Bearing state - replace front wheel?

[Custom24]

Hi
I'm having to replace the rear wheel on a 2012 Specialized Hardrock Disc because the freehub is shot. I hold my hands up - I've not been looking after the bike very well and intend to get better at this (I'm new to cycling)

Looking at the front hub, which I didn't intend to replace, the bearings in one side were greaseless, rusty and worn, probably from not being careful enough washing the bike and not looking at the hub for a year. Cleaning up and replacing the bearings, I can adjust the cone so there is no play and the wheel spins nicely.

The question is - is it worth trying to get along with this wheel and see how it goes, or should I bin it and order a new front wheel with the new rear? I can't cycle the bike to try out the cleaned up wheel until I get my new rear.

The bike is used for off road commuting, not racing or anything like that.

Thanks for any help
Mark

 

[accountantpete]

You should check the races of the hub and cones for pitting as they tend to get corroded and then the worn bearings takes small fragments out of them..

New cones can be bought but pitting on the race inside the hub is fatal.

 

[Custom24]

Thanks.
The race on one side looked clean, but did seem to have some pitting
On the other side, the race was rusty, and probably pitted.

What do you mean by "fatal"? If I just keep using the wheel (and adjust the cones and regrease more frequently), what happens?

 

[Custom24]

I found this, which makes me think there is no reason to throw away the front wheel at the moment;
It took a bit of googling.
http://www.velocipedesalon.com/foru...nt-hub-slightly-pitted-due-non-use-18422.html