hub bearings is insignificant compared with other frictions. Up to a certain speed, the biggest impediment is probably the tires. Then above that speed, it's air resistance.
You can adjust a hub's bearings so that they are far too tight, and you'll feel the resistance. And yet if you put it on the bike and ride, you probably won't feel the problem. I'm not saying it's OK to do this. I'm saying that hub friction is not a big concern compared with others.