A few weeks ago I acquired a Nimbus 29" frame. I built a unicycle around it mostly using parts that I had laying around, including a Suzue hub that I bought 15 years ago from DM.
The hub’s a bit narrow for the frame, but the frame is steel, so I wasn’t worried about squeezing the fork legs together to fit the hub.
The problem is that as I ride the fork tries to spring back to it’s original shape, pulling the right-hand bearings away from their position on the hub. Then, once they’ve travelled as far as they can, the crank starts bashing the frame.
I can put the bearings back into the correct position easily enough, by laying the unicycle down and carefully applying a foot to the frame. But half a mile or so later the crank starts bashing the frame again and I have to repeat the process.
This morning I bodged a fix by wrapping a couple of zip ties around the axle between the bearings and the frame. That lasted about 3 miles. How can I stop the bearings from coming loose at all?
This thread:
suggests spacers, essentially an improved version of the zip tie bodge. Is there a better way?
Spacers are one way. You can probably improve the situation by cold-setting (bending) the frame, but if the bearings aren’t press-fit, they’ll still slide along the axle when you torque. Green (sleeve retainer) Loctite might help as well.
Thanks for the suggestions. Green Loctite is new one one me. I think I’ll give it a go if I can get some.
I fitted a much chunkier zip tie when I got home last night. I was able to complete the 5 miles to work this morning and the 5 miles home again without having to stop to apply foot to frame, so while not a perfect solution it seems to be a workable bodge.