Mtn Bike Hubs-Water damage?

[VFRMAN]

Are all late model "decent" mtn bike hubs sealed enough to worry about wrecking them being submerged in water over and over, then carelessly left to sit in the garage for 2 weeks untouched?

Is it even something to take apart and clean out/relube?

I just got back on my bike yesterday after a couple weeks of it sitting after the Swamp Donkey Adventure Race where it was subjected to much abuse and spent 4 hours basically underwater.

It was making some funny screeching notices that I'd never heard before. I have visions of my hubs being rusted and shot.

I know this is kind of a blanket question, but While I'm on MUD, I thought the answers could flow freely and probably be right on the money.

Thanks.

edit: Yes this was careless negligence on my part and overall piss poor maintenance.

 

[Taildragon]

I'll start with, it all depends. If it were me I would give the bike a good sponge bath, ensuring not to direct water into the spots on the ride with bearings. Could just be gunk in your drivetrain/brakes.

Once clean take the wheels off and give them a spin, if you hear any noise at all the bearings are shot. Not a big deal just need new ones. I would bet they are sealed bearings, if they had water in there for 2 weeks they are roached.

I have worked in a few bike shops, basically the worst thing you can do to a bike is ride it hard and put it away wet!

 

[VFRMAN]

I'll start with, it all depends. If it were me I would give the bike a good sponge bath, ensuring not to direct water into the spots on the ride with bearings. Could just be gunk in your drivetrain/brakes.

Once clean take the wheels off and give them a spin, if you hear any noise at all the bearings are shot. Not a big deal just need new ones. I would bet they are sealed bearings, if they had water in there for 2 weeks they are roached.

I have worked in a few bike shops, basically the worst thing you can do to a bike is ride it hard and put it away wet!

Yeah. I know. It's not an 80.
thanks

 

[scottm]

My bike has looked that way many times without lasting problems. I've commuted and ridden many Winters with my current bike, sometimes hosed it off when I got home, sometimes just hung it up to hopefully melt off the salty slush.

Disk brakes seem a likely culprit, mine get rocks in them occasionally.

 

[tag3]

Looks like an XT hub, which has loose ball bearings. Take wheel off and spin, if you feel any grinding, or clicking, needs ohaul, possibly new cones and balls. If the races are scored, then new hub, and unfortunately it is cheaper to buy an new wheel.


.02 shop owner and grom since '83

 

[Scott Parsley]

Take it to a good bike shop. It could be your hub but it could also be your freehub body or your brakes. Plus after a ride like that and being put away wet I guarantee your bike needs more attention than just a hub overhaul. - Bike mechanic .o2

 

[VFRMAN]

I've been riding it again a little bit. Quieter now. needs a little lubing for sure still and a good bath. Usually give it a bath in November, then again in May or so.

 

[scottm]

That's pretty much what I've always done after an especially muddy ride, just rinse and keep riding.

 

[Scott Parsley]

I've never seen any bike come into my shop that was magically waterproof or indestructible or fixed itself while sitting wet in the garage. Maybe you don't want to take it in but at least get a good book and tune your bike. It wasn't cheap was it? Why let it get beat down at all? Your modern mountain bike can work awesome on EVERY ride with just a little regular maintenance. Cleaning your bike is only one small part of that and if that's all you do maybe twice a year then good luck.

 

[ravewoofer]

I agree with Scott P. After EVERY ride, I clean off the mountain bike, put it in a stand and tune up for the next ride. You'd be amazed at how many things you can catch before trouble can happen just by routine cleaning and tuning in a bike stand.
I like my bike riding like new all season long.

 

[edog's 80]

I would probably take it to get overhauled by a bike shop this off season (if you have one). I am really bad about hub maintenance and it always bites me in the ass usually in the middle of a long ride I end up walking home with a blown hub. If you caught it early enough it probably will just need a re-grease and clean.