Do any of you know of a source for replacement bearing cones for Shimano FH08 (front and rear) tandem hubs? My local bike shops are having trouble finding them.

My parallel experience has been in trying to find cones for my XTR M950 rear hub. Within three years of building the wheel, it seemed obsolete. Local bike shops found a couple of "close" fits for the right cone, but not tight enough to seal up the hub. They didn't last long compared with the original. I found some replacements in England, and finally sucked it up and ordered three since I was paying a boatload for shipping. They apologized and said they only had two in stock and probably wouldn't be getting any more. I'm not a fan of this part of Shimano's marketing strategy.

Suggestions? Search the internet and hope for the best and close your eyes to the prices. Let's hope someone "local" has a better answer, as I've got the tandem hubs too.

One more thought: Posting this in the Bike Mechanics forum will reach a larger audience of "techies." Finding replacement cones spreads across the entire spectrum of bicycling niches. :-) (Plus right now I'm in the "It's all about me. I want an answer too!" mood. :-)

sounds like another reason to go with sealed bearings........

Which we have on the tandem and commuter, but not on my other bikes.

I can't believe that these parts aren't available. This is the most common tandem hub sold. I have 4 of these hubs myself.
Check with Mel at Tandems East or one of the the other tandem only shops. They should have answers.

I read somewhere that the cones and hub internals are the same as the XT Mountain Hub parts

In response to my own post, my LBS did finally come through. Greggs Greenlake Cycles in Seattle successfully special ordered the cones for me.