Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Nashbar Flip Flop Hub?

Hey. I'm in the process of converting my first bike to fixed gear and am debating between two hubs: the bike nashbar flip flop hub ( http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=85&subcategory=1107&brand=&sku=12032&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename= ) and the I.R.O. Flip Flop hub off Harris Cyclery ( http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed-hubs.html ). The debate lies in the fact that the nashbar hub comes with a lockring and the IRO hub does not, which would set me back another 8 bucks. (making $13 difference total). Now the question is, is this difference enough to warrant buying the Nashbar hub, which i can only assume is a little worse quality wise? Can anyone vouch for this hub?
Thanks.
Matt

I've had a Nashbar fixed-fixed hub for about a year and it has remained in a state of shining like-newness. However, it has also remained in the box that it was shipped in, so that might have something to do with it.

Did anyone ever figure out if these were the same Formula/IRO/Velocity/Whatever hubs that everyone else uses? I remember there being some backing and forthing, but no real resolution.

m.

i've been beating mine up in chicago for about 4 monhts now. AWESOME hubs for the money. awesome hubs, period.

i've been beating mine up in chicago for about 4 monhts now. AWESOME hubs for the money. awesome hubs, period.



which ones?

"thechamp" on here once told me "oh and this a nashbar hub, if you were wondering about them, they're great" on the bike he loaned me

so i hear they're great

which ones?

the silver track hubs. upgraded bearings.

Anyone know how they compare to the stock pista hubs?
I'm looking to upgrade my rear wheel but in a frugal manner.

). The debate lies in the fact that the nashbar hub comes with a lockring and the IRO hub does not, which would set me back another 8 bucks. (making $13 difference total). Now the question is, is this difference enough to warrant buying the Nashbar hub, which i can only assume is a little worse quality wise? Can anyone vouch for this hub?
Thanks.
Matt

I dumped the lockrings that came with my Nashbar hubs upon the recommendation of Brad at Trackstar. Replaced with Dura Ace lockrings. The Nashbar lockrings were alu (i think) while the DA are steel.

Otherwise the hubs are solid and reliable.

the silver track hubs. upgraded bearings.

The ones that take cartridge bearings? What'd you upgrade with?

yes - SKF.

A further question: would the Nashbar hub fit on my 125ish mm spacing bike? It's stated as 120 on the site.

A further question: would the Nashbar hub fit on my 125ish mm spacing bike? It's stated as 120 on the site.
I'm squeezin' it with my Surly 120 and 126 dropouts. I've heard it's fine (as long as it's a steel frame).

A further question: would the Nashbar hub fit on my 125ish mm spacing bike? It's stated as 120 on the site.

yes, unless your frame isn't steel or you're super-anal about things being 'right'. You can cold set it (fancy term for bending.) Just put the hub in with the nuts loose and tighten them down, which will squeeze the frame down to 120. This may cause very slight problems, but nothing you would notice.

A further question: would the Nashbar hub fit on my 125ish mm spacing bike? It's stated as 120 on the site.
That's about 3mm on each side. Just go to the LBS and get some 2.5mm hub washers/spacers and put them between the cones and nuts and voila it's spaced. Don't mess with respacing the stays if washers will do.

TIm

Yeah, NB rear hub here. No complaints. The lockrings could indeed stand to be upgraded, something I probably should have done earlier (apprehensive about taking that thing off now, its probably good n' settled) but thats really it. Spins good with the bearings it shipped with, maybe I'll get some newer, nicer ones in the spring.
But yeah, especially for the money, great hub.

Just go to the LBS and get some 2.5mm hub washers/spacers and put them between the cones and nuts and voila it's spaced. Don't mess with respacing the stays if washers will do.

TIm

Actually, I believe that you'll want to refer to them as "axle spacers/washers." I got into trouble w/ an LBS for not using the correct terminology and confusing them. I'd also suggest bringing the wheel and/or bike along with you to save the pain of having an LBSer question your prudence in wanting to space your axle/hub w/o direct guidance.

Don't know what kind of pedals you have, but if the bearings on those are old, I'd recommend re-packing those, too--new bearings everywhere makes the difference in feel huge. Oh yeah, and a clean chain along with that.

i went ahead and picked up the iro hub because of the lock ring thing and the fact that nashbar only stocks soma cogs. thanks everyone.