normandy track hubs
 

Anyone have any firsthand knowledge of these? There's a NOS set for sale on ebay that are have the right number of holes for the rims that I have, but I can't find any info beyond a passing mention on Sheldon's French Bikes page... Durability and weight (compared to modern hubs) would be my big issues. Thoughts?

My god, there's something track-related that people don't know about?!?!? Topping just in case someone has at least second-hand knowledge...

dibs on these hubs

haha, there. second hand knowledge. they are pretty light. i'd doubt the ability to take a bunch of abuse (they're old as ****, and there cut out like mad) from my experience with them, you'll have to stay WAY up on repacking/greasing them. they roll smooth one you get them to where you them, but for how long i can't say. this is all for the road hubs, or maybe just front hubs. i'[ve never actually handled one of their track hubs. though i did see the auction you looked lat. if you can get them for a good price, and are working on a 50's build. do it up. aside from that, i dunno.

-jason

if they are the budget ones they are just that, cheap and nasty, but can do the job well enough.
If they are either 6000 or 7000 or was it 600 or 700 series they are well worth having quality items

Normandy's stuff has a quality range. The high end stuff, like the Luxe Competition, is the grade of Campy Record or Dura ace. Very good, and very smooth. Entry level stuff is okay, not earth shattering. This applies for the road hubs; never had one of their trackies.

You know, I'd get the seller to check the threading on those. I'm not sure if the French had a different track cog threading than standard, as they did for freewheels. Vintage enough, may be a problem.

I run a normandy track hub on my frankenbike. I had to spend alot of time cleaning it up and repacking it and its a little delicate to get it set up right but its nice and smooth considering the state I got it in... They are nice and light and have a bunch of cut outs, but the spokes can do some pretty good digging in to them over time. Here is the best picture I've got of the hub http://www.wwmovers-africa.com/haro/haro3.jpg I'd go for them if the price was right...

Shiznaz - you were able to use a regular ol' modern cog with your hub?

yup, they take regular cogs and lockrings, so thats one thing you don't have to worry about.

Awesome. Thanks for your helps, folks.

I've got a set of track hubs from the 70's. The rear is double fixed (the ebay ones are single, right?) and take french threaded lockrings, luckily available new from mavic. I would guess that later models could be english threaded.
I've completely abused them on the street and the rear is still rolling nicely. Unfortunatly the front wheel was run over by a car once which cracked and completly noodled the rim bending one flange in the process. Not sure too many hubs could've handled that any better, maybe phil's but not any vintage hubs.
Seals aren't great but with regular repacking and replacing the ballbearings they'll stay about as smooth as new which fairly smooth but is nowhere near Campy quality.
Said before, at the right price they're good hubs.