My steering feels "gritty"

[DoubleJ]

Not a bad idea to put grease in the cups and a thin coating of grease on steering components exposed inside the bike's head tube to limit corrosion if moisture gets in.

Contact between steel bearing shells and alloy steerer is already a recipe for corrosion if it gets wet.

Also, those 'marshguard' mini fenders that you cable tie to the fork brace are quite effective at keeping mud off the stanchion tubes as well as the underside of the headset and fork crown.

Ja, I have one of those.

[JXV]

So van die os op die jas.....

 

I bought my bike from a reputable BS in PE last year August. Ive been injured since December of 2014 so I havent really done a lot of riding on my Anthem....lets say maybe 1500km.

 

Heres my question....in the time that i have had it i have replaced the wheel bearings in both wheels because they were gritty, the bearings in the crank and now I have to replace the bearings in the steering cullumn as well as the complete rear derrailler because of a hanger that broke off.

 

Does this even sound right ?

 

I really like the owner of the bikeshop and dont want to start pointing fingers because he really has helped me a lot, but this seems like either terrible bad luck or terrible bike build?

When I use a hose on my bike it is adjusted to a low flow and fine spray just to wet it before washing and to rinse the soapy water off.

 

The actual washing gets done with a clean rag and a bucket of warm water and a couple of old toothbrushes for fiddly bits.

 

A pressure sprayer can cut skin and strip cheap paint. So you can imagine it will easily drive grit and water past bearing seals. Even a jet from a normal hose will do this.

 

From past experience, Giant hubs are not well sealed so your wheel bearing issue is feasible. The crank bearings should last a bit longer though.....need to check how much water is entering your frame when you wash the bike. All that water gravitates to the BB and can corrode the BB from inside. Make sure any drain holes are clear.

[DoubleJ]

When I use a hose on my bike it is adjusted to a low flow and fine spray just to wet it before washing and to rinse the soapy water off.

 

The actual washing gets done with a clean rag and a bucket of warm water and a couple of old toothbrushes for fiddly bits.

 

A pressure sprayer can cut skin and strip cheap paint. So you can imagine it will easily drive grit and water past bearing seals. Even a jet from a normal hose will do this.

 

From past experience, Giant hubs are not well sealed so your wheel bearing issue is feasible. The crank bearings should last a bit longer though.....need to check how much water is entering your frame when you wash the bike. All that water gravitates to the BB and can corrode the BB from inside. Make sure any drain holes are clear.

Makes sense thanks.

 

I have mentioned though that I have only had the pressure washer for only 2 weeks now and have used it very carefully, the one time that I have used it....3 days later I had to replace steering bearings....doesn't make sense. I have checked to use the WAP only on the frame and wheels. I dont use it where there are movable parts.

[Niner]

If you've been washing it with a pressure washer I'm not surprised at all.

 

Now you know.

 

I'd also suggest you get your fork serviced before your stanchions wear out.

I have been using a WAP on my bike for 7 year+ now with no problems.

 

Sounds more like the OP rides in deep enough water to get into the wheel bearings ?

 

BTW did you see that the TDF mechanics use pressure washers?

[Niner]

Makes sense thanks.

 

I have mentioned though that I have only had the pressure washer for only 2 weeks now and have used it very carefully, the one time that I have used it....3 days later I had to replace steering bearings....doesn't make sense. I have checked to use the WAP only on the frame and wheels. I dont use it where there are movable parts.

Do you every ride in deep water? 

 

Edit:

Another thing that I have noticed is that the bearings some LBS use has very little grease in them when they come from the factory. Those don't last long. When you get new bearings, put more grease in yourself.

[JXV]

Makes sense thanks.

 

I have mentioned though that I have only had the pressure washer for only 2 weeks now and have used it very carefully, the one time that I have used it....3 days later I had to replace steering bearings....doesn't make sense. I have checked to use the WAP only on the frame and wheels. I dont use it where there are movable parts.

Fair enough. Maybe you are riding in an area where the dust and grit is very abrasive. Do you drive dirt roads with the bike on a rack behind the car?

 

It seems unusual that in less than 2 years of owning the bike you have replaced wheel bearings, bb and now steerer. My current bike is 18 months and I have ridden at least 4000 km on it without a single bearing needing replacement, including suspension pivots. It travels mostly inside my car though, or on the roof and I avoid riding in wet weather unless desperate for a fix.

[droo]

I have been using a WAP on my bike for 7 year+ now with no problems.

 

Sounds more like the OP rides in deep enough water to get into the wheel bearings ?

 

BTW did you see that the TDF mechanics use pressure washers?

 

TDF bikes also get completely rebuilt every day...

[droo]

Makes sense thanks.

 

I have mentioned though that I have only had the pressure washer for only 2 weeks now and have used it very carefully, the one time that I have used it....3 days later I had to replace steering bearings....doesn't make sense. I have checked to use the WAP only on the frame and wheels. I dont use it where there are movable parts.

 

Could also be salt if you live and ride near the coast. What detergent do you use when washing?

[Niner]

TDF bikes also get completely rebuilt every day...

Nope they don't. They don't replace wheel bearings etc. Do some research on the web.

 

Like I said, been using it for YEARS with no problems. SO it is NOT the hi pressure, but how you use it. To make a blanket statement is just not logical.

[DoubleJ]

Do you every ride in deep water? 

 

Edit:

Another thing that I have noticed is that the bearings some LBS use has very little grease in them when they come from the factory. Those don't last long. When you get new bearings, put more grease in yourself.

Great tip.

 

They should then label bikes with the following "After you have paid your R32 000 for your new bike and have it washed after every ride and have it in for more services than you yourself are being serviced, you still need to fork out R2000 in between 700-1500km for new bearings....because we know consumers and most of them are idiots who believed the mechanic when he said he greased all the bearings. Anyways, dont ride through mud, don't ride through water, never ride when it's raining. Remember that cheap bike that you bought from Dions 15 years ago that never rusted, never broke, still has the same chain and bearings and used Spookpis to lube the chain....those days are gone boet"

 

Expensive hobby this one we love so dearly ;-)

[DoubleJ]

Could also be salt if you live and ride near the coast. What detergent do you use when washing?

 

I use a bike specific product I got from my LBS....cant recall the name though.

[DoubleJ]

Anyways...I'm thinking I'm being a bit over sensitive. Thanks for all the great info and advice guys. I really do appreciate it.

 

Many happy more miles.

[JXV]

Great tip.

 

They should then label bikes with the following "After you have paid your R32 000 for your new bike and have it washed after every ride and have it in for more services than you yourself are being serviced, you still need to fork out R2000 in between 700-1500km for new bearings....because we know consumers and most of them are idiots who believed the mechanic when he said he greased all the bearings. Anyways, dont ride through mud, don't ride through water, never ride when it's raining. Remember that cheap bike that you bought from Dions 15 years ago that never rusted, never broke, still has the same chain and bearings and used Spookpis to lube the chain....those days are gone boet"

 

Expensive hobby this one we love so dearly ;-)

Washing it after every ride means all the little nooks and crannies are wet nearly all the time if you ride often.

 

My bike gets a wash at most every 2 months or if it gets muddy on a wet ride. Dust is wiped off with a damp cloth between rides. Important bits like chain, gears and fork stanchions get more regular care.

[Guest notmyname]

Washing it after every ride means all the little nooks and crannies are wet nearly all the time if you ride often.

 

My bike gets a wash at most every 2 months or if it gets muddy on a wet ride. Dust is wiped off with a damp cloth between rides. Important bits like chain, gears and fork stanchions get more regular care.

This interests me. I ride three to four times a week. Sadly the week day rides are mostly tar so I don't wash during the week. Weekends it gets washed on Saturday and Sunday regardless of conditions.

 

I use the hose at very low pressure(think watering can) very well diluted PS and the biggest paintbrush I could find. I

I remove the chain and soak it in PS weekly and remove the cassette monthly for a proper scrub.

 

It may be a bit over the top but I've achieved good kilometres out of the componentry doing this. I've replaced headset and hub bearings once in like 8000 odd kilometers on this bike.