NuVinci Hub Problems: 6 Problems and Their Solutions!

If you’re a mountain cyclist, you must know about Nuvinci hub. 

But does it always convince me? No, NuVinci has a few issues with it. It’s very common to face issues with any mechanical device. 

Before purchasing, want to know NuVinci hub problems with fixes? 

The most common issue with the NuVinci hub is bearing fluid leakage. It might be considered usual. Traction fluid leakage is another common trouble that might happen in the NuVinci hub. It can happen in oily hubs, laces, and the rim. Increasing rolling noise indicates that the hub is at its end life.  

Not all problems are mentioned here. There are a few more. In this article, you’ll get to know all of them.

Let’s not delay and start!

NuVinci Hub Problems

NuVinci hub is not perfectly executed. You might face several problems with it. But the troubles are very easy to resolve. 

Source: nsmb.com

Let’s know the issues first. 

Bearing Fluid Leakage: 

One of the most common issues is Fluid leaks via bearings. The N360 appears to be “constructed to leak.” 

Because there’s a large stockpile of fluid within the hub. And not all of it’s likely to leak in actuality.

Traction Fluid Leakage:

Till the end of the hub’s existence, the traction fluid leak is visible in the oily hub, laces, and occasionally the rim. The leak doesn’t appear to be the primary cause of the rattle noise.

Nuvinci hub is great until you've got a flat and need to take off the rear wheel. 2nd flat in 2 weeks. pic.twitter.com/ik9YmhMFLq

— usa4: steve bodner (@usa4) December 19, 2019

Increasing Rolling Noise:

When the hub’s life is nearing its end, you can feel the vibrations through the bike frame, and the rolling noise becomes stronger.

The rolling noise increases with mileage, especially at full underdrive and close to it. It’s also possible to sense it through the pedals.

Rattle Noise:

The abnormal result of rattle noise seems to bug you one day. Even though the hub is still completely operational. 

I consider this to be the end of its life. This is when it makes creaks and squeaks. That is when you know you need to troubleshoot the noise.

I didn’t ride the bike until it completely failed. I presume that the loss of riding enjoyment is reason enough to replace the hub. 

Along with extra power loss caused by vibrations and rattling.

Internal Heat Increase:

Escalating resistance after a preceding higher torque load is caused by warming of the internals hub exterior, which should be slightly warm but not hot.

Traction Fluid Invasion:

The freewheel assembly occasionally skips but it has never failed to induce the bike to become immobile. 

I believe this stress is driven by traction fluid infiltration into the freewheel.

NuVinci Hubs Solutions to the Problem

When you face problems with your NuVinci hub, you might shift, or replace the hub. 

Replacing the Hub:

First things first, if you notice that your hub is beyond repair then replace it. You can easily find nuvinci hub replacements in cycling goods or hardware stores. 

Here are some replacement options that you can look into: 

• For your N330 get the Fallbrook Technologies NuVinci N330 Rear Hub.
• Now, for your N380 get the Fallbrook Technologies NuVinci N380 CVP Rear Hub.

Shift Wire Replacement:

Wire replacement shifting is very easy. Even if you want to change the 9-speed shifters with an 11-speed derailleur. It is somewhat a similar process.

Now let’s look into the steps-  

Detach both cable connectors from the connector. After that, unscrew the set screw fasteners on both cables. 

Source: road.cc

Remove the cable completely from the hub interface. Take care not to misplace the set screw fasteners.

Turn the shifter so that the bottom cover plate is facing up. The shifter-handlebar set screw is located beneath the shifter.

Detach the shifter method cover screw with a small cross-tip screwdriver. Here are some of my favorite screwdrivers:

• The Convy GJ-0120 Phillips Screwdriver is one of the best cross tip screwdrivers out there.
• You get the most bang for your bucks by getting the Klein Tools 32500 11-in-1 Screwdriver.

Pull the plastic cover up cautiously and detach it.

The shifter has 2 cable ends installed. Turn the shifter grip until each cable end is observable.

Detach one cable end with a seal pick. Remove the cable from the housing. Move the shifter in the reverse way to reveal the second cable end. To disable the cable, use a pick.

Lift the 2nd cable end and detach the cable from the shifter. 

And done! Are you thinking of attaching an SRAM derailleur with a Shimano shifter? The process of that is similar as well. 

New Cable Installation:

Worrying about the new NuVinci hub installation? Better you don’t. 

Instead, follow these steps:

Disconnect the shifter cover plate and flip the shifter turning grip completely one way to reveal the cable end connector.

Make a slight bend in the cable end and feed it into the cable socket about 1-2cm away. Turn the shifter by spinning both the grip and the wire together. 

Pull on the cord until it folds around the rotating grip barrel and becomes noticeable.

Feed the end of the cable through the barrel assessor and into the shifter’s cable guidance.

Lift the wire end and the seat wire end into the shifter cable end seat. Then, transform the shifter turning grip to reveal the second cable seat. Repeat the wire setup process.

Replace the cover plate and tighten the cover plate shaft. Restore the shifter to its initial location and tighten the shifter-handlebar set screw.

That’s how you install a new cable.

Attach The Cable To Hub-Interface:

After installing the new hub, you need to connect the hub’s interface with the cable. 

To do so, follow these-

Each shift wire should be routed through housing parts and seated into shifter pipefitters. 

Zip-tie the housing to the frame and along the chain or seat remain as preferred. Before the hub interface, there is roughly 6′′ (150mm) of free housing. This will allow the housing to be scrapped and replaced in the hub interface.

Lift the “underdrive” wire’s end as far as it will go out of its housing at the hub end. The “overdrive” wire will be drawn into its housing at the hub end as a result. Verify that the cyclist’s shift measure is set to flat.

Source: parktool.com

For a range of 117mm, quantify the exposure cable between the wire ferrule and the 4mm diameter cable stop connecting (or between 115 to 117mm). 

This can be a difficult quantification to get right. One method is to cut a waste piece of housing to 117mm. Drop the housing over the cables and mark it with a permanent marker.

Detach the testing and insert the 4mm underdrive wire stop fitting all the way to the end of the ink sign. Keep the cable block the fitting with a small extendable wrench and tighten the setscrew to keep the cable in place.

Trimmed any extra wire that expanded beyond the fitting flush with the useful, leaving no more than 2 mm of wire beyond the fitting. 

There is no wire end cap used in this case. The wire stop must fit within the hub-ratio-selector. Interface’s

Lift the “overdrive” cord until it halts, extending from the housing. This will then abbreviate the exposure “underdrive” wire at the housing’s hub end to its full limit. 

Verify the shift criterion, which should show the “rider” in a severe uphill lifting position.

That’s all!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Now let’s move on to some frequently asked questions.

Final Note

This is the entire discussion about NuVinci hub problems. Tried my best to put all the information on one plate for you. 

Best to follow all things properly.

Happy Cycling!