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Questions and answers about sports

How do I identify the correct replacement cones, or the right cones+axle?

5 min read

Asked by: Darryl Fitzpatrick

The most basic principles of matching cones are:

  1. Get the intended ball size right, which is usually 3/16″ for a front and 1/4″ for a rear.
  2. Get the contour mostly right, but close enough is acceptable. …
  3. Get the factors that affect sealing and fitment of all the parts right.

How tight should cone bearings be?

If you adjust the cones so that they feel just right off the bike, they will bind up when you tighten the quick release. You must set the cones so that there is a little bit of play when the hub is off the bike, or when the wheel is installed with the quick release just barely tightened.

How do you adjust a cone bearing?


Quote from video: You're going to adjust. And then also an adjustable spanner or a spanner like this to actually tighten the locknut against the cone to actually finalize that adjustment.

How do you fix cup and cone bearings?

Quote from video: Screw the cone in or out to tighten or loosen the bearing on the freehub. Make small adjustments and check the bearing between.

What is a cone wrench used for?

A cone wrench or cone spanner is a tool used in bicycle assembly and maintenance to adjust the cones of cup and cone bearings. Cone wrenches are thinner and lighter than most other open ended wrenches that are used to work on bicycles.

What can I use instead of a cone wrench?

You can purchase a cone wrench at most bicycle shops, but if you are a all about DIY, then you can also make your own using nothing but an angle grinder and an old box wrench like the one shown in this photo. A bicycle axle cone nut is actually a threaded bearing race.

How tight should a bearing be on a spindle?

tight to 0.004 in. tight. For a tight fit, the wheel hub inside diameter (ID) should be smaller than the outer race OD by the fit values shown on the tables. For inner race fits, the spindle OD should be smaller than the inner race bore within the loose fit range.

Are all bike bearings the same size?

Bearing sizing



There are a few common sizes. Headsets and pedals tend to be 5/32”. Front hubs tend to be 3/16”. Rear hubs and bottom brackets tend to be 1/4”.

What is a bearing cone?

cone bearing. noun. Definition of cone bearing (Entry 2 of 2) mechanical engineering. : a journal bearing containing a taper sleeve capable of endwise movement for taking up wear.

What is the name of a cone bearing tree?

Pine (​Pinus spp​.), spruce (​Picea spp​.) and fir (​Abies spp​.) are the largest groups of cone-bearing trees, and they are also the types of conifers most often grown at Christmas tree farms. Conical trees with evergreen needles, these trees may look very similar to a casual observer.

What is another name for cone bearing plants?

A conifer is simply a cone-bearing plant such as a pine or juniper.

How do you remove a cup and cone bottom bracket?

Quote from video: Remove the cranks a lock ring on the outside of the left hand side cup will be an indication that the cup and cone bottom bracket is serviceable. Turn this anti-clockwise to unlock the cup.

How tight should bike axles?

How tight should my thru axle be? Typically, thru axles should be tightened to 12-15Nm (Newton Meters) of torque. This is just enough torque to secure the axle so it does not come loose while riding. You should never tighten your axle as tight as possible.

What size is a bicycle axle nut?

BSCy or BSC (British standard bicycle) it’s a 3/8″ diameter and 26 thread per inches.

How do you get a nut out of a cone?

Quote from video: So instead what i'm going to do is i have two drill bits here and i'm going to put these on the flats of the cone and then i'll take this adjustable wrench.

How do you make a cone wrench?

Quote from video: Using your angle grinder. Because the cone nut has such a small profile a regular wrench will be too thick to fit properly. So it will need to be machined down to about half its thickness.

How tight should a bike hub be?

You want your rear axle very tight. 150 in/lb is about standard. If it is not tight it will allow the rear wheel to move around and it ties your rear triangle together. Basically the whole back of the bike will feel sloppy.

How tight should bike axles?

How tight should my thru axle be? Typically, thru axles should be tightened to 12-15Nm (Newton Meters) of torque. This is just enough torque to secure the axle so it does not come loose while riding. You should never tighten your axle as tight as possible.

What is a bearing cone?

cone bearing. noun. Definition of cone bearing (Entry 2 of 2) mechanical engineering. : a journal bearing containing a taper sleeve capable of endwise movement for taking up wear.

Are all bike bearings the same size?

Bearing sizing



There are a few common sizes. Headsets and pedals tend to be 5/32”. Front hubs tend to be 3/16”. Rear hubs and bottom brackets tend to be 1/4”.

How do you adjust hub cones?

Tighten adjustment:

  1. Use a cone wrench and hold cone from moving. Note position and angle of wrench.
  2. Use another wrench on locknut and loosen by turning counter-clockwise.
  3. Recall angle of cone wrench and tighten adjustment by turning cone clockwise 1/32nd of a turn. Imagine cone wrench extending to the rim.