Hi all, new to the forum.
First, not sure if there's already a recent discussion on this. If yes, pls post the link.
Second, I'm a "SIMPLE CYCLIST". I don't do races, not a "Vinnige Fanie", I'm not one for all the bells and whistles. I'm just a guy who likes to go for a ride now and again, who doesn;t want the "best of the best", I just need something functional, with a decent lifespan.
Issue: Having to change my ball bearings on front wheel more often. No sign of dust seal. No 22mm cone spanner to tighten unit
I have a Titan Drone Dash 29'er MTB, bought used about a year ago - details I have are below. It has a BOOST fork, Fusion-X RC32 (110mm)
It has ball bearings (they call it "cup and cone"?). I have re-done the bearings once or twice, but recently I had to do it more often.
Main reasons are:
- I noticed no dust cover (don't think it came with one).
- I don't have the proper thin 22mm cone spanner so that I can tighten the two nuts on the hub/cone/Thru-axle "thing" (whatever that piece is called). Meaning, I suspect that dust is getting into the bearings, as it only lasts about 300-500km before I need to replace again. I'm sure the sand is slowly messing up the bearing cones too.
I was told by a bike mechanic that many bikes came out with these standard hubs, but I can't recall what the name of the hub was.
The Titan agents don't seem to have the seal kit (huh?!), so they suggested I get a new hub (ka-ching $$$ ??)
I want to possibly convert to sealed bearings, but have a few questions / comments
- I'm told roller bearings are better, They can handle loads better, especially when you are turning corners, leaning, etc. they can take a better weight distribution, or support. Sealed bearings are very rigid and "stiff", meaning it cannot handle the pressures as well as roller bearings. As a "simple cyclist, I'm not sure whether I should worry about this, and just try get sealed bearings?
- Is it possible to knock out these "cones/cups" on the inside of my hub, and simply replace it with bearings? Is there a bearing that could fit? Will my through-Axle still work? I do have some of those thinner thru-axles, like the old bikes had .....
- Is there another option without having to change the hub, re-spoke the wheel, and go through all that drama? I was quoted over R1500 for a DEORE hub (not sure what type), which is about a third of what i paid for the whole bike LOL
(And is the above even worth it? How long will bearings last? Can I change them myself?)
- With us riding through water etc., do sealed bearings get rusted easily? Do they last longer?
- Are sealed bearings easy to replace yourself?
- Should I just try get another rim which has a hub and sealed bearings?
- Is sealed bearings the easiest? Are there other bearing options out there which are simple?
- Anyone who has done something similar with minimal headache?
- Anyone with a seal kit??
- I want to have something that is simple. Something I can possibly fix myself if the bike conks out on a weekend, or if I am away somewhere with no bike shop around, etc.
- I stay in Alberton, South of Joburg
I also need a 22mm cone spanner which I can get off Takealot I guess. Cape Multi don't have the ParkTool 22mm, and most other shops don't stock that size (PS - Anyone have one laying around??)
Titan Drone Dash 29'er
Year: no idea, said to be around 2015-2018 or so
2 x 9 chainring
Air shock/fork.
Fusion-X RC32 BOOST fork (110mm)
Thanks!, Paul "madporra"
