How freely do your Hope rear hubs spin?

[Skylark]

Interesting points made by Chris King, Wyatt hope you get to read this, will help you with your 4 headsets and giving clients at your shop the right advice:

 

"

HEADSET SERVICE:

In general, headset service should be done at least every two years. In dry climates, service intervals may be longer. In wet climates, service may be necessary as often as every 6 months.

You may service your Chris King headset while in the frame using a light solvent based lubricant (e.g., Bullshot aerosol or WD-40,) to flush the bearings. If you have access to the correct tools for the proper removal and reinstallation of Chris King bearing cups, we have found it easier and more effective to remove the cups and use a solvent tank.

Remove snap ring and seal:

Take a pointed instrument, such as a penknife, insert it at the split in the snap ring, and lift the pointed end out. Once the pointed end is free, the remainder of the ring can be removed easily. Lift out the inner seal. At this point the bearing will be exposed.

Clean and re-grease the bearings and replace the seal and snap ring:

With a small brush (e.g., a tooth brush) clean the bearing while rinsing with solvent. If the bearing has been neglected and is frozen, let it soak for a few minutes. Then, rotate the inner race back and forth to work it free. Rinse in solvent and blow dry with an air hose to remove any excess solvent. Test the bearing for smoothness. If the bearing was frozen for too long it may have become damaged or may be too rough and need replacing. However, if the bearing has lost only some of its silky smoothness, it may not be evident at the handlebar once re-greased and reassembled. If bearing replacement is necessary return cup(s) to us to have a new bearing(s) installed.

Re-grease the bearings using Bullshot or any other waterproof grease. Carefully wipe off the inner seal and reinstall. Finally, insert the pointed end of the snap ring into the snap ring groove, working it around the bearing until the other end seats and a small gap is noticed. Inspect the rest of the parts for any wear. At this time, you are ready to reassemble the headset and adjust."

[G00SE]

While I probably am, my post(s) are just there to show (others) that one of the industry leaders suggests that regreasing bearings will prolong their life.

 

I have to disagree, I think it must be a mistake on Chris King's site... the Lawman is never wrong... ever!

[Wyatt Earp]

Check out the CK website... While i agree that the bearings may be of higher quality the process and the description of regreasing the CK bearings is identical to what Skylark described. The only difference is the CK bearings have a steel outer with the rubber seal attached to this, which still needs to be lifted off with a pick or similar. While the CK BB had a regreasing tool there is also a description should you not have the tool.

CK seem think that regreasing bearings prolong their life...

 

I went and had a look, thanks for that it's new news to me, my documentation form my headsets go way back.

 

Don't misinterpret the contact point grease versus the bearing itself.

The bearing does not have a rubber seal, but a snap ring and can be "serviced" if need be, I have been running my pink one for 5 years now and have not had to go that route yet.

As I said they manufacture their bearings in house to extreme tolerances and high standards, none of this cheap 2RS things that seem to be heavily misunderstood.

Even then , bear in mind that if a Chris King bearing seizes because of neglect, they will need to be chucked.

The headset I am running in my Niner needed a new lower and the upper I sorted out by soaking it and blowing it out with compressed air.

The bottom brackets on the other hand are a different ball game and you can even get an injector tool for regular maintenance to the BB.

But if anyone thinks they can treat their Enduro 2RS bearing the same way, good luck with that.

Edited September 3, 2014 by Wyatt Earp

[Wyatt Earp]

I have to disagree, I think it must be a mistake on Chris King's site... the Lawman is never wrong... ever!

 

You really have a gripe hey.

Good luck with it.

[Wyatt Earp]

Interesting points made by Chris King, Wyatt hope you get to read this, will help you with your 4 headsets and giving clients at your shop the right advice:

 

"

HEADSET SERVICE:

In general, headset service should be done at least every two years. In dry climates, service intervals may be longer. In wet climates, service may be necessary as often as every 6 months.

You may service your Chris King headset while in the frame using a light solvent based lubricant (e.g., Bullshot aerosol or WD-40,) to flush the bearings. If you have access to the correct tools for the proper removal and reinstallation of Chris King bearing cups, we have found it easier and more effective to remove the cups and use a solvent tank.

Remove snap ring and seal:

Take a pointed instrument, such as a penknife, insert it at the split in the snap ring, and lift the pointed end out. Once the pointed end is free, the remainder of the ring can be removed easily. Lift out the inner seal. At this point the bearing will be exposed.

Clean and re-grease the bearings and replace the seal and snap ring:

With a small brush (e.g., a tooth brush) clean the bearing while rinsing with solvent. If the bearing has been neglected and is frozen, let it soak for a few minutes. Then, rotate the inner race back and forth to work it free. Rinse in solvent and blow dry with an air hose to remove any excess solvent. Test the bearing for smoothness. If the bearing was frozen for too long it may have become damaged or may be too rough and need replacing. However, if the bearing has lost only some of its silky smoothness, it may not be evident at the handlebar once re-greased and reassembled. If bearing replacement is necessary return cup(s) to us to have a new bearing(s) installed.

Re-grease the bearings using Bullshot or any other waterproof grease. Carefully wipe off the inner seal and reinstall. Finally, insert the pointed end of the snap ring into the snap ring groove, working it around the bearing until the other end seats and a small gap is noticed. Inspect the rest of the parts for any wear. At this time, you are ready to reassemble the headset and adjust."

 

Get yourself informed.

A Chris King bearing and that $hit you get with your Hope Hubs are worlds apart.

[Wyatt Earp]

While I probably am, my post(s) are just there to show (others) that one of the industry leaders suggests that regreasing bearings will prolong their life.

 

Super_mil

 

Let's be honest here and I have said it now twice perhaps even three times.

A Chris King bearing and an FAG or Enduro bearing are not the same thing, if it was that easy, why should one pay for a beautifully laser etched cup ?

[rouxtjie]

While I probably am, my post(s) are just there to show (others) that one of the industry leaders suggests that regreasing their bearings will prolong their life since they are designed to

fixed

[Wyatt Earp]

fixed

 

Simply put hey Rouxtjie

[patches]

I went and had a look, thanks for that it's new news to me, my documentation form my headsets go way back.

 

Don't misinterpret the contact point grease versus the bearing itself.

The bearing does not have a rubber seal, but a snap ring and can be "serviced" if need be, I have been running my pink one for 5 years now and have not had to go that route yet.

As I said they manufacture their bearings in house to extreme tolerances and high standards, none of this cheap 2RS things that seem to be heavily misunderstood.

Even then , bear in mind that if a Chris King bearing seizes because of neglect, they will need to be chucked.

The headset I am running in my Niner needed a new lower and the upper I sorted out by soaking it and blowing it out with compressed air.

The bottom brackets on the other hand are a different ball game and you can even get an injector tool for regular maintenance to the BB.

But if anyone thinks they can treat their Enduro 2RS bearing the same way, good luck with that.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

 

And what are you saying ?

Something I mentioned a few posts back .

Does this change the fact that a Chris King bearing and an Enduro bearing aren't equals ?

Or are you trying to teach me about the CK rubber seal, not sure what you tried to do there.

 

I will post some real life pics for you in a few minutes.

[Skylark]

Get yourself informed.

A Chris King bearing and that $hit you get with your Hope Hubs are worlds apart.

 

Both respond the same to contamination and have the same requirements.

 

Bearings with the same level of quality and precision as those made by Chris King can be ordered from FAG/SKF/BMG, they are just very expensive. By the way 2RS refers to a bearing having two 2 rubber seals and has nothing at all to do with the quality of the bearing.

Edited September 3, 2014 by Skylark

[Super_mil]

I've never said that they are. In fact I agreed with you that the CK bearings are of superior quality, but they are still just bearings at the end of the day. In the same vein though you cannot honestly say that cleaning and regreasing a bearing (that isn't already smoked) isn't going to get it to run better and delay its ultimate failure by some time, whether it be CK, skf, Enduro or some Chinese cheapy.

[rouxtjie]

Ok champs....grease those bearing my koot, why not make a hub from an old grease pot....

 

I should have known better and quit a few posts ago.

[patches]

And what are you saying ?

Something I mentioned a few posts back .

Does this change the fact that a Chris King bearing and an Enduro bearing aren't equals ?

Or are you trying to teach me about the CK rubber seal, not sure what you tried to do there.

 

I will post some real life pics for you in a few minutes.

 

Easy tiger!

 

I do agree that CK bearings are are of a superior quality to Enduro, SKF, NSK, whatever.

 

I was simply stating that there is indeed a rubber seal behind the snapring.

[Wyatt Earp]

Both respond the same to contamination and have the same requirements.

 

Bearings with the same level of quality and precision as those made by Chris King can be ordered from FAG/SKF/BMG, they are just very expensive. By the way 2RS refers to a bearing having two 2 rubber seals and has nothing at all to do with the quality of the bearing.

 

NO

[G00SE]

NO

 

You seem quite sure about this.

Care to share your source?