Caliper

Hopefully someone here can help out on this...
I just picked up a set of secondhand Vuelta Zerolite Track Comp wheels. The seller told me that the front hub needed service, no worries... So, the front axle is already out and I'm a bit stumped. The hub side looks like a normal cup-and-cone setup with loose balls and a bearing pocket. But the axle side does not look like any bearing cone I've ever seen before. Instead of an angled cone, there is a smaller diameter cylindrical section that threads onto the axle. When I put it on the wheel with balls in the race, nothing seems to contact the seal. It does seem to roll on the bearings, but looking at this part that threads in it really seems like it is intended for a sealed bearing setup and not cup-and-cone. Does Vuelta have a strange bearing setup for their wheels, or is there a chance that the axle on this wheel got mixed up at some point?

bmwjoe

I use the same wheels on my bike. The bearings appear to be normal to me. The fronts have a rubber seal that presses into the hub and rides on the cone.

I have had a lot of these wheels as the rear wheel bearings seem to only last ~5000 miles. I have purchased several sets of these wheels through the old Nashbar while they were about $80/set. I tried replacing the cup/cone bearings with cartridge bearings on one set, but they got loose over time. I am still working on a long term solution. In general I am happy with the wheels. They run true and I have had zero non-bearing issues. When I was able to get a pair of wheels for little more than a pair of tires this did not seem like a big deal as I ride a lot.

I have contacted Vuelta about this and they told me they get the track hubs from KT https://www.ktgroup.net/



Vuelta track wheels

nightfly

Think it's kind of funny that you would keep buying crappy wheels that you know only last for a short time instead of investing in some better quality wheels and hubs.

Or at least get a decent hub put in the old rim.

I get it if it's all you can afford but once you buy multiple sets, the math gets a little fuzzy.

veganbikes

People are odd. I like to have a good high quality handbuilt wheelset that with high quality parts could last nearly forever. I hate having to service stuff often or have oddity parts that aren't easily serviced.

Caliper

So, I ended up ordering a front axle set off Vuelta's website. According to the pic that their CS rep sent me, I should be getting an axle, cones, locknuts, axle nuts and balls all for $12 delivered. Just replacing the bearings might be better than buying a whole new wheelset... Tracking says I'll have it Monday so can update then.

I believe that somehow the previous owner gave me a cup/cone bearing wheel with the axle parts for a cartridge bearing setup. At least I'll have a hollow axle for use with a quick release instead of the axle nuts that the replacement parts look to have.

Senrab62 

So is this a bearing issue or a race issue? 5k for mediocre bearings seems good.

Do you have any pics to show what you are referencing?

bmwjoe

Yep. Here is a typical set:


Typical pitting

I tried to order replacements from Vuelta, several years ago but they only had the axles. No cones.

Senrab62 

Yikes!!! No bueno. Was that stock grease? Seems like extra soft races!

bmwjoe

Yes, that was with stock grease. They all looked about the same when I took them apart. The last pair I repacked with marine grease when they were new. We will see how they make out. I was thinking of getting some replacement cones from Wheels Manufacturing to rehab my other wheels:

https://wheelsmfg.com/products/hub-p...cones.html?p=1

Is there another source for cones?

The balls were also chewed up. Is there a good source for balls?

Caliper

So, I just received the "Front Axle Set Without Bearings (1151566F01)" from here: https://www.vueltausa.com/vuelta-whe...eel-parts.html

It includes: an axle, two cones, two cone lucknuts, two axle nuts and 20 balls. Not sure what "without bearings" means on Vuelta's website, but that's what I got. All installed perfectly into my front wheel with some fresh grease and spins nicely. Shipping costs more than the part, but I'm now out just under $22 for this wheelset so all's well. The cones are designed for Vuelta's "sealed loose" system though, so do not have the shields on them like in bmwjoe's pics.

Downside, it is a 10mm solid axle, so no QR. I'll have to fix that.

Broctoon

If Vuelta can't help you through the kit described above by @Caliper...

Harris's website used to have a link to their special order catalog that showed almost every cone and axle size ever made. I don't see anything that extensive now, but I think they'd be the source if anyone is. And they have a good selection of balls, dirt cheap.

Harris Cyclery Special Order Parts

Senrab62 

Not too bad. So $22 for both front and rear rebuild/service? How much does this wheelset weigh? Any difference between the original parts and replacement parts? Just curious.

Caliper

I never saw the original parts. The parts I got when I bought the wheel secondhand were obviously not for cup/cone bearings. But the parts I received fit fine.

Senrab62 

Ahhh, gotcha. I am dense sometimes.

seau grateau

Could have got two sets of wheels that don't crap out after 5k miles for the same price.