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SRAM 1x11 XO
Hope Pro 3 hub
Rolled the hardtail out for the first time since last winter on Sunday and all seemed to be running sweet for the first hour then gears started slipping all over the place.
Weirdly it was running ok at either end or the cassette but slipping on the gears in the middle. The cassette doesn't look stupidly worn (and the time I've always had to replace cassettes in the past is when I've put a new chain on).
- mech hanger is straight (checked with tool)
- mech *looks* straight and it's not been scrapped on any rocks
The cassette had about 2mm side to side movement on the hub when it was on the bike. Cassette was tight. I've taken it off and it seems the free hub has about 2mm side to side on the hub. is that normal?
I've run out of things to check so I guess if the free hub movement is normal then it's new cassette time.
Just had exactly the same except it ended with an almighty crunch as the end bearing of the freehub collapsed. No bearings to be seen and the inner race in 4 pieces. Done about 800miles I reckon. I believe you can swap the bearings but I just got a new freehub and will repair/sell later.
What were the symptoms before it went? It doesn’t feel rough.
It's not normal to have any play in the freehub. Get the bearings sorted now, as removing the aftermath of collapsed bearings is a horrible job even if you're lucky enough to have avoided destroying other parts.As for symptoms, play in the freehub is a good one to go on.
I was asked by a mate to look at his lads rear wheel as the cassette was wobbling all over the place.
It was a SRAM roam wheel with an XD driver. The outer bearing in the freehub had disintegrated and was just a pile of metal mush. The inner bearing, while still intact, was also shot and collapsed when I tried to remove it. The main hub bearings were rough but stayed intact on removal. I did all the freehub and wheel bearings and it was running smooth again. Check you freehub bearings.
Is this likely to explain the shifting issues as well?
You might need a spacer on the freehub before the cassette goes on?
I'd check a few more things before you change the free hub or free hub bearings. It would normally take a lot of play in the cassette to make the chain shift and skip...
Have you changed the mech cable ? If you haven't used the bike for a year it could be sticking somewhere. Have you checked the chain length and for any stiff links ? Again, not using it for year a link could kinked or stiff. Have you tried a new mech hanger ? I know you say you've checked it with a tool but I've sworn blind its not a hanger before now and tried one just to rule it out and found it to be just that.
If you are looking at the bearings, lift up the back wheel, turn the cranks and let it free wheel and put your hand on the chain stay. If the bearings are on the way out you'll feel a rumble through your hand. After that take the cassette and free hub off and spin the bearings with your fingers to see if they are rough.
Ok - Winter bike....
Bearings on the rear wheel are definitely past their best and they are pretty rough. Front is fine. So that needs doing. BB has a bit of movement as well...
However, chain mech and cabling really do look fine. Hanger was checked with Park hanger aligner so I'm confidant it's not that - they show even small bends.
It does seem unlikely that the small amount of movement I the free hub would cause all the shifting issues.
There was no spacer behind the cassette but should there be? I could have left it off when I built the bike but it's not caused any issues up to now
Also - where do I buy a bearing drift like this one? Looks a useful chunk of metal
Just had exactly the same except it ended with an almighty crunch as the end bearing of the freehub collapsed.
Just to confirm that small amount of play in the free hub was enough to trash shifting. in the end bought a new wheel (and will fix the bearings and sell on the other one) Same cassette now working fine again.