Onxy vesper hub adjustment

[gregskinner]

Original Onyx Vesper on my gravel bike, with no side load adjuster cap on the left side. I was able to destroy the left outer bearing at about 1500 miles due to INSUFFICIENT side play. With how quiet this hub normally runs, you KNOW when a bearing is going out! In taking it apart, the 2 driver bearings seemed OK and the middle 2 internal bearings were OK. I contacted Onyx and they told me about the left side end cap now being a side play adjuster. They told me about the version of the side play adjuster on your bike, but also about the newer version they are now promoting, which doesn't use the Allen bolt or machined in clamp in the cap. Instead, it's now simply a threaded end cap, but they use a 20mm across the flats stainless jamb nut to lock the side play adjustment. For either style of end play adjuster cap, a new style shorter axle must be used. I also had to replace the internally splined brake rotor lock ring with an external style to give the necessary clearance for the jamb nut, but I can adjust with the rotor in place. I received no special treatment for being a Vesper 'early adopter' and had to pay for all parts...plus shipping...which leaves me feeling a little more than vaguely dissatisfied. The bearing was about $14.00, the axle was $20.00 and the end cap (regardless of style) was another $20.00. They send the correct parts to resolve the issue and it's all nice and quiet, so the customer service is good.

[MoRad]

Thanks for this! Onyx made an "improvement" on this where now you need not an allen key, but 2 (two) 20mm cone wrenches (because everyone has 2 of those kicking around). I was having binding issue and the Onyx video only talks about the preload as a way to "take up" the slop, but no direct message about "hey if its too much preload it will bind". Followed your method and wheel is spinning free.

[RoughRiderz]

Hub preload? Interesting. Good to know. Thanks.

[StanislauCharniakou]

I got those hubs a year ago back before they had preload adjuster, it was just a plastic endcap. The hub did develop noticeable play. Contacted onyx and they sent me a new axle assembly with this adjuster, which does help to remove the play. If you have early revision of the hub without adjuster and have these issues I highly recommend you reach out to them before you go replacing bearings.

[dont_hit_trees]

Great work buddy. What a huge oversight on onyx’s part.

[sloppyjoe]

Thanks so much for putting this video up, I just had YouTube videos playing trying to look up tear downs and this came up right as I realized it was threaded and a preloaded myself. One trick to make it easier since on my evil you can’t spin that piece, I put a spare old quick release through the wheel itself separate from the bike to tension it.

[SourPatchPuss]

I called onyx to ask which hub would be best for me and apparently this bearing preload adjustment only comes on the onyx classic hubs with 6-bolt brake setup, not the centerlock. Very confusing stuff with them but it seems their hubs are the best.

[mtbmahem]

Just went through the exact same thing (I also assumed it was a sleeve and not threaded) and of course this never came up when I searched for "onyx hub binding." Really frustrating but thanks for providing the video. Onyx needs to put on some big boy pants and make a manual.

[specializedbighitfsr]

It is also worth noting that after following the bearing preload procedure, once you take the hub out of the frame again it is normal to have side to side play in the free hub body and end caps due to the floating axle design. I have confirmed this with onyx.

[harzenduro]

Thanks. I haven't gotten mine yet but I'll definitely do this right away!

[southstartrails]

Thanks for making this video, very helpful!

[ericdeutsch]

Thank you! I have been struggling with this for awhile! Yes, the high end stuff is a double edge sword...

[seitenryu]

That's an interesting end cap. Sold a few sets of Vespers, but I guess I skipped that one. The last one I saw had a new stainless locknut holding the cap on. I guess now they've done away with easy removal. Probably a good thing though.

[Samazing]

Bummer, I guess I'll stick with my DT 240s for now until Onyx decides to provide a better solution.

[nicktapias]

Mine lack that pre-load collar system, I've had mine since February 2020, the hubs were amazing for a long time until about June 2020 the driver outboard bearings failed and the bearings scored the endcaps and inside of the free hub driver. Onyx sent me a new free hub driver body and end cap, then the non-drive side outboard bearing failed this March, manifested by lateral wheel play (<0.5mm) and I replaced the bearing no problems. About 2 weeks ago I started to notice some slip of the engagement on steep climbs and then just this last week the sprays won't grab under load at all, the free hub just slips under load. Very disappointed overall with the longevity of the design and wish I had gone with Classics instead.

[whatnomadtravelnursemtb]

If you would have watched the videos directly on the Onxy website it shows the assembly and teardown of the hub including the bearing preload and that it is threaded.

[silas]

Why doesn’t onyx just make it the right size it’s supposed to be from the factory?