adjusting hub bearings

Yes I always keep the hub bearings adjusted so that there is no "slop". If you have slop in your hub (easily felt if you push the rim from side to side) I'd probably tear down the hub and inspect it for wear, and not just adjust out the slop. If you're not confident with this then have you LBS do it, but don't just let it go! All this on the assumption that you don't have cartridge bearings in you hubs. If you do it's bearing replacement time.

Yes always!

You can get some nasty surprises, a loose cone lock nut behind the cassette! :eek:

zaku said:

do you guys adjust the play of the wheel hub bearings? or is it better to leave it factory setting?

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=105

Some factory settings are too tight.
Same cartridge bearing hubs are not adjustable and need bearing cartridge replacement cartridges when wear makes them sloppy.

Bear in mind that quick release skewers can significantly compress an axle and increase preload. It is possible to ruin a wheel this way because excessive preload leads to pitting.