What in the Wide World of Sports are these hubs?
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 1,906
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1039 Post(s)
Liked 1,692 Times
in
623 Posts
I’m not familiar with this brand. Seems very light. Also small braking surface.
#27
Disraeli Gears
https://www.mcmaster.com/phenolic/
Phenolic has been around for a long time, and I think much of the earlier stuff used cotton fabric, don't know about the resin -- maybe bakelite? The thicker phenolic sheet is used a lot in electronics, even today, though it's available fairly thin too.
I have a pair of these hubs, though the bearings on one of them spin with a "dry" sound. As to disassembling and servicing, I haven't attempted this yet, but here's a BF thread where various things were suggested:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...less-hubs.html
Last edited by Charles Wahl; 09-29-22 at 08:24 AM.
Likes For Charles Wahl:
#28
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,394
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,823 Times
in
1,709 Posts
-- it's obviously some sort of phenolic (fabric-reinforced sheet with a polymer resin), most likely what's called G-10 or Garolite (epoxy is the resin, typically, and I think fiberglass the fabric for most varieties):
https://www.mcmaster.com/phenolic/
Phenolic has been around for a long time, and I think much of the earlier stuff used cotton fabric, don't know about the resin -- maybe bakelite?
Thanks for bringing phenolic to my vocabulary; I'm almost as excited as the day I discovered what an aglet is
DD
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,825
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
Mentioned: 128 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4742 Post(s)
Liked 3,860 Times
in
2,509 Posts
I don't think we had "weight wienie" as a term yet, but Weyless was definitely in that category and regarded as such by many in the racing world. I raced '76-'78. In conservative Boston with John Allis at the helm of Raleigh Century Road Club, it was all Campagnolo (Super Record if you had the bucks) with a few of us outliers riding SunTour/Sugino/Diacompe. (And at key places, the Japanese parts were compatible with Campagnolo. Hub FW threads. Sugino Mighty cranksets and chainrings. (I rode a mishmash of highest and lowest levels of Mighty rings and a Campy SR 43 I won in a race. 42-44 and 52-54.)
Oh, but there was one complete outlier. A conservatively Campy equipped frame that would turn the cycling world upside down. Made by an MIT grad named Gary Klein.
Oh, but there was one complete outlier. A conservatively Campy equipped frame that would turn the cycling world upside down. Made by an MIT grad named Gary Klein.
#30
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Illinois
Posts: 338
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 94 Post(s)
Liked 282 Times
in
149 Posts
Originally Posted by Robvolz;[url=tel:22662259
22662259]their ad reads, “we seal them with Teflon, which keeps out dust and dirt which is the number one cause of bearing failure.”
except Teflon is a coating, so who knows what the actual substructure material is.
I am going to swap them out. Take them apart and report here.
except Teflon is a coating, so who knows what the actual substructure material is.
I am going to swap them out. Take them apart and report here.
There were teflon bushings. My CAN-AM swingarm articulated
on them. Was probably a compound of nylon and teflon. A dust seal doesnt sound absurd.
#31
Junior Member
Bumping this thread for some advice.
Would Weyless hubs support a 230 lb. rider? I know that they were designed to be lightweight, but the axles seem stout, like on the old Mavic and Phil Wood cartridge bearing hubs.
As always, any advice is greatly appreciated.
Would Weyless hubs support a 230 lb. rider? I know that they were designed to be lightweight, but the axles seem stout, like on the old Mavic and Phil Wood cartridge bearing hubs.
As always, any advice is greatly appreciated.
#32
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,394
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,823 Times
in
1,709 Posts
Then, check back in and tell us what you learned. Good luck!
DD
#33
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Right where I'm supposed to be
Posts: 1,629
Bikes: Franklin Frames Custom, Rivendell Bombadil
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 115 Post(s)
Liked 206 Times
in
125 Posts
Well those hubs will look fantastic all polished ! Now that I see them they do look vaguely familiar as I likely saw them advertised in some cycling literature or magazine. I've never seen a cartridge bearing seal like that before, I've only seen the rubber/plastic seals. I was wondering about what was meant by a teflon seal myself, so a "ptfe bearing seal" search revealed that apparently, these are but one option for various bearing sealing technologies. The more I read about cartridge bearings the more I realize it's a whole 'nother world. The SKF literature is about the easiest to understand for non-scientists like myself.
https://www.skf.com/us/products/indu...lications/ptfe
https://www.skf.com/us/products/indu...lications/ptfe
#34
Senior Member
Some American Classic headsets have the same type of bearings with the fiberboard looking seals.
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Greenwood SC USA
Posts: 2,340
Bikes: 2002 Mercian Vincitore, 1982 Mercian Colorado, 1976 Puch Royal X, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1971 Gitane Tour de France and others
Mentioned: 55 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 822 Post(s)
Liked 1,387 Times
in
690 Posts
I had good experiences with these hubs, with some caveats. Sometime in late 1978 or early 1979 George Crook of Bikeways of Atlanta out on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road built me a wheelset, 36-spoke Weyless hubs, Mavic Montlhery rims and some sort of butted stainless spokes. I fitted them to my white 1976 Puch Royal X (Austrian!), replacing the stock clinchers. We discussed weight and durability, but since I weighed 125 lbs soaking wet at the time, we concluded I would never have a problem with them. And I didn't. I rode that bike lots and all over, including the 1979 DINGBAT (Discover Impressive North Georgia and a Bit of Alabama Too) 3-day tour with the Southern Bicycle League.
The hubs ran fautllessly the entire time I had them. In the mid-80s I noted that one of the loop skewer handles had a crack where it had apparently rusted, but that happened when I wasn't riding much. I foolishly sold the bike with those wheels in 1987 to a friend in Macon, and it was stolen before I could buy it back.
By freakish chance I stumbled onto THAT EXACT BIKE in 2019. It was in Stone Mountain, Georgia, pretty much exactly as I had last seen it, with a freaky difference - most of the stock parts I had upgraded had itself been replaced. The Weyless tubular wheelset was gone, along with the Berthet pedals, Ideale 90 saddle, and Shimano Crane rear derailleur. Still, it was my old bike, period and it's home now.
If by chance anyone in the Greater Atlanta area runs up on a set of Weyless hubs laced to Mavic Montlhery tubular rims, please let me know!
The hubs ran fautllessly the entire time I had them. In the mid-80s I noted that one of the loop skewer handles had a crack where it had apparently rusted, but that happened when I wasn't riding much. I foolishly sold the bike with those wheels in 1987 to a friend in Macon, and it was stolen before I could buy it back.
By freakish chance I stumbled onto THAT EXACT BIKE in 2019. It was in Stone Mountain, Georgia, pretty much exactly as I had last seen it, with a freaky difference - most of the stock parts I had upgraded had itself been replaced. The Weyless tubular wheelset was gone, along with the Berthet pedals, Ideale 90 saddle, and Shimano Crane rear derailleur. Still, it was my old bike, period and it's home now.
If by chance anyone in the Greater Atlanta area runs up on a set of Weyless hubs laced to Mavic Montlhery tubular rims, please let me know!
#36
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 1,906
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1039 Post(s)
Liked 1,692 Times
in
623 Posts
the good people at Lakeside Bikes, Lake Oswego Oregon (Largest Pegoretti shop in America) swapped out the old sealed bearings for some Phil wood bearings. I will run these on my new (to me) DeRosa as soon as I can start the build up. Bonus, the shop found an extra QR skewer in their junk drawer. Tossed it in for free.
The axels are stout. I can't imagine these not supporting anything less than a circus bear.
Snowed in, binge watching a post mushroom-virus show where gas doesn't degrade and polishing rims at the same time.
The axels are stout. I can't imagine these not supporting anything less than a circus bear.
Snowed in, binge watching a post mushroom-virus show where gas doesn't degrade and polishing rims at the same time.
__________________
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,321
Mentioned: 414 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3780 Post(s)
Liked 3,284 Times
in
2,145 Posts
-----
Jim McKay received his answer.
btw - the Martano rims seen in photo are likely intended for pista - no need to waste material on a braking surface
-----
Jim McKay received his answer.
btw - the Martano rims seen in photo are likely intended for pista - no need to waste material on a braking surface
-----
Last edited by juvela; 02-27-23 at 12:56 PM. Reason: addition
Likes For juvela:
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 1,906
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1039 Post(s)
Liked 1,692 Times
in
623 Posts
personally I was quoting Slim Pickens who was quoting Jim McKay. But yes!!
__________________
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
#39
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,440
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1124 Post(s)
Liked 1,704 Times
in
941 Posts
The dude that lost it on the large ski jump, I wonder how he felt having that clip replayed over and over again.
Last edited by Mr. 66; 02-27-23 at 03:36 PM.
#40
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Alta California
Posts: 14,321
Mentioned: 414 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3780 Post(s)
Liked 3,284 Times
in
2,145 Posts
#41
Banned.
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: PAZ
Posts: 12,394
Mentioned: 255 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2588 Post(s)
Liked 4,823 Times
in
1,709 Posts
DD
#42
Junior Member
You might cross-reference this thread over in the Clydesdales/Athenas sub-forum; cyclists there are generally 200lbs or more. One of them might well have practical experience with these hubs, and be more than willing to share their knowledge with you.
Then, check back in and tell us what you learned. Good luck!
DD
Then, check back in and tell us what you learned. Good luck!
DD
Likes For tcpasley:
#43
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,320
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3449 Post(s)
Liked 2,800 Times
in
1,974 Posts
hard and low friction.
namely:
Polytetrafluoroethylene
PTFE is the acronym
Weyless used a sheet with it in it, that might be the fibers in the disc. Not really reusable once removed.
Last edited by repechage; 03-01-23 at 10:30 AM.
#44
vintage motor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico
Posts: 1,589
Bikes: 48 Automoto, 49 Stallard, 50 Rotrax, 62 Jack Taylor, 67 Atala, 68 Lejeune, 72-74-75 Motobecanes, 73 RIH, 71 Zieleman, 74 Raleigh, 78 Windsor, 83 Messina (Villata), 84 Brazzo (Losa), 85 Davidson, 90 Diamondback, 92 Kestrel
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 160 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 100 Times
in
77 Posts
A lot of race bikes were purchased as frames only and the owner assembled the components to build it into a bicycle. Keep in mind too that most racers were didn't have enough money to build up a complete bike they way they would like. They often had a previous lower end bike that carried over some parts and a subscription to a magazine that had mail order parts available for discount prices.
So, you would build your own wheels. Carry over less than optimal components and end up with a mish-mash, But all that didn't matter. What mattered was how good you were. Nobody cared about which component group you had. Or if you have fancy handlebar wrap.
So, you would build your own wheels. Carry over less than optimal components and end up with a mish-mash, But all that didn't matter. What mattered was how good you were. Nobody cared about which component group you had. Or if you have fancy handlebar wrap.
Likes For kroozer:
#45
Paramount Fan
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Vermont
Posts: 292
Bikes: Paramounts, Raleigh Pros, Colnago, DeRosa, Gios, Masis, Pinarello, R. Sachs, Look, D. Moulton, Witcomb, Motobecane, Bianchis, Fat City, Frejus, Follis, Waterford, Litespeed, d'Autremont, others, mostly '70s-'80s
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 123 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
132 Posts
I found it interesting that the Weyless ad touts 0.0002 inch precision on the bearings. I hope that was on the O.D. or I.D. and not the bearing internals. Either that, or perhaps they left out a zero, or meant 0.0002 mm, which would be quite impressive.
Likes For sbarner:
#46
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Pac NW
Posts: 1,906
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1039 Post(s)
Liked 1,692 Times
in
623 Posts
__________________
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."