Using Vintage Hubs -- Bad Idea?
 

I've been to 3 local bike shops in Seattle that I respect and they are all telling me not to build up the new wheelsets for my Basso w/ Athena gruppo using older campy hubs laced to newer rims.

All 3 claim I will in no time break the rear axle using the older threaded type of hub/freewheel.

I have a pair of 36 hole chorus hubs that would work well with the 7 speed configuration I now have but I am now balking at this option -- what are your opinions and experiences on this topic? Am I going to break these hubs by just normal riding/wear-and-tear?

All 3 want me to change the spacing to 130mm and go modern w/ a least an 8 speed cassette...

The modern freehub is more durable than the freewheel but plenty of people have been riding for decades with the older hubs and haven't broken one yet.

If the hub is in good shape and the bearings are, too then go for it.

How heavy are you? If you're a Clydesdale or Athena, then you may want to take their advice.

I'm 185. I think that's right on the borderline, no?

I think that they are all incorrect. I have rebuilt a number of older,freewheel type hubs w/ modern rims, run them over many thousands of miles of daily commuting and never had an issue. I too am 185lbs.

Of course they do, they won't make any money unless you do.

That's because they want to sell you a new expensive hub. Go ahead and use the old hub, and everything'll be fine. If you break, or bend an axle, you can always replace it.

Well, freewheel hubs have a reputation for breaking axles. Since nice ones have been out of production for so long, most of the guys there have probably never seen a nice one and have spent a lot of time changing bent or broken axles on cheapo hubs. You should be fine with those hubs. Unless you plan on loaded touring or something.

No. I weigh 210# and have never broken an axle. It is true, however, that 7 speed freewheel axles break more often than other configurations, but that isn't a frequent occurrence. Even if you broke an axle, it isn't as catastrophic as it sounds. It isn't going to cause the wheel to lock up and send you flying. The QR keeps everything together. An axle can be replaced for about $10 or $15.

I assume you're upgrading to an 8 speed freewheel? If so, then there is precedent for bent axles. One reason why 8 speed freewheels are so rare.

The OP said 7 speed, so not an issue at 126 spacing. If going to 130, yes definitely.

Am I going to break these hubs by just normal riding/wear-and-tear?

I am 215 lbs and ride lots of freewheel hub bikes, some on touring bikes for for thousands of miles loaded down. On these I keep it at a six speed to keep the axle a bit shorter.
Have bent a 7 speed freewheel axle, but it took a four foot drop off the side of the road that destroyed the wheel to do it. I better knock on wood now.

All my local shops employees under 25 continue to tell me that downtube friction shifters will make me wreck and die, Quill stems all break, and one should never run a tube that has been patched exept in an emergency.

Campy Nuovo Record axles do break or bend every now & then. I trained and raced on them for 12 years, and probably had to replace 3 or 4 in that time. Going to 126 mm spacing made it a tiny bit worse because the distance from the bearings to the dropout was now a bit longer.

However, that would not stop me from using them. I have a pile of old racing wheels in the basement being neglected.

:lol:
Those kids !


I don't think I even noticed I had a broken axle until removing the wheel.

I don't know, I've ONLY ridden freewheel hubs, almost entirely old Campagnolo (except, 35 years ago they were NEW) and I've NEVER broken an axle; and I'm heavy. I think its more maintenance and riding style, but that's just my experience. Heck, I've been riding my '84 Cinelli pretty solid since I bought it with LITTLE maintenance, especially the wheels. I think I replaced the tires a couple times, that's it!

I will admit I've found broken axles in hubs or wheels I've acquired, but I can't say how they got broken...

The breaking axle with freewheel hubs has something to do with bearing placement, the load is more evenly distributed with freehub cassettes since they bearings on the driveside are right at the end, rather then behind the freewheel with threaded hubs.

I personally havent broken an axle before either so I say its nothing you should really be concerned with.

It looks as if the insurance industry has gotten to these people!

Regards,
J T

As most have said, thats a load of BS. Absolutely nothing wrong with older hubs. You need to run not walk away from a shop like that. One of the best ways i have found to find a "good shop" is to find out what the employes ride. If they all ride the latest greatest carbon what not then thats not the shop for you. Nothing wrong with modern stuff but that's their mindset. If you are into classic stuff you need to find a shop that thinks there is a place for the classic equipment. The problem becomes that shops are in business to make money & that means pleasing your Joe six pack looking to start cycling. Few if any can afford to mess around with vintage stuff. Sometimes if you are lucky you can find a not so jaded employee who is in it for the love of bikes. He's the guy to get help from.

I have an old set of Campy Record hubs from 1982 - at least that's when I first used them - and they still roll as smooth and straight as the first day. I retired the wheels recently. I intend to clean and polish them up immaculate and build some new wheels around them. I always took very good care of them since day-one, overhauling, cleaning, checking for pits, etc. Just for fun, I think I'll bring 'em to a few LBS's and get their council. I would love having a 20-something tell me they are junk.

Then I'll go home and build a new set of wheels. Thinking of Mavic Open Pro rims and Wheelsmith spokes...and my new IRD 7-spd freewheel.

A. I weight 185, too.

B. I KNOW many people who weight a lot more than me (over 200 by a wide margin) have ridden extensive distances on vintage Campy Record hubs. You are NOT near the weight limit.

C. I have heard that these hubs are not designed for radial spoking, and that is risky. The usual lacings in the old days were 3 cross and 4 cross (much less common), and in really rare occasions 2 cross. I'd stick with 3-cross, it's a very well-proven design.

This is exactly what I've heard, too. The strength of the axle is more that adequate for 126 mm spacing, marginal at 130 mm. Shimano went to a three-bearing design (I think?) to support the axle. Campy followed suit as soon as they could.

Edit: Never mind, Post #15 has it right. It's improved bearing PLACEMENT, not the number of bearings.

Road Fan

Agreed^^^. I also suggest the good, old 3-cross laced design. Easy to true and nearly bombproof.

Agreed! There's an ancient tradition in bike shops (probably inherited from the ancient Roman chariot shops) that if you don't ride what I ride, what you ride S**Ks and what's more ... well you get the picture. This is still alive in bike shops, in cycling "sectarianism," and has been known to tickle BF from time to time.

You need a shop where the workers are open minded and have some knowledge, in order to get good input.

Road Fan

Inscription from ancient Roman chariot shop: Marius Allevius Wheels Rock!

Oh stop it! You know that those are really just rebranded Cathagian crap. Stay with good Etruscan makes.

Tin is real!!

Thanks for all the responses thus far --

Not upgrading to an 8 speed freewheel, either an 8 or 7 speed cassette w/ freehub -- lacing those hubs to Mavic Open Pro rims.

And...
 

...and bottom bracket fixed cups, and freewheel dust covers, and track hub lockrings... :)