Hubs
 

Hello, I need some help. I am putting together a '74 Raleigh International. It will be a single speed freewheel only. My spacing is 126 mm. What kind of hubs and spacing do I need? I have been looking for some Campy's NOS, but somewhat hard to find. Can I run 120 mm track hubs? Will a 52T chainring and 17T cog work well? How does the flange size affect riding? As you can tell, I am new to all this. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.


Thanks!

Go here: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

Basically you have two choices: you can get a hub that matches the spacing of the frame, or you can change the spacing of the frame and then use any hub you want.

Since you want to use it as a single speed, I think it would be best to leave the frame the way it is. Almost any 126mm hub of that age is threaded for a freewheel. You just need to fine one. If you want to buy a new hub, Velo Orange has just introduced some very nice freewheel hubs in that size that are vintage-looking but have the benefits of modern bearings.

You can generally use track hubs if you buy some spacers and widen the hub, but you need to make sure the axle is long enough. I believe the Formula brand hubs can be brought out to 126mm without any problems.

Flange size is mostly aesthetic. In the old days when parts were weaker, a higher flange allowed you to use shorter and stronger spokes. With modern spokes that isn't an issue anymore.

Thank you so much for the information. Yes, I do not want to change the spacing of the frame. I will look into the hubs you stated and go from there. Thanks again and willl probably be posting up some more questions! :)

Keep the spacing at 126mm and use a 126mm spaced hub. It sounds like you're looking to build a wheelset if you're looking for hubs. Have you given any consideration as to what size rims you're gonna go with?

You can run a track hub if you want but I think you might be better off with a Flip-Flop hub where you can have a freewheel one side and a fixed cog on the other, or you can have two different sized freewheels if you want. Gearing is a personal thing and whether you use 27" or 700C rims and the length of your cranks will affect (slightly) how many gear inches a particular Freewheel/Chainring combo produces. I like around 70 gear inches, so for me about a 52x20 is pretty nice. Find out what you like by taking out a derailleur geared bike and figuring out whats the most comfortable gear combo for you, and then feed it into this http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/ gear calculator and get the gear inches. Then go with whatever gear combo produces that on your bike with a 52T chainring. I'm just saying 52T because you did...you can use whatever.

I can't feel the difference between high flange and low flange..maybe others can. I like the way high flange hubs look better, I suppose that counts for something.

What Zaphod said.

I have a fixed/free flip-flop Formula hub. I like them a lot for the money. The axle is certainly long enough for 126mm (I think they come standard with a long axle that can be used with a 135mm spaced frame). 52x17 is on the tall side for a SS freewheeling bike.

I like a 46/17 or 48/18 combo for my fixed cog. The same number of teeth on the freewheel or maybe a single tooth larger. I also prefer the look of a 48/18 over a 52/20. It's just something my eye notices.

Was the International 6 speed (126mm) in 1974? My 1973 was 5 speed 120mm spacing...

An International would have been 700c (sew ups) new, so that is what I would stick with for wheel size.

That's what I was thinking. Even better, as flip/flop or track hubs are most often 120mm.

No, mine is a NOS 10-speed 1974 Champagne International, originally with 27-1-1/4 wheels. :)

I have built up a few Single Speeds in my time and don't mind showing others how to go about it.

Hope this is a help.
http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpe...Full_TQF_7.jpg