Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Hubs - Disc front and flip-flop rear

I have plenty of other questions, but I'll try to keep this thread focused on hub selection. The scenario is a fixed/ss that I want a front disc brake on and a flip-flop rear. Don't bother questioning my want for a front brake (think of me as a sissy if need be) or my choice of disc (consider it a religious belief). It'll be a waste of everyone's time. The topics are:


Cup/cone vs. replaceable cartridge bearings
Brands that make matching hubs meeting these criteria

(Surly is the only one I've seen so far)
Quick release rear with chain tensioners such as

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/CH298Z01-Mks+Track+Chain+Tensioners.aspx


At present, I am riding a mtb with road tires and want to get something actually intended for non-mud riding. Also, I want to minimize maintenance time (an extra few bucks a year is a non-issue). Since I barely bother shifting now anyways, fixed/ss seems to be the logical choice. Any comments on the above hub questions would be awesome.

thanks,
-kyle

Can't use chain tensioners with quick release.

Can't use chain tensioners with quick release.



Sure you can, the Surly Tuggnut comes with an adaptor to make it possible, and I bet you could rig one up for any other ones. It just would require a smaller hole in the tensioner. The issue would more be that pretty much any hub you'll find that's going to have cog/lockring threading is going to be bolt on. And generally that's for a reason, it's just easier to avoid slipping and such.

To answer the other questions, generally sealed hold up to grime, water, snow, whatever better than loose ball, but technically don't spin as well. They're pretty much equal as long as you don't mind the up keep of loose ball hubs.

I'm unclear about what hub you're looking for. You're looking for a disk front and then a normal flip/flop (fixed/ss) rear? No need to match the hubs, so you could get anything, but Surly and Phil both make a combo that would look seamless. You could also consider running a SS/Disk hub in the back and getting a drilled out cog to put on the disk side of the hub. Not sure how that would go spacing wise, but I bet you could work it out.

I'm unclear about what hub you're looking for. You're looking for a disk front and then a normal flip/flop (fixed/ss) rear?

exactly. i know they don't need to match, but it would be just as well. originally i was expecting to use a shimano xt disc front (same as i've had on my mtb for a few years) but i had no idea what to get for the rear. it seems that no one can really show that any given hub is better than others since they general don't break anyways. the cartridge bearings even allow you to swap for 'better' bearings in the cheap hubs (potentially). so, i'm stuck with little basis for picking a rear hub except for width (120mm frame is most likely), number spoke holes (probably 32, but...?) and how it looks (which goes back to a 'matched' pair).

as for interest in a quick release rear, it seems that it would make the flip-flop significantly more useful since swapping sides would involve a hex key for the tensioners rather than a pair of regular wrenches for the axle nuts. although, i am assuming that the tensioners not only set the tension, but could maintain the tension enough to compensate for any loss in clamping friction caused by swapping the nuts for a quick release.

Tensioners are more of a PITA than bolt-ons. IMHO.

Tensioners are more of a PITA than bolt-ons. IMHO.

i should have clarified... i have no problem using wrenches in my garage. on the other hand, carrying one teeny little allen with me all the time could allow for quick changes before i ride home from work or such. at least that's what i was thinking. does your opinion still stand in the scenario of away from the toolbox flip-flops?

further, how do you change a flat on your way home with bolt-ons? perhaps a more significant issue than flip-flopping the wheel.

further, how do you change a flat on your way home with bolt-ons? perhaps a more significant issue than flip-flopping the wheel.


http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6898/56mu1.jpg
Surly Jethro Tule

Take a look at Paul Components. I built a front disc wheel with a paul hub and velocity vxc for use with my IRO, but didnt like the disc fork I wanted to use, so I went back to rim brakes.

You can also go with Chris King hubs, but they are expensive, as well as Phil Wood MTB hubs. Although, I dont think that Chris King makes a flip flop rear, Phil does for sure. And they are bulletproof.

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/6898/56mu1.jpg
Surly Jethro Tule

I'll see your Jethro and raise you one Beernut:
http://www.feltracing.com/08/store/default.asp?catid=1563&pid=8795

Hmmm, nobody has mentioned Goldtec as yet.... I'm running one of their flipflop "track" hubs on the rear of my fixed mountainbike. It is very solidly built and smart, is secured with 6mm allenbolts, has fully sealed cartridge bearings that are silky smooth and the axle can be swapped from 120mm to 130mm to 135mm using a spacer and axle kit :) They also make all sorts of other hubs, including disc specific front hubs.

I rate them highly.

www.betd.co.uk/ if I remember correctly...

JoeFish :)