Race Face Free Hubs - Part 1

[@roman.4110]

Hi Steve! There may be some misconception about AC bearings. I can't prove that it is always the case but i remember seeing symmetrical bearings in hubs which just have custom seals. like a non-contact type on the inside and a double lip contact on the outside. also there is no point in AC bearings in BSB arrangement... not in a bicycle anyway. As for real AC bearings, there is one funny nuance. because they have much less contact area in the opposite direction, they are easy to damage when punching out. Good luck getting that seized outer race out! I see how your Alt drifts may help with it greatly. I have not seen a better all in one press yet. I think there is room to make a higher-tier model with trapezoidal thread, stainless steel parts and maybe an adjustable bearing catcher with 3 or 4 points of contact where each of them can be moved individually to match the diameter and slope of suspension linkage part. If you catch my DRIFT (which i will be using to extract bearing for a forseeable future).

[@altaltbike]

Whoa! Good stuff. I can understand a symmetrical bearings can have different seals in the case where you need a strong seal on one side, because that is where the water and debris comes from, while the other side is protected from these elements. Like in a BSB configuration. This reduces the drag of having two tight seals on the bearing when only one is necessary. As for AC (angular contact) bearings in BSB configurations (like in hubs) you'll notice that the bearing inner ring is sandwiched on both sides by "stuff" which hold it in place, while the outer ring is only supported on one side (the inside usually), which means that "primarily" the force travels through the bearing in one direction. An AC bearing is stronger than a symmetrical bearing in this direction. This is the explanation that helps me sleep at night and is just my understanding of the use for an angular contact bearing. Adjustable bearing catcher!?!? That's witchcraft. You're crazy. It's not possible. No way. No how. ...hmmmm???

[@roman.4110]

@@altaltbike Yes, that is the case about different seals. Some hubs are advertised to have this for lower friction. I have an allergy to marketing bullcrap like that. From my understanding AC is good for adjustable systems. Like hubs with preload collars or Intense, Cannondale, Santa cruz pivots with adjustable collets. Btw i recall seeing Cannondale Habit 2019 main pivot with symmetrical bearings and NO spacer (with a preload collet type axle). Makes me think that AC is not that important even in a headset (cannondale lefty/fatty seem to use usual bearings). But im a fan of AC headsets because of self centering. Like, you can’t perfectly preload two AC bearings in BSB configuration to achieve maximum stiffness and durability like in a AC headset. Two symmetrical bearings in BSB are good enough to me because they don’t need preload adjustment and spacer help to distribute axial loads between two bearings because inner rings move together thanks to a spacer. I want to machine a spacer for my Habit main pivot to achive this mode of load distribution. As for that catcher idea…. It’s not that crazy really. Three or four threaded studs with non-slip feet movable radially to adjust to different diameters. I already want to try and make one lol. But my drift kit will not ever forgive me for this.

[@altaltbike]

It's amazing how fanatical we get about 0.001" of play when some designs just ignore it all together, and do all right. ...and your idea is intriguing. It would definitely have a use in the bike industry.

[@roman.4110]

@@altaltbike once again, the work you’ve done is very impressive. Most other presses seem to be low key copying each other but your product was thought out independently and here is the result! Are you an engineer by chance? I’d love to hear more about stuff you’ve done back in the day.

[@cezaryg3666]

Są bębenki jak w trenażerze Neo Tack, jedno i drugie na zewnątrz dodatkowo za wewnętrznym jest rozparty pierścień segera, najlepiej jak ktoś zabije łożysko i zostanie wewnątrz bieżnia zewnętrzna 😂.

[@user-on2nh6xg2j]

What do you know about the HG brand FH-513 freehub? It looks like both bearings have to be removed through the outboard side. The inner sleeve does not offset at all much less 1mm for the drift tool to be used.

[@MichielvanderMeulen]

I just ffed up the freehub. Bizarre construction. This was the newer version, that has a seegerring on the inner bearing. After destroying the bearings, I see the inner one is larger than the bore. No idea how to get it out

[@altaltbike]

The Trace free hub? How?

[@MichielvanderMeulen]

​@@altaltbikeIt's the new version. I'm still puzzled how they got the inner side bearing in. It is larger than the bore. So I thought maybe there's a sleeve on the outside? It's bizarre and totally unnecessary. I'll update when I figured it out.

[@altaltbike]

I'm doing that video next, but if you email me I can help you.

[@MichielvanderMeulen]

​@@altaltbikeMaybe you already know the construction. I got the bearing out. Measured the fit and it is 0,05mm under nominal. That will have been the reason the bearings were toast within a year. I will email Race Face, can copy you in if wanted.

[@altaltbike]

Feel free to email me any more questions. Also, I'm curious how this turns out.

[@justmikef]

"Oh boy, I can't wait to use a blind bearing puller!" 😂

[@altaltbike]

Sicko!