Front hub (rookie mistake)
11-20-22, 07:56 AM
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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.
11-20-22, 08:18 AM
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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.
11-20-22, 08:48 AM
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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.
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11-20-22, 10:36 AM
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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.
11-20-22, 10:46 AM
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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
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/2255/st...ng-ball-sizes/
https://wheelsmfg.com/hub-parts#front_road
11-20-22, 11:26 AM
#6
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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
https://bike.bikegremlin.com/2255/st...ng-ball-sizes/
https://wheelsmfg.com/hub-parts#front_road
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.
11-20-22, 11:27 AM
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Originally Posted by cchki
Is there any possibility that my front hub uses 1/4" bearings?
11-20-22, 01:36 PM
#9
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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.
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.
11-20-22, 04:45 PM
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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.
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.
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11-20-22, 06:07 PM
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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.
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.
11-20-22, 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by cchki
Do you mean OLD? It should be 100mm, so if itīs longer, then I know?
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience., George Carlin
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.
11-21-22, 05:01 AM
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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
11-21-22, 02:29 PM
#14
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
No.
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11-21-22, 02:39 PM
#15
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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.
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.
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11-21-22, 03:21 PM
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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? .
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.
11-21-22, 03:55 PM
#17
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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!
11-21-22, 04:03 PM
#18
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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.
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.
11-21-22, 04:15 PM
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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.
