Has anybody here coverted a front IRO/Formula hub to quick release? I would imagine I would just need a new axle, but I wanted some first hand experience.

EDIT: I just saw on sheldon's site that he says it can't really be done. Is there anyone who has been able to?

it would be harder then with cups and cones because of the way the bearings seat on the axle. If you can find a hollow axled wheel that uses the same bearings you could use that though. Sheldon is not always right.

dunno what sheldon says can't be done, but i replaced the axle and i don't know sh*t. i tapped the bearings out using only the axle (i was replacing them so i didn't worry about being gentle)

the solid axle comes with these two knobs that press on the inner race of the bearing from the inside of the hub, with the "cone" pressing on the outside of the inner race. when you get your hollow axle you need to use something like a cone or lugnut to replace these, otherwise the outside cone is going to squeeze your bearings in and eventually kill them. i used lugnuts, and determined the spacing using the original axle. its important to get this spacing as correct as possible.

getting the new (or old) bearings back on was a breeze, just use a piece of pipe and a large washer. assuming it's going in straight it should only take a few serious whacks.

^ that post was useless without pictures

What hollow axle did you use?

don't know the brand, just one of the ones stocked by my lbs. just needs to be 10mm diameter, 1mm thread pitch, and the right length for your dropouts, of course. if you can't find the right one you could probably order one from harris.

you're useless without photos.

Zing!

this thread is OOOOOLD, but it's the only one i could find that seemed to have some semblance of useful information on the topic.

in a nutshell, i'm trying to replace a FRONT formula hub.

this post:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...07&postcount=3
seems to be what i'm hoping to recreate. unfortunately, i'm not sure if this is front or rear.
i'm thus far unable to find any info on a 9mm (front) compatible QR axle.

is this doable? can anyone confirm whether post #3 is front or rear, and how it was done?
i'm PMming the poster, but in case i don't get a response...

not sure you will find one QR compatible and 108-110mm, unless Formula makes it.

dissemble your front wheel
sell track hub
buy road hub w/ QR
rebuild wheel

Better yet, just ebay a front road wheel.

+1

It's not possible without the above axle in QR form.

that's sorta what i'm asking...

??
the above axle is a rear 10mm/175mm, i'm looking for a front 9mm/110mm.

is it just me, or do half the people in this forum not even read half of the posts they reply to?

Read your post, couldn't find pix of front axle.
If you would have read mine you would notice I put 108-110mm axle.

For what it is worth, the Novatec/Dimension/Ben's (etc). hub, which is very similar to the Formula hub, comes with a hollow axle, which could be converted to QR simply by sawing the axle to the right length. Novatec actually makes that hub with a QR axle, but I don't know anyone who sells it that way. See here...https://www.novatec.com.tw/novatec/en....php?c1=2&c2=7

I don't know if that same axle will work with a Formula hub, but the info may be helpful. If the axle is not available separately, and the formula and dimension axles are interchangable, you could buy a Dimension/Bens front hub, swap axles, then ebay the Dimension/Bens hub.

Alternatively, you could buy a Dimension/Bens hub and relace your wheel with it. The flanges are similar enough that you could reuse your spokes.


Why do you want a QR front wheel anyway?

1) thanks, good stuff.. i'm going to explore this option.
2) trying to do this.

ed: the A165SBT-QR looks like a viable start. going to try to research it and see what i can do... dope.

Why don't you actually read the post I was quoting instead of *****ing. The pic is there for you to see that it's not a standard axle.

For Christ sakes, you try to help someone and they just ****ign complain about. WTF?

i know it's not a standard axle. that's why i'm asking instead of grabbing a regular front QR axle. i don't need someone to re-iterate my question, i just need a knowledgeable user to hopefully share their experience and point me in the right direction.

all you've done is sidetrack the conversation. sorry for being harsh about it, but i'm looking for knowledge, not "ooh me too" responses.

thanks though.

ed: i miss Sheldon Brown.

8(

Wow, someone else confirms it can't be done and you take offense. Why don't you actually listen to the people who have tried and found it not possible. You know, the 'knowledgeable user' you mention.

Too bad if the knowledgeable user gives you an answer you don't want to hear, but don't be a dick about.

BTW, the head mechanic of the Latvian National team, and for pro team mechanic in Belgium, also found it not possible. I figure that if he can machine me disc brake parts that aren't locally available, and make all his own tools, he could swap the axle to QR if it were possible.....

Dimension track axle: https://aebike.com/page.cfm?PageID=30...ils&sku=HU1126

Don't know if the bearing seats are the same dimensions as the formula hub, but it might be worth a shot.

If formula and dimension axles are truly interchangable, then I'm putting a hollow dimension axle in my formula hub.

Me too!

edit: I'll guinea pig it, but I can't buy one till after the weekend.

OK, i have access to a deep-V with quick release. it's either a formula or dimension, i find out tonight.
I'm being given a full greenlight to dismantle it and swap out the axle if everything works. i have a week. I'll let you know later than sooner-- hopefully this weekend...

let's hope it's formula and that formula is thrifty and makes their qr and solid with the same bearing specs...

keep us updated