Uh-oh

[tufty]

So, the boy came in about an hour ago after his first real ride on his new (to him) 2012 Specialised enduro, says

Dad, I think I've got a problem with my freehub

Symptoms - funny noise from the freehub, occasionally goes freewheel in both directions, occasionally locks up in both directions.

Hrm, says I, let's have a look at it. Probably got some shite in the pawls, a clean and re grease and we're good to go.

So we had a look at it. And we're not good to go. Sorry for the blurryvision, but here goes -

Freehub body mahoosively cracked in two places, it's not completely fallen to pieces yet but it's getting there.

No problem, says I, I have an XT rear hub, I'll re-lace that onto your rims and you're good to go. Except - every bicycle we have, and there are quite a few, with the exception of the missus' ebike, has a 9mm QR. All the parts I have are 9mm QR. But /his/ bike isn't 9mm QR. It's got what I am informed is referred to as a "maxle", something I had previously considered to probably be a popular beat combo, maybe from "madchester". Apparently this is not the case, it's a modern thing that replaces the 9mm QR.

So, anyway, the freehub is toast. It's an ex-freehub. It is singing with the choir eternal, etc etc. Wheel bearings want sorted as well, which is no problem, but I am left wondering "is this some sort of Specialised-specific freehub, or can I use any old (presumably maxle compatible) body", and "how the shuddering **** do I get the massacred ratchets out of the hub anyway". The hubs appear to be original, they certainly match, but have no markings on them I can see. Red anodised, quite pretty really.

Otherwise, compatible hubs?

Advice on the cheapest way forwards?

 

[mattr]

Get some pictures of the hub. Check the spec of the bike.
It's probably a generic novatech hub. So parts should be freely available and not *too* expensive.
Try your local specialized dealer as well.

Or just buy the correct Shimano hub and replace. depending on the current hub, it might be cheaper than buying the freehub.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Planet X have a bunch of freehubs on the cheap. For their own brand hubs but they are made by someone else so you might find one that matches yours.

 

[tufty]

Thanks for those suggestions. for the moment, I think a second hand hub may be the way to go, if I can find one.

Been down the google rabbit hole a bit, it seems the 2012 models came with a particularly craptacular Specialised (rebadged Formula?) HiLo hub, which pretty much exploded on contact with the bike. Lots of reports of them being warrantied, replaced, and failing within a couple of hundred miles. It seems Spesh eventually did a warranty replacement on the hubs, and replaced them with something else. And looking at the photos here, the freehub I hold in my hand is definitely not one of the originals. Of course, that doesn't make it any less broken, but it might mean there is hope in getting the parts.

I *think* what I have is as shown here. In fact, I'm almost certain, but I'll have to gut the wheel again. Maybe this afternoon. But that would imply that it's a Formula freehub, and that should mean I can get a replacement.

*should*

ahem.

 

[tufty]

Oh, and apparently it's not a maxle, its a 142 (or possibly 142+, which appears to be a cassette spacing thing) wide 12mm through axle. So a maxle may well still be a popular beat combo from madchester, and I know feck all about all this modern guff.

9mm QR was so much easier. All our other bikes (now the Sunn is modded for discs) have totally interchangeable wheels.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

What's the spoke count on your hub? I bought a pair of hubs a while back, sold as Nike proof but the rear wasn't. It's a 12mm rear axle version, possibly formula. I don't need it, so if its of interest, let me know.

 

[tufty]

32h,"classic" lacing, 6 bolt disc. You'll have PM in a couple of seconds.

 

[tufty]

So, totally gutted the freehub. A pair of 6902 bearings, a couple of spacers, and an unmarked dust cover. Not very helpful. the freehub body itself is marked "DBS" on one of the splines, thusly.

freehub by **** Yahoo, on Flickr

The hub is pretty much unmarked, on the drive side it has "32" stamped into the flange (number of spokes, obvs), and "E" diametrically opposite. The freehub's ratchet ring is in the hub. Looks like this:

freehub by **** Yahoo, on Flickr

DSC03192 by **** Yahoo, on Flickr

DSC03193 by **** Yahoo, on Flickr

 

[tufty]

Pretty sure it's one of these : https://www.evanscycles.com/en-fr/speci ... y-EV201177

Gonna drop into the local shiny bike store, see how hard they'll rape me... If it's gonna make me walk like John Wayne for a week, time for some internet hopefulness.

 

[tufty]

Shiny bike store didn't have anything in stock, but at least made the effort to pretend to go and look. email off to evans to check dimensions before ordering.

It occurs to me that, given the way it's broken, I can machine off the busted part and make up a new one. Fixing the two parts together could be "interesting", though, with only 3mm to play with in terms of sleeving length, and it's gonna throw up new stress risers all over the shop. I might give it a try just for shits 'n' giggles, but can't see it lasting long unless I get *really* damned clever.