Snapped rear axle again.
- Thread starter Colin_P
- Start date
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OP
OP
Colin_P
Guru
Thanks Gents.
The bike is an lowly old (2011) Giant Roam 4 hybrid (front suspension forks) with a 7 speed freewheel so it is inherently weaker than a freehub. The bike also has full mudguards and a rear rack and panniers. It does go everywhere and quite fast over quite rough ground but when I do go on the rough stuff I'm up off the saddle and use my legs as another set of suspension.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/roam.4/7861/48604/#specifications
Although it is a Roam 4 it has the same AluxX frame as the higher models have and the dropout area has quite chunky sections. I've measured the dropouts (not with a vernier) but they look parallel and measure parallel with an engineers steel rule. Not the most accurate method I know but I'm reasonably satisfied they are there or there abouts.
The current 2nd wheelset, I wore down the rims on the previous ones, are Wyman rims with Quando hubs. They are nowhere near even midrange but I keep them nice and straight and true.
I lavish a lot of attention on the bike and really look after it, I keep everything well cleaned and lubricated including the wheel bearings.
I'm thinking that this issue is just down to simple wear and tear on an old and weak freewheel design coupled with me giving the bike probably more stick than I should.
I've bought a new axle today for £11 at Halfords and felt that daylight robbery had ocurred but it was the only place near work. I'll fit it this evening and report back.
[edit]
Anyone know what is involved converting to a freehub plus spacer, remember this is a 7 speed.
The bike is an lowly old (2011) Giant Roam 4 hybrid (front suspension forks) with a 7 speed freewheel so it is inherently weaker than a freehub. The bike also has full mudguards and a rear rack and panniers. It does go everywhere and quite fast over quite rough ground but when I do go on the rough stuff I'm up off the saddle and use my legs as another set of suspension.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/roam.4/7861/48604/#specifications
Although it is a Roam 4 it has the same AluxX frame as the higher models have and the dropout area has quite chunky sections. I've measured the dropouts (not with a vernier) but they look parallel and measure parallel with an engineers steel rule. Not the most accurate method I know but I'm reasonably satisfied they are there or there abouts.
The current 2nd wheelset, I wore down the rims on the previous ones, are Wyman rims with Quando hubs. They are nowhere near even midrange but I keep them nice and straight and true.
I lavish a lot of attention on the bike and really look after it, I keep everything well cleaned and lubricated including the wheel bearings.
I'm thinking that this issue is just down to simple wear and tear on an old and weak freewheel design coupled with me giving the bike probably more stick than I should.
I've bought a new axle today for £11 at Halfords and felt that daylight robbery had ocurred but it was the only place near work. I'll fit it this evening and report back.
[edit]
Anyone know what is involved converting to a freehub plus spacer, remember this is a 7 speed.
You can get 7 speed cassetes (HG-50) for Shimano freehubs.
I had a low-end Shimano hub built up to a commuter wheel by my local bike shop. Low end Shimano freehub is not lightweight but is every bit as strong as high-end. If your rim and spokes are good, and the spoke length is suitable, it may even be a straight swap.
The Roam frame is deserving of decent components and if you give it a hard life, a new wheel is one of the most effective upgrades. Spare wheels are always useful.
I had a low-end Shimano hub built up to a commuter wheel by my local bike shop. Low end Shimano freehub is not lightweight but is every bit as strong as high-end. If your rim and spokes are good, and the spoke length is suitable, it may even be a straight swap.
The Roam frame is deserving of decent components and if you give it a hard life, a new wheel is one of the most effective upgrades. Spare wheels are always useful.
mickle
innit
- Location
- 53.933606, -1.076131
It's not common practice to swap a hub. The extra time (labour cost) required to build a new wheel with pre-used spokes (on the slim chance that they're even the correct length) you might as well splash out on new spokes. And if it's just the rim you want to retain it would have to be a pretty posh one. And we already know that the whole wheel isn't a particularly high end one...
Bite the bullet. Buy a complete new wheel with a better hub.
Bite the bullet. Buy a complete new wheel with a better hub.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
As you have discovered, the likes of Quando hubs are very poor quality.
Whatever you buy next, make sure it's got Shimano written on it.
Tojo
Über Member
- Location
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Nice hubs but I had to junk my Campagnolo 8 speed because cassettes were a special-order item only made by Miche.Or Campagnolo...
Shinano 8-speed cassettes continue to be a stock item despite no high-end Shimano 8-speed hubs on the market.
Roam is probably a hybrid style O.L.D of 135mm.
Tojo
Über Member
- Location
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
andrew_s
Legendary Member
- Location
- Gloucester
Not really.Or Campagnolo...
Campag put the wheel bearing inside the hub shell, so there's the width of the cassette between the dropout and the bearing. Shimano put the bearing at the outside end of the freehub body, so there's considerably less bending load on the axle then with Campag.
Tojo
Über Member
- Location
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Have you heard of anyone snapping axles on campag hubs.....I certainly haven't, I've used for years and never had a problem and I've got some that are years old and are still smooth as silk.
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I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Do people run campag stuff on mountain bikes?
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
I've seen one touring-style MTB running Campagnolo Euclid. Nice stuff but it never took off.
Shimano definately have the better bearing placement, I believe it was patented, so not copied. Campy beefed up their axle to compensate, but few people use Campy in a way where you are likely to overload an axle. I have toured on Mirage 8 and it is strong enough. Campy freehub pawl engagement is far stronger than Shimano and they don't fail. Similar to Hope hubs.
Shimano definately have the better bearing placement, I believe it was patented, so not copied. Campy beefed up their axle to compensate, but few people use Campy in a way where you are likely to overload an axle. I have toured on Mirage 8 and it is strong enough. Campy freehub pawl engagement is far stronger than Shimano and they don't fail. Similar to Hope hubs.
