Axle

[Anjow]

I think my axle is slightly bent. It's been suggested to me by a family member (who knows a bit about bikes, but not about trials) that I should get another one that is stronger. This person also suggested that this is the reason for my persistent problems with rear cones becoming too lose. Either way, I'm wanting to know what sort of axle I should get.

Here's a picture of my hub:

My bike is a Zona Zip built by SuperCycles, I don't know what hub it is, I don't know if you get different sized axles, basically I know nothing. What axle should I get? It would be great if anyone could link me to one on tarty or chain reaction. Or tell me that this is not the cause of my problems.

Thanks.

[AdamR28]

Its an Onza T-Pro hub, axles may be available separately from Supercycles, give them a call. Axle being slightly bent wouldn't be the cause of cones coming loose, if it's correctly maintained it will stay tight.

I would say it's very unlikely a stronger axle is available also, they are 10mm solid steel... you're doing very well/something wrong if you managed to bend it!

[Charlie Jennings]

T-Pro Hubs suck.

Edited August 26, 2007 by cjskate

[Captain Scarlet]

I have a friend who too bent his T-Pro axle.

As Adam already said, theres not much choice in axles, its just 10mm and different lengths, nothing stronger.

I have had experiences in the past with my jump bike, when I snapped my axle I bought one from Halfords for it to bend in the space of a couple of days.

I asked about, thinking there may be a stronger alternative, but nothing super strong, at the end of the day its one of those things that needs renewing now and again.

I went to where I know work and bought what I assume is a better quality one and it did the trick.

With an axle it needs to be rigid so when it does go, it snaps, and doesn't bend on the way to snapping.

Thats all I can say mate.

[Anjow]

In a previous topic on here someone suggested that it might have been bent whilst I was riding with loose cones, could that be the case? As for maintaining it, I don't know what I'm doing wrong - I tighten up the cones then the retaining nuts, then put the wheel in - within 2 minutes of riding the cones seem to be loose again. Along with the chain, even though I tightened that up with the chain tensioners.

So according to one reply these hubs 'suck', but I am none the wiser from that. Why do they suck? What should I do about it?

[AdamR28]

There's a few tips and tricks to these things, like everything I guess... Is there any way you can get up to us with your bike? Can show you exactly what to do then, it's a bit complex to try and type out and I don't have any way of getting pictures to try and describe it...

[Anjow]

That would be absolutely excellent, and I really appreciate the offer. It's more than an hour's drive for me so I'll see what my other options are first before making a decision.

[AdamR28]

No problem... Might not be as far as you think? http://www.multimap.com/maps/?t=r#t=r&...ester:PR5%206FN (Just in case you haven't had a close look )

[Tomm]

Takes about 30-40 minutes to get to Chorley from Manchester area... Less if you're in Salford

[Blitzmo]

I have exactly the same problem, I tigthen up the cones but after 20 minutes of riding they get loose again. My axle is also bent and I haven't replaced it yet.

[AdamR28]

Are you both locking the cone in place correctly?

[CurtisRider]

Its an Onza T-Pro hub, axles may be available separately from Supercycles, give them a call. Axle being slightly bent wouldn't be the cause of cones coming loose, if it's correctly maintained it will stay tight

but the axle being bent will make the cones harder to set up, as their will be tight spots, and once its bent...it only ever seems to get worse

axles are cheap to get, just go to your lbs, its only a generic hub, be about 3-5quid inc. bearings

[Anjow]

Takes about 30-40 minutes to get to Chorley from Manchester area... Less if you're in Salford

I'm between degrees at the moment so I'm not going to be in Salford for another month yet

Are you both locking the cone in place correctly?

As far as I'm aware I am. I adjust the cones so that it doesn't wobble and it doesn't feel gritty, then I hold the cone with a spanner and tighten the retaining nut - ensuring that the cone doesn't move. It all feels perfect, including once I've put it back on the bike, until I ride it - after which it goes back to being too loose, as though I'd never tightened it. Something I noticed is that there is a definite point at which it gets too tight, rather than gradually increasing friction - know what that could be?