Recent content by CycleGremlin

Running it to the ground is the cheapest way for lower end bikes definitely. Potential problems are: worn chain is more likely to break, which can be a nuisance during a climb for example (even a liability if it breaks while a car is overtaking you and you're going hard on the left pedal)...

Originally Posted By: Alex_Wills You said ""One downside of the higher speed bikes seems to be lesser chain life."" Your point is noteworthy! From a "high mileage" acquaintance I got a different info. His experience with new (Shimano Ultegra) 10 speed chains has been they last more than 8...

Originally Posted By: CR94 Originally Posted By: CycleGremlin ... Angular contact bearings are better for the application - they do handle lateral loads better. True, but lateral or axial loading of bike bearings is generally much smaller than the radial loads, except in headsets---and crashes...

Originally Posted By: nthach Originally Posted By: Kestas Originally Posted By: nthach ... very few hubs use angular contact bearings which will spread load evenly instead of concentrating it at one spot, could that be why some bearings fail quicker than others? I don't understand this...

Originally Posted By: Kestas I think you should exclude the kerb crash test. This test is used to test the raceways for dent resistance. As I said, grease is not a variable in this test. You could run it without grease and have the same results. The tire is included because this is how the test...

Originally Posted By: Kestas Cycle gremlin, your "thinking" is contrary to all data that is commonly known among bearing designers. Raceways are redesigned to accommodate ceramic balls so that raceway loading is within acceptable design parameters so spalling won't be an issue. Making ceramic...

Originally Posted By: Kestas Not all true. Ceramic balls have less deformation at the point of contact, resulting in less drag and less heat generated. True - while all is new. My thinking is that a lot higher hardness and lack of elasticity is more likely to cause (metal) race pitting...

Thanks for all the replies. Here's my thinking out loud - don't take it as arguing and please correct me if you find my reasoning flawed: Have read The Bicycle Wheel. From the time it was written, hubs have somewhat changed. From my experience - material quality and hardness has reduced (even...

Originally Posted By: Phishin On my boy's BMX race bike, we use Kluber Isoflex LDS18 Special A on all the bearings. The hubs and bottom bracket use ceramic balls with titanium races. Have you measured bearing drag? Ceramic balls, being a lot harder than steel, even more so than titanium, so...

Where I live, most bikes (about 99% from my rough estimate - I service bikes) use cup and cone wheel and steerer bearings, that require annual service in order to last long. Not sure about the most of the world. As for the other parts, Shimano pedals are serviceable. Not sure about other makes.

Originally Posted By: AZjeff You've got an interesting test regimen planned, hopefully it goes as planned. What is your goal from this testing? I've been a cyclist, on & off road for 30+ years and confess that the cost of a small quantity of bearing grease was and is insignificant compared to...

Hi all, My name is Relja Novovic, I'm from Serbia (Europe/former Yugoslavia). This is my first post, though I've found this forum (and the bobistheoilguy.com site) a great source of good information. That's why I'm posting here, hoping to get more opinions, ideas and corrections. Apologies in...