Late to the HED disc track conversion game
 

So: I went to Trexlertown, picked up a tubbie HED disc on the cheap. I've got no use for it as a thread-on-cassette wheel, but it'd be pretty neat to have a cheap track disc if I decide to do some spins around a velodrome at some point.

There used to be a very easy answer to this problem, which was to buy the somewhat pricey conversion kit from HED. Unfortunately, those seem to have disappeared from the face of the earth the instant HED stopped producing them.

So: anyone know where I can pick one of these kits up, currently? Alternatively: is there a different way to do the same thing (quick release axle to solid axle, + a piece to push the chainline out and maybe give me a place to put a lockring)?

HED still has the track conversion kits for front and back. It's not listed so you need to contact their customer service.

You can still theoretically use it as a fixed rear with a track cog and a bottom bracket lockring with some trial and error with axle spacers to get ideal chain line with your cranks. Just be sure to keep an eye on your lockring as these are called suicide set ups for a reason.

Thanks! The fact that they don't list this stuff on their site had me a little confused, so I appreciate the tip. And yeah I'm planning on using some red loctite on the cog and not using the thing too heavily (I live in Baltimore so using it on the street would likely result in having two half-discs instead of one full disc rather quickly anyways).

If you only use it on a track I wouldn't worry too much about the cog backing off, since you don't backpedal very hard. Some guys don't even bother to use a lockring and just give the cog a good tightening when just riding (not racing) at the track.

That's my understanding as well. I've never raced, as the nearest track is a 3hr drive and I don't own a car (fingers crossed for the DC track). So I'm thinking it may come along for the occasional street spin for #swag points, and just be a good thing to have if I ever start racing.

Well, Andy at HED has replied to my email and the word on the street is that they have not got any more of them sitting around. So, I'm back here. Anyone else know a place to buy a rear track axle conversion kit?

Looks like HED EU still has them in stock. Foreign exchange aside, shipping is going to be a premium too.

HED Wheels: H3 Front Track Axle Kit, Wheel Accessories

Ah, yeah I found that one. Unfortunately seems like it's only the front one? Though maybe this + a longer axle + some janky spacers I could convert to rear? Is that like, the worst idea ever?

If you ride with a brake, running a suicide hub wouldn't be a problem

But if I rode with a brake, how would everyone know how badass I am?

In seriousness: I usually run brakeless, but since this would be a tubular disc, I think loctite will probably do about as much as needs doing considering I likely won't ride it too much on the street.

Why would you want to ride a disc wheel on the road at all ?

For fun, for lookin cool, for not taking cycling too seriously.

Careful, people might mistake you for a triathlete.

hahaha, triathletes are not often mistaken for people who look cool, I think.

But some triathletes mistaken themselves to be cool, no matter how they look!

I have a HED disc...I sometimes run it on the street. Not sure why it would be an issue since it's on the rear and wind really doesn't mess with it.

My adapter says "Drew's Adapter" and it works fine. Try doing a google search for "Drew's Adapter" and "HED" together and you'll find lots of links.

I used a metal/two-part epoxy on my adapter.
I'm actually going out for a ride in a bit...I'll throw on the disc (RIP Regulatori) and take a few pics of my adapter/spacer setup.

My disc was super cheap and always gives me a smile when riding...it's just so ridiculous on the street and hearing the "WRRR WRRR WRRR WRRR" makes me feel like a kid with a baseball card in the spoke.

But yeah, it's more common to see people running rear HED/ZIPP/Araya in East Asia/Europe though (especially the Russian Kevlar stuff over in Eastern Europe) on the street....if you hang out on Euro/Japanese fixed gear forums, you'll see a lot of people running discs.


Just saw this dual street setup post from overseas on another forum today....

http://i66.tinypic.com/fvixy1.jpg

I have a HED trispoke and disc set up on my carbon track bike (my disc luckily came with a Specialized single speed adapter no longer for sale), but I reserve that for local time trial use only. For most people who own multiple bikes you would have a specific bike for road and fun and a nice "grail" bike fore use in events. I have used the disc/trispoke set up out in the wild before to test fit and to get accustom to the bike before time trial season but that's more like preparing for an event rather than just riding for fun.

Plus riding tubs instead of clinchers makes me worried about not being able to fix the flat.

I was scared of riding tubs on the street but after spending time with an older crowd of riders that have consistently used tubs since the 70's-80's, I'm starting to become more confident. Maybe it's just dumb luck but a lot of these guys are retired types that get out on longer rides 3-4X a week and haven't had a flat on tubs in YEARS. They'll wear out sets but rarely if ever get a sudden flat during a ride.

You can always carry an extra tub/roll of tape or get a bottle of sealant though if you're hesitant. Now if you've done a good glue job (not sure if I would do this with tape), you could most likely ride the flat tire temporarily. At least with a tub the rim shape allows a little bit of careful and slow riding on a flat.

Here is what my adapter looks like. The previous owner used this setup for 10+ years on the track/street with no issues.
Like I previously mentioned, mine is called "Drew's Adapter."



http://i68.tinypic.com/15ed91c.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/5vzt6x.jpg


http://i64.tinypic.com/2niw6py.jpg

Okay so, after some pretty intense googling, I've come up with two things which I think, when combined, might make this work.

The first is something that appears to be the equivalent of the old Surly Fixxer, which like the HED adaptors are impossible to find online. This is supposed to adapt Shimano hubs, but: I'd use it just for the axle, if y'all think it'd actually do that job.
fixed wheel conversion kit for Shimano hubs, Fixxie Surley fixxer | eBay

The second appears to be a simple re-spacer that screws onto the threads for the freehub, and might, with the addition of some of that red loctite, be a decent way of fixing up the chainline (instead of the similar piece included in the above kit, which is shimano-specific).
Fixed Wheel Hub Adaptor/Converter Kit Correct Chainline Track Fixie Fixxer. | eBay

So I guess the question here is: are track axles/spacers actually pretty easy to find, and I'm overthinking this as far as that kit at the top? Also: is the axle dimension for it likely to be correct? I'll admit this is my first foray into that sort of thing. And finally: is this combo of stuff actually sorta maybe going to kinda work if I buy it?

I've used this conversion kit before to convert a old specialized front trispoke to a rear wheel. You need to check to make sure it's compatible with your wheel first (wheels with internal hub threading). If it's compatible then that should be all you need, you don't need the other kit.

If you HED disc is anything like mine, then it most likely has external hub threading and those kits won't work.

hmmm. Alright. Investigation will ensue. I suspect you are right about the external threading though.