A retired mechanic in Bend told me to set bearing preload by feel, and my first 20 wheels said he was full of it | Bicycle Mechanics - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals

Tara Stone · 2026-10-03T04:45:03.517595+00:00

When I started building wheels at home 3 months ago, he watched me crank the cones tight with a wrench and said to back off and do the final snug by hand, that the hub should still have a hair of play that disappears when the quick release clamps down. I ignored him for 20 wheels and kept getting that gritty feeling after a few rides, then finally tried it his way and the bearings have been glassy smooth for 500 miles. So how do you all judge preload, by feel, by spinning the axle, or do you actually bust out a dial indicator for every hub?

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A retired mechanic in Bend told me to set bearing preload by feel, and my first 20 wheels said he was full of it | Bicycle Mechanics - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals