Why track hubs in front?
 

Ok, noob question: why do most of the SS/FG bikes and wheelsets I see use track hubs on the front wheel? It seems like road hubs would be much lighter (and more convenient with the QR). Am I missing something?

Nah, you're not missing anything. People just like matching sets.

I use a road front.

Buying a wheelset is easier and cheaper than buying each wheel. Just like buying a hubset is cheaper than buying them individually.

Cuz matchy-matchy.

also, road hubs tend to have QR, which is a no-no on the track. luckily, i have a zipp track skewer :)

Yep, this is the real reason.

yeah right like anyone actually rides their track bikes on the track

I ride my front road hub on the track.

Bolt on skewerz mang.

I like the track nuts because it's too easy for someone walk off with my QR wheel in the city. The nuts at least require a wrench.

Carrying a cable for your wheels solves that problem.

^ Bro, c'mon. Negated weight savings. How am I supposed to KOM an strava now ha?

Track front hubs are better at turning left.

Semi-on-topic:

Has anyone used the 5mm hex head nuts?

http://www.bdopcycling.com/Novatec/H...LLEN-BOLTS.png

They look convenient (no need to carry a box wrench) but wonder if they have enough clamping force.

Do you think a bike thief won't be carry thing around a 15mm wrench or adjustable wrench?

+1 The only stuff that's ever been jacked from me was bolted on.

This is my security system. Don't even have to lock it up.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323120

Regular road hub with locking skewers is most practical IMO.

A bike thief will have a wrench, but a crackhead won't.

Well, then a crackhead won't have an allen wrench to steal your road wheel if you use a nutted skewer.

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Delta-Axlerod...wYmg~~60_1.JPG

wait, we're supposed to ride our bikes?!....








****.

When I lock my bike, I pull the front wheel and put it with my back and run my lock through all of it and the frame.

5mm
 

Your hub has to have the correct threads/axle to accept those bolts, most do not.
Might slip on some hardened track ends.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ar_dropout.jpg


http://www.bdopcycling.com/Novatec/H...6SB-BO-SIL.png

Only from where you parked the car to where you want to be seen :)

If the crackhead looks in my seat bag, he will find the wrench, along with an assortment of allens and a few bux too. Of course i live in Cedar Rapids, folks still leave their car keys sitting on the car floor and i dont think anyone here actually knows what a deadbolt is for.

You prolly don't have a lot of crackheads out there either.

All it takes is one crackhead...

I split the difference, I have low flange track hubs. Definitely prefer the look of a low flange or road hub.

Thanks for all the replies!

Ok, so what I'm hearing is that except for the small minority who use their SS/FG as a track bike, track hubs are a fashion accessory. Since my SS is a CX bike and the only fashion accessory that will get me any cred is a liberal coating of mud :), I see no reason not to lace up a standard road hub in order to speed up wheel changes and have 100+g less weight to haul over the barriers.

I assume your CX bike frame has vertical dropouts in which case there is no reason not to use road hubs with QR skewers. One of the reasons for a nutted track hub for the rear wheel is that track frames have horizontal dropouts that won't retain the axle under load w/o the tightness of a bolted connection. Also, a high flange hub in the rear provides a stiffer wheel that is desirable on the track, which is very smooth. Many front track wheels today are low flange and low spoke count radial laced, just like road wheels.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=323245

I've been thru Cedar Rapids. The only time you lock your car is zucchini season....otherwise you'll get a backseat full of it.

Could you explain how this works?

Also, cool looking Bianchi.