How To Service Cartridge Bearings On Your Road Bike

If your wheel or headset bearings are feeling a bit ropey then give them some added protection this Winter. Follow Jon's top tips and keep your bike running smooth.
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Cartridge bearings receive a lot of abuse from wet roads and mud, but a service is quick and easy. Ideally you will remove the bearings first before cleaning, but make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions in doing so. Next degrease the bearings before giving them a thorough rinse. Once they are dry, re-grease the bearings, before fitting them to your bike using a dedicated bearing press.
Let us know how you get on with cleaning your cartridge bearings in the comments below 👇
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Photos: © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / www.tdwsport.com
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Leave us a comment below!

[@gcn]

What maintenance videos would you like to see ? Let us know in the comments below 👇

[@manilafixedgear2312]

Hip replacement??....

[@GordonMoat]

Getting brake calipers centred and aligned properly.

[@Jushean]

Hi, I’m new to maintenance. Actually been riding for a while now, well a while for me 1.5 years, break for 3 months for a broken ankle. Videos are great, but I feel like, and is not just you guys, there is not a video that has done a full explanation of all the parts on a bicycle. For beginners that would be a real good help, kinda learning the language of the bike parts. Cheers

[@abbreviateTome]

bleeding hydraulic brakes

[@theyers]

Jockey wheel replacement. How many km to they generally last?

[@olliesmithphd]

As we're seeing more and more of Jon recently (observation, NOT a complaint), can we have a 'Meet the Presenters' video of him?? Seems to know what he's talking about on most subjects!

[@JonCannings]

Ollie Smith hi Ollie, cheers for the compliment. Hope to get one up soon. 👌

[@xGshikamaru]

Jon Cannings oh yeah can't wait for it too

[@kajet666]

He's hilarious, too, but in his own way. Which makes him both a good fit and a valuable addition :)

[@JonCannings]

Krzysztof Kajetanowicz thanks mate

[@brianschiff2934]

After cleaning with a degreaser and water, rinse with 92% Isopropyl alcohol (available at any pharmacy) . The isopropyl removes any remaining dirt, displaces water (so no rust) and leaves no residue. Isopropyl also evaporates quickly, is relatively non-toxic and leaves nearly zero oil traces.

[@scottmyers4069]

Good video. Cleaning bearings is good to know how to do if you are on a tight budget. In the end, you have to ask, "How much is my time worth? Do I have more money than time?" If the bearings are high-dollar super-precision ceramic bearings, then this may make sense to try... but who would ride such a bearing every day anyway? Such bearings are normally saved for race day wheels and hence, take a long time to get gritty. Standard every day steel bearings are not expensive today like they were 20 years ago with the influx of high quality Chinese bearings. Even good ceramics have come way down. I've cleaned a lot of bearings in my day, including large industrial bearings. The method is OK as shown, but wont' get all the grit out, especially if a heavy synthetic grease is in there that a water-based degreaser won't cut. The bearing needs to be submerged in a degreaser and spun back and forth while in the solution, with the bearing cage's back facing upward. Then it needs blown out and the process repeated a couple if times. Petroleum based solvents work better than water based "green" degreasers, but are harder to dispose of. You also have to be careful to choose a petroleum based solvent that is compatible with the cage material in the bearing. You never have to worry about water with a petroleum based solvent or denatured alcohol. Seal removal is sketchy business. You WILL eventually damage one. I suggest keeping old bearings around just for their seals, assuming you stick with the same manufacturer of bearings. I'd use a flat soft plastic tool and oil the seal first, and not a small screwdriver or pick on a a dry seal, as a pointed metal tool on a dry seal is almost guaranteed to damage the seal. Unfortunately, small bearings do not have spare seals available, as they are not considered serviceable. If you do damage one, put it on the backside of the cage and make sure it goes to the inside of the hub, not the exposed outside of the hub. There is a more complex method and even special tools used for grease packing bearings, but the method shown is adequate if done correctly. It should feel very sluggish when spun by hand if done correctly. When you put the seals back in, grease should squish out, then when you spin them, even more should squish out. The right amount of grease will squish out on the first ride as the grease heats up, freeing up the bearings. Of course, grease packed bearings are good for training and bearing longevity, but race day bearings are something else and the cleaning/lubrication of such bearings are a different debate entirely.

[@otisjefferson]

Instructive. Thanks

[@londomolari5715]

Do you mean from Taiwan? Don't buy Chinese anything if you can help it.

[@indiebikes]

Its amazing how many bike manufacturers and bike shops still let their new bikes go out without bearing assembly grease, the fastest way to get headset bearing races rusted and seized in to the frame!

[@RelentlessC2C]

Delighted to see you managed that job without any WD40 in sight. Have a word with Si will you Jon?

[@alonzochristensen6904]

The rice method works well, another option is to save all the Silica Gel packets that are in packaging to keep products smelling fresh. The packets work the same as the rice.

[@OnEvenKeel]

A Hair dryer should help those without an air compressor.

[@dannyr333]

That's what I used when I dried my skateboard bearings.. works great

[@gonetoearth007]

Nice video Jon! I'm liking the sense of humor as well!

[@DanielS-pu4eu]

I am lucky enough to have kids who skateboard. I have done multiple bearing cleans and even borrowed their Bones ceramic speed lube when I last cleaned my BB bearings

[@eduugr]

Great video! I saw many people use light oil instead of grease because they say the bearing will rotate smoother/faster. It would be great to hear some opinions. Thank you very much for the video!

[@nickdosremedios8222]

I learnt how to do this when my kids went through their fidget spinner craze and wanted theirs to spin longer than their friends. Only difference is we didn't re-grease at the end.

[@andybrown141]

How to adjust a rear derailleur when it skips or can't shift... Also how to adjust brakes when they rub or how to tell when its time to replace the pads.

[@scottkopecky429]

A Moving Experience!!

[@z1522]

This looks close to overfilling, as described by sealed bearing specifications, leading to unneeded drag. Even so, the miniscule wattage losses from bearing grease and seal drag is far less than your daily power output variation. With any acceptable lube and proper adjustment for preload, etc, service life and corrosion protection are the more important concerns regarding lube selection, as the bearing design, quality, and seal friction establish the limits, that the thinnest super-oil or thick high-temp grease will modify only slightly.

[@jamesward8140]

Would I be able to swap out the actual bearings if I did this, I got some very nice ceramic speed bearings that would fit nicely in my fsa mega evo bb,(got then for £15 in a closing down sale) would I be able to swap the entire bearing and plastic thing in the bb?

[@channyith3801]

Hello GCN, after cleaned, put grease in can put some drop of ceramic oil?

[@urameshiyaa2830]

#torqueback What is the minimum seat post insert that you guys recommend? I have an 27.2 mm aluminum seat post from my old frame and it was cut a bit too short for my new one. It only has 3.80 cm of insert. Should I still be using it?

[@GBland976]

"If you have a compressor" *Squeezes Compressor trigger*.....*Nothing Happens*...."Your Laughing", don't quite think John was laughing at this point lol

[@JonCannings]

Galahad Bland at that point I was thinking "who disconnected the hose?!"

[@GBland976]

Haha

[@danielellis2874]

what if the inner race comes away from the outter race? is that too much play?

[@JonCannings]

Daniel Ellis sounds like it to me. It is possible to totally dismantle the bearings, but for the low cost of an NTN bearing (my preference) it makes sense to buy new.

[@ChrisCapoccia]

looks like the lesson for me is to take my bike to the shop instead of trying this at home :D

[@nickdigrispino2409]

Still have ball bearings in my BB.

[@th_js]

Jon is like Doddy, but on GCN

[@JonCannings]

Tomi Saaranen thanks

[@johnmilner7603]

Can automotive grease that I use in my cars front wheel bearings and ball joints be used on bike bearings?

[@gcn]

You sure can, though the properties of the grease is different - it might be more hardwearing because it needs to generally last longer and is put under more strain. It's best to get something cycling specific, but if you need a quick fix, it'll definitely work! We hope this helps :)

[@James_taylor810]

This video is four days late, I did this job on Friday.

[@cnewton61]

Bottom bracket servicing esp BB90

[@Metal-Possum]

Anyone remember the oil port on their Raleigh Sports 3 speed? Who needs to do this if you can just flush out the nasty particles by refilling it with fresh oil. I'd still just use new bearings instead given the option, but that's coming from a mechanic who doesn't have to pay an RRP for parts. And yeah, I still watch technical videos, even though I don't have to. I just find it interesting to see how other people do things.

[@RixterNow]

What double sealed BB was that?

[@moslemjahani6640]

Can I use 700c x 45 fenders?

[@jerryyoung6494]

I want to do more of the mechanical work but the tools are so expensive. The bearing press im seeing on Amazon is a couple hundred alone.

[@sir.chrishoy]

See if your community has a local bicycle co-op. Though I will say a lot of home mechanics (me included) use DIY and homemade tools with great success. I once used a fork (the kind you eat with) as a cone wrench for a set of hubs.

[@tairny]

I know wheels manufacturing has a press for about 30 dollars, just doesnt come with any of the adaptors for bearing types. I have one and spent about 20 more to get the bearing adaptors i need (bb, wheels and suspension)

[@3dr1ch]

I wonder if there’s a way we can trick Jon back into the studio somehow?... 🤔

[@lenmajuskin]

This bike was really easy to assemble kzbin.infoUgkxMesz3KOGEmwmvyKQfLfrRSUXLFzfVHZA and required very few adjustments out of the box. The wheels did not require any truing/adjustments. The frame had some small scratches, but nothing major.I did replace the seat though - the seat it came with was very uncomfortable. The tires need to be re-inflated every 4-5 days, but this appears to be quite common for the narrow 700x25 tires.Overall, in my opinion, this bike looks and rides like a much more expensive bike.

[@muhammadrauf2600]

Is there such a thing as "too much grease"?

[@williamkeys5701]

I've had mixed results with this technique. It's great for headset bearings, but not so much for wheel bearings.

[@AOH1321]

1:07 ooooooffff A handful of rotor there my man. Body oil is going to make those disc brakes howl! I appreciate the technique you are using here, however, if I had a customer with gritty bearings in a Zipp wheel I would remind them they spent major coin on these wheels. A $20-150 bearing is worth it in a nice set of wheels and replacing bearings will ensure the hub isn't ovalized from over use of the same bearing. Save the hub, trash the bearing.

[@MitchCrane]

I only gave this a normal sized thumbs up.

[@JonCannings]

Mitch Crane give it double thumbs up, to redeem yourself

[@MitchCrane]

Ok, I'm doing it at the screen with my IRL thumbs.

[@JonCannings]

Mitch Crane good work. Don't stop until they turn purple 😉

[@lloydbenablo4001]

Is a rocking bearing on a rear hub dangerous to ride?

[@gcn]

Probably not dangerous Lloyd but definitely not advisable

[@Mersuharrastaja]

I once use marine grease in hub's bearings, but next time when I solve it, all grease was runaway from bearings and go to pipe, so after that I use real bearing grease.

[@JonCannings]

Mersuharrastaja what conditions were you riding in?

[@Mersuharrastaja]

Summer in Finland. Once or twice light rain surpriced.

[@JonCannings]

Mersuharrastaja yeah, that surprises me too.

[@Gjldo]

u got the bearing out of the part? well done hem no, if you hammered it out, the bearing is done for, u need a dedicated bearing extractor capable of pulling it out while resting on both races and applying and equal amount of force on them, cause if you hammer it out by applying force to just one race (like by hammering on the axle) you're actually ruining it just as if you seat it by hammering down on the inner race alone and basically hub bearings are a 1 time use thing is this seriously considered good maintenence advice?

[@alexmeier3538]

Just replace them. Bearings for the bottom braket cost about 2€ each. In my aerozine bottom brakets, they can easily be removed. Also you are likely to damage the seal when removing it. You cannot heal an old bearing with pittings in it, when you put new grease in it

[@marble25]

I have 3 new toothbrushes not even a single old one. I am doomed.

[@manilafixedgear2312]

Just use the misses one....

[@Mr71paul71]

Cyclists should demand the return of cup and cone bearings !!!! There miles better, longer lasting and very easy to service !!!!

[@lifebehindtheselens]

Shoot i swap all my bearings to cageless ball bearing

[@MichaelMachado2]

Use a hairdryer if you don't have an air compressor.

[@danl2294]

Why not use a hairdryer?

[@jack2seng]

has anyone try BCW lube for bearing ?

[@JonCannings]

jack2seng no but I would like to try it. It has very good reviews. Jon

[@ejtan619]

jack2seng hey Dude is a asia product that Europe still dreaming.

[@davidbell6001]

What type of rice? Should it be long grain so it doesn't get stuck in between the bearings.......

[@JonCannings]

David Bell any rice. Nothing expensive though. Save it for drying out other things too 👍

[@charlesgould8047]

@David Don't listen to Jon. You need to use short grain rice for ball bearings and long grain rice for needle bearings.

[@charlesgould8047]

btw. jk

[@leedorney]

Just buy some new ones 👍

[@ijustdontknowguy842]

Buy me some new ones

[@D.Eldon_]

Do you want your bearings to be fast or do you want them to be protected from bad road/weather conditions? You cannot have both. Those double-sealed bearings that Jon recommended will be slower because the increased sealing adds friction which "slows" the bearings. The "fastest" bearings have no seals at all and may use a light oil instead of grease. Some TT bikes have used unsealed, oiled ceramic bearings during dry, clean weather conditions because speed was paramount, the use was limited (only the duration of the time trial), and the road/weather conditions were excellent. The point is this: There is a continuum with maximum speed (low friction) on one end and maxiumum weather sealing on the other end. The point you choose along this continuum will be a compromise. You cannot have both at the same time. So make your decision based on your unique road/weather conditions, your priority for speed, and how frequently you are willing to service your bearings.

[@nickbea3443]

Eye protection when using that air line. Degreaser, old grease or grit in the eye isn't very nice.

[@cup_and_cone]

Pick the seal off from the outer race, not the inner, because you're less likely to damage it that way; the outer seal stays fixed to the outer race, while the inner seal has the very fragile wiper that spins against the inner race. An exacto knife also tends to work better than a pick because picks are usually too blunt.

[@marcaxe]

Or if it's a single sealed bearing, you can use a thin piece of wire to push it out from the other side.

[@RYTHMICRIOT]

Seems cost prohibitive. New bearings seems like the wiser choice unless your in a pinch.

[@JonCannings]

RYTHMIC RIOT yeah, I would say it's more something to see you over until your new bearings arrive. And always get good quality ones.

[@jen3800]

I miss John

[@mutos82]

Hi, in my opinion too much grease you put into bearing. According to the top producers of bearings we should put not more than 1/2 of bearing space. But generally very important topic you've presented which most of us don't remember.

[@Junk65]

Had to use hair dryer. My canned air expired.

[@eisenklad]

rice??? RICE!!!! rice will probably add dust back onto the bearings better off using isopropyl alcohol bath after the water rinse. the alcohol will displace water and wash away what other impure stuff. and it evaporates better. and you can always reuse the left over alcohol left in the bowl/rinsing container.

[@MichaelThompson0612]

Just replace them..

[@JonCannings]

Michael Thompson you can do that too 😀

[@MichaelThompson0612]

Jon Cannings it's just a damn sight easier and quicker to replace. I considure bearings tobe a consumable part. Dismantling bearings and repacking is a short term fix.

[@JonCannings]

Michael Thompson horses for courses 😉

[@chadam2010]

Use a blowdryer to get it dry.

[@bartversteijnen1084]

Dry using a hairdryer

[@triyourbest7000]

#torqueback why do more teeth on the back make it easier but more cogs on the front stronger? It honestly makes 0 sense to me

[@toratecommentandorsubscrib9359]

Fewer teeth at the back means the sprocket is smaller relative to the thing it's driving (the wheel). Fewer teeth at the front means the chainring is smaller relative to the thing that's driving it (the circle the rider is forming by turning the pedals).

[@Phantom0309]

thats a terrible attempt an explanation

[@toratecommentandorsubscrib9359]

Well i hadn't finished yet but now i don't think i'll bother.

[@benwalters4484]

If you have 20 in the front, and 20 in the back, turn the pedals once -> front cog turns once -> moves the chain 20 teeth -> rotates the cassette by 20 teeth, once -> rear wheel turns once. If you had 10 teeth in the back, then the rear wheel would rotate twice. The higher the ratio between the front & back (the gear ratio, # of front teeth divided by # of rear teeth), the more times the rear wheel will go when you pedal once, so the faster you will go when you pedal at a constant speed. When you add a tooth to the front, the gear ratio increases. When you take a tooth off the back, the gear ratio falls.

[@Stevedick2010]

I don't know why but I just start thinking about Red Dwarf whenever I watch Jon....

[@JonCannings]

Steve Dick grrrr

[@londomolari5715]

Ah Smeg

[@JonCannings]

Let me know what maintainance video you'd like to see next 👇

[@williamkeys5701]

How about installing a threaded bottom bracket conversion kit into a press fit shell?

[@RixterNow]

William Keys I agree. That would be good

[@Windband1]

William Keys Why would you want to do that??

[@Jeesus353]

How to install bb into your headset

[@Perseministeri]

Best to waste all that stuff for 2€ bearing

[@JonCannings]

Perseministeri a €2 bearing isn't worth fitting in my opinion.

[@tairny]

Yeah a good quality set of headset bearings is about 20 ish usd

[@tairny]

20-30

[@HerezaLiem]

shimano instruction: Do Not Disassemble

[@fiddleronthebike]

hm... that's much of work for a part what costs only a few €; put grease in it regularly as long as the bearing does work properly, that will help to extend its live span; but when it runs rough - buy a new one!

[@speno775]

RESEARCH FLAT EARTH

[@Felipe_Rosso]

You're not supposed to open the bearing seals, specially with a sharp knife. The risk of messing up them is pretty high.

[@craigfisher67]

Felipe R. You were given bad advice. I open, clean, and regrease my bottom bracket bearings every 3,000 Miles. I have 16,000 miles on them and they are just fine.

[@sir.chrishoy]

Wow! I definitely know some people who don't even lube their chain every 3000 miles... Though the general thinking is that if you open a bearing seal, the seal around the bearing won't be as tight and resistant to water once you close it again...then again, people have ran loose-ball hubs/bottom brackets/headsets without seals for years without issues...

[@craigfisher67]

Chris Hoy- I have SRAM GXP bottom bracket and the maintenance literature from SRAM actually recommends this. Just following directions. 😂 If you’re careful the seals go back just fine.

[@listofromantics]

Use a plant-based, biodegradable degreaser. You don't want that petro shite in your water.

[@drdjmatthews]

Waste of time. Just replace them. Bearings are cheap (except ceramic). The seals are damaged by removal and usually worn.