rovis

Hi,

Sorry, under 10 posts, so no pic yet (edit: see pic below, in my 11th post)
I need some help with my front wheel hub on a Fulcrum Racing Sport wheel, maybe 4-5 years old.
Noticed lately a side-to-side movement, about 2mm from center at the top of the fork.
I've took off a plastic cover on top of the assembly on the QR side and it shows as in the image. There's some grease overflow visible, but mostly my question is about the type of this hub. Shimano maybe?
And it looks like there's another metal piece between the plastic cover and the ball-bearing. Anybody familiar with this built?
It looks like even if I remove the two nuts to remove the axle, the metal piece is sitting under the spokes' hooks. Wonder how can I service/de grease/grease this hub? Or even replace the bearings, if possible?

rovis

deacon mark

You have nothing to lose just take the axle out seems it probably comes out using allen wretch. Then it has either ball bearings or cartridge bearings. The later will need new sealed bearings but I am thinking this is a loose ball bearing hub just looking at it. In any case no big deal just go on and depending on bearing replacement cost if cartridge and the trouble, a new front wheel is not all that expensive.

rovis

Thanks for your reply. Meanwhile, I've done some research on these wheels and found more info. Hubs, front/rear, are Shimano, with cartridge bearings. The whitish piece visible in the photo, besides the grease, is most likely the external cartridge seal. Found also some instructional video on how to remove the cartridges.
Need to get some degreaser, grease and the bearings. Apparently the bearings are around $10/each, so not too expensive.
However, my concerns at this point are:
how to center the axle after replacing the cartridges?
would I need a cartridge presser to insert the new bearings?

Crankycrank

I'm pretty sure Shimano has never done cartridge bearing hubs, only loose balls. I would guess yours are the Fulcrum Hubs.

deacon mark

It appears that is the case. You just need to press in new bearings and make your own press with thread rod or what ever it takes. The centering will already be done as axel should just be there with the bearings on both sides. Personally if it was me I would simply get a new front wheel with a Shimano hub that is fully adjustable anytime. Say what you want about expensive wheels bus give me a Shimano 105 hub with 32 hole rim any day over the other stuff. You can get a wheel for less than $125 that will last forever no issue nothing needed, It simply make is it easy now and in the future.

rovis

If the price is $125, I'd consider it. Not sure where to find a wheel in this price range though? What I find is only sets, and the cheapest Fulcrums start over $300.
I wouldn't consider anything than Fulcrum at this time, really wouldn't like to mix up components.

rovis

This is one of the resources found about these specific wheels: https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/.../rp-prod183939
In Q&A somebody describes the hubs as Shimano and cartridge type.

Mad Honk 

Replacing the cartridge bearings is not hard, and pressing new ones in isn't either. I go to my local bearing shop and show them the original bearing and they bring out the replacement bearing. Cost for a pair is about $25 here in middle IN. Smiles, MH

rovis

Found the parts catalogue that include these specific wheels and here's how these hubs look:


The problem with replacing the bearings, seems to be with the R5-021 shim (metallic) . These are inserted below the outside rim where the spokes are attached. I'd guess it's a destructive approach on one side to remove one of these and then pull the bearings. However, after replacement, not sure how could somebody insert that shim under the spokes rim.

For now, I've decided to keep the wheel as it is. Yes, found some options to purchase only a front wheel, but that would be miss matched to the rear since these Racing Sport seem to be discontinued.
I'm going to wait until the rear goes bad too and then get some better wheels.

alcjphil

Fulcrum is a brand owned by Campagnolo. They do not use Shimano hubs

deacon mark

I would got to Velomine here is the link. I build wheels and cannot build wheels cheaper or better than these offerings. I have a set of the 105s with 32 hole Shimano front and rear hubs. Shimano hubs are in book great they last forever and can be serviced easily. I like the H and Son rims and I have bought 2 sets of these wheels for each bike. I have one set with Ultegra Hubs I bought 18 months ago ( they don't make an Ultegra Hub anymore) that have over 10000 miles on them and they have required zero work and run beautiful. They are not the latest and greatest and not the lightest. But they work and easy to service.
Newly Stocked Road Wheelsets Velomine.com : Worldwide Bicycle Shop, fixed gear track bike wheelsets campagnolo super record vintage bike

rovis

Yes, you're correct. The original quote was picked from some random person who obviously didn't know how these hubs were built.