e.estern

I built a set of tubular wheels using Nuke Proof hubs sometime in the 1990s. I recently rediscovered them (cleaning out my parent's basement) and was thinking of putting on some nice tires and using them on a race bike of the same era. But... after some researching here I see that there were issues with the flanges failing and carbon fiber coming loose on some generations of these hubs. Now I'm kind of hesitant--I'd love to ride tubulars again, since I basically have a free set of of very lightweight wheels, but having a wheel fail at speed would be pretty unpleasant. They look almost new--I probably only rode them a couple of hundred miles--and as far as I can tell there is no sign of any cracking, etc. They have a Shimano 8 speed cassette and they spin nicely. If anyone is familiar with this set up, what would you advise--ride and enjoy them or toss 'em back in the basement, yet another example of the foolishness of youth?

e.estern

I wanted to add: I've been enjoying this forum as a reader for years, have not contributed many posts, so I can't post photos yet apparently.

Classtime 

Nuke Proof? My Ambrosio Nemesis are only bomb proof😇
I’ve no experience with those hubs but I bet they would be cool on a Allez Epic.

e.estern

It was a boutique brand that made super lightweight hubs and some other parts.

zandoval 

This is a very good question!

I dont know enough about Carbon Components to give ya a decent reply...

Dave Mayer

I prefer tubulars above any other tire/rim system, mainly for safety. When you have a sudden blowout, the tubular tire stays stuck firm to the rim, as opposed to clinchers, where even if you can handle the bike riding on the 2 metal hooks on the rim, you still face the prospect of the tire or tube coming off of the rim and getting jammed up in the stays or the brakes.

As far as the 'ride quality' or 'experience', I cannot tell much of a difference between good tubular and good clincher tires. Tubular rims are certainly lighter.

However, I would be far more concerned about the way the tires are glued to the rims. And whether the base tape on the top of the tire casing is still glued to the tire itself. Both glues dry out over time. I would not ride on a tire that hasn't been glued within the last few (short) years.

Bianchigirll 

e.estern I remember those, but not sure I actually had any in my hands. I’d give them a really good cleaning and inspection. Anything can fail at anytime, ask United and Boeing, so I’d give them a try. Did your research turn up any manufacturer dates, lot numbers, identifying logo size or style? I believe sometimes when a problem like this crops up and he company is still making that product they’ll change something to separate “new and improved” from old and crappy.

you’d like notice fretting corrosion between the alloy flange and the carbon body or even a crack at a spoke hole. I suspect lots of rode many a mile on those old Campagnolo drilled high flange hubs with a crack or two.

any pics?

pic from the interwebs.

blamester

If they haven't been used and also stored reasonably thay are no worse than the last time you rode them. I would build them and ride them. Keep a close eye on them till you are certain they are good.
Your intial inspections shows them to be like new.

Doug Fattic 

I had a close friend that worked for Nuke Proof years ago (when they were actually in business) and he left because he felt they did not have high enough ethical standards for him. They were light hubs and I was going to get a pair for a super light bike I was making but after hearing his stories I chose a different brand of hubs.

TiHabanero

My understanding is the early production of their hubs had some issues. I knew a guy that deconstructed a few of their hubs and found the issue to be a tolerance problem. He turned new flanges and reassembled them and used them without issue. FWIW, the carbon on the hub is simply a wrap and offers no structural element to the hubs, its just bling.

Chombi1 

Strange that they had problems with the flanges breaking on those hubs. The flanges look so thick that I would think they would be very strong. Maybe it was the way they were machined (They look like they were CNC'd) that could have resulted in stress risers where cracking could start?

e.estern

chain_whipped

I'm familiar with them and the hoops. If you decide not to ride them and toss back to the basement, consider selling them. Seriously interested.

madpogue 

I'm surprised the L-bends of conventional spokes work in such thick flanges.

e.estern

I'm still thinking it over. Will let you know if I decide to sell them.