Spez front hub precautions

[JXV]

This is a precautionary note for owners of 2015 Spez bikes that share the same hubs as the Rumor Comp :

 

A friend just purchased a low milage Spez Rumor advertised on the Hub.    The bike is a 2105 model, in excellent condition and low milage as advertised.    My friend brought it round to fit some pedals and give it a check. 

 

It has a 15mm TA Reba on front and I could not remove the front wheel.   Prior attempts by someone else had damaged the cup on the RS Maxle.    the Maxle seemed to be seized in the hub or left front fork leg.  It would partially unscrew from the right leg but then went tight and would not come out of the left leg..   A firm tap with a soft mallet got it freed up and the cause became clear:

 

The wheel bearings are not stainless steel, there is no axle in this hub as the Maxle does that duty and the wheel bearing inner races had rusted onto the Maxle.    There was no grease anywhere to be seen.   So I squirted the inside of the hub with grease and liberally greased the Maxle as well.     At a later stage when I get a bit more time with the bike I am going to strip those cheap bearings out and put something decent in.    Since there was only rust in there and no dirt I'm guessing the water got in when the bike was transported on a carrier in the rain or during washing.

 

If you have one of these bikes be warned.    There are no o rings or seals in the hub to prevent water gaining access to the axle so you are advised to use liberal amounts of grease and avoid submerging the axle in water.   Also avoid spraying water from a hose when washing it.   This is going to need care for the life of the bike/hub.

[BrandonF_]

This is a precautionary note for owners of 2015 Spez bikes that share the same hubs as the Rumor Comp :

 

A friend just purchased a low milage Spez Rumor advertised on the Hub. The bike is a 2105 model, in excellent condition and low milage as advertised. My friend brought it round to fit some pedals and give it a check.

 

It has a 15mm TA Reba on front and I could not remove the front wheel. Prior attempts by someone else had damaged the cup on the RS Maxle. the Maxle seemed to be seized in the hub or left front fork leg. It would partially unscrew from the right leg but then went tight and would not come out of the left leg.. A firm tap with a soft mallet got it freed up and the cause became clear:

 

The wheel bearings are not stainless steel, there is no axle in this hub as the Maxle does that duty and the wheel bearing inner races had rusted onto the Maxle. There was no grease anywhere to be seen. So I squirted the inside of the hub with grease and liberally greased the Maxle as well. At a later stage when I get a bit more time with the bike I am going to strip those cheap bearings out and put something decent in. Since there was only rust in there and no dirt I'm guessing the water got in when the bike was transported on a carrier in the rain or during washing.

 

If you have one of these bikes be warned. There are no o rings or seals in the hub to prevent water gaining access to the axle so you are advised to use liberal amounts of grease and avoid submerging the axle in water. Also avoid spraying water from a hose when washing it. This is going to need care for the life of the bike/hub.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I'm not an owner of a Spez, but see your honest opinion in this concern #headsup