Convert Zipp 404 to track rear wheel? Surly Fixxer? Other?
 

I have a set of older Zipp 404s that have set unused for several years. They are tubulars, with the dimples, 24 spokes on the rear. I would like to recommission them for tack use. I know that all I need for the front is an bolt-on skewer. But, how about the rear? Several questions:

Will the Surly Fixxer work with a Zipp hub?

Any other option short of getting a new hub?

If I need to get a new fixed hub what should I get? I prefer flip/flop and need 24 holes.

Any hub that matches the existing Zipp hub and lets me reuse the existing spokes?

Thanks.

If you are considering dual-use for the wheel (track and road) then maybe consider the fixxer (if it's still available). But, if it's gonna be a dedicated track wheel, I'd suggest installing a proper track hub.

There are lots of good track hubs to choose from.

Zipp track hubs are the best I've ever used. Plus the axles are easily removed for packing for travel. This is an overlooked feature for trackies as most track hubs don't have easily removable axles, so they poke out. They use sealed bearings. Only single sided (I think). Expensive but worth it if you have the extra dough to spend.

Dura Ace hubs are the reference. They come single or double sided. They are loose ball. One small downside is that after a couple of years of regular use, the axles will tighten on the bearings every now and then when you install the wheel and will require a cone wrench to reset the tension properly. I think this is because the grip nuts are worn down. Just replace the axle (easy small parts order) and you'll be fine.

Formula hubs are REALLY good and inexpensive. They come in just about any color and hole combination and flip flop. This is by far the best value. Sealed bearings. Easy to find. There are quite a few Formula hubs that are rebranded to other manufacturers like All City.

Campy hubs are really nice, too. Can't recall if they are loose ball or caged ball.

Zipp
 

(1)http://surlybikes.com/files/Fixxer.pdf I don't think so.
(2)Doubtful.
(3)Use carletons recommendations. By flip/flop, do you mean fixed/free or, fixed/fixed?
(4)I assume this is a road hub? No. I doubt any track hub comes close to the dimensions of this hub. Sell it and use the money to buy a new hub and 24 spokes(about a $1 each).

Yeah, if I recall correctly the Fixxer only worked on wheels that basically used a Shimano freehub body. As a quick 101, there are a million different ways that a hub body and a freehub can interface with each other. Some are semi-standard, some are unique to each company, etc. Basically, you can't take any old freehub body and put it on a different brand hub, with some exceptions (some companies have hubs that, for example, "Use DTSwiss internals"). Anyway, so the Fixxer basically replaces Shimano freehub bodies (NOT all freehub bodies that are splined to accept shimano cassettes, but freehub bodies that fit onto Shimano hubs. Capisce?). And I'm pretty sure it doesn't work with Zipp.

I think your best bet for repurposing these wheels is to lace a new hub into the rear wheel. You will need new spokes. Trying to find a hub and a lacing pattern that has the exact same spoke length will be much more trouble than it's worth.

Another option is selling your zipps and getting some track wheels. There are lots of reasonably decent ones for cheap on ebay. you can easily break even.

Great points, thanks all! David K (EsqDavidK)