"Sealed Bearing" hubs?
01-26-10, 04:46 PM
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"Sealed Bearing" hubs?
I'm making a set of wheels for a tour this summer, with CR18s and 36 spokes. in the parts bin I have a set of LF Campy Record, the old Shimano 600 freewheel hubs with cup/cone bearings, and a set of Sunshine Gyromasters that take industrial made-up standardized bearings, with seals. These are all used hubs, and I'll be on a bike with 126 mm OLD and friction shifting. I'm NOT getting a new frame for this.
How important is it to have seals for bike hub bearings? For years I thought seals don't matter much, but I have had some nasty results from sand combined with rain and wind. Rebuilding hubs is not my preferred field activity.
How important is it to have seals for bike hub bearings? For years I thought seals don't matter much, but I have had some nasty results from sand combined with rain and wind. Rebuilding hubs is not my preferred field activity.
01-26-10, 05:55 PM
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I've never had to deal with sand, but plenty of water.
Seals make the amount of time between required overhauls quite a bit longer. That said, modern grease tends to hold up to contaminants better than the old stuff used to.
Experiences are going to vary by region, but I find that unsealed components hold up fine for at least a season after being rebuilt with quality grease. Especially if the bike has fenders. (Most do around here.)
Seals make the amount of time between required overhauls quite a bit longer. That said, modern grease tends to hold up to contaminants better than the old stuff used to.
Experiences are going to vary by region, but I find that unsealed components hold up fine for at least a season after being rebuilt with quality grease. Especially if the bike has fenders. (Most do around here.)
01-26-10, 06:31 PM
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I generally prefer standard (open) cup and cone designs because of the ease and low cost of maintenance. It's a few minutes to fieldstrip, check and if needed relube these hubs.
In my many miles experience as an all weather rider, I've found that the seals do a better job keeping water in than out. Moreover, if I have a reason to be concerned there's no simple way to check for water contamination.
That said, If you're not someone who does their own service, cartridge bearings may be more practical for you.
In my many miles experience as an all weather rider, I've found that the seals do a better job keeping water in than out. Moreover, if I have a reason to be concerned there's no simple way to check for water contamination.
That said, If you're not someone who does their own service, cartridge bearings may be more practical for you.
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01-26-10, 06:55 PM
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shimano 600 hubs don't have the best of seals and it's really just this one piece of rubber that keeps it sealed.
the ones with the nice metal maze dust caps and rubber seals are on newer 105 and ultegra bits.
the ones with the nice metal maze dust caps and rubber seals are on newer 105 and ultegra bits.
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01-26-10, 08:32 PM
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The seals on cup and cone hubs as well as the radial bearinged ones are basicly dust seals and not designed to keep out water. I think I would go with the shimano 600s. I do prefer freehubs because of the fact that the axle is cantarlevered too far out on the drive side of a freewheel hub. This leads to bending and breaking.
01-26-10, 09:53 PM
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The seals on cup and cone hubs as well as the radial bearinged ones are basicly dust seals and not designed to keep out water. I think I would go with the shimano 600s. I do prefer freehubs because of the fact that the axle is cantarlevered too far out on the drive side of a freewheel hub. This leads to bending and breaking.
01-27-10, 12:04 AM
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Depends how heavy you are, how heavy the bike loaded is, and how much weight you're putting on the rear wheel. If you're a light rider, not loading anything on the rear and know how to ride - they're probably fine. Anything else and you're trading a gamble on reliability.
01-27-10, 07:30 AM
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Either the Record or the Shimano 600s will serve you well. Folks have been racing, training and even doing loaded touring on these for years with no problems of reliability. Your real concern in making this decision is the availability of freewheels. If you have or can source a decent freewheel for your needs, go ahead and build the wheel with either of these classic (and classy) hubs.
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01-27-10, 04:31 PM
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Either the Record or the Shimano 600s will serve you well. Folks have been racing, training and even doing loaded touring on these for years with no problems of reliability. Your real concern in making this decision is the availability of freewheels. If you have or can source a decent freewheel for your needs, go ahead and build the wheel with either of these classic (and classy) hubs.
01-27-10, 07:51 PM
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Otherwise the complete aftermarket availability, or any availability of spare axles is completely superfluous. Come on.
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