Hello, this is my first post, thanks for the add. I was out on a ride the other day and my phone holder snapped causing my phone to fall in the street. When I applied the brakes the front end started to wobble and I lost control, my bike hit the curb and bent the fork. I just replaced it but something still felt loose found the axle bent so I tore it all apart and on the inside of the hub its out of round (maybe you can see in the pics) this is behind the bearing cup. My question is would this be what caused the wobble and what could have caused this?
Front wheel hub wear
- Thread starter StuartLsl
- Start date
AHicks
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Snow Bird - Summer S.E. Michigan, Winter Gulf Coast North Central Fl.
Not to be mean about it, but I think you're looking at what caused the wobble, and it shouldn't be too hard to figure out from there it could have been maintained much better than it was for the "why?".
If you'd like to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the future, you need to head problems like this off with occasional inspections, checks and maintenance - before it breaks down. This is a pretty good example of what can happen if you don't.
If you'd like to prevent this kind of thing from happening in the future, you need to head problems like this off with occasional inspections, checks and maintenance - before it breaks down. This is a pretty good example of what can happen if you don't.
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For any new bike with cone bearings (QR 9mm hubs) it's worth checking for play and roughness. I'd hope more expensive bikes have been lubed and adjusted correctly either by factory or shop. Unfortunately this isn't always case. With cheaper bikes isn't kind of given that they need service day one, ideally replace cage bearings with individual ones.
Check every few months for play.
Check every few months for play.
Front hubs on cheaper bikes have a tendency to be over tightened. That's the first thing I check when building a direct to customer bike. If I adjust it and it still feels weird I'll just re-grease it. China allows exactly one Q-Tip dab of grease per side of hub. This goes for rear wheels as well, but the front hubs are almost always to tight. I also check:
Brakes. Especially cable operated disc brakes. Make sure everything is tight.
Stem bolts. Some company got sued recently because the stem to fork bolts weren't tightened corectly. On this brand YOU have to install the bars. Why not just check the other 2 bolts as well?
Cranks. Check all bolts just to be sure. Come to think about it, I had to replace a bearing on my bottom bracket on a well known direct to customer brand. Wasn't hard but still hated getting my hands dirty. I have nice hands! It did have decent grease in it from the factory that did the assembly.
So just don't expect to just slap a direct to customer ebike together and ride it. Take the time to go over it in detail or pay a known bike shop to do it for you.
Brakes. Especially cable operated disc brakes. Make sure everything is tight.
Stem bolts. Some company got sued recently because the stem to fork bolts weren't tightened corectly. On this brand YOU have to install the bars. Why not just check the other 2 bolts as well?
Cranks. Check all bolts just to be sure. Come to think about it, I had to replace a bearing on my bottom bracket on a well known direct to customer brand. Wasn't hard but still hated getting my hands dirty. I have nice hands! It did have decent grease in it from the factory that did the assembly.
So just don't expect to just slap a direct to customer ebike together and ride it. Take the time to go over it in detail or pay a known bike shop to do it for you.
