Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Sovos Hubs

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/sovos.html
so...I know these are discount hubs and all, but just how crappy are they? I've been wanting to fix a redline monocog and this is the only fixed hub I've found with the required 110mm spacing. If any of ya'll have had experiences with them, how long will they last under city commuting conditions (potholes, jumping curbs, ect...)? At $30 they're cheap as hell, so if they break in 2 months, I won't be out a whole lot.
What do the great gods of the fixed/SS forum decree...

Tim

110 spacing that is unusual.. I have not heard anything really good about them, but for the price who can argue :) Other choice would be the redline mono-cog hubs..
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=HU707B10 Only $23 so even cheaper, not sure of the quality though.

I've looked at the redline stuff, but I want to go fixed on this bike. The only other thing I can think of is having someone who makes hubs take a bmx hub and grind down and reverse thread it to take a lock ring. But I'm sure that will cost a little more than $30.

you know, I would hate the ad-bot a little less if it had some half descent links on it.

tim

I rode one of the pre-built wheels from Sheldon that had the Sovos hub. Lasted for a bit, but eventually the threads for the cog stripped when I tried to skid stop at an intersection. Cranks stopped, wheel kept going. Luckily I run a front brake. Personally, I'd spend a little more for a better hub. BTW, I think they are spaced at 120mm unless they have a 110 option.

You could use a BMX hub and a cog w/ a BB lockring w/ Loctite. Or spread the frame, 10mm isn't much for a steel frame.

What about the suzue basic hub? I know by default it is spaced at 117 or is it 118. ANd uses two spacers if I remember coreclty (two 2mm spacers on each side) so if you removed those it woudl be down to 110.. You could always shoot a e-mail over to Sheldon Brown he might have other hubs that woudl work.

i have a pair of redline monocog hubs id be willing to sell.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/sovos.html
so...I know these are discount hubs and all, but just how crappy are they? I've been wanting to fix a redline monocog and this is the only fixed hub I've found with the required 110mm spacing. If any of ya'll have had experiences with them, how long will they last under city commuting conditions (potholes, jumping curbs, ect...)? At $30 they're cheap as hell, so if they break in 2 months, I won't be out a whole lot.
What do the great gods of the fixed/SS forum decree...

Tim

The Redline is a steel frame, correct? If thats the case, you could simply spread the stays a bit, either just pulling em apart while installing the wheel or having it cold set. Going from 110 to ~116 for the Suzue basic isn't that much. I spread the arse end of my Peugeot when it went singlespeed, ~125 to ~130.

Alternatively, you might be able to reduce the spacer sizing on the Suzue, which is what the black do-hickeys are.....I think

http://www.businesscycles.com/graphics/suzue_sil-sp1.jpg

You should get a decent set of real track nuts if you go with the Suzue's. The included nuts are a pain.

thanks for the info. the sovos and the suzie are about the same price anyway. cheep is good. I'll drop sheldon a line and see what he says about it.

tim

tim- pm me if you decide on the suzue basics. i've got a pair i can part with.

The Suzue basics are great cheap hubs. I've got a set on my fxjunkie and I think they're great hubs. A little rough when new but you can either re-pack em or just ride a few hundred miles and they'll smooth out...

George

Sovos hubs suck, from my experience. Never had them on a fixie, but I did have them on entry-level Treks and Cannondales I used to have. The bearing races lasted less than one season after light to normal use. The problem is the softness of the metal they use which causes pitting. These hubs are no good.

(refer to my subject line here) BUT they may cause you a whole lot of HARM in the process of breaking. (and you should take that to mean anything you want it to, b/c I think all senses of the word apply.) I know of someone who had one who had some serious issues with Sovos (and be aware that's all I know...I don't know what his issues WERE but I know they caused him HARM, and as a result he bought a nicer SURLY hub...). I've got a nice Suzue basic rear hub, and before I even built it up into a wheel I repacked it, and let me tell you, it rides like BUTTA' now (but I acknowledge that it still probably won't last as long as a Surly or something else...). I don't know anything about your spacing issue, tho (i think my frame was at 126mm and the suzues were at 120mm (tho I did't actually measure either), so i actually added a coupla spacers to my hub...), but i think that dobber may have provided you with some good info along those lines...

peace and love and happy riding.

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