Just need a little assurance re Shimano cones
Earlier this year, someone here wrote: "My experience on older Shimanocones is not that good, maybe a third of the cones are bad."
So does this mean I should just pitch the Shimano HB-650 (early 90s, likely) front hub laced to a still decent Mavin Open Pro rim? Problem: One of the cones is missing (otherwise no pitting or damage elsewhere). My shop mechanic was doubtful about ever finding a replacement cone given Shimano's proclivity to shape-shifting cones. I can't bear de-spoking wheels only to have to lace them again. |
One third of new cones are bad? Not likely, just get some cones that closely match, lots of sources on interwebs, though your LBS appears unaware. Huskybikes is one: https://www.huskybicycles.com/mm5/me...y_Code=HUBCONE.
I've used Sunlite cones on Shimano, Joytech, Specialized, and Malliard (yes, the infamous Helicomatic) hubs, perfect fit! Its not rocket science! |
Unnamed sources say...
Shimano has spread manufacturing around to so many countries , it cannot be all universally identical
do more overhauls and regreasing.. to keep up on the wear ..inspections .. consider 3rd party replica cones, from like Wheels Inc.. etc.. really its the NDS Cup that is the only part you'd have to replace the Hub, whole axle assemblies, and the cup in the driver of the freehub can be replaced.. / |
HB-6500 or HB-M650?
I don't see an HB-650 listed. |
Sheer utter nonsense.
Although cone design has changed over the decades Shimano cone quality has remained excellent throughout. As @fietsbob notes keep up on the overhaul maintenance and you will have a long smooth rolling service life. I still have '80's Shimano hubs that have in service w/ OEM cones. -Bandera |
Main problem I've found with all cones, regardless of manufacturer, is that low to midrange priced wheels come with hubs that were hastily assembled with the cones cranked down way too tight. Twiddling the axle between the fingertips feels like dialing grit. When I disassemble the hubs the cones are pitted from excessive pressure.
It takes longer to adjust cones to minimize slack without going overboard. Same with most budget pedals. Manufacturers seem to figure it'll break in with use, or the consumers who buy affordable bikes won't notice or care. That may be how the spotty reputation rumors started. So far I've been able to improve the feel just by cleaning, regreasing and very carefully adjusting the hubs until they feel snug and smooth. Takes three or four tries to get it just right, tweaking the tension very slightly with cone wrenches. That's probably why the manufacturers didn't bother with lower priced wheels. Costs time and labor. So far, so good with my older bikes taking this approach. The races were fine. I just replaced the ball bearings and left the pitted cones in place. The better wheelsets with the likes of Shimano 600 hubs seem to have been set up better from the start. Buttery smooth, no slop or grit. |
Originally Posted by daveed
(Post 20936121)
Earlier this year, someone here wrote: "My experience on older Shimanocones is not that good, maybe a third of the cones are bad."
So does this mean I should just pitch the Shimano HB-650 (early 90s, likely) front hub laced to a still decent Mavin Open Pro rim? ... |
Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
(Post 20936293)
HB-6500 or HB-M650?
I don't see an HB-650 listed. |
Originally Posted by daveed
(Post 20936469)
Yes, HB-M650. Sorry.
https://www.cyclebasket.com/m9b0s418...x_12_8_mm_S18_ |
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Originally Posted by AnkleWork
(Post 20936456)
Yes, definitely.
OP: As others have written, new cones will be fine. If you can't find 'em online, just take one to an LBS for help. Lots of good grease and fresh bearings will also work wonders with slightly-worn cups and/or cones. |
Can you ride it the way that it is?
Replacement cones don't cost very much and the time involved to overhaul a hub isn't that significant either. I guess that I don't understand the question. |
last year I overhauled a friends bike and she had been told that she needed a new hub. The cones were pitted, but after a lot of searching through bike store cardboard boxes of orphan cones, I found two that were very similar in shape etc to the originals, which I had in hand to compare.
no guarentee, but this is probably your best bet, physically comparing the old cone to what is around in drawers or boxes at bike stores. Even if its not an absolute match, if reasonably close, it should be fine. good luck with that , or the online search thing. |
Originally Posted by Koyote
(Post 20938208)
Wrong, and you know it, and not at all witty. Just stupid and mean.
OP: As others have written, new cones will be fine. If you can't find 'em online, just take one to an LBS for help. Lots of good grease and fresh bearings will also work wonders with slightly-worn cups and/or cones. And what are the chances that ANY random cones will be better than original? -- not a rhetorical question. Why not let the OP pursue a path to permanently satisfy their concerns and relieve their anxiety. Let them be done with it so they can sleep well. OP: get a hub with cartridge bearings so you can forget all about cones, etc. Have someone else lace it, or just get a whole wheel. That will put you back on the road quicker so you can get some exercise to reduce your anxiety and you'll be much happier. |
Originally Posted by daveed
(Post 20936121)
Earlier this year, someone here wrote: "My experience on older Shimanocones is not that good, maybe a third of the cones are bad."
My shop mechanic was doubtful about ever finding a replacement cone given Shimano's proclivity to shape-shifting cones. I can't bear de-spoking wheels only to have to lace them again. Non-Shimano hubs usually get wheels chopped-up and tossed into metal recycling. We cannot afford to stock the 20 different 'standards' of cartridge bearings. Nor can we afford to keep 10 different types of obscure freehubs, particularly the ones that require a 14.5mm hex key or whatever to install. But we do have a 10-pound bin of various Shimano cones, which can always be used to kludge an old hub back to life, and provide another 10,000 miles of solid service. Exact dimensional fit is usually not required. BTW: you bike shop does in fact have a drawer with various hub parts including cones. But they have zero motivation to fix your wheel, in that a new wheelset sale involves far less hassle, risk, and provides a far greater profit margin. |
Originally Posted by Dave Mayer
(Post 20939201)
Shimano hubs are one of the great bargains in cycling: the mid-range stuff is better than the expensive bling boutique hubs from the small-fry manufacturers in terms of design, execution, serviceability and performance. The lowish-end Shimano stuff works great, and is as good as anyone really needs.
The only other hubs I've used that are in the same league are the older Campy cup-and-cone type. They seem equally smooth and durable and are even easier to adjust as the bearing clearance can be set with the wheels installed on the bike. |
I've seen a couple Shimano RM-30's that eat DS cones.
It is a bottom end of their line, but NOT ALL Shimano hubs are "durable". |
Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
(Post 20939977)
I've seen a couple Shimano RM-30's that eat DS cones.
It is a bottom end of their line, but NOT ALL Shimano hubs are "durable". |
Originally Posted by HillRider
(Post 20940091)
I don't know if those hubs are inherently less durable or if they are more likely to be poorly adjusted since they are installed on low cost bikes. LBSs or Big Box store mechanics aren't going to spend much time on these.
I went too cheap. New ones just have that brown oxide? coating on the races, no polishing or.... The only good news is my LBS has generic ones that are nearly identical for $1/ea. Maybe 1/2mm in thickness difference. |
Originally Posted by AnkleWork
(Post 20938677)
Where's your empathy? You completely ignore the larger issues, which have nothing to do with bearings. Anyone who selectively responds more to "someone here wrote" than to the mountain of non-anonymous qualified literature realistically reporting the merits of S hubs (as well as the OP's own experience) will not be "assured" by more words or simple facts. And they have created a psychological construct without a clear solution, with no completely right or "wrong" answer: simultaneously doubtful of replacement cones and "can't bear de-spoking"...
And what are the chances that ANY random cones will be better than original? -- not a rhetorical question. Why not let the OP pursue a path to permanently satisfy their concerns and relieve their anxiety. Let them be done with it so they can sleep well. OP: get a hub with cartridge bearings so you can forget all about cones, etc. Have someone else lace it, or just get a whole wheel. That will put you back on the road quicker so you can get some exercise to reduce your anxiety and you'll be much happier. |
Dave Mayer: Are you at the co-op in Brooklyn's Dumbo area?
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