Couple (probably) simple questions
#1
"Florida Man"
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: East Florida
Posts: 1,668
Bikes: '16 Bob Jackson rando, '66 Raleigh Superbe, 80 Nishiki Maxima, 07 Gary Fisher Utopia, 09 Surly LHT
Liked 1,777 Times
in
883 Posts
Couple (probably) simple questions
I'm a long distance rider, and never gave much thought to single speeds, but I am considering a track frame purchase. I have two newbie questions:
1-Why do single speed hubs all have axles with regular old nuts to hold them on? Why doesn't a quick release work for them?
2-Has anyone used a 'kick-shift' 2 speed hub? Are they reliable, and are they easy to use? I really wanted the SRAM 2 speed automatic, but I gather they don't make them any longer, and nobody else makes one (Is that true?).
I live in a pretty flat area (Florida), so 2 or 3 speeds would work for me. The frame has 120 spacing, and I find several options for IGH hubs to fit, but I'd rather have no shift cable if possible. I'm not ready to go for one speed, though. It does get very windy at times, and there are some hills here and there. Anyway, thanks in advance for any answers.
1-Why do single speed hubs all have axles with regular old nuts to hold them on? Why doesn't a quick release work for them?
2-Has anyone used a 'kick-shift' 2 speed hub? Are they reliable, and are they easy to use? I really wanted the SRAM 2 speed automatic, but I gather they don't make them any longer, and nobody else makes one (Is that true?).
I live in a pretty flat area (Florida), so 2 or 3 speeds would work for me. The frame has 120 spacing, and I find several options for IGH hubs to fit, but I'd rather have no shift cable if possible. I'm not ready to go for one speed, though. It does get very windy at times, and there are some hills here and there. Anyway, thanks in advance for any answers.
__________________
Campione Del Mondo Immaginario
Campione Del Mondo Immaginario
#3
Full Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Maryland
Posts: 347
Bikes: Nashbar Race SIS, Spalding Road Step Through Single Speed, Kent Road Single Speed, 630 Cruiser, Fuji Odessa mountain bike
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm a long distance rider, and never gave much thought to single speeds, but I am considering a track frame purchase. I have two newbie questions:
1-Why do single speed hubs all have axles with regular old nuts to hold them on? Why doesn't a quick release work for them?
2-Has anyone used a 'kick-shift' 2 speed hub? Are they reliable, and are they easy to use? I really wanted the SRAM 2 speed automatic, but I gather they don't make them any longer, and nobody else makes one (Is that true?).
I live in a pretty flat area (Florida), so 2 or 3 speeds would work for me. The frame has 120 spacing, and I find several options for IGH hubs to fit, but I'd rather have no shift cable if possible. I'm not ready to go for one speed, though. It does get very windy at times, and there are some hills here and there. Anyway, thanks in advance for any answers.
1-Why do single speed hubs all have axles with regular old nuts to hold them on? Why doesn't a quick release work for them?
2-Has anyone used a 'kick-shift' 2 speed hub? Are they reliable, and are they easy to use? I really wanted the SRAM 2 speed automatic, but I gather they don't make them any longer, and nobody else makes one (Is that true?).
I live in a pretty flat area (Florida), so 2 or 3 speeds would work for me. The frame has 120 spacing, and I find several options for IGH hubs to fit, but I'd rather have no shift cable if possible. I'm not ready to go for one speed, though. It does get very windy at times, and there are some hills here and there. Anyway, thanks in advance for any answers.
#4
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,027
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Liked 3,234 Times
in
1,741 Posts
There is a chain tensioning technique that requires you to alternately tighten each side individually that wouldn't work with QRs but there are other ways to do it.
#6
A quick release would work. The answer is mostly tradition. FG riders like to think somehow they put out so much more torque on a FG hub that it would pull a QR hub out of alignment but that's just hooey unless you don't know how to use a skewer properly.
There is a chain tensioning technique that requires you to alternately tighten each side individually that wouldn't work with QRs but there are other ways to do it.
There is a chain tensioning technique that requires you to alternately tighten each side individually that wouldn't work with QRs but there are other ways to do it.
#7
Old fart
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Appleton WI
Posts: 25,043
Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.
Liked 3,675 Times
in
2,077 Posts
Until the late 60s or so, you could buy track hubs with quick releases and use them in competition. But UCI (the governing body for professional cycling) ruled that quick release hubs could not be used in UCI sanctioned track competitions, so quick release track hubs faded from the market. The concern was that in events where riders could be overlapping wheels, a following rider's wheel could catch and flip open the quick release of the rider in front, causing a crash. Before the rule change, Campagnolo's quick release track hubs had curved levers to minimize this concern (this was years before the CPSC in the United States started requiring curved levers on all quick releases).
But there's no reason in principle why you can't use a quick release hub on your own bike, as long as you don't intend to use it in a UCI sanctioned competition. You would need to replace the solid axle with a hollow one of the proper length for your frame, and get a quick release skewer to match.
But there's no reason in principle why you can't use a quick release hub on your own bike, as long as you don't intend to use it in a UCI sanctioned competition. You would need to replace the solid axle with a hollow one of the proper length for your frame, and get a quick release skewer to match.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 13,321
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Liked 4,331 Times
in
2,788 Posts
There is a really good reason to deal with nuts for single speed hubs. Unlike derailleur bikes, adjusting the wheel back and forth is necessary to adjust the chain tension. There is also the need to center the wheel side-to-side. (Remember, no near self-centering vertical dropout.) So, with a quick-release, you have to get both the chain tension and the centering right while the whole wheel is free to move. On a good day, easy. On a bad day, this can be very frustrating. But with nuts, you get close, tighten them then you can "walk" the hub in either direction by loosening one nut, pushing the front of the rim toward the appropriate chainstay, re-tighten and repeat on the other side. Sounds like a lot of work but you can do it completely brain-dead.
I see Scott mentioned this already. For the reason I just outlined, I will always have nutted fix gear hubs and would do the same on any single speed bike with horizontal dropouts or track ends. (Further plus: if you are riding and decided the chain should be just a tad tighter or looser, a quick, very accurate adjustment is easy. With a quick-release you are back to square one as soon as you release that lever.)
Ben
I see Scott mentioned this already. For the reason I just outlined, I will always have nutted fix gear hubs and would do the same on any single speed bike with horizontal dropouts or track ends. (Further plus: if you are riding and decided the chain should be just a tad tighter or looser, a quick, very accurate adjustment is easy. With a quick-release you are back to square one as soon as you release that lever.)
Ben
#9
~>~
Yes.
Accidentally bumping a QR lever w/ an overlapping front wheel can open the QR with disastrous results, track nuts not so much. A QR lever, or any protrusion is a hazard on the track and not permitted.
Wheel changes don't take place on the roadside in track events, a QR has no function for velodrome use.
MY LD/FG set-up is QR front, track nuts rear.
-Bandera
Accidentally bumping a QR lever w/ an overlapping front wheel can open the QR with disastrous results, track nuts not so much. A QR lever, or any protrusion is a hazard on the track and not permitted.
Wheel changes don't take place on the roadside in track events, a QR has no function for velodrome use.
MY LD/FG set-up is QR front, track nuts rear.
-Bandera