Classic & Vintage - My hubs are shot - what can I do?

Hi, I thought you guys might be able to help me. BTW, I did a search, and although there are pieces of info out there, none of it is one place, and I am having hard time figuring some of it out.

I have an 87 Columbus Steel Bianchi mystery model "road" bike that is my current ride to work and for fun. :) Sorry no pics now, but I can get them if you want. It is a 6 speed with Shimano 105 index shifting. Everything is great on the bike, except for the hubs.

Both the front and rear hubs are pitted pretty badly. Unfortunately (or fortunately), they are also no-name hubs on heavy rims. Therefore, upgrading is not much more expensive than fixing, and makes a lot more sense. To me at least, not to the wife. :rolleyes:

So my options (that I know of) are:

1. Build my own wheels from parts. I am not sure about this because I am wary of buying used hubs because I see how they wear out. New hubs I see in 126mm are either crap or NOS that goes for more than I think they are worth. Please tell me if I am wrong! I also have never built a wheel before.

2. Buy this wheelset from ebay that looks decent, for a real good price ($140 shipped). It has a cassette, which I don't, mine is a freewheel (threaded). http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=006&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=160112651554&rd=1&rd=1
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7162056180&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX_Stores&refitem=160110215145&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget

3. My friend at work is offering me free Bontrager select wheels. These are 130mm rear hubs, and of course mine is 126mm. I don't understand what I would have to do other than re-space my frame. Will my 6 speed indexed shifters work on this? I think it is either 8 or 9 speed. It seems to me that even though the wheels are free, it will cost as much or more to upgrade everything else. Although, shifters that aren't on the downtube would be nice. I would also miss the retro stuff on the bike, which still works really well! Also, selling these is not an option because he wants them back if I don't use them.

Please help me decide. I have the goal of not spending much money, but getting a good wheelset which is relatively light (compared to my wheels), and will easily carry my weight (210 pounds). I would also like to keep the bike as reasonably original as possible, if possible.

Thanks for your replies in advance. Sorry if this has already been covered, if so, please point it out.

seems like not a bad deal for a wheelset.. vuelta rims probably aren't the greatest but they're cheap.. straight guage spokes.. xc pro is a cool vintage hub w/ grease guard feature

on the other hand,
it probably wouldn't be a problem to fit a 130mm wheel in your frame without respacing.
it's only 2mm per side..
your shifters won't index right.. if they have friction mode they'd probably work that way.

i think the cheapest way would be to take the bontragers and convert your shifters to friction on the downtube.. or even take the opportunity to get set up some nice barcons if you aren't into the dt style.
shimano made some indexed barend shifters you might look around for..

You might have to re-dish the Bontragers. Not a big deal if you've done it before.

i think the cheapest way would be to take the bontragers and convert your shifters to friction on the downtube.. or even take the opportunity to get set up some nice barcons if you aren't into the dt style.
shimano made some indexed barend shifters you might look around for..

But would my old rear derailler work with new indexed 9-speed shifters? Would I have to replace my front chainrings because of the skinnier chain? If so, that sounds expensive.

My downtube shifters can be set to friction with a change of a switch on the side of the shifter. Maybe I am lazy, but I really like indexed shifting.

But would my old rear derailler work with new 9-speed shifters? Would I have to replace my front chainrings because of the skinnier chain? If so, that sounds expensive.

You probably will. What's your current derailleur? Generally, what works with six speeds will also work with seven, but beyond that, I don't really know. I imagine that the Bontrager wheels would be set up with a Shimano cassette. Everything else would need to be compatible with that (far easier to find than Campagnolo 9-speed).

1. Since you have a steel frame you can spread it, either cold set (permanent) or just spring it every time you insert the wheel. I do that on my '87 Bertoni.
2. Your rear derailleur will work. It has enough parallelogram 'travel' to handle 8 or 9 speeds. But you'll have to switch to friction.
3. You will need a new chain, particularly if you go 9s as your old 6s chain will rub inside the narrower cog spacing.
4. 9s c/r would be a good idea for improved shifting but not an absolute necessity.
5. No redishing req'd
-or-
6. Buy good older hubs & build away, stay 6s indexed. I've built several sets of wheels around older campy record hubs. new grade 25 bearings + phil grease and they're good to go.

your derailleur might work, but you'll have to experiment

new chainrings not necessary


But would my old rear derailler work with new indexed 9-speed shifters? Would I have to replace my front chainrings because of the skinnier chain? If so, that sounds expensive.

My downtube shifters can be set to friction with a change of a switch on the side of the shifter. Maybe I am lazy, but I really like indexed shifting.

All good advice, thanks. I think I will go with those ebay wheels to keep it simple and inexpensive. Do you guys think they are decent wheels?

I would totally take the free wheels. Springing the frame 4 mm to get them in is nothing. I'd switch the shifting to friction, and be done with it! I know you prefer indexed, but dude, the wheels are FREE.

Warning on the ebay wheels. I think all 6 speed Shimano cassette hubs are Uniglide, therefore severely limiting your ability to change out cogs (at reasonable cost). Is 24t the largest you need? I would ask the seller if these are Uniglide, and if so I would personally stay away. Others may differ.

I would totally take the free wheels. Springing the frame 4 mm to get them in is nothing. I'd switch the shifting to friction, and be done with it! I know you prefer indexed, but dude, the wheels are FREE.

I would have to buy a cassette and chain at minimum, right? What about the chainrings? This makes it a little less than free, but still a good deal!

You don't have to buy chainrings, unless your bike was running 1/8th chain (it wasn't!). All chain from 5 speed to 10 speed is 3/32, and will run on the same chainrings, but the more rear speeds, the narrower the outer plates, so that the cogs can be closer together. Are you sure the wheels don't have a cassette on them?

I think I may have a decent set of 6sp old fashioned freewheel (not Uniglide) wheels hanging around in my garage - PM me if interested.....

Are you sure the wheels don't have a cassette on them?

Yes, I am sure, because I pulled out the axle when I serviced the hubs, and that is how I found out that the bearing surfaces were galled.



Warning on the ebay wheels. I think all 6 speed Shimano cassette hubs are Uniglide, therefore severely limiting your ability to change out cogs (at reasonable cost). Is 24t the largest you need? I would ask the seller if these are Uniglide, and if so I would personally stay away. Others may differ.

Why would I want to change out individual cogs? I think I would be happy buying a cassette at a time. Is there anything wrong with that?

Why would I want to change out individual cogs? I think I would be happy buying a cassette at a time. Is there anything wrong with that?

Uniglide cassettes are not made anymore. The availability of anything larger than 24t is minimal, but that may be large enough for you. I do see Uni cassettes with a 28t big cog sometimes.

Yes, I am sure, because I pulled out the axle when I serviced the hubs, and that is how I found out that the bearing surfaces were galled.

No, I meant on the wheels that your buddy offered for free. Are you sure there's no cassette on those?

No, I meant on the wheels that your buddy offered for free. Are you sure there's no cassette on those?

Sorry, no, I am looking at those right now, and they didn't come with one. I can't get EVERYTHING free. :)