bleedingapple

So i have searched around with no luck. i am wondering if anyone has tried this, switching the cones and bearings and using a 10mm axle instead of a 9mm. I am interested in this for a shimano front hub. I was also thing maybe taking the cones from say an earlier generation of XT or LX hubs. If i remember right there was a time the shells were still small but the axle was 10mm. thanks for the input.

ThermionicScott 

Why?

joejack951

I bought a used Cannondale MTB that had a "new" (to the bike) front wheel installed. That wheel must have been a bike shop special as it had a 10mm axle, which caused me quite a bit of confusion when I loosened the quick release only to find the wheel still quite secure in the fork. Dropout openings are around 9.5mm; you do the math.

I ended up having a machinist friend turn down the ends on the axle to 9mm so that it easily fit the fork. At the time, this was easier than finding a new set of cones and an axle, but not everyone has a machinist and a lathe at their disposal.

fietsbob

Why Indeed .. Front Hubs dont use 1/4" balls so the cones and races in the hub wont match.

seems like you should replace the axle to what the standard size Is.


FWIW, I've been using a Sturmey drum brake hub-set for almost 30 years
a solid 9mm axle front and rear..

reptilezs

a shimano m475 disc hubs has a 10mm thread with machined ends that are 9mm. atleast they used to

JohnDThompson 

The original Shimano XT off-road hubs from about 1980 or so used a 10mm solid front axle with flats milled so it could fit into a standard 9mm fork end. The cones and cups were shaped for 3/16" balls. I suspect the OP has a hub like this. That said, some tandem-duty front hubs also used 10mm axles and might work for the OP, although some work might be needed to get the axle to fit a standard fork end.

bleedingapple

I love the why question. Because i like the comfort of strength a 10mm front axle offers me. that and it seems like a fun thing to try out. I also ask cause i found out years ago that the m756 hubs from shimano use 10mm axles machined down. however, when i switched them to solid 10mm and put them in my surly karate monkey fork they fit fine. i have a different bike now but with a surly fork (not a karate monkey fork mind you and i have been too busy to go check the size) and would like a 10mm front. Im 230lbs and am not gentle on my stuff so...

fietsbob

If really concerned , maybe a BF though-axle will suit. or a solid nut fixed axle.

bleedingapple

BF? i wanted to go 10mm nutted.

Booger1

If 10mm is good..... 15mm or 19mm is even better.Buy a hub with a thru axle and you can have a giant axle.