Suntour Superbe Pro Hub Help

[fords4life]

So..... I'm new to bicycle mechanics and working on cleaning up my Dad's '84 Raleigh Prestige so I can ride it. Figured all new bearings in the hubs were cheap insurance for a smooth ride. The rear had SKF 6001 cartridge bearings and all went well. Got to the front and found the original Suntour hybrid sealed bearings. Trying to decide if I should clean and re-grease or figure out removing the old cup and replacing with the Phil Wood 6001s I have ready to go. Wondering what others thoughts were since I'm a newbe. The cups and cones are in fantastic condition. My dad took very good care of this bike when he was riding. A little nervous about getting the cups out of the hubs without damaging the hubs.

[Hindmost]

'...cups and cones are in fantastic condition...'

I would clean, re-grease, and assemble.

[ultraman6970]

Never seen a suntour superbe hub with those hybrid bearings, that is like a last generation thing?

[Mark McM]

Interesting. Suntour Grease Guard bottom brackets have separable cartridge bearings like these, but I've had several Superbe Pro hubs (front and rear), and they all had standard cartridge bearings.

I'd agree with the others: If the races are in good shape, there's no need to replace them.

[m_sasso]

Replace the ball bearings in the cages before re assembly and go.

[fords4life]

Originally Posted by m_sasso

Replace the ball bearings in the cages before re assembly and go.

Any idea what size they are? Batteries are dead on my calipers and I don't have a micrometer that small.

[slambers3]

If the grease is that clean, those bearings are probably fine. Yeah it’s generally a good idea to replace them but if this were my bike I wouldn’t bother.

[m_sasso]

Originally Posted by slambers3

If the grease is that clean, those bearings are probably fine. Yeah it’s generally a good idea to replace them but if this were my bike I wouldn’t bother.

I would bother, tough to judge by eye, however they appear to be 1/4 inch. Pop one out and take it with you for comparison where ever you pick up some new ones. Any reasonable bike/bearing shop will be able to fix you up with what you need.

[Joel]

A vote for - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Especially on vintage stuff.

Did the same on Suntour Superbe hubs my dad had on his machine. Insides were clean and no wear. Just put in fresh grease and adjusted.

These are good hubs, and if there's no visible wear my vote would be simply grease, adjust and go...

[m_sasso]

Any mechanic worth their salt will tell you the balls are the softest least expensive parts of a hub. Putting together a disassembled hub with used ball bearings is an act of ignorance, unless there are no available replacements.

Please!

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by fords4life

Any idea what size they are? Batteries are dead on my calipers and I don't have a micrometer that small.

Park spoke ruler would be handy.

[dave thompson]

An LBS or a store that sells bearings will be able to measure what you have.

Buy Grade 25 ball bearings. Cost is pennies per each. Buy a few more than you need because you will drop at least one and not be able to find it.

[fords4life]

Thanks for the feedback. I dug a little deeper in the toolbox and found a 0-1" mic and was able to confirm they are 3/16" bearings. I'll call the LBS today and see what they have, worst case I'll order those and the 1/4" I need for the bottom bracket.

Looking forward to getting this thing back on the road

[Ralph]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-3-16-In...Cclp%3A2334524

[fords4life]

Originally Posted by Ralph

https://www.ebay.com/itm/100-3-16-In...Cclp%3A2334524

Thanks, I have a hard time buying that kind of stuff from unknown sources on ebay and Amazon. Called the LBS and warehouse showed 0 stock so I ordered direct from Wheels. Went ahead and bout my BB and headset bearings too.