Solid front axle, threads, what the?
#1
Solid front axle, threads, what the?
Maybe it's purely psychological, but I don't like quick release. It seems like the front skewer is the jesus bolt of the bike. I know this is not a widely held view, but bear with me.
So I looked closely at a front hub in my box and concluded that it's a 9x1 mm thread. I ordered a 9x1 mm rear axle and cut it to appropriate length for the front. So far so good.
The cones from my wheel don't fit on the new axle! The threads don't match, though the diameters are the same. And the cones are definitely not 10 mm, 3/8 inch, or 5/16 inch, which might be other possible standards.
They're some screwy thread. What gives? It was a spare hub from who knows where, that seemed to be in good condition.
So I looked closely at a front hub in my box and concluded that it's a 9x1 mm thread. I ordered a 9x1 mm rear axle and cut it to appropriate length for the front. So far so good.
The cones from my wheel don't fit on the new axle! The threads don't match, though the diameters are the same. And the cones are definitely not 10 mm, 3/8 inch, or 5/16 inch, which might be other possible standards.
They're some screwy thread. What gives? It was a spare hub from who knows where, that seemed to be in good condition.
#2
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From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Hub threads are one of 3 common pitches. 1mm, 24tpi and 26tpi. There are probably some others, but these are the most common.
Odds are your axle is 24tpi, though vintage European could easily be 26tpi.
Get a ruler and count the threads of the original axle, over 1/2" and you'll know. Or simply compar to see if the pitch is slightly closer or wider than the 1mm on the new axle.
Odds are your axle is 24tpi, though vintage European could easily be 26tpi.
Get a ruler and count the threads of the original axle, over 1/2" and you'll know. Or simply compar to see if the pitch is slightly closer or wider than the 1mm on the new axle.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#3
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From: City of Brotherly Love
Bikes: Raleigh Companion, Nashbar Touring, Novara DiVano, Trek FX 7.1, Giant Upland
What country and decade is your hub from? Being that your axle has been removed you can get a better measurement.
#4
Hub is "Excel." Never heard of it. I'm betting it's one of the two English dimensions, maybe 26. The hub is back on the bike already, but I will probably look for another junker hub to scavenge cones from.
Update: Wheel #2 , on my "fun" bike is a success. So, that other hub must just be an oddball.
Update: Wheel #2 , on my "fun" bike is a success. So, that other hub must just be an oddball.
Last edited by Gresp15C; 11-13-14 at 07:06 AM.
#5
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From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Further point of confusion. I've not seen any rear axles that are 9mm in diameter. Lots that are 9.5mm, or 3/8", in diameter though. Mixing and matching hub parts without the ALL pieces in hand is a crap shoot. When a wheel comes into the shop and the customer is asking for cones or axles I ask who is going to do the work. If they are then I tell them to come back with everything taken apart and cleaned up. Only then will I have the ability to truly compare and pick replacements. Andy.
#6
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Second point. There was an odd hub back in the day labeled Excell which had it's own dimensional specs. Including odd sized balls. Good luck. Andy.
#7
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Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Well, from a mechanical standpoint, a properly tightened qr skewer is inherently safer than a nutted axle since it can't spontaneously loosen. A nut can vibrate loose but a skewer goes "over center" as it is tightened and the force needed to open it actually increases for the first part of the lever travel. Properly used (emphasis on properly) qr skewers have a stellar safety and reliability record.
#8
Further point of confusion. I've not seen any rear axles that are 9mm in diameter. Lots that are 9.5mm, or 3/8", in diameter though. Mixing and matching hub parts without the ALL pieces in hand is a crap shoot. When a wheel comes into the shop and the customer is asking for cones or axles I ask who is going to do the work. If they are then I tell them to come back with everything taken apart and cleaned up. Only then will I have the ability to truly compare and pick replacements. Andy.
Wheels Manufacturing AXLE-14
I figured the only thing "rear" about it was the length, and I cut it down to 142 mm, after measuring the outer dimensions of my bikes and adding the thickness of the nuts, which have floating serrated washers.
But I agree with the crap shoot bit.
Well, from a mechanical standpoint, a properly tightened qr skewer is inherently safer than a nutted axle since it can't spontaneously loosen. A nut can vibrate loose but a skewer goes "over center" as it is tightened and the force needed to open it actually increases for the first part of the lever travel. Properly used (emphasis on properly) qr skewers have a stellar safety and reliability record.
Anyway, I don't have enough knowledge or evidence to weigh into a debate on this, so it's just my own personal pursuit. I've certainly never experienced a skewer failure myself, or even heard of such a thing.
#9
Oddly enough, I searched high and low for a solid front axle, and ended up with this product:
Wheels Manufacturing AXLE-14
I figured the only thing "rear" about it was the length, and I cut it down to 142 mm, after measuring the outer dimensions of my bikes and adding the thickness of the nuts, which have floating serrated washers.
But I agree with the crap shoot bit.
My thought process is that a single point failure of the skewer results in a crash, especially since neither of my bikes has lawyer lips. On the other hand, two nuts would have to both fail in order for the wheel to fall off. Failure of a single nut would result in reduction of function, but not a crash.
Anyway, I don't have enough knowledge or evidence to weigh into a debate on this, so it's just my own personal pursuit. I've certainly never experienced a skewer failure myself, or even heard of such a thing.
Wheels Manufacturing AXLE-14
I figured the only thing "rear" about it was the length, and I cut it down to 142 mm, after measuring the outer dimensions of my bikes and adding the thickness of the nuts, which have floating serrated washers.
But I agree with the crap shoot bit.
My thought process is that a single point failure of the skewer results in a crash, especially since neither of my bikes has lawyer lips. On the other hand, two nuts would have to both fail in order for the wheel to fall off. Failure of a single nut would result in reduction of function, but not a crash.
Anyway, I don't have enough knowledge or evidence to weigh into a debate on this, so it's just my own personal pursuit. I've certainly never experienced a skewer failure myself, or even heard of such a thing.
#11
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I figured the only thing "rear" about it was the length
Outliers Exist, I own a Sturmey Archer Freewheel Drum Brake Hub it is a 9mm solid axle, like the Front.
Last edited by fietsbob; 11-13-14 at 02:54 PM.
#13
The axle was what emerged from my search. I still haven't found a complete front axle set with a solid axle plus all of the accouterments.
From the manufacturer who made the 9x1 mm axle, it looks like 9 x 26tpi is "Campagnolo" style, so I am honored to have a cheap clone of "Campagnolo" rather than a cheap clone of "Shimano."
Last edited by Gresp15C; 11-13-14 at 04:42 PM.
#14
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Of course I cannot see a thing ..
Generically a rear hub tends to use 1/4" balls a front smaller ones like say 3/16. 5/32" the cones differ as a result + the axle diameter.
I found the 'Wheels'for Campagnolo to last longer than Tulio's Originals .. perhaps the old Italians tempered them too hard .
the Upstart Colorado company left a little ductility in the temper.
Generically a rear hub tends to use 1/4" balls a front smaller ones like say 3/16. 5/32" the cones differ as a result + the axle diameter.
I found the 'Wheels'for Campagnolo to last longer than Tulio's Originals .. perhaps the old Italians tempered them too hard .
the Upstart Colorado company left a little ductility in the temper.
#15
Of course I cannot see a thing ..
Generically a rear hub tends to use 1/4" balls a front smaller ones like say 3/16. 5/32" the cones differ as a result + the axle diameter.
I found the 'Wheels'for Campagnolo to last longer than Tulio's Originals .. perhaps the old Italians tempered them too hard .
the Upstart Colorado company left a little ductility in the temper.
Generically a rear hub tends to use 1/4" balls a front smaller ones like say 3/16. 5/32" the cones differ as a result + the axle diameter.
I found the 'Wheels'for Campagnolo to last longer than Tulio's Originals .. perhaps the old Italians tempered them too hard .
the Upstart Colorado company left a little ductility in the temper.
#16
aka Tom Reingold




Joined: Jan 2009
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
I realize this is just a personal pursuit, so if this gets too difficult, I suggest you give up. Learn how to use a skewer properly, and you won't have an accident. Millions of people have been using them for decades. I ground the lawyer lips off my bike, because I already have an ingrained habit of using the skewer properly, and I don't like unscrewing the skewer after flipping the lever. I feel safe.
If you do find an axle onto which your cones fit, then fine. I don't have any reason to advise against a solid axle. They work just as well. I have solid axles and nuts on some of my bikes. I have to remember to carry a wrench in my tool kit when I ride one of them.
If you do find an axle onto which your cones fit, then fine. I don't have any reason to advise against a solid axle. They work just as well. I have solid axles and nuts on some of my bikes. I have to remember to carry a wrench in my tool kit when I ride one of them.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#17
I realize this is just a personal pursuit, so if this gets too difficult, I suggest you give up. Learn how to use a skewer properly, and you won't have an accident. Millions of people have been using them for decades. I ground the lawyer lips off my bike, because I already have an ingrained habit of using the skewer properly, and I don't like unscrewing the skewer after flipping the lever. I feel safe.
If you do find an axle onto which your cones fit, then fine. I don't have any reason to advise against a solid axle. They work just as well. I have solid axles and nuts on some of my bikes. I have to remember to carry a wrench in my tool kit when I ride one of them.
If you do find an axle onto which your cones fit, then fine. I don't have any reason to advise against a solid axle. They work just as well. I have solid axles and nuts on some of my bikes. I have to remember to carry a wrench in my tool kit when I ride one of them.
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