zjrog

OK, which hub is better and why would you choose one over the other. This conversation is irrespective of rim or bike attached.

I ask this, as my 98 Schwinn Searcher hybrid and my 98 Cannondale R200 both have the RM40 hubsets, as does my daughter's 98 Schwinn Passage. My recently acquired 97 Cannondale R300 was supposed to be so equipped as well. BUT, it has RSX A410 hubset instead...

mountaindave 

Is the RM40 8s vs the A410 7s? I have the latter and it’s a solid hub set. Less chunky than the MTB. I would think the OLD’s are going to be different between mtb and road standards.

Neither is high end, but both should be very functional and I would think whichever fits the bike will work. Properly maintained, they’ll both last a very long time.

noglider 

Low end Shimano hubs are made of surprisingly good quality. Don't worry.

ThermionicScott 

+1 to all this. I would use either one with confidence.

zjrog

Both are 7 speed free hubs. Rephrasing. My daughter's RM40 is 7s, and both of mine are 7s. As is the RSX. Frankly, I didn't know they offered a RSX hubset, but shouldn't be surprised.

I have no doubt the RM40, and RSX hubs will last. Certainly Shimano made gazillions of RM40s... The RSX set with my new acquisition was a surprise, expected RM40s.

Along with all my other winter projects, I think lacing new rims to refurbished and polished RSX hubs is in order. And use them on the 98 R200, it wears much nicer examples of RSX components than the well used 97 R300 I snagged.

Thanks for the help!

mountaindave 

In the 90’s the road groups directly under 105 were RSX and RX100. They roughly equate to Sora and Tiagra respectively. However, I find the RSX and RX100 groups to be more aesthetically pleasing as they were silver and less chunky than Sora and Tiagra.

I happen to have the ‘98 8s version C’dale R300 and it’s been a great road bike for my daughters. I converted it to 650b, but I digress...

zjrog

I can't say I've seen RX100 components. But I agree, the RSX hubs do look a LOT nicer than RM40.

Now you have me interested in your 650b swap on the 98 R300. I had contemplated a 650b swap on a Marin hybrid I picked up just before getting the R300. But, the chain stay spacing is narrow and I couldn't really gain any tire width with 650b.

mountaindave 

Yeah, the indents on the OS chain stays is 700c specific and I can just barely fit 32’s in. Normally I can get 38’s on even with a late 80’s bike that barely fits 700x25. But it was a decent improvement over 28’s considering it’s the smallest frame they made (50 CM?) and my girls are pretty light weight.

mountaindave 

Also, after riding the C’dale bike to school and back on gravel and around crappy pavement, my daughter came to like the feel of supple tires (Grand Bois Cypress). When I had her test ride a friend’s full 7400 DA Vitus 979 with 25’s that he would give me at a really good price she just said, “Too skinny,” and walked off.

top506

IIRC, RX100 was 7s DT shifters. RSX was a year or two later, 7 or 8s, brifters.

Top

zjrog

I might look at 650b for the R300 then. Just out of curiosity. I'd fit 28s on the R200, and it was tight. So I stayed with 25s... I know I don't want to go back to 23s, the Clyde I still am, and the much heavier guy I used to be say no...

ThermionicScott 

I have a road bike outfitted completely with RX100 parts. Works great, and from what I've heard, it's basically 105 with a different finish. (The hubs do have "piston-ring" type seals instead of rubber seals, but that has yet to be a problem.)

zjrog

cool!

zjrog

Happened to run across your R300 post on the 650b conversion pics thread.... Cool beans!

mountaindave 

Ha! I forgot all about that post - good sleuthing!

Here’s a shot of the chain stay clearance. Not great, but it works for road riding. You can see the indent on the stay doesn’t line up with 650b wheels. Cant really tell, but there’s about 2mm in each side... at most.

dddd

The RSX freehub should be able to handle an 11t cog, whereas the HB-RM40 would normally need to have the splines cut back a couple of mm.

RX100 lasted a few years, went from 7s DT levers to 8s STI
RSX was lower-tier than RX100, and was still at the 7s level when the first STI version appeared. The first version had compact (26)-36-46t chainrings and often was paired with an 11-24t 7s cassette.

wrk101

My luck with Shimano hubs has been worse than others. As a percentage, I find a more worn out cones on Shimano hubs than any other brand. The opposite side of the spectrum are Campy hubs. I have had Campy hubs as far back as 1959 with still great cones and cups. Meanwhile, I have had to use a bunch of Shimano wheels as donors.

mountaindave 

I actually prefer the RX100 over similar vintage 105 for purely aesthetic reasons - I love shiny over dull gray.

3speedslow

Needs pics!

noglider 

I wonder if they wear out because of maladjustment. Most bikes come with their hubs set too tight.

I agree about Campagnolo hubs, though. I've never seen anything better.

But wouldn't you agree that low-end Shimano beats those Normandy Sport hubs from the 70s? I was a bike mechanic from 1978 through 1984, and I overhauled hundreds of Normandy hubs. Ick!

zjrog

Wow. That's awesome! I have a lot of work to do to match that shine with my RSX!

zjrog

RSX I got on my recent 97 Cannondale R300
RM-40 on my 98 Cannondale R200
105 5600 series
561 Wheelset, both this and the 105 wheelset were picked up used. The 561 wheels are too low spoke for my weight, but they are just fine on my indoor trainer (and shiny!)...