Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - New rear and Mack MF hub

You might remember I destroyed the rear end of my bike after chain throw related to close encounter with the car last fall. Now, the good weather bike is back on road - only test rides as the frame ends need final polish and repaint. I have altered the geometry a little bit with new track ends with the slot for an axle slightly below the chainstay. Now, the HT angle is exacty 73 deg (quick enough with road fork with 43mm rake, as the wheelbase of the bike is only 93cm) and the BB drop 60mm - I can use 170mm cranks safely. The rear ends were wire-cut ($16 including raw material) according to my design and brazed in place of old, mangled ones. 16H campy Vento rim (identical in cross-section and finish to 12H Shamal front) laced 1x to a Mack medium flange hub with Campy 3.1mm bladed spokes. 2x or 3x would be better, but I couldn't get the spokes of the right length.

This is how this bike will roll this year, I will make it a travel bike next year with S$S couplers and lighter wheels.

wow that hub looks like it has about 12-16 spokes... what is that thing???

2x or 3x would be better, but I couldn't get the spokes of the right length.


i don't know if that would be better, traditionally fewer spokes = fewer crossings. that's why all those "high-end" wheelsets with 16 spokes don't have 3x.

wow that hub looks like it has about 12-16 spokes... what is that thing???

maybe try reading the paragraph above the pictures.

i don't know if that would be better, traditionally fewer spokes = fewer crossings. that's why all those "high-end" wheelsets with 16 spokes don't have 3x.

agreed. the angle of the spokes at 3x would be so extreme that the wheel would instantaneously disintegrate in your hands.

i don't know if that would be better, traditionally fewer spokes = fewer crossings. that's why all those "high-end" wheelsets with 16 spokes don't have 3x.

I do not know what's traditional here. 2x will alow spokes to be closer to parallel to the hub flange circumference, thus more flange material will support a spoke head.

Are those Mack hubs made by a fellow called Gromada? If yes, he's selling some of his stuff here for 140 Euros/pair :eek: Seems a bit steep to me.

Would love to see a full wheel pic to see what the spoke pattern looks like.

Are those Mack hubs made by a fellow called Gromada? If yes, he's selling some of his stuff here for 140 Euros/pair :eek: Seems a bit steep to me.

Would love to see a full wheel pic to see what the spoke pattern looks like.

I think they're made by a person named Mack, or Maceij from Poland, I'm not sure on the name. I bought mine for around 200US,and pictures don't do them justice. I've never rolled on Phil's, but from holding them, the Mack's feel nicer, and roll better than my loose ball DA hubs did.

I think they're made by a person named Mack, or Maceij from Poland, I'm not sure on the name. I bought mine for around 200US,and pictures don't do them justice. I've never rolled on Phil's, but from holding them, the Mack's feel nicer, and roll better than my loose ball DA hubs did.

I believe that Gromada just resells them. Maciej makes them (http://www.pbase.com/wojtek_burkot/hubs). They are extremely smooth and well made - they were some threads about them. My surprise was how well this alu track nut (well, this is a bolt in fact, but pressing an alu collar against the dropout) holds the axle in place - I thought it would slip easily.

correct me if im wrong here but wouldn't it make more sense to have the spokes crossed opposite of the way that they are...it seems to me like you are creating an extra bend in the spoke that is not necessary...I really don't know much about wheel building but I would assume that it is better to minimize extraneous stresses on the spokes.....someone hit me up with some knowledge

I will not pretend I know the right answer. My all other shamal wheels have spokes which do not touch each other, regardless it they are direct pull or traditional. I was surprised to see this build.
However, I trust the guy who built this wheel - he does that for living for 30 years. Racers queue in front of his flat (he doesn't have a shop), so if his work is good enough for them, it is good enough for me.

Yeah I was just wondering if there was benefit to doing it one way over the other or if it really makes any difference....those wheels look sweet though...do you have any shots of the entire bike?

...do you have any shots of the entire bike? Only its previous incarnation (http://www.pbase.com/wojtek_burkot/kou_tetsu) with other (Gipiemme) wheels and Dura Ace cranks.