Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Front hub (rookie mistake)

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Front hub (rookie mistake)

Old 11-20-22, 07:56 AM
  #1  
cchki
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Front hub (rookie mistake)

I was servicing my hubs for the first time ever and managed to do rookie mistake. I measured ball bearings from the back and it was 1/4. So I didnīt check front hub bearings and changed them as well to 1/4. I already got rid of the old bearings and realized afterwards, that front hub might be using 3/16 bearings? Is there any possibility that front hubs uses 1/4 bearings ever? My bike is Felt Verza Speed 20, model year 2017 and it has "noname" brandless hubs.
cchki is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 08:18 AM
  #2  
Crankycrank
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,650
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 835 Post(s)
Liked 1,055 Times in 740 Posts
Not likely the front takes 1/4" balls but can't say for sure and I can't find any info on what the hubs are. Try contacting Felt directly as they should have that info.
Crankycrank is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 08:48 AM
  #3  
Schweinhund
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,393

Bikes: a couple

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 562 Post(s)
Liked 862 Times in 455 Posts
You've had the hub apart? You changed the balls out? If you don't mind taking it back apart (no big deal) you can take the cone you removed from the axle and see if it seats into the bearings correctly or not. if the bearing hits the center of the cone race with the bearings in the hub, they are most likely correct. if the cone doesn't drop in and the bearings just ride the edge of the cone, you need a smaller bearing size.
Schweinhund is offline  
Likes For Schweinhund:
Old 11-20-22, 10:36 AM
  #4  
KerryIrons
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 962
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 497 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 622 Times in 346 Posts
Originally Posted by cchki
I was servicing my hubs for the first time ever and managed to do rookie mistake. I measured ball bearings from the back and it was 1/4. So I didnīt check front hub bearings and changed them as well to 1/4. I already got rid of the old bearings and realized afterwards, that front hub might be using 3/16 bearings? Is there any possibility that front hubs uses 1/4 bearings ever? My bike is Felt Verza Speed 20, model year 2017 and it has "noname" brandless hubs.
Very little chance that a front hub would use 1/4" bearings. 3/16 or 7/32 are typical.
KerryIrons is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 10:46 AM
  #5  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,361 Times in 2,034 Posts
What is the front hub? Most fronts are 3/16".

​​​​​​https://bike.bikegremlin.com/2255/st...ng-ball-sizes/

​​​​​​https://wheelsmfg.com/hub-parts#front_road
dedhed is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 11:26 AM
  #6  
maddog34
Senior Member
 
maddog34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NW Oregon
Posts: 2,974

Bikes: !982 Trek 930R Custom, Diamondback ascent with SERIOUS updates, Fuji Team Pro CF and a '09 Comencal Meta 5.5

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times in 534 Posts
Originally Posted by dedhed
What is the front hub? Most fronts are 3/16".

​​​​​​https://bike.bikegremlin.com/2255/st...ng-ball-sizes/

​​​​​​https://wheelsmfg.com/hub-parts#front_road
OP states "No Name" found on the hub... Probably a Formula.. they make the majority of "no name hubs".

cchki ... 3/16" balls, ten per side, is the safe guess. If it's a QR type hub, leave a tiny amount of play in the Bearing adjustment.
maddog34 is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 11:27 AM
  #7  
SurferRosa
seņor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,346

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times in 3,183 Posts
Originally Posted by cchki
Is there any possibility that my front hub uses 1/4" bearings?
No.
SurferRosa is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 01:03 PM
  #8  
cchki
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thank you all for the answers, I will take the hub apart and check it.
cchki is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 01:36 PM
  #9  
Hondo6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: SW Florida, USA
Posts: 1,295

Bikes: Yes

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 540 Post(s)
Liked 656 Times in 456 Posts
Originally Posted by cchki
I was servicing my hubs for the first time ever and managed to do rookie mistake. I measured ball bearings from the back and it was 1/4. So I didnīt check front hub bearings and changed them as well to 1/4. I already got rid of the old bearings and realized afterwards, that front hub might be using 3/16 bearings? Is there any possibility that front hubs uses 1/4 bearings ever? My bike is Felt Verza Speed 20, model year 2017 and it has "noname" brandless hubs.
The Felt 2017 catalog (available online here) indicates that the hubs on the 2017 Verza Speed 20 were "Felt, sealed mech, 32H." You might reach out to them and see what they have to say regarding bearing ball size and number for your hubs, and if they might have manuals/drawings/specification for those hubs.

Felt also has a support page for customer contacts, as well as a Knowledge Base. Didn't see a toll free telephone number.

I believe I did see elsewhere on their website that they try to answer customer contacts within 1 or 2 days.
Hondo6 is online now  
Old 11-20-22, 04:45 PM
  #10  
FBinNY 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,544

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5703 Post(s)
Liked 2,432 Times in 1,345 Posts
You don't have to take anything apart, the hub will tell you.

If you used the wrong balls, the axle length, lockout to lockout will now be longer. So a simple measurement will tell you where you stand.
FBinNY is offline  
Likes For FBinNY:
Old 11-20-22, 06:07 PM
  #11  
cchki
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FBinNY
You don't have to take anything apart, the hub will tell you.

If you used the wrong balls, the axle length, lockout to lockout will now be longer. So a simple measurement will tell you where you stand.
Do you mean OLD? It should be 100mm, so if itīs longer, then I know?
cchki is offline  
Old 11-20-22, 07:40 PM
  #12  
FBinNY 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,544

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5703 Post(s)
Liked 2,432 Times in 1,345 Posts
Originally Posted by cchki
Do you mean OLD? It should be 100mm, so if itīs longer, then I know?
Yes. Larger balls push the cones out, so if you use all the original parts, the OLD will be greater than before
__________________
FB
Chain-L site

An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.

Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.

“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN

WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FBinNY is offline  
Likes For FBinNY:
Old 11-21-22, 05:01 AM
  #13  
cchki
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Nov 2022
Posts: 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by FBinNY
Yes. Larger balls push the cones out, so if you use all the original parts, the OLD will be greater than before
I took the measurements with the caliber and it was exactly 100mm. But I was thinking that I put 9pc 1/4 bearings and 3/16 bearings you need 10pc. You think it should still be more than 100mm if bearings are not correct now? Everyone is telling, that there is no such hub existing, that take 1/4 bearings in front hub.
cchki is offline  
Old 11-21-22, 02:29 PM
  #14  
maddog34
Senior Member
 
maddog34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NW Oregon
Posts: 2,974

Bikes: !982 Trek 930R Custom, Diamondback ascent with SERIOUS updates, Fuji Team Pro CF and a '09 Comencal Meta 5.5

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times in 534 Posts
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
No.
not completely true... i've had two through my place in the last year's time..... fairly old MTB bikes may have them, and i'd imagine some BMX bikes might use them too..... Still, they are extremely rare!
maddog34 is offline  
Likes For maddog34:
Old 11-21-22, 02:39 PM
  #15  
maddog34
Senior Member
 
maddog34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NW Oregon
Posts: 2,974

Bikes: !982 Trek 930R Custom, Diamondback ascent with SERIOUS updates, Fuji Team Pro CF and a '09 Comencal Meta 5.5

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times in 534 Posts
Originally Posted by cchki
I took the measurements with the caliber and it was exactly 100mm. But I was thinking that I put 9pc 1/4 bearings and 3/16 bearings you need 10pc. You think it should still be more than 100mm if bearings are not correct now? Everyone is telling, that there is no such hub existing, that take 1/4 bearings in front hub.
oops, hadn't made it to your latest post... if the 1/4" balls fit, the axle turns smoothly with no Notchiness, and the O.L.D. you have now measured is correct... run it!

the oddest hub i have here is a nutted axle with an 80mm O.L.D.... off some old Huffy or something. I don't toss it out of curiosity.

No one stated that 1/4" ball front hubs Don't Exist... but they are RARE. Last bike i recall having the 1/4 ball front hub was a Columbia Women-specific "Trail Head" MTB... they were 4 bolt Disc hubs... yes... FOUR bolt discs. alas, the rear hub used odd Cones that are badly trashed/pitted, i had none in stock..... rims/spokes were fine... i replaced both hubs... the front hub is in a stock bin now... after some serious upgrades, the bike now weighs 26 lbs. and is a blast to ride!

Last edited by maddog34; 11-21-22 at 02:52 PM.
maddog34 is offline  
Likes For maddog34:
Old 11-21-22, 03:21 PM
  #16  
FBinNY 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,544

Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter

Mentioned: 139 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5703 Post(s)
Liked 2,432 Times in 1,345 Posts
Originally Posted by cchki
I took the measurements with the caliber and it was exactly 100mm. But I was thinking that I put 9pc 1/4 bearings and 3/16 bearings you need 10pc. You think it should still be more than 100mm if bearings are not correct now? .
It's not the number of balls, it's the diameter. So larger balls would push the cones out, the same way smaller or no balls would let them in deeper

So, correct OLD confirms correct size balls. Keep in mind that we're talking about a small difference, so accurate measurement is required.

Last edited by FBinNY; 11-21-22 at 04:38 PM.
FBinNY is offline  
Old 11-21-22, 03:55 PM
  #17  
SurferRosa
seņor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,346

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times in 3,183 Posts
Originally Posted by maddog34
not completely true... i've had two through my place in the last year's time..... fairly old MTB bikes may have them, and i'd imagine some BMX bikes might use them too..... Still, they are extremely rare!
Okay, so what is the probability that the op's 2017 Felt Versa Speed 20 front hub uses 1/4" balls? I say 0.00001 percent, basically none.
SurferRosa is offline  
Old 11-21-22, 04:03 PM
  #18  
maddog34
Senior Member
 
maddog34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NW Oregon
Posts: 2,974

Bikes: !982 Trek 930R Custom, Diamondback ascent with SERIOUS updates, Fuji Team Pro CF and a '09 Comencal Meta 5.5

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times in 534 Posts
Originally Posted by SurferRosa
Okay, so what is the probability that the op's 2017 Felt Versa Speed 20 front hub uses 1/4" balls? I say 0.00001 percent, basically none.
key factors to consider... "2017"... and "No Name Hub"
guess away.

assuming that the axle set Parts weren't changed or some spacers weren't left on the bench........ If the O.L.D. is good, and the axle spins fine....

run it.

i've ranacross a couple front hubs that had 1/4" balls installed by mistake or bad rumors(BMX world!)... they were not a happy setup... crunchy, damaged, and notchy as hell come to mind.... and the OLDs were all over the proverbial map.

one customer said his buddy told him the 1/4" balls made the hub "beefier"... he also had not put grease in since grease "would slow the bike down.".........

Last edited by maddog34; 11-21-22 at 04:12 PM.
maddog34 is offline  
Old 11-21-22, 04:15 PM
  #19  
SurferRosa
seņor miembro
 
SurferRosa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 8,346

Bikes: '70s - '80s Campagnolo

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3846 Post(s)
Liked 6,437 Times in 3,183 Posts
Originally Posted by maddog34
one customer said his buddy told him the 1/4" balls made the hub "beefier"... he also had not put grease in since grease "would slow the bike down."


Yeah, well, I guess I'm glad the op isn't working on my bike.
SurferRosa is offline  
Old 11-21-22, 06:56 PM
  #20  
Schweinhund
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 1,393

Bikes: a couple

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 562 Post(s)
Liked 862 Times in 455 Posts
it's an oddball looking hub. Def. does look like a formula hub
Schweinhund is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.