Warren128

I recently picked up a Mavic Cosmos wheelset where the seller says that the front wheel was used for a few months and the rear was used for a couple of hundred miles only. Based on the appearance, I have no reason to doubt this, they look to be in excellent like new condition, but when I turned the freehub body, and the front hub axle by hand, I find a very noticeable friction or drag. I am not familiar with these new, sealed cartridge bearings. All my previous equipment have been old school, loose or raced bearings. Is this normal? Will they loosen with more miles, or do they need to be adjusted? They exhibit no play and turn smoothly except that when turned by hand, I feel friction vs. freely spinning. BTW, the rear axle does turn freely unlike the front.

Or should I just slap then on, ride them, and see how they are after a few hundred more miles?

thanks,

Warren

Warren128

*bump*

maybe this is the dumbest question ever posted on a bicycle mechanics forum, hence no answers?

bsyptak

I just took apart my rear Cosmos hub and when I tightened it back up it has a slight drag to it (tightened up the cassette body too which is why I took it apart in the first place). I think it will loosen up after a few miles. Sounds like yours are new. Cartridge bearings do seem to have grease drag until it breaks down a bit. Nice wheels.

Warren128

Thanks for the reply, it's very much appreciated. All I needed was someone's confirmation that it's probably normal. As I mentioned, I have no previous experience with cartridge bearings, so I have no basis for comparison to know whether my set is normal or not.

I think I'll just use them and see how it goes. It was a great deal and included nice tires and tubes already installed.

Regards,

Warren