very light grinding noise from the back wheel

[young Ed]

so basically wheels like this
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rear-hybrid-screw-in-dw-wheel-id_8246441.html
just have hubs made of cheese? so just changing the bearings in them to high quality ones doesn't matter?
Cheers eD

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

so basically wheels like this
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rear-hybrid-screw-in-dw-wheel-id_8246441.html
just have hubs made of cheese? so just changing the bearings in them to high quality ones doesn't matter?
Cheers eD

problem with just replacing the bearings for something better quality is then you will wear the cup & cones out quicker because they are also of much lower quality. Only the cups can be replaced, the cones are part of the hub (hope I got that the right way around) and once they are shot you need a new hub, hence new wheel so it is better to actually wear out the bearings than it is any other part. And there in lies the problem. With the distances I do, and the weather/crap road surfaces etc I was needing to replace the bearings every 8-10 weeks. Even when an experience bike mechanic did it for me on the one occasion I let them, I still needed to replace the bearings only this time at 6 weeks! Easier in the long run to buy better wheels and only replace the bearings every 6-12 months if that.

 

[young Ed]

problem with just replacing the bearings for something better quality is then you will wear the cup & cones out quicker because they are also of much lower quality. Only the cups can be replaced, the cones are part of the hub (hope I got that the right way around) and once they are shot you need a new hub, hence new wheel so it is better to actually wear out the bearings than it is any other part. And there in lies the problem. With the distances I do, and the weather/crap road surfaces etc I was needing to replace the bearings every 8-10 weeks. Even when an experience bike mechanic did it for me on the one occasion I let them, I still needed to replace the bearings only this time at 6 weeks! Easier in the long run to buy better wheels and only replace the bearings every 6-12 months if that.

cups on part of the hubs and cones are replaceable (hence cone spanner/wrench)
anyway thanks for the info and shall make sure i don't get that sort of wheel then!
the B'Twin bikes are okay apart from the wheels though aren't they? am looking at another bike and B'Twin could be one option
Cheers Ed

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

cups on part of the hubs and cones are replaceable (hence cone spanner/wrench)
anyway thanks for the info and shall make sure i don't get that sort of wheel then!
the B'Twin bikes are okay apart from the wheels though aren't they? am looking at another bike and B'Twin could be one option
Cheers Ed

I'm dyslexic so often mix names up!
yep they are fine except for the wheels, stock tyres (OK in dry but won't last long - wore mine out inside 500 miles) and the stock brake pads which are horrendous. Mudguard clearance on the smaller models is problematic. Mine is a 54cm T3 and with 25c tyres my mudguards are fitted via a very adhoc method and I find that the brakes (mostly the front) usually becomes a block of mud on dirty roads (which unfortunately is mostly what I ride). I will drop back to 23c when my current tyres wear out which should resolve that issue. My OH has a 60cm model and does not have that issue and he has only just worn out his rear hub.

 

[young Ed]

I'm dyslexic so often mix names up!
yep they are fine except for the wheels, stock tyres (OK in dry but won't last long - wore mine out inside 500 miles) and the stock brake pads which are horrendous. Mudguard clearance on the smaller models is problematic. Mine is a 54cm T3 and with 25c tyres my mudguards are fitted via a very adhoc method and I find that the brakes (mostly the front) usually becomes a block of mud on dirty roads (which unfortunately is mostly what I ride). I will drop back to 23c when my current tyres wear out which should resolve that issue. My OH has a 60cm model and does not have that issue and he has only just worn out his rear hub.

interesting
might consider buying a specialiazed or boardman or giant or the such likes at least as by the time i have bought a B'Twin and replaced wheels and tyres and tweaked this and that i could have got my self one of the above three makes.
all second hand here i am talking of course. apart from the wheels or tyres etc
Cheers Ed

 

[Veganpower]

well I absolutely adore my T5a, and now I have some sexy wheel. It makes me a little sad that later this year it could be my winter bike .

I'd be surprised if you could get a decent specialized or giant for the same price. Especially considering Decathlon tend to have sales on their smaller frames. I was kicking myself when I saw the T7 was reduced, I felt a bit better when the guy working there told me it was impossible to get a 57 at the sale price.

 

[young Ed]

well I absolutely adore my T5a, and now I have some sexy wheel. It makes me a little sad that later this year it could be my winter bike .

I'd be surprised if you could get a decent specialized or giant for the same price. Especially considering Decathlon tend to have sales on their smaller frames. I was kicking myself when I saw the T7 was reduced, I felt a bit better when the guy working there told me it was impossible to get a 57 at the sale price.

if you dont mind how much did you pay? and what was full price?
Cheers Ed

 

[Veganpower]

Yes, I paid full price. Obviously the T3a is cheaper but the frame still has a lifetime gaurentee. They even have limited stock (smaller frames) of the T3 at £250

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-triban-500-id_8239801.html

 

[young Ed]

Yes, I paid full price. Obviously the T3a is cheaper but the frame still has a lifetime gaurentee. They even have limited stock (smaller frames) of the T3 at £250

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-triban-500-id_8239801.html

£430 then
i am looking at £200-£350 for a second hand boardman, giant (maybe) or specialized
Cheers Ed

 

[Fab Foodie]

problem with just replacing the bearings for something better quality is then you will wear the cup & cones out quicker because they are also of much lower quality. Only the cups can be replaced, the cones are part of the hub (hope I got that the right way around) and once they are shot you need a new hub, hence new wheel so it is better to actually wear out the bearings than it is any other part. And there in lies the problem. With the distances I do, and the weather/crap road surfaces etc I was needing to replace the bearings every 8-10 weeks. Even when an experience bike mechanic did it for me on the one occasion I let them, I still needed to replace the bearings only this time at 6 weeks! Easier in the long run to buy better wheels and only replace the bearings every 6-12 months if that.

Replacing the ball bearings with decent ones will significantly INCREASE the life of the cups and cones because they won't disintegrate. Worth it for few quid.

 

[young Ed]

Replacing the ball bearings with decent ones will significantly INCREASE the life of the cups and cones because they won't disintegrate. Worth it for few quid.

still probably better to spend the 70 or 80 quid on a pair of entry level shimanos
Cheers Ed

 

[Fab Foodie]

still probably better to spend the 70 or 80 quid on a pair of entry level shimanos
Cheers Ed

If you have £70 or £80, otherwise for just a couple of quid you can be sorted.

 

[young Ed]

If you have £70 or £80, otherwise for just a couple of quid you can be sorted.

so for about 20 or 25 quid and a few quid for some decent BB's i could sort my self a new rear wheel to tie me through till i get a really nice bike to pamper and call my real baby etc!
Cheers Ed

 

[Fab Foodie]

so for about 20 or 25 quid and a few quid for some decent BB's i could sort my self a new rear wheel to tie me through till i get a really nice bike to pamper and call my real baby etc!
Cheers Ed

Not even that much!
The ball bearings cost very little. Beg steal or borrow a Shimano cassette removal tool + chain whip, a pair of cone spanners and some Vaseline and a spare hour in the kitchen you're sorted.

 

[young Ed]

Not even that much!
The ball bearings cost very little. Beg steal or borrow a Shimano cassette removal tool + chain whip, a pair of cone spanners and some Vaseline and a spare hour in the kitchen you're sorted.

i would probably end up getting a wheel with screw on type freewheel like this one
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rear-hybrid-screw-in-dw-wheel-id_8246441.html
and already have old free wheel and freewheel removal tool at or i go the full hog and splash out an extra fiver go
and get a cassette wheel with bolt on free hub
what are the advantages of a free hub and cassette over the old free wheels?
oh and i am so posh i even have a workshop rather than the kitchen table! but i don't have an industrial oven so did have to steal the oven to heat treat the odd knife or tool! HEHE
Cheers Ed