ColonelJLloyd 

I've done some searching and didn't quite find the answer. I have an opportunity to buy a pair of Shimano 600 Tri-color hubs for $50 in very good condition complete with skewers. The rear is a cassette hub. I'm assuming this is a Uniglide body. Is that correct? If so, I would want to convert this to Hyperglide, right? Is that an expensive or labor intensive operation?

I would want to use an 8 or 9 speed cassette with a 30-32t large cog. I would build these up with Open Pros or other high-quality clinchers and DB spokes.

Is this advisable or should I just look for another hubset?

MetinUz

What is the model number? 6401 was 7s HG, and 6402 is modern 8/9/10s HG. There may be an earlier UG hub, but I think only Dura-Ace was UG. They are really nice hubs.

ColonelJLloyd 

Unfortunately I don't know the model number. I haven't laid eyes on them. They are for sale at a friend's LBS and he offered to pick them up for me. I have heard that the Tri-color stuff is pretty high quality and I need a hubset so. . .

RFC

Actually, I have two sets of Tricolor hubs that came as uniglide. Uniglide is sort of like 8-track. It's a dead end and requires a Uniglide cluster.

ColonelJLloyd 

I assumed they were Uniglide, but I thought you could convert them. What I don't know is how expensive it is to do so. I guess I'm looking for a recommendation of whether or not it's worth it.

RoboIsGod

I've got a 600 tri-color hub in the rear and it spins smooooth. It's a HG hub too.

23skidoo

I've got a few wheelsets using these hubs and I wouldn't particularly worry whether they were UG or HG; UG cassettes are not that scarce.

ColonelJLloyd 

How easy is to find one with a 30t or 32t big cog? Does UG shift as well as HG?

WNG

I have two 600 rears, one is UG and one is HG, both 7-spd and at 126mm. You'll need to swap the freehub body and ideally, the axle to go 130mm. But Sheldon Brown's site stated it's doable with the original axle. Cost depends on where you source the 8-10 spd body. One kit just sold on ebay yesterday for $7 complete with road and mtb spacers and dust caps. High side about $35. If you have a co-op nearby, check the bins for a donor freehub body.
And yes, the 600 hubs are very nice quality. But in the end it may be wiser to buy a new set of hubs at $85.

Oh, and HG is better than UG. But does it matter? Probably not enough. UG should have came in 30 and 32t....I have a UG freewheel (not cassette) with a 32t low.

RFC

True, but you are going to be limited to 7-speed. That's where Uniglide stopped. I actually have used my Uniglide wheels for single speed conversions.

ColonelJLloyd 

I asked my friend to check the model number when he's there. I'm not going to shell out money for a UG cassette when HG cassettes are better AND cheaper.

champion city

I have a set of the 6401 UG-only model. All that is needed to swap on a HG cassette body is a donor cassette and some tools. If you are swapping from 7-speed to 8-speed, a longer axle may also be required. It's a very simple operation, and I'd vote that you buy the hubs whether they are HG or UG.

I'm pretty sure Sheldon Brown has the instructions for the swap on the site somewhere.

cinco

With a later hub like the tricolor (usually something in the 6400 series) there's a fair chance that it's both UG and HG compatible so don't just look at threads for the last cog. The freehub bodies which are compatible with both will have threads for the last cog AND the inside threads for a HG lockring (along with a keyed spline). Here's a comparison pic shamelessly stolen from Sheldon Brown:

WNG

+1 Quick way to tell is to check the dust cap, the UG only is a flush plastic one.

ColonelJLloyd 

My friend reported back with pics. The rear hub is FH-6402 and the front is HB-6400. The freehub body is like that in the middle of the photo cinco posted. It's HG that is UG compatible. The hubs are without skewers, but I'm still going to buy them. They're 32h which is what I'm after. A build with DT double butted spokes, brass nipples and Open Pros should be a winner.

Thanks all for your help.

lord_athlon

I have the earlier 600 hubs, and I love them.

ColonelJLloyd 

So now I need to make a decision on a cassette. The only cassette hub I've used is a recent 105 hub with an 8 sp SRAM cassette. I'll be using a modern Ultegra long cage RD and Simplex Retrofriction shifters as bar ends. What are the arguments for 8sp or 9sp? Shimano or SRAM?

Thanks!

RobbieTunes

1-Great hubs. Only use them if you want to roll away from folks on the downhills.
2-SRAM 9sp would be my choice. A little more delicate in the shifting, but I've always liked to run a tight seven and two for hills.

MetinUz

Those hubs are ready for 9-speed. I like Shimano XT cassettes, they are quieter than SRAM and shift a little better too, IMO.

ColonelJLloyd 

Ok. I guess I could go with:

SRAM PC-970: 11,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32
Shimano HG61: 11,12,14,16,18,21,24,28,32

The Shimano is about an ounce lighter and about 60% more expensive.

Alternatively, I could go with a SRAM PG-850: 11,12,14,16,18,21,26,32

None of these options really appeal to me. I'll be using a 48/34 double and I don't see myself using a 117 inch gear. I just don't need it.

If I had my druthers, I think I'd go with the following:

8 speed: 13,15,18,20,22,24,28,32
9 speed: 13,15,18,19,20,22,24,28,32

surreal

Where can i find 7 speed uniglide cassettes? I've been searching, and all i ever find are expensive DA ones on ebay.

-rob

Rabid Koala

I have 600 hubs on my Waterford Paramount. Originally I had 7 speed UG, I bought a single HG hub on ebay then switched the axle and freehub. I think they are very nice hubs, no issues so far anyway.

tugrul

Anyone buy one of those cheap new STX/Acera 7 speed freehub bodies on eBay?

surreal

You can get the same ones from a variety of online reatialers (jenson, treefort) for typically >$17. Seems like they cost a twin plus shipping on e-prey. I think i have one on my mt60 hub; works fine. I'm about to order one for an old 105 UG hub i have, but i think i'd rather find some cheap UG cassettes in the 12-28 rANge or something.......

-rob

WNG

Colonel,

Nice condition, too bad the skewers are missing though. IMHO, the sculpted and polished levers are very appealing.
BTW, which Ultegra long cage are you planning to use? If it's a 6500 GS, you may have trouble with a 32t according to Shimano.
I picked one up for an alpine geared cassette, but only to read in the included literature, max range is 27t. ?!? See pic...
Disregard if you have a different broader ranged model.