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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Track Components on the Road

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IronHorse

06-29-04, 04:10 AM

I'm considering replacing the singlespeed MTB I use for commuting with something a bit more roadie.
I was wondering what people's experiances have been of using track-orientated hubs etc. (e.g. Miche) for commuting, especially throught the rain and road salt of British winters.

Thanks in advance,
IH

commander_taco

06-29-04, 07:59 AM

I would avoid campagnolo hubs. There reason being this: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/record-track.html

If you commute in rain then sealed hubs are the way to go. Unsealed hubs, like many track hubs, are fine too except you may have to do more maintenance.

goatmeal

06-29-04, 08:05 AM

I have heard bad things about the Miche hubs and thier winter durability. The same can be said of the entry level suzue, which I had to repack after 2 months of winter riding here in Minnesota (which is quite snowy/salty/wet). Follow taco's advice with the sealed hubs, I would recommend suzue, or suzue promax for winter riding. Both forementioned hubs are not extremely expensive and have sealed bearings. Just don't sink oodles of moolah into the wheels, because no hub will survive forever in such winter conditions.

Phil

IronHorse

06-29-04, 08:07 AM

I wonder if I'd be best advised to find a 135mm spaced frame and use some off-road rated hubs (e.g. Kogswell).

sohi

06-29-04, 08:23 AM

I wonder if I'd be best advised to find a 135mm spaced frame and use some off-road rated hubs (e.g. Kogswell).

I can also recommend the goldtech track hub. If you can live with the colour its a very durable hub. My
main problem in london isnt the rain but the bad roads. I bent the axle of my suzue hub after
a few weeks. the goldtech hub has an oversized axle that is only tapered at the ends where it meets
the dropouts.
since you live in london you can get one from condor cycles. Are you sure salt and rain are such a problem ?
I dont remember ice or snow on the road this winter except for one day. and I havent used my rain
jacket for ages until last week.
winter looks like this to me :)

http://s2.enemy.org/~sooshee/bike/bike1.jpg

IronHorse

06-29-04, 08:41 AM

Are you sure salt and rain are such a problem ?

I've no idea if it'll be a problem, that's why I'm asking for advice :)