toolguy wrote:
Hi all,

I bought a new set of CrossMax SL wheels for my Santa Cruz last July.
They've had a few months worth of riding and then hung up for the
winter. I took the bike down a few weeks ago for it's first spring
ride and the rear wheel had seized. With a little effort (pedaling)
the wheel loosened up but I knew I had a bearing problem. I was set
for a ride so I did it anyway as it was a road ride in the mountains.
The wheel seemed OK but then on the descents at higher speed (about
+50 km/hr) the hub made this high pitched death scream that made me
think the wheel was going to explode. When this happened it felt like
I was hitting the brakes hard. I thought it was the bearing but if I
pedalled the noise and friction would stop. Scary.

I am a mechanic from my younger days but I have never pulled apart the
Mavic hub and didn't know the process or if I needed special tools.
So I took the wheel into my favorite mechanic. I told him the story
and together we pulled it apart. We inspected the freehub first.
Very simple really and it looked perfect. He lubed it a bit and we
moved on. We pulled out the left bearing (non-drive side) and it was
toast. Mavic used a one-sided sealed bearing and water had gotten
past it's defences. The bearing was full of crap and rust. He didn't
have the right size replacement so he rebuilt it as best as possible
and I wrote down the numbers and ordered a new one. The new one is a
double sided SKF. After that came in, I installed it. Everything
should be good now, right? Wrong!

On a ride on Saturday it was fine. On Sunday's ride it was screaming
it's death wale everytime I stopped pedalling! By the end of the ride
it was making this noise along with the associated friction at speed's
as low as 10 km/hr. I pulled the hub apart last night to have another
look at the freehub. I looks fine. There is nothing to indicate a
problem. The palls look like they may have some wear on the ends but
this may be my memory failing. I cleaned them and removed a little
grease as they seemed a little gummy. I put the whole unit back
together very confused as to what is causing this problem. I went for
a short test spin down the road afterwards and I have no noise up to
30 km/hr. I don't trust that the problem is fixed though. Any ideas
on what is causing this problem?

I had the exact same problem with my Crossmax XL rear wheel. The noise went
away after the shop "cleaned up" the hub a bit, but the
owner/salesman/mechanic says I'll need a new bearing. (I still get
"freewheeling", where the cranks keep turning when the wheel rotates fast;
AND the wheel moves backwards when I backpedal in the stand, too.)

I've been less than thrilled with these wheels. First I popped a rear spoke
(didn't break, so was able to pop it back in). Then I've had the bearing
problems -- drag first and then the death squeal. Finally, the FRONT hub
started seizing up a bit; then it basically came apart with no tools
involved (the plastic bearing adjuster is a pathetic joke). I got it back
together with my hands only, and a small point-punch to hold the adjusting
disc in place since the plastic tool disintegrated. Front seems OK now, but
could come apart again it seems...

The guy who sold 'em to me says I need to avoid water crossings (very rare
here in San Diego), but all my friends blast thru the few we encounter
seemingly with impunity. I'm glad he's willing to replace the bearing(s),
but wheels this expensive shouldn't be so delicate. (Not MOUNTAIN biking
wheels, anyway.)

Good news is, they're easy to service.

Bad news is, they're gonna need it!

Bill "not a Mavic (hubs at least) fan" S.