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Track hubs on road

Old 02-02-08, 09:36 PM
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Track hubs on road

Just ran across this article on Sheldon's website: https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/record-track.html

To sum, it talks about the failure of Campy Pista Record hubs being used on the road and that they will not be under warranty if something goes wrong off of the track.

I'm thinking about building a new wheel set and was planning on using either Record or Dura Ace track hubs. Is this a bad idea? Should I use regular road hubs as I plan to use the bike 99% of the time on the road?

Has anyone experienced any of the above problems?

Please advise.

-Steve
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Old 02-02-08, 09:50 PM
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nope, you are good. The problem is with c-rec 'sheriff star' hubs. Most often when they are radially laced. They tend to fail at the flange. Overall, while people put down $$$ on them, they are pretty weak structurally.

Other than those, you have a whole host of descent hubs to choose from DA 7600 hubs, Phil hubs, LF c-record, etc are all great options. Even vintage hubs like Campy Record, Suntour Superbe Pro, Suzue Pro Max, etc will all run fine on the street.
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Old 02-02-08, 09:53 PM
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Originally Posted by seaneee
nope, you are good. The problem is with c-rec 'sheriff star' hubs. Most often when they are radially laced. They tend to fail at the flange. Overall, while people put down $$$ on them, they are pretty weak structurally.
That sheldon posts indicate otherwise. Running campy or dura ace track hubs on the road voids warranty by the way.
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Old 02-03-08, 01:43 AM
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Originally Posted by schleven
Just ran across this article on Sheldon's website: https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/record-track.html

To sum, it talks about the failure of Campy Pista Record hubs being used on the road and that they will not be under warranty if something goes wrong off of the track.

I'm thinking about building a new wheel set and was planning on using either Record or Dura Ace track hubs. Is this a bad idea? Should I use regular road hubs as I plan to use the bike 99% of the time on the road?

Has anyone experienced any of the above problems?

Please advise.

-Steve
If you plan on riding in the rain or in wet conditions you might want to look one of the many fixed hubs which were designed to be ridden on the road and not the track.
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Old 02-03-08, 01:47 AM
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"most often" means just that. Most often then fail when they are radially laced. Almost everyone I have seen fail is radially laced. Yes, sheldon's post shows a 3 cross, and yes those do fail as well. Wasn't contesting that.

So if it voids your warranty, what do you suggest running on the road? When properly laced, DA, low flange recs, etc are fine. As far as voiding the warranty, well you would have to tell the manufacturer you were running them on the road now, wouldn't you? Otherwise they would be hard pressed to prove it.
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Old 02-03-08, 01:49 AM
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I dunno, I would trust a set of DA or campy hubs over some cheap formulas that were 'made' for the road. Phil and Paul are another trustworthy option. But as long as you maintain your hubs properly and take the appropriate steps if you ride in the rain, you should be fine.
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Old 02-03-08, 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by seaneee
I dunno, I would trust a set of DA or campy hubs over some cheap formulas that were 'made' for the road. Phil and Paul are another trustworthy option. But as long as you maintain your hubs properly and take the appropriate steps if you ride in the rain, you should be fine.
What's not to trust about Formula hubs? I've been banging the hell out of mine on cobblestone streets for quite awhile now with no issues. They are excellent hubs and a great value.
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Old 02-03-08, 02:13 AM
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Last edited by InternetDisease; 03-05-08 at 12:22 AM.
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Old 02-03-08, 02:25 AM
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Originally Posted by InternetDisease
most people's issue with them is that they're not expensive, Italian, nor do they have an obscure stamp on them, and they are still produced and widely available.
That makes sense, all of the things that makes them practical are considered drawbacks to buying them. I love my forumals, even if they aren't considered "bling". I actually think they look just fine.
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Old 02-03-08, 03:00 AM
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Hey.... I ride suzue pro max cf bling hubs on my nicer bike (hopefully they don't explode because I ride them on the street) but I love Formula Hubs on my beater.
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Old 02-03-08, 03:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Ziemas
What's not to trust about Formula hubs? I've been banging the hell out of mine on cobblestone streets for quite awhile now with no issues. They are excellent hubs and a great value.
Are you serious. Have you rode anything other than formulas extensively? And I mean not just your buddies bike around the block, but really road them? There is a reason Campy or DA hubs are move expensive, or phil for that matter. Yes, I concede and say SOME of the price is due to name cache, but overall they are just better hubs.

The aforementioned hubs are built to stricter tolerances. They use better materials, they have smoother races, threads that don't go south if you change your cog more than once, lockrings that last. Axle, cone and bearing quality is a million times better than a formula hub.

I'm not saying that formulas are not a good value and yes you can get wear and tear out of them, but longterm, I'll take a marquee brand hands down over an OEM hub. Let's talk 10 years from now and see who's hub is in better shape.

Last edited by seaneee; 02-03-08 at 03:38 AM.
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Old 02-03-08, 03:43 AM
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Originally Posted by seaneee
Are you serious. Have you rode anything other than formulas extensively? And I mean not just your buddies bike around the block, but really road them? There is a reason Campy or DA hubs are move expensive, or phil for that matter. Yes, I concede and say SOME of the price is due to name cache, but overall they are just better hubs.

The aforementioned hubs are built to stricter tolerances. They use better materials, they have smoother races, threads that don't go south if you change your cog more than once, lockrings that last. Axle, cone and bearing quality is a million times better than a formula hub.

I'm not saying that formulas are not a good value and yes you can get wear and tear out of them, but longterm, I'll take a marquee brand hands down over an OEM hub. Let's talk 10 years from now and see who's hub is in better shape.
Yeah but the issue isn't exactly bling vs. basic, it's road hubs vs. track hubs. I'd be nervous about taking some DAs out on the road just because I am primarily a high mileage, **** weather commuter. Hubs with cartridge bearings and intended for road riding would seem to stand more of a chance than hubs meant to be ridden indoors and out of the rain. If you could get rubberbooted XT fixed hubs I'd be down like a clown.
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Old 02-03-08, 03:52 AM
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Agreed. Has nothing to do with bling, whatsoever.

My opinion (and an opinion is all that it is), is that Formula hubs can take a beating, won't break the bank and do just fine. I guess I just look at it longer term. If I am gonna put money down on hubs, I would rather spend the extra money on some cartridge bearing Miche or Suzue disco hubs over forumlas.

Sheriff star's aside, you hear way more stories of f'd up formulas then you do (if at all) about Phils, Pauls, DA, etc.
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Old 02-03-08, 03:54 AM
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Originally Posted by seaneee
Are you serious. Have you rode anything other than formulas extensively? And I mean not just your buddies bike around the block, but really road them? There is a reason Campy or DA hubs are move expensive, or phil for that matter. Yes, I concede and say SOME of the price is due to name cache, but overall they are just better hubs.

The aforementioned hubs are built to stricter tolerances. They use better materials, they have smoother races, threads that don't go south if you change your cog more than once, lockrings that last. Axle, cone and bearing quality is a million times better than a formula hub.

I'm not saying that formulas are not a good value and yes you can get wear and tear out of them, but longterm, I'll take a marquee brand hands down over an OEM hub. Let's talk 10 years from now and see who's hub is in better shape.
Jaa, I also have a Campy Record wheelset. All the above might hold true for the velodrome, but we are discussing hubs for street use. If you've ever taken a Campy Pista hub apart you'll notice a lack of seals. Not so great for riding in the wet......
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Old 02-03-08, 03:56 AM
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Originally Posted by seaneee

Sheriff star's aside, you hear way more stories of f'd up formulas then you do (if at all) about Phils, Pauls, DA, etc.
Probably because there are way more people with Formula hubs. BTW, how many of those stories are due to user error?

Last edited by Cyclist0383; 02-03-08 at 04:25 AM.
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Old 02-03-08, 04:00 AM
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Riding the latest version of the Campagnolo Pista hub on the road doesn't void the warranty.

Radial lacing does though.
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Old 02-03-08, 07:13 AM
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Seven year old news. Thanks
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Old 02-03-08, 07:18 AM
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Originally Posted by oldsprinter
Riding the latest version of the Campagnolo Pista hub on the road doesn't void the warranty.

Radial lacing does though.
Same for DuraAce.
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Old 02-03-08, 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by operator
That sheldon posts indicate otherwise. Running campy or dura ace track hubs on the road voids warranty by the way.
are we talking about buying used goods? or new?

would campy even have a warranty still for NOS items? like sheriff hubs?
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Old 02-03-08, 08:19 AM
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You can radial lace phils and they are still covered under warrenty.


Buy phils. Best hubs ever made for riding a track bike on the street.
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Old 02-03-08, 08:49 AM
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So expensive though. I will probably look into it in a few years, but it just seems a little outrageous to spend that much money.
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Old 02-03-08, 08:50 AM
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Originally Posted by macka_fat
Buy phils. Best hubs ever made for riding a track bike on the street.
When you factor in cost, this statement is clearly wrong, but anyone who has wasted their $ on Phils will make such a claim to justify the amount paid just to have a fashionable hub.
I can make the same claim about my Surly hubs, which were a third the cost and work equally well. If you are telling me that you can tell a difference between Phil hubs or any other well-maintained budget fixed gear hub, you are either a sensitive princess or delusional.

Last edited by mihlbach; 02-03-08 at 09:15 AM.
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Old 02-03-08, 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by mihlbach
When you factor in cost, this statement is clearly wrong, buy anyone who has wasted their $ on Phils will make such a claim to justify the amount paid just to have a fashionable hub.
I totally agree with that. There are other hubs available that will last just as long, cost way less and easily look better. (I swear they didnt even try to make them look nice.)
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Old 02-03-08, 09:25 AM
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The Campy track hubs are too fragile for the road?

How about a hub designed specifically for off road?


Granted it's low flange, but I'm just saying track-specific hubs aren't your only options for a quality fixed hub.
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Old 02-03-08, 09:27 AM
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in general, is lacing any campagnolo track hubs radially a stupid idea?
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