Bitex raf10/RAR9 hubs bearings run rough

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Post Reply
JoO
Posts: 439
Joined: Thu May 04, 2017 7:30 am

by JoO

I just bought 2 hub sets Bitex RAF10/RAR9 for building new wheels with velocity Quill rims.

I received the hubs today. When I turn the axis by hand there is a lot of resistance.
When I hold the centre of the hub in one hand and I turn the axis with the other hand the the pawls in the freehub start to click.

I guess this is not normal. Is there some sort of adjustment that can be done on these hubs?
Are there some known issues with these hubs?
Should I send them back?
Is there something else I could try?

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Ltyarbro42
Posts: 114
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 6:05 pm

by Ltyarbro42

This may not always be the case, but the two sets of Bitex I have both felt this way new. After a few hundred miles they are smooth. Though it does crop back up at 4-5k, but with a good service they are normally ok.

JoO
Posts: 439
Joined: Thu May 04, 2017 7:30 am

by JoO

I notice there is a rubber dust cap on the freehub body. could this be a source of drag?

tabl10s
Posts: 754
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 5:40 am

by tabl10s

Bought Selle Italia c59 today, Meilenstein Clincher's last week, Lizard Skin tape, ordered Carbon-Ti X-Carbo rings, Rotor Uno cassette, Cane Creek El Diablo calipers.
2015 Pinarello F8: 13.13lbs/5.915kg(w/Roval 64's). Sold.
2016 Rca: 11.07lbs/5.048kg.
2015 Rca. 11.15 lbs(w/Roval CLX 32's)
2015 Rca/NOS(sold).
2018 S-Works SL6 Ultralight 12.03lbs(w/Roval CLX 50's)

User avatar
kavitator
Posts: 1167
Joined: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:07 pm
Location: Slovenia---that forest land

by kavitator

Clean outer rubber dust protector - it must be clean of oil and grease. And tap the endcaps with wood or rubberr hammmer form both sides

JoO
Posts: 439
Joined: Thu May 04, 2017 7:30 am

by JoO

Finally I have built up my wheels. Still had too much friction for my liking.
After carefull examination I guessed the connection between the inner bearing and the freehub was to blame.
I had bought an extra freehub and used an extra washer that was supplied with it.
This washer is 15 mm in diameter about 1 mm thick and less than 1 mm thick.
It only touches the inner race of the bearing in the hub.

Results: the wheel now spins super smoothly.
Perhaps usefull for other wheel builders here (bitex hubs are used by Bikehubstore and others)

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



alcatraz
Posts: 4064
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2016 11:19 am

by alcatraz

Did you add the washer between freehub/hub or between freehub and dustcap?

There should be a washer pushing against inner races of inner hub bearing and inner freehub bearing. As for the dustcap you might have created a gap and risk contaminating your outer freehub bearing.

It's probably ok though. Nice work fixing the problem.

/a

Post Reply