I think Jan's solution is outstanding. In fact it was on my own to do list only I could not source the cassette bodies in small numbers. The key is sustainability as older parts become harder to source. Not to mention that cassette style hubs are far stronger (on the right side) than freewheel hubs. This makes them a much better choice for old rando bikes.

I'm going to file this under "if you don't like it, don't buy one," along with all the threads complaining about Rivendell.

That's a tough price point for the Compass Cycles hubs when you can get phil hubs for around the same price.

Cassette vs. freewheel.

I understand the difference, just sayin it's a tough price point.

$88 won't buy you much of a camera lens (non-vintage that is). Even a cheap auto-focus zoom is in the $300 range.

Looks a lot like what the SS guys are doing. They are taking SS cassette hubs and squeezing six cogs on them. There is a thread over at MTBReview forums on it.

Got a link? That's a big site. Thanks.

$115 for nitto made bars. Nitto bars are great but most models can be found for half that (even the heat treated widths). Mafac knock offs for $$$. When I needed racers, I bought a complete bike with them for $40. A nice SS for someone and "savings" for me.

I get pricing based on what the market bears and all that, but the same items have been out there for years. They have great tires (possibly worth the premium depending on your "needs"). Hopefully the wide tired for roadies trend will help get more offerings out there.

Just my $.02 on an old thread

If people are willing to pay it, great for them. I, for one, would love to own a merino jersey, but I'm not willing to pay market price for them, so I don't own one. Same goes for a lot of bicycle stuff, which is why my vintage frames sport names like Tektro, Tange Levin, and Microshift on the components. In this case, the Phil option sounds better to me, but I lack the cash/desire to spend it for either, so who am I to judge?

Sorry about that, 6 cogs on a SS hub -- best solution?- Mtbr.com

The thread is 15 pages and growing. There is a lot of good information on it. I hope it helps.

Sure sounds like he is taking the Rivendell approach.

+1. Too many people in this forum are hung up on money.

+1

I appreciate those who make niche market products. There is quite a bit of risk involved.

Sun XCD 120mm cassette rear hub can be had for $25 cheaper ($160), for those that want them.

Heh, some things have changed in the year that this thread was dormant. :lol:

The SunXCD hubs are actually available for sale, and Compass Cycles now appears to be cannibalizing 7-speed instead of 8-speed cassettes.

It's a tough niche to attempt to service, but any publicity is good publicity, right? :)

Yowzir! That thread sure opens new territory for me.

Thanks!

When I saw the picture of the short cassette hub body on the VO hub that's the first thing I thought of.

I'll buy that for

It's a cool idea for someone who has an old frame they absolutely love. I haven't yet found one so I don't really have a need. If I do find a frame like that, I'd probably just figure out a way to make my own. I'm thinking a 6 speed UG hub with a shortened axle and an off center rim if needed. You could take a SRAM 8 speed cassette, file the large splines, and use like 6 of 8. A bottom bracket lock ring screws right on the freehub body so you don't have to use a threaded cog. With this setup, you could use 8 speed indexed shifters also, leaving a couple clicks unused.

I don't have a problem with the price, it's a niche product that nobody else wanted to develop. Would I pay that price? Personally, I wouldn't, but I like figuring out solutions to problems like this. Call me crazy or cheap if you want to :p.

I like the way the people at Compass Bike try to distinguish between real improvements in bicycle technology from the marginal improvements that come with them. A freehub/cassette hub is a significant improvement over a freewheel hub, and there is no down side to that improvement. Adding one more cog to the cassette is a marginal improvement with serious downsides.

Nothing says Prestige faster than A High Price Tag..

Seems like having a 120 frame cold set and realigned to 130 makes a whole lot more sense for a whole lot less $...? Assume you're out in the sticks and your 120 cassette hub (or cassette) goes on the fritz, the lbs is probably just going to scratch their head for awhile as you call the Mrs for your ride of shame.

Then again, I'm usually missing something, what is it here?

I bought some Compass tires this fall, only because they were on sale at 30% off. Even then, I was wincing as I handed over $115 after tax. I really like these tires, and am trying to justify paying full boat for another set...

I concur with Chrome Molly, It'd sure be nice if more decent options appeared in the not too distant future(read: flood the market).

I just delivered a set of my wheels (mu hubs) with NOS Shimano 6 speed cogs on a current 11 speed body. I trimmed down the axle and spacers on the left side to the bikes stock 126mm spacing. The 126mm is as narrow as I can make my hubs, and my hubs cost a lot more. I love the availability of 120 cassette. This makes using 120 frames much more sustainable. Sourcing cogs and spacers is still easier than finding NOS freewheels, plus the cassette style hub has a much stronger right side axle with the use of an outboard bearing.