Bicycle Mechanics - Nylock Cones, Such a Thing?

Just had a wierd thought.
Why not invent nylock cones? As opposed to the current cone-with-locknut system?
Then there'd be no need for cone wrenches...

waste of time

Nice idea, but probably not reliable enough over the long haul. There are systems out there that don't use cone wrenches, and the trend is away from the classic threaded steel axle and cones, but in the meanwhile, the nut and locknut design is time tested and about as bulletproof reliable as you could hope for.

BTW- if you'd like to test your theory, I have some nylon anti-vibration for threads that works like Nylock, and I can send you a sample to experiment with.

Ah, so it doesn't exist.

That's true, nylon does wear out.
Though I'd imagine that with such a system the ease of adjustment and installation would mean having to replace the cones once in a while isn't a big deal.

I'd be more apt to change my grease and bearings more frequently if I didn't have to deal with the cone wrenches and all....

Ah, so it doesn't exist.

That's true, nylon does wear out.
Though I'd imagine that with such a system the ease of adjustment and installation would mean having to replace the cones once in a while isn't a big deal.

I'd be more apt to change my grease and bearings more frequently if I didn't have to deal with the cone wrenches and all....

If they did exist, I expect they would not be re-usable. You would have to replace them at every overhaul.

There is always Red Loctite. You could dispense with the locknuts and cone wrenches but you'd need a heat gun or propane torch for every overhaul.:)

Cheap Wald/steel hubs did this (think late 70's early 80's Open Road/Free Spirit). They used compression cones and no locknuts on the front hub. It didn't work.


That's true, nylon does wear out.

It doesn't wear out but it does compress and is to only be used once wear nylock nuts are called for.

Jam nut pairs when properly tightened against each other, don't come loose .
I prefer my threaded forks left long enough , So I can use a thru threaded Nut to jam tight against my Top headset race , then spacers and what ever above that is no detriment to it staying tight.

Just had a wierd thought.
Why not invent nylock cones? As opposed to the current cone-with-locknut system?
Then there'd be no need for cone wrenches...

Older British bikes don't have locknuts on the cones, either. The axle nuts hold the cone adjustment in place. Of course, if you remove the wheel you need to readjust the bearings, but that's how they work.

Wait, what was the problem being solved?