Seems like a bunch of us on the forums are getting us some new wheels now that the spring is here, so maybe a good time to ask this question. What i wonder is this: I've read in a few threads in the past that it's a good idea to open up new hubs, clean the bearings and then regrease them with high(er) quality grease. Is this something that only really anal people do, or is it truly a good idea?

I've actually never fiddled with the inner workings of my hubs, so the idea both excites and scares me a bit b/c i don't want to mess anything up, but it's about time I step it up a notch and learn how to service my own hubs. What do you guys think about the grease thing?

(the hubs in question for myself here are some Dura Ace 7600, but i think the question probably applies to any hub straight from the factory.)

I'd imagine most hubs nowadays use cartridge bearings, making this a moot point. MOOT!

and that's where you'd be wrong.

It can't hurt to repack them off the bat (unless you misadjust them when you put them back together) .
Shimano ships their road/MTB hubs pretty dry and I've always felt that a good repacking does wonders.

Suzue doesnt always pack all of thier hubs or maybe just the one ive gotten. Not that it matters now.
But to the point of the op I thinks its a good idea.

Many people still prefer loose bearings to cartridge, and rightly so.
To that end: if you want your **** to last and last and last, I'd repack with Phil Grease before riding.

only if you got your bike from Bikes Direct!

…besides, it's always good to check the play of the hubs (what with the QR mechanisms squeezing the axles and changing the play - see Park Tools site) - if they're not set right, they'll wear - and there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth (…or perhaps I mean balls…)

- Wil

I agree with the bikes direct statement...not even one ounce of grease, anywhere to be seen on the bike when I got mine.

I've seen brand new hubs with such little grease that the manufacturers must be charging the assemblers by the gram.

By all means repack the little guys. I do it with new-outta-the-box Campy's. And while you're at it, get Grade 25 ball bearings, too. You're talking 40 bearings, so even at a nickle each (typical bike shop ripoff price), it's only 2 bucks.

Phil, Park are good bike greases. If you want to save some more money, get yourself a tub of lithium bearing grease from an auto supply store. The last pound container I bought (in 1998) which I still have, ran me a whole $5.

Do the bottom bracket and headset, too!

EnLa - the dura ace hubs ship with a very high-quality, but lighter grease, and they also don't put too much in there. This is fine and dandy if you're riding out on a velo, but for street grease I'd pull them apart, clean them out & rebuild using phils grease.

If you have cone wrenches, do it just to learn how. Its really not that hard, and Phil grease is good stuff.

...or NYCbikes.

The wheel i got from nyc bikes was missing a washer and loosened up on me.

A nickel is a ripoff?? They charge 20 cents around here.

ELC,

gimme a call if/when you're gonna do it!
this time, you can be the guinea pig.

i got a rear whell from there, for my ex girlfriend. it was missing at least 2 bearings and felt like someone repacked it with sand.

My container of white grease goes back to the 80's...

+1 to the $2.99 can of penzoil auto bearing grease.

White sync grease type, like Campy grease is more suitable to repack looseball bearing hubs. They are thicker and do not dissipate over time comparing to Phil grease.
Ask many pro mechanics (Freeewheel on Hayes) and they will tell you the same.

2c

i've recently tried out the Phil Wood grease - i find it much much thicker than the generic white grease i'd been using before. is that normal?

is that a concern when it comes to packing hubs? is thicker better or worse? (i see above that Bakabon is saying thicker is better).

EnLa & ChOmbO, I want to see this guinea pig stuff!
Will be in town this weekend (sat afternoon?), (Bensonhurst)
can bring wrenchs and have repacked many hubs before.
just add sparks!

i think you should use every opportunity possible to use phil grease.
it smells yummy.

I've often considered dabbing it behind my ears.