From: jeff@claw.clearpoint.com (Jeffrey J. Griglack)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: Sealed Hubs and the Rain
Date: 9 Oct 92 16:51:41 GMT
Reply-To: jeff@claw.clearpoint.com
Distribution: usa
Organization: Clearpoint Research, Hopkinton, MA

On 7 Oct 92 19:30:41 GMT, jsr@TorreyPinesCA.ncr.com (Joe Riel 3752) said:
Joe> Disclaimer: This posting does not neccessarily reflect the opinions of NCR.

Joe> I commute by bike and dislike rebuilding the hubs after almost every 
Joe> rainy day (even though there aren't a lot in San Diego).  What
Joe> experience do you have with Phil Woods, Bullseye, or American Classic
Joe> sealed hubs (with cartridge bearings)?  How long do they last and have 
Joe> you ridden them in the rain?  Can they be readily rebuilt if necessary?

I have sealed bearings (not sure what brand) on both of my bikes.  I
have not bothered to touch them for several years.  I have new
cartridges that I keep as spares, and I will probably replace the
older set soon, but they have held up very well in New England
weather ("In New England, if you don't like the weather, just wait."
--Samuel Clemens).  Cartridges cost about $10/pair at Bike Nashbar.

I never serviced my bearings, before I got sealed ones, more than
about 3 times a year.  The reason I got sealed bearings was to handle
the bad weather better.  My time is too precious to me to waste it
regreasing wheels all the time.

Another option you might want to look into is Phil Woods water-proof
grease.  This is supposed to handle the wet weather better than other
greases.

Do you guys really get that little rain that you have the time to
regrease after every wet ride?  If I had to do that I would spend so
much time regreasing that I wouldn't have time to ride!

Joe> I own a pair of in-line skates which have cartridge bearings and one of 
Joe> the bearings has failed (noisy and lots of friction) after about 50 miles 
Joe> of usage so I'm a little leary about spending the money for hubs if there 
Joe> is not a significant advantage.  Skate bearings probably get more
Joe> abuse than bike bearings since they are close to the ground and
Joe> spinning much faster, however I never used them in wet conditions.

You probably got some sand in them or something.  I have been told to
watch out for this with mine.

Joe> A second question, do race mechanics rebuild (disassemble, clean, and
Joe> regrease) all the hubs of their racers following a stage in the rain?

I wouldn't know.  I don't race.  I ride for fun.  Servicing the bikes
just isn't as much fun as riding.  If I need to spend a few dollars
every couple of years to replace a part that I didn't obsess over, it
is okay with me :).

Disclaimer:  I don't ride as much as most of the people on the net
claim to.  I have a life, and my kids and wife can't keep up with me
yet.
--

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|Jeff Griglack             |"To mess about with typewriters and latch keys    |
|jeff@claw.clearpoint.com  | and call it work!"                               |
|jeff@fang.clearpoint.com  |                          -- E.M. Forster         |
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