A fixed hub query

[brockers]

Got me a new project frame today. An old Orbit 'America' with short horizontal dropouts, and I'm pretty sure in 531c judging by the weight and the fact it takes a 27.2 seatpin.

I'll need (and want) to build a new rear fixed wheel as it has 130mm droputs, and my existing one is a 126mm, so I'm after ideas for a reasonable quality but not stupidly expensive hub with

32 holes
130mm
smallish flange
fixed/fixed or fixed/free
hollow axle or removable axle so that I can replace with a qr. In my mind you don't need to secure the back wheel with tracknuts for everyday use.

 

[Ibbots]

Got me a new project frame today. An old Orbit 'America' with short horizontal dropouts, and I'm pretty sure in 531c judging by the weight and the fact it takes a 27.2 seatpin.

I'll need (and want) to build a new rear fixed wheel as it has 130mm droputs, and my existing one is a 126mm, so I'm after ideas for a reasonable quality but not stupidly expensive hub with

32 holes
130mm
smallish flange
fixed/fixed or fixed/free
hollow axle or removable axle so that I can replace with a qr. In my mind you don't need to secure the back wheel with tracknuts for everyday use.

Can you not just put 5mm spacers on each side of a 120mm hub? Have seen it recommended somewhere, think it could have been in the Q&A for the On-One 120mm Clincher wheelset.

Not sure about QR for fixed. I have two single speeds with QR's and horizontal drop outs, need to use a chain tug on the drive side to stop the axle shifting under heavy pushing.

 

[brockers]

Can you not just put 5mm spacers on each side of a 120mm hub?

Not sure about QR for fixed. I have two single speeds with QR's and horizontal drop outs, need to use a chain tug on the drive side to stop the axle shifting under heavy pushing.

Oh crikey! Yes, of course you can! That means I can use my old wheel for the time being.

I still want to build a new wheel though, as I have an Open Pro to use up! Will still look into the hollow axle approach mind, as having to remember to carry a spanner in case of a puncture is a bit of a pain. If my monumentally powerful legs (not) end up providing enough torque to pull the rear axle forward, I'll revert to solid axle.

Edit: Just pulled the BB out and it's an old but smooth UN71. Happy days! These things are pretty light and not easy to find.

 

[wheres_my_beard]

I would reccomend using tugs on both sides. I don't do many miles or great speeds but my was getting wheel pulled about until I used tugs on both sides. You could still use a good strong QR if it has a decent cam on it if you really must but its probably an idea to take some tools around with you anyway if you are thinking you will be getting punctures regulary, so a spanner for the wheel shouldn't burden you too much...

Have you seen any QR fixed hubs around? I wouldn't have thought many are being made as a solid spindle with nuts would be the best way to secure it.



You may benefit from browsing www.lfgss.com (london fixed gear and single speed forum) which is a specialist forum, and people may be able to point you in the right direction. Saying that, most links I have followed after googling this are discussions on viablity and safety, usually suggesting not to do it. And for the sake on a spanner, you may be risking damaging your drive train or yourself.

 

[brockers]

I would reccomend using tugs on both sides. I don't do many miles or great speeds but my was getting wheel pulled about until I used tugs on both sides. You could still use a good strong QR if it has a decent cam on it if you really must but its probably an idea to take some tools around with you anyway if you are thinking you will be getting punctures regulary, so a spanner for the wheel shouldn't burden you too much...

Have you seen any QR fixed hubs around? I wouldn't have thought many are being made as a solid spindle with nuts would be the best way to secure it.



You may benefit from browsing www.lfgss.com (london fixed gear and single speed forum) which is a specialist forum, and people may be able to point you in the right direction. Saying that, most links I have followed after googling this are discussions on viablity and safety, usually suggesting not to do it. And for the sake on a spanner, you may be risking damaging your drive train or yourself.

Am well aware of lfgss (I used to be a london motorbike courier, and watched it start up and the whole fixed scene grow!) and have been riding fixed for five years. Like you, I've found their jury to be out regarding whether using qr is ok. Some say yes, others no. Same on Bikeforums.net. Sheldon Brown reckons its fine, but really only when using qr's with enclosed cams like old Shimano, and Campag systems.

There are fixed hubs out there with removable and hollow axles; I've seen them but just can't find them - hence the reason for starting this thread...However, on reflection, it's maybe best to play safe and stick to a solid axle. Then again, with forward facing chaintugs I can't see the wheel slipping under load. Hmm. Decisions!

Still on the lookout for a good value hub mind! There's Miche. The Surly's look the same as the On-Ones to me but far more expensive, and then there's the system EX hubs from SJS probably made by Novatec. Of course I could do it properly and buy a Goldtec!

 

[wheres_my_beard]

I'm not that familiar with the inner workings of hubs but with the right donor, could you not transfer the hollow axle and bearings from a QR hub to the shell of a new fixed/fixed or fixed/freewheel hub?

Thus making a QR fixie Frankenhub.

Or is that utter nonsense?

 

[brockers]

I'm not that familiar with the inner workings of hubs but with the right donor, could you not transfer the hollow axle and bearings from a QR hub to the shell of a new fixed/fixed or fixed/freewheel hub?

Thus making a QR fixie Frankenhub.

Or is that utter nonsense?

Oh no. Not at all! I reckon you can, and this might be what I'll end up doing, but one would need a good hub which has a removable axle. (I'd experiment with the On-One one I've got, but try as I might, I can't extract the bleedin' axle.) Totally into the whole Frankenanything when it comes to bikes - tinkering with the things puts me in touch with my inner mad professor!

I'm presently focussing my attention on the Gran Compe hub. Planet-X are doingt them for £35 at the mo. Though whether its innards will be amenable to surgery is another matter.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

At the bottom of this page there are spacer kits for spacing out axles.

http://www.velosolo.co.uk/shoptrack.html

Personally I'd want tracknuts, but if you have dropouts rather than trackends you might get away with QR, you might struggle to find one with QR, or one you can convert. I have trackends and track nuts on my Pearson and I tend to pull the wheel forward, takes about 1 to 2 weeks before I have to retention the chain.