Free hub drag on a ... road bike

[Headshot]

I have been riding a road bike equipped with Mavic Aksium wheels. These are low end Mavic Road wheels. The hub makes a typically nice noise when free wheeling and engagement is perfect.

 

What I have noticed is that the rear hub appears to drag quite a bit - far more than the Giant rear hub on my MTB, bringing the rear wheel to a halt quite quickly if you manually spin the wheel. 

 

Is this normal or is there a way to loosen it up a bit? I am thinking some light lube in the free hub, but my knowledge of freehubs is dangerous...

[Martin PJ]

I have Mavic Kysriums Elite. They have a problem like this now and then. I open up the free hub, clean everything and give a light grease. Seems to solve the problem. Once I had to replace some plastic looking bushes inside the hub. It actually used to make a roaring noise when free wheeling.

[android11]

Before opening the hub up, check if the brakes are not dragging or periodically bumping the rim, check if you have not over-tightened the skewer sometimes its too tight then puts pressure on the outer bearing which slows things down. Also spin the wheel and put your hand on the skewer to feel if the is any rough vibrations, that could help in determining if its the bearings. Final straw would be to open it up. Don't know what model mavics those are but some require a special two pronged tool some a size 10 allen key. Will only know for sure once you open it up. For the two pronged tool you could use a circlip remover but be very careful as the holes strip easy hence the mavic tool is plastic and not steel like the circlip remover.

[Dicky DQ]

This is an issue with Mavics since the beginning of time. They have a nylon bush that if it get any dirt in, it drags. Finish and Klaar. Strip and clean then lube with light oil (note light oil)

 

It becomes more pronounced the faster and longer you go.

[Headshot]

I have done some googling and it seems its relatively normal within reason, but regular servicing is a good idea.

 

Thanks for the replies guys.

[MaxUmis]

The mavics do drag a bit but if excessive it is most likely that there is a little too much preload on the bearings via the axle.

If you are going to open up and clean the freehub, lube it with mineral oil (Shimano brake mineral oil works a charm). There isn't anything to grease in there.

 

This bit of maintenance is easy enough to do 2 or 3 times a year.

 

oh, and the axle bolt on the opposite side of the freehub sets the preload on the bearings. You want it JUST tight enough to not have play on the axle/wheel.

 

oh, oh, pay close attention to what goes where when you open it up. the Elites have a washer that like to surprise you.