Classic & Vintage - 600 Tri-color Hubs. Should I build a wheelset with them?

I've done some searching and didn't quite find the answer. I have an opportunity to buy a pair of Shimano 600 Tri-color hubs for $50 in very good condition complete with skewers. The rear is a cassette hub. I'm assuming this is a Uniglide body. Is that correct? If so, I would want to convert this to Hyperglide, right? Is that an expensive or labor intensive operation?

I would want to use an 8 or 9 speed cassette with a 30-32t large cog. I would build these up with Open Pros or other high-quality clinchers and DB spokes.

Is this advisable or should I just look for another hubset?

What is the model number? 6401 was 7s HG, and 6402 is modern 8/9/10s HG. There may be an earlier UG hub, but I think only Dura-Ace was UG. They are really nice hubs.

Unfortunately I don't know the model number. I haven't laid eyes on them. They are for sale at a friend's LBS and he offered to pick them up for me. I have heard that the Tri-color stuff is pretty high quality and I need a hubset so. . .

Actually, I have two sets of Tricolor hubs that came as uniglide. Uniglide is sort of like 8-track. It's a dead end and requires a Uniglide cluster.

I assumed they were Uniglide, but I thought you could convert them. What I don't know is how expensive it is to do so. I guess I'm looking for a recommendation of whether or not it's worth it.

I've got a 600 tri-color hub in the rear and it spins smooooth. It's a HG hub too.

I've got a few wheelsets using these hubs and I wouldn't particularly worry whether they were UG or HG; UG cassettes are not that scarce.

How easy is to find one with a 30t or 32t big cog? Does UG shift as well as HG?

I have two 600 rears, one is UG and one is HG, both 7-spd and at 126mm. You'll need to swap the freehub body and ideally, the axle to go 130mm. But Sheldon Brown's site stated it's doable with the original axle. Cost depends on where you source the 8-10 spd body. One kit just sold on ebay yesterday for $7 complete with road and mtb spacers and dust caps. High side about $35. If you have a co-op nearby, check the bins for a donor freehub body.
And yes, the 600 hubs are very nice quality. But in the end it may be wiser to buy a new set of hubs at $85.

Oh, and HG is better than UG. But does it matter? Probably not enough. UG should have came in 30 and 32t....I have a UG freewheel (not cassette) with a 32t low.

I've got a few wheelsets using these hubs and I wouldn't particularly worry whether they were UG or HG; UG cassettes are not that scarce.

True, but you are going to be limited to 7-speed. That's where Uniglide stopped. I actually have used my Uniglide wheels for single speed conversions.

I asked my friend to check the model number when he's there. I'm not going to shell out money for a UG cassette when HG cassettes are better AND cheaper.

I have a set of the 6401 UG-only model. All that is needed to swap on a HG cassette body is a donor cassette and some tools. If you are swapping from 7-speed to 8-speed, a longer axle may also be required. It's a very simple operation, and I'd vote that you buy the hubs whether they are HG or UG.

I'm pretty sure Sheldon Brown has the instructions for the swap on the site somewhere.

With a later hub like the tricolor (usually something in the 6400 series) there's a fair chance that it's both UG and HG compatible so don't just look at threads for the last cog. The freehub bodies which are compatible with both will have threads for the last cog AND the inside threads for a HG lockring (along with a keyed spline). Here's a comparison pic shamelessly stolen from Sheldon Brown:

+1 Quick way to tell is to check the dust cap, the UG only is a flush plastic one.

My friend reported back with pics. The rear hub is FH-6402 and the front is HB-6400. The freehub body is like that in the middle of the photo cinco posted. It's HG that is UG compatible. The hubs are without skewers, but I'm still going to buy them. They're 32h which is what I'm after. A build with DT double butted spokes, brass nipples and Open Pros should be a winner.

Thanks all for your help.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100082/IMG_3059/web.jpg?ver=12983140420001

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100082/IMG_3060/web.jpg?ver=12983140970001

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100082/IMG_3061/web.jpg?ver=12983141860001

I have the earlier 600 hubs, and I love them.

So now I need to make a decision on a cassette. The only cassette hub I've used is a recent 105 hub with an 8 sp SRAM cassette. I'll be using a modern Ultegra long cage RD and Simplex Retrofriction shifters as bar ends. What are the arguments for 8sp or 9sp? Shimano or SRAM?

Thanks!

1-Great hubs. Only use them if you want to roll away from folks on the downhills.
2-SRAM 9sp would be my choice. A little more delicate in the shifting, but I've always liked to run a tight seven and two for hills.

Those hubs are ready for 9-speed. I like Shimano XT cassettes, they are quieter than SRAM and shift a little better too, IMO.

Ok. I guess I could go with:

SRAM PC-970: 11,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32
Shimano HG61: 11,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32

The Shimano is about an ounce lighter and about 60% more expensive.

Alternatively, I could go with a SRAM PG-850: 11,12,14,16,18,21,26,32

None of these options really appeal to me. I'll be using a 48/34 double and I don't see myself using a 117 inch gear. I just don't need it.

If I had my druthers, I think I'd go with the following:

8 speed: 13,15,18,20,22,24,28,32
9 speed: 13,15,18,19,20,22,24,28,32

I've got a few wheelsets using these hubs and I wouldn't particularly worry whether they were UG or HG; UG cassettes are not that scarce.


Where can i find 7 speed uniglide cassettes? I've been searching, and all i ever find are expensive DA ones on ebay.

-rob

I have 600 hubs on my Waterford Paramount. Originally I had 7 speed UG, I bought a single HG hub on ebay then switched the axle and freehub. I think they are very nice hubs, no issues so far anyway.

Anyone buy one of those cheap new STX/Acera 7 speed freehub bodies on eBay?

Anyone buy one of those cheap new STX/Acera 7 speed freehub bodies on eBay?

You can get the same ones from a variety of online reatialers (jenson, treefort) for typically >$17. Seems like they cost a twin plus shipping on e-prey. I think i have one on my mt60 hub; works fine. I'm about to order one for an old 105 UG hub i have, but i think i'd rather find some cheap UG cassettes in the 12-28 rANge or something.......

-rob

Colonel,

Nice condition, too bad the skewers are missing though. IMHO, the sculpted and polished levers are very appealing.
BTW, which Ultegra long cage are you planning to use? If it's a 6500 GS, you may have trouble with a 32t according to Shimano.
I picked one up for an alpine geared cassette, but only to read in the included literature, max range is 27t. ?!? See pic...
Disregard if you have a different broader ranged model.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj229/WNG555/bikes/53166dbe.jpg

Yeah, too bad about the skewers. I'm probably overpaying considering, but that's ok. Win some; lose some. I have a pair of Ultegra skewers I could use or I could pick up some of the VO skewers. They're not expensive.

I too am using the 6500 GS. I was using it with an 11-28 8 speed cassette previously with a 46/30 double. I have seen threads where other posters have had success using the 6500 GS with a 32t max cog. I'm going to buy the SRAM 8sp 11-30t cassette.
http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100108/Schwinn%20Voyageur%206/web.jpg?ver=12831821720001

Be aware that your freehub is 6- and 7-speed only. Shimano technically made one freehub body length for 6, one for 7, and another for 8, 9, and 10. If you want to go more modern than a 7-speed HG casette you'll have to replace the freehub body. It's not terribly difficult if you have a modern freehub body laying around and access to a 10mm (if I recall) allen wrench. Also, if the splines on your freehub body extend all the way to the outside end of the freehub (can't quite tell from the pic) you won't be able to fit a casette with an 11-tooth small cog. That's not an issue with the 8, 9, 10 freehub body. I've been dealing with a lot of this stuff lately and it's somewhat annoying - wait until you find out that they used two different freehub body mount designs.

For anyone who doesn't get grumpy when dealing with Shimano freehubs, Sheldon's page will explain why I do :): http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html

Be aware that your freehub is 6- and 7-speed only.

No, FH-6402 is 8/9/10 speed compatible.

I have a 6402 hub and a 9 speed cassette is definitely NOT compatible. cinco is correct

Thanks for the heads up!

Edit: This (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html#897) article seems to imply that I could just remove the 11t cog from the SRAM 8 11-30t cassette I planned on buying. Can anyone confirm this? I'm not going to use it anyway.

I'm not interested in 9 or 10 speed cassettes because they are more expensive, require a more expensive chain and are not available with a 30t large cog.

I have a bunch of UG cogs and 6 speed spacers. If any one has some worn out 7 speed UG cassettes, shoot me a PM.

+1 Quick way to tell is to check the dust cap, the UG only is a flush plastic one.

Not true. Some HG hubs have flush UG style caps. The only sure fire wa to tel is to look for the external wide spline and to pop out the dust cap (if its flush) an check for threading.

Does anyone know the freehub replacement part I need to order?

This Shimano 8 speed freehub body (FH-RM30)?

http://img1.qbp.com/6SPsvm45/prodl/FW8381.jpg

This 105 5500, Sora 9 speed freehub body?

http://img1.qbp.com/6SPsvm45/prodl/FW2010.jpg

Either one? I'm only going to run an 8 speed cassette.

I have a 6402 hub and a 9 speed cassette is definitely NOT compatible. cinco is correct

I recently sold my wheel with a 9s cassette, so can't take a picture. Here is a Shimano document saying it is 8/9/10 HG compatible:


http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/tech_support/tech_tips.download.-Par50rparsys-0034-downloadFile.html/07%29%20Hub%20Specs.pdf

Not true. Some HG hubs have flush UG style caps. The only sure fire wa to tel is to look for the external wide spline and to pop out the dust cap (if its flush) an check for threading.

Good to know, thanks for the heads up, Jim!

Hmm. I guess I'll find out if it'll take an 8s SRAM cassette by actually putting one on it. I'm not understanding how it wouldn't work, cinco and cmill189. Please clarify.

Does anyone know the freehub replacement part I need to order?


This 105 5500, Sora 9 speed freehub body?

http://img1.qbp.com/6SPsvm45/prodl/FW2010.jpg

Either one? I'm only going to run an 8 speed cassette.


The 2nd one is the correct one.

The 1st one came later. Caused a lot of confusion.

Hmm. I guess I'll find out if it'll take an 8s SRAM cassette by actually putting one on it. I'm not understanding how it wouldn't work, cinco and cmill189. Please clarify.

If the hub won't take an 8 speed cassette, which I am not certain of, by the way, it would be because the freehub body is a 7-speed version. The 7-speed body is a few mm shorter than the 8-speed. A swap could easily be done. I'd be happy to send you one for the cost of shipping.

I'm new to these hubs, but it does look like the 6402 freehub body is longer than that of the 6401. I should have the hub in hand tomorrow and can measure it. Thanks for the offer, Champion City. I'll definitely take you up on it if this hub doesn't accept an 8s cassette.

http://gallery.me.com/justinhughes/100082/IMG_3061/web.jpg?ver=12983141860001

Correction and apologies for the confusion; I have a 6401 not 6402 as I previously stated. A 9 speed cassette will slide right on but is too wide.