michaelmc

I'm planning on having some new wheels handbuilt for incoming bike, Open Pros laced to some sort of Campy hub. The rest of the bike will probably be Veloce (similar to Centaur, but more affordable; I can live with the minute weight gain). According to the Campy website, the Centaur and Veloce hubs are equivalent in weight, and the only difference in description is that Centaur has "one-piece light alloy freewheel body" while Veloce says "light alloy freewheel body." The Chorus/Record hubs are significantly lighter.

My question is: is the difference of 134 grams worth the extra expense? Will the Chorus/Record hubs roll smoother/last longer/etc?

cuda2k

The 2006 Cenatur hubs are a great deal for the price according to the research I've done. I'll probably end up holding off on a hub purchase and go for the more expensive H1 hubs when the time comes. But if I was buying right now, I'd probably go Centuar.

michaelmc

But is there any real difference between Centaur and Veloce hubs?

cuda2k

I believe they use different bearing types. let me see if I can dig up some information on them. Its been a few weeks since I looked at them each.

cuda2k

Heres some info from: https://www.branfordbike.com/hub/hub01.html

Campagnolo Record Hubs:

Campagnolo Record, Chorus and Centaur hubs use oversized aluminum alloy axles, adjustable 5/32 ball bearings and feather light, one piece alloy shells. All three models are exceptionally easy to overhaul, adjust and maintain. All parts are replaceable and most are interchangeable between the three models.
The Record hub set differs from Chorus and Centaur by virtue of a grease port built into the center of the hub and a titanium pawl carrier on the cassette or freehub body. Record quick release skewers have a cut out chromed steel handle and lightweight alloy end caps with "D" rings.
The Chorus hub set differs from Centaur because it has an alloy lock nut versus the Centaur black nylon lock nut. Bearings, freehub body, axle and hub shell are identical to Centaur. Chorus quick release skewers lack the Record style cut out chromed steel handle but have the lightweight alloy end caps.
Except for the axle lock nut and quick release skewers, the Centaur hubs are identical to Chorus. The skewers are chromed steel and come with plastic covered, steel end caps.
Record, Chorus and Centaur hubs use 5/32 grade 25 ball bearings in amber retainers. You may replace the ball bearings with Le Tour loose balls but it is important to reuse the retainers. The amber retainers are designed to constantly wipe the surface of the ball bearings to keep them clean and well lubricated.
A Record rear hub with a skewer weighs just 316 grams. A Chorus rear hub tips the scales at 326 grams while a Centaur weighs in at just 332 grams.
A Record front hub with a skewer weighs just 181 grams. A Chorus front hub tips the scales at 180 grams while a Centaur weighs in at just 200 grams.
Record, Chorus and Centaur rear hubs have an inside dropout face to inside dropout face width of 130mm. They will work fine with 7, 8, 9 and 10 speed drivetrains.
You may use various spacing kits on Record, Chorus and Centaur rear hubs in conjunction with a loose cog Campagnolo 9 speed cassette to accommodate 7, 8 and 9 speed Campagnolo and Shimano shifting systems.
Record, Chorus and Centaur rear hubs come with a 27.0 cassette lock ring. Use a Park BBT-5 tool to tighten or loosen the cassette lock ring.
Record, Chorus and Centaur front hubs have an inside fork tip to inside for tip measurement of 100mm.


We suggest using Le Tour Whisper White grease and the Le Tour Grease Gun for lubricating Campagnolo hubs.
Genuine Campagnolo replacement parts are available below.
Made in Italy by Campagnolo and backed with a three year warranty.
Warranty service and help with technical questions is available from Campagnolo USA in Carlsbad, California USA. Call Campagnolo USA at (760) 931-0106, e-mail them at Info@CampagnoloUSA.com or visit them at Campagnolo.com by clicking on the underlined text .
Official product manuals and more product information is also available at Campagnolo.com .
The product manuals may be downloaded. They are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher to read or print.

Campagnolo Veloce


Campagnolo Veloce front and rear hubs


Campagnolo Veloce hubs are ideal for commuting, touring or cycle cross. The rear hub has an oversized hollow steel axle that is rigid and tough. It will easily support a 200 pound rider and fully loaded panniers.
Oversized, sealed, rear hub, cartridge bearings spin smoothly and never need re-greasing. They are usually good for 10,000 miles and can easily be replaced.
A set of well chromed quick release skewers that once graced Record hubs are now standard equipment on Veloce hubs.
The Veloce front hub employs conventional 3/16 loose ball bearings and a standard 9 x 1 x 26 tpi threaded axle.
A Veloce rear hub with a skewer weighs just 458 grams.
A Veloce front hub with a skewer weighs just 249 grams.
Veloce rear hubs have an inside dropout face to inside dropout face width of 130mm. They will work fine with 7, 8, 9 and 10 speed drivetrains.
You may use various spacing kits on Veloce rear hubs in conjunction with a loose cog Campagnolo 9 speed cassette to accommodate 7, 8 and 9 speed Campagnolo and Shimano shifting systems.
Veloce rear hubs come with a 27.0 cassette lock ring. Use a Park BBT-5 tool to tighten or loosen the cassette lock ring.
Veloce front hubs have an inside fork tip to inside for tip measurement of 100mm.
We suggest using Le Tour Whisper White grease and the Le Tour Grease Gun for lubricating Campagnolo hubs.
Genuine Campagnolo replacement parts are available below.
Made in Italy by Campagnolo and backed with a three year warranty.
Warranty service and help with technical questions is available from Campagnolo USA in Carlsbad, California USA. Call Campagnolo USA at (760) 931-0106, e-mail them at Info@CampagnoloUSA.com or visit them at Campagnolo.com by clicking on the underlined text .
Official product manuals and more product information is also available at Campagnolo.com .
The product manuals may be downloaded. They are in Adobe PDF format and require Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher to read or print.

CastIron

If you are having hand laced wheels, then I'll suggest you pay the freight for the best you can get. I've got Dura-Ace hubs from the 80's (7400 series) that still run just as smooth as ever.