Rating hubs fixed gear hubs from 1940’s/50’s
10-19-22, 11:32 AM
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Rating hubs fixed gear hubs from 1940’s/50’s
Hello
Looking to build a set of wheels for a c1945 road bike with fixed gear. Have been researching hubs today, would be grateful for any info that people can share. Looking to find out which were made to the highest quality and can be maintained and durable. Considering BH Airlites , Bayliss Wiley hubs and Harden hubs, ?maxi ?campag not sure if they were around yet.
Any info gratefully received
thanks
Looking to build a set of wheels for a c1945 road bike with fixed gear. Have been researching hubs today, would be grateful for any info that people can share. Looking to find out which were made to the highest quality and can be maintained and durable. Considering BH Airlites , Bayliss Wiley hubs and Harden hubs, ?maxi ?campag not sure if they were around yet.
Any info gratefully received
thanks
10-19-22, 07:56 PM
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imo all post war steel and alloy and combo hubs were great. Airlite, Solite, Racelite and many other non-BH hubs are great. Harden Bacon slicers? Fratelli Brivio or Campy? So many sweet hubs.
All are durable and easily maintained. Best is in the eye of the beholder. Weigh them if that's your priority.
All are durable and easily maintained. Best is in the eye of the beholder. Weigh them if that's your priority.
Last edited by clubman; 10-19-22 at 08:04 PM.
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10-19-22, 08:03 PM
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If you're serious, take the el cheapo membership package and post a wanted to buy. You likely know everything you need to know about these, it's all out there.
10-20-22, 10:27 AM
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Fratelli Brivio aka FB. Mutiple versions. All top quality. Relatively available. My daily is using a steel 1930s FB that was NIB with a badly bent axle when it showed up in the mail. 1970s Tipo axle fit perfect and I get to use a QR. Which is 1950s Campy. Maybe 5000 miles by now and runs perfect.
Remember that in 1945 it would have been completely normal to use pre-war or anything that could be found.
Using modern spokes, if you are, with steel flanges don't forget to use washers under spoke head. Little brass ones from hardware store work fine and aren't seen except by you.
Remember that in 1945 it would have been completely normal to use pre-war or anything that could be found.
Using modern spokes, if you are, with steel flanges don't forget to use washers under spoke head. Little brass ones from hardware store work fine and aren't seen except by you.
10-21-22, 10:01 AM
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I sold 2 sets of Paramount Phone-dials last year that would be appropriate and offer world-class performance.
10-21-22, 10:44 AM
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And back to bikes - I love those old Tipo front hubs. I use them as commuter winter/rain hubs. The cones have been scored for decades but with tons of marine greased stuffed in, I cannot feel it. They just keep rolling on. And I have zero worry that those massive flanges are going to break anytime soon.
