Does the wheelset require regular inspection and maintenance?

Does the wheelset require regular inspection and maintenance?

As one of the core components of a bicycle, whether a wheelset needs regular inspection and maintenance is obvious: if you want it to stay in better condition and have a longer life, it must be regularly maintained. First of all, through careful inspection, you can understand the usage or remaining life of the wheelset. If it is damaged or unusable, it can be further replaced, so that the wheelset can be kept in the best condition at any time, and you can ride with peace of mind and enhance your ride experience.    The first is the inspection, for the inspection of the wheelset system:

1. Check the bearing and quick release

Is the tightness of the quick-release normal? It is recommended that two fingers cannot be pulled. It would be better if the original factory has a calibrated torque value. When your quick-release locks, you feel that the wheel can move laterally or there is a lateral frame, your bearing may have a problem; if you can't turn the wheel smoothly, then the bearing may be too tight or rusted inside. In either case, you will need to disassemble the adjustment quick-release lever or bearing.

If you are riding in good conditions, dry and free of sand, then it is recommended that the bearings be cleaned and re-oiled every 2-3 months. There is no need to remove them from the hub, just remove the outer cover and clean them with a rag and degreaser, it works better if you have a compressed air gun to flush.

If you ride in wet, wet, and muddy conditions and ride multiple times a week, it is recommended that you do these checks at least once a month. To check bearings for wear, all you need to do is move them with your fingers and check for free spin or friction. It is also advisable to check them for lateral frame volume, a symptom of wear. If there is a lot of resistance to turning, it is recommended to replace them. Most rear hubs have two sets of internal bearings that require inspection and replacement, cleaning and re-oiling of the pawls and springs. Clean and re-oil with the correct lubricant. Less expensive wheelsets often feature open-bearing systems such as balls, which will require less time to clean and re-grease and will require more regular inspections. Replacing these types of bearings is a relatively simple and inexpensive procedure.

Note: Deep groove ball bearings do not need maintenance, just replace them when they are worn out. But angular contact bearings like Campagnolo and Shimano, commonly known as ball hubs, need to be disassembled for maintenance. Special ratchet constructions may require special grease.

2. Is the wheelset skewed?

You can use the brakes or the frame as a reference to check. When you rotate, you observe that the space on both sides of the wheel increases or decreases by more than 2mm, then your wheelset is not suitable. If you continue to ride in this state going down, the sway will become more and more serious, and it will bring certain dangers.

3. Are the spoke surfaces damaged or have impact marks?

Too high or too low spoke tension can also speed up wheel wear. If anyone's spoke is loose, damaged, or cracked, it will affect the rest of the spokes as part of the wheelset as a whole, so it is advisable to check the spoke tension at certain intervals, both on mountain bikes and road bikes. Also, this work is best done by a qualified mechanic, while also using the correct tools, without which there is an increased risk of damaging the spokes or nipples.

4. Is the rim braking surface flat, or is the disc deformed?

Check for unevenness with the naked eye and with your fingers. Although the design mileage of the rim may be more than 40,000 kilometers, it may be greatly reduced if not properly maintained in wet and sandy conditions. If the sidewall of a rim brake is too thin, it can cause the rim to deform or crack under pressure.

Whether it's aluminum or carbon fiber, the interior and exterior should be inspected at least a few times a year. Check for cracks, the brake surfaces are clean and there are no signs of damage to the rim, which could affect proper tire fit or loss of tubeless rim sealant. For tubular tires, check that the wheels are positioned correctly and wash the tires regularly. In addition, it is best to use the original or manufacturer-recommended brake pads and pads to avoid unpredictable problems.

Note: In addition, if the road bike uses aluminum rim brake rubber, it is necessary to regularly clean the metal chips embedded in the brake rubber, which can effectively avoid abnormal wear of the brake edge.