User Hub R7 Wiki
V2.0
🔧 Ch. 2

Installation

Tool checklist and installation workflow

Quick Compatibility Check

Confirm your frame meets the installation requirements

Select a cassette system and check the boxes to see the result

Installation Overview

Estimated time: 2–3 hours
Progress
0/5 Steps

Prep & Pre-Check

Gather tools and parts, charge the rear derailleur battery, and set up your workspace.

  • ✓ Battery charge check
  • ✓ Tool inventory
  • ✓ Workspace setup

Power Prep (Priority)

Before starting, charge the rear derailleur battery and confirm the shifter batteries are healthy.

Workspace

Choose a spacious, well-lit, clean indoor area. Hydraulic systems are extremely sensitive to dust—keep your work surface as clean as possible.

Stable Support

We recommend using a bike repair stand to suspend the bike, keeping wheels and the drivetrain free for shifting and brake adjustments.

Cockpit & Brake System

Install levers and calipers, route hoses internally, cut to length, and connect.

  • ✓ Lever install
  • ✓ Caliper install
  • ✓ Hose connection

Install Brake Calipers

  1. Based on frame specs (flat-mount/post-mount) and rotor size, select the correct adapter.
  2. Use a 4 mm hex key to pre-install the caliper. Tighten bolts loosely so the caliper can move slightly for alignment.
  3. Keep the plastic pad spacer inside the caliper to prevent pistons from popping out if the lever is squeezed accidentally.

Never squeeze the lever dry: pressing the brake lever without a rotor or pad spacer installed will over-extend the pistons, causing leaks or failure to retract.

Hose Connection Essentials

  • Measure: Turn the handlebar to its extreme positions and leave enough hose length.
  • Cut square: Use a dedicated hose cutter. Scissors are strictly prohibited.
  • Insert barb: Use a dedicated hose barb press tool and press vertically until fully seated.
  • Tighten: Use an 8 mm open-end wrench, torque approximately 8 N·m.

Rear Derailleur & Pairing

Mount the rear derailleur, complete wireless pairing, and confirm motor response.

  • ✓ Compatibility check
  • ✓ Rear derailleur install
  • ✓ System pairing

Critical Compatibility Check

Cassette System Required Conditions
14-speed UDH hanger + RC≥415 mm + 11-speed SH freehub
13-speed RC≥415 mm + 11-speed SH freehub

Mount the Electronic Rear Derailleur

  1. Check that the hanger is straight—use a hanger alignment gauge if possible.
  2. Apply grease to the rear derailleur mounting bolt threads.
  3. Thread in with a 5 mm hex key, then tighten with a torque wrench to 12 N·m.

Do not overtighten—excessive torque can strip the threads on an alloy hanger.

System Pairing Steps

✓ Pre-paired at factory — Your R7 shifters and rear derailleur are already paired out of the box. Use the WHALEROAD app only if you need to add or re-pair components.

1

Open the WHALEROAD app, tap Get Started, and make sure your phone's Bluetooth is on.

2

Long-press the rear derailleur function button for 5 seconds until the LED flashes green. The app will auto-detect it — confirm to connect.

3

In the app, go to Manage Device and select Add Shifters.

4

Long-press a shifter function button for 5 seconds until the LED flashes green. The app will auto-detect it — confirm to connect. Repeat for the second shifter.

5

Verify that the app shows all components as connected. Press a shifter button to confirm the derailleur shifts. Pairing complete.

Drivetrain Assembly

Install the bottom bracket, crankset, cassette, and wheels, then connect the chain.

  • ✓ Bottom bracket install
  • ✓ Crankset install
  • ✓ Chain connection

Install Bottom Bracket & Crankset

  1. Clean the bottom bracket threads/shell faces and apply grease.
  2. For threaded types, mind the left/right thread direction. For press-fit, use the correct press tool—never hammer.
  3. Crankset main bolt torque: 40–50 N·m.
  4. Adjust the preload collar to remove play, then tighten the pinch bolt(s).

Chain Installation Key Points

  • Use a chain tool compatible with 13/14-speed chains.
  • Set chain length based on the rear derailleur position (big-big + 2 links method).
  • Use a quick-link pliers or compatible tool to install the chain.

Tuning & Final Check

Adjust limit screws, perform a full-bike torque review, and run function tests.

  • ✓ H/L/B adjustment
  • ✓ Torque review
  • ✓ Function test

Shifting Tune

Adjust limit screws and electronic micro-tuning. See the Tuning chapter for details.

Full-Bike Torque Review

Component Torque
Shifter clamp 6–8 N·m
Rear derailleur mount 12 N·m
Crank spindle 40–50 N·m
Hose olive nut 8 N·m

Tools & Supplies

Hex Key Set

2 / 2.5 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 8 mm

Essential

Torque Wrench

Range 2–20 N·m

Essential

Torx Key Set

T10 / T25 / T30

Essential

Bleed Kit

Funnel + syringe + hoses

Essential

Open-End Wrench

8 mm

Essential

Hose Cutter

Dedicated cutter

Essential

Barb Press Tool

Dedicated press

Essential

Bottom Bracket Tool

Match frame BB standard

Essential

Cassette Lockring Tool

Standard splined type

Essential

Chain Tool

13/14-speed compatible

Essential

Quick-Link Pliers

Universal type

Recommended

Safety Gear

Nitrile gloves + safety glasses

Essential

Mineral Brake Fluid

Compatible mineral oil (no DOT)

Essential

Assembly Paste

For carbon contact surfaces

Recommended
Category Tool Name Recommended Spec Purpose Priority
General Hex key set 2–8 mm Most frame bolts Essential
Torque wrench 2–20 N·m Precise tightening control Essential
Torx keys T10 / T25 / T30 Rotor and bleed-port screws Essential
Screwdrivers Phillips / flat Adjusting limit screws Essential
Hydraulic Disc Bleed kit Funnel + syringe + hoses Bleeding and purging air Essential
Open-end wrench 8 mm Tightening hose olive nut Essential
Hose cutter Dedicated cutter Clean, square cuts Essential
Barb press tool Dedicated press Pressing barb into hose Essential
Piston reset tool Flat screwdriver substitute Resetting pistons after pad swap Recommended
Drivetrain Bottom bracket tool Match BB standard Installing bottom bracket Essential
Cassette lockring tool Standard splined Installing cassette Essential
Chain whip Chain whip Holding cassette during removal Essential
Chain tool 13/14-speed compatible Cutting chain to length Essential
Quick-link pliers Universal type Opening/closing quick link Recommended
Consumables Safety gear Gloves + glasses Protection from mineral oil Essential
Mineral brake fluid Compatible mineral oil For brake system Essential
Assembly paste Carbon-specific Carbon contact surfaces Recommended

Pairing Visual Guide

Status: Not started
Rear Derailleur Rear Derailleur
APP
Shifter Shifter
1

Open WHALEROAD APP

Open the WHALEROAD app, tap Get Started, and make sure your phone's Bluetooth is turned on.

APP: Get Started
APP: Get Started
2

Pair Rear Derailleur

Long-press the rear derailleur function button for 5 seconds until the LED flashes green. The app will auto-detect it — confirm to connect.

APP: Pair Rear Derailleur
APP: Pair Rear Derailleur
3

Add Shifters in APP

In the app, go to Manage Device and select Add Shifters.

APP: Add Shifters
APP: Add Shifters
4

Pair Shifter(s)

Long-press a shifter function button for 5 seconds until the LED flashes green. The app will auto-detect it — confirm to connect. Repeat for the second shifter.

APP: Pair Shifter
APP: Pair Shifter
5

Verify & Complete

Check that the app shows all components as connected. Press a shifter button to confirm the derailleur shifts. Pairing complete!

APP: All Connected
APP: All Connected

Your R7 shifters and rear derailleur are already paired at the factory. Use this guide only if you need to add or re-pair components.

Make sure the rear derailleur battery is charged. Low battery is the most common cause of pairing failure.

Critical Safety Warnings

Never Squeeze the Lever Dry

Pressing the brake lever without a rotor or pad spacer installed will over-extend the pistons, causing leaks or failure to retract. Always keep the plastic pad spacer in the caliper during installation.

Never Mix Brake Fluids

Use only compatible mineral oil from a reputable bicycle brake manufacturer. DOT fluid or non-specified oils are strictly prohibited. Even different brands of mineral oil may be incompatible—keep bleed tools separated accordingly.

Olive Head Is Single-Use

Once tightened, the olive head cannot be reused. If you need to disconnect the hose, cut off the old fitting and replace it with a new one.

Do Not Overtighten the Rear Derailleur

The rear derailleur mounting bolt torque is 12 N·m. Excessive torque can strip the threads on an alloy hanger.