What in the Wide World of Sports are these hubs?
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What in the Wide World of Sports are these hubs?
And why would they be on a 70s Colnago with Italian rims?
I see no markings on them anywhere.
I see no markings on them anywhere.
#2
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Weyless. I know I have an unlaced, new set of these deep in my hub bin, but I haven't dug that far down in years. Note the cartridge bearing design, which instead of a rubber seal, features some kind of fabric-type material. Asbestos?
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Weyless.
you should spend some time searching around Velobase. lots of interesting information there.
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...110&AbsPos=464
you should spend some time searching around Velobase. lots of interesting information there.
https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...110&AbsPos=464
i kid
Awesome source of knowledge. Thank you so much.
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Where would these hubs be most appropriate? A custom American build? Schwinn paramount?
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Weyless main
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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.
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The handlebar wrap doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be white. Or have been white at one time.
I love the look of old racers who just put new tape on top of old for a little extra cushion, etc.…
after use and time it could look like a mummy
Believe me, I fully understand the mix-and-match of components. My old Holdsworth had campy drivetrain but universal brakes. Mismatch rims and GRAB-ON grips which were universally hated by anybody with an actual racing Pedigree
However, these hubs seem like they were more expensive than Campy when new and certainly they have increased in value.
In an old box of parts I found some small flange Colnago Pantograph record hubs that I would rather use.
If anybody has a real hankering for these hubs, send me a message. They don’t mean anything to me but they might mean more to someone else.
I love the look of old racers who just put new tape on top of old for a little extra cushion, etc.…
after use and time it could look like a mummy
Believe me, I fully understand the mix-and-match of components. My old Holdsworth had campy drivetrain but universal brakes. Mismatch rims and GRAB-ON grips which were universally hated by anybody with an actual racing Pedigree
However, these hubs seem like they were more expensive than Campy when new and certainly they have increased in value.
In an old box of parts I found some small flange Colnago Pantograph record hubs that I would rather use.
If anybody has a real hankering for these hubs, send me a message. They don’t mean anything to me but they might mean more to someone else.
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I wondered about that. Or is some early nylon webbing to create a better seal. They made some unique stuff.
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BITD, those hubs were pretty intriguing!
The advertisements sure had me lusting for a pair!
Steve in Peoria
(pretty happy with my Campy Record hubs, though)
The advertisements sure had me lusting for a pair!
Steve in Peoria
(pretty happy with my Campy Record hubs, though)
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Probably an early, lightweight, and thin dust shield which appears to have been eschewed on subsequent editions.
DD
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Find a Colnago?
I put the sexiest parts on the fastest bikes.
Lightest parts on the climbers.
Clinchers on the triples.
...not sure there's a Rule...
I put the sexiest parts on the fastest bikes.
Lightest parts on the climbers.
Clinchers on the triples.
...not sure there's a Rule...
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Digging deep in the memory banks here: Keep the skewers with the hubs. As I recall the skewers were larger diameter than traditional skewers and would not work with other hubs. (Maybe only the rear)
I also seem to recall that these hubs, as well as the American Classics, would develop a bit of side play in the bearings after a couple thousand miles; still usable and not noticeable while riding (to me) but a bit disconcerting to the fastidious.
The seventies were the decade when North American cycling discovered sealed bearing hubs, Phil Wood, Weyless, Hi-e, American Classic, and probably a couple others I'm forgetting. It would be interesting to hear from some of our overseas members whether these products, made by relatively small companies, ever made it off this continent in any significant numbers.
Brent
I also seem to recall that these hubs, as well as the American Classics, would develop a bit of side play in the bearings after a couple thousand miles; still usable and not noticeable while riding (to me) but a bit disconcerting to the fastidious.
The seventies were the decade when North American cycling discovered sealed bearing hubs, Phil Wood, Weyless, Hi-e, American Classic, and probably a couple others I'm forgetting. It would be interesting to hear from some of our overseas members whether these products, made by relatively small companies, ever made it off this continent in any significant numbers.
Brent
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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.
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The seventies were the decade when North American cycling discovered sealed bearing hubs, Phil Wood, Weyless, Hi-e, American Classic, and probably a couple others I'm forgetting. It would be interesting to hear from some of our overseas members whether these products, made by relatively small companies, ever made it off this continent in any significant numbers.
Brent
incredibly popular right now. Known as "RetroKult"
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Crazy….
1975 - 1978
Weyless Inc., was founded by a colorful individual named Lester Tabb. Tabb was a multimillionare who ran a mint in Greenwich Conn. Born in Brooklyn, Tabb was later called a power-hungry, bipolar lunatic in a book written by his son George. Anyway, Tabb began riding an Olympia bike in 1972 and got excited about bikes and riding. He rode Cinelli rollers in the Winter but wanted to make a better set of rollers with steps on the side to ease mounting. Weyless was founded in 1975 with the introduction of their high quality rollers. In addition to the rollers, Tabb's company manufactured this seat post and hubs designed by Bill Shook (of American Classic fame) and pedals designed by Bob Reedy. Tabbs cycling business venture downfall came when he added wool clothing to the mix. The clothing was made of wool that was supposed to not shrink. Unfortunately, the wool did shrink, the clothes fit poorly, and this basically did the firm in. Tabb moved his family south and remodeled Tara, the home from the movie Gone with the Wind. Eventually it is rumored, that Tabb ended up in jail as a result of a Florida real estate shenanigan. Tabb's son George did gain some success as a writer, chronicling his disfunctional family life in a memoir titled Surfing Armageddon - Fishnets, Fascists, and Body Fluids in Florida.
Weyless Hub Set
USA1975 - 1978
Weyless Inc., was founded by a colorful individual named Lester Tabb. Tabb was a multimillionare who ran a mint in Greenwich Conn. Born in Brooklyn, Tabb was later called a power-hungry, bipolar lunatic in a book written by his son George. Anyway, Tabb began riding an Olympia bike in 1972 and got excited about bikes and riding. He rode Cinelli rollers in the Winter but wanted to make a better set of rollers with steps on the side to ease mounting. Weyless was founded in 1975 with the introduction of their high quality rollers. In addition to the rollers, Tabb's company manufactured this seat post and hubs designed by Bill Shook (of American Classic fame) and pedals designed by Bob Reedy. Tabbs cycling business venture downfall came when he added wool clothing to the mix. The clothing was made of wool that was supposed to not shrink. Unfortunately, the wool did shrink, the clothes fit poorly, and this basically did the firm in. Tabb moved his family south and remodeled Tara, the home from the movie Gone with the Wind. Eventually it is rumored, that Tabb ended up in jail as a result of a Florida real estate shenanigan. Tabb's son George did gain some success as a writer, chronicling his disfunctional family life in a memoir titled Surfing Armageddon - Fishnets, Fascists, and Body Fluids in Florida.
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Crazy….
Weyless Inc., was founded by a colorful individual named Lester Tabb. Tabb was a multimillionare who ran a mint in Greenwich Conn. Born in Brooklyn, Tabb was later called a power-hungry, bipolar lunatic in a book written by his son George. Anyway, Tabb began riding an Olympia bike in 1972 and got excited about bikes and riding. He rode Cinelli rollers in the Winter but wanted to make a better set of rollers with steps on the side to ease mounting. Weyless was founded in 1975 with the introduction of their high quality rollers.
Weyless Inc., was founded by a colorful individual named Lester Tabb. Tabb was a multimillionare who ran a mint in Greenwich Conn. Born in Brooklyn, Tabb was later called a power-hungry, bipolar lunatic in a book written by his son George. Anyway, Tabb began riding an Olympia bike in 1972 and got excited about bikes and riding. He rode Cinelli rollers in the Winter but wanted to make a better set of rollers with steps on the side to ease mounting. Weyless was founded in 1975 with the introduction of their high quality rollers.
An advertisement from 1977....
In addition to the rollers, Tabb's company manufactured this seat post and hubs designed by Bill Shook (of American Classic fame) and pedals designed by Bob Reedy. Tabbs cycling business venture downfall came when he added wool clothing to the mix. The clothing was made of wool that was supposed to not shrink. Unfortunately, the wool did shrink, the clothes fit poorly, and this basically did the firm in. Tabb moved his family south and remodeled Tara, the home from the movie Gone with the Wind. .....
Never tried it myself... didn't really buy much bike specific clothing until later.
Steve in Peoria
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How many spokes? Are they tubular rims? They may have been the previous owner’s race wheels, or perhaps he just chose these because of the sealed bearings. If they are in great shape they would be appropriate anywhere.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#22
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Yes the rims are tubular. I’ll post to side pic in just a moment.
Last edited by Robvolz; 09-28-22 at 07:42 PM.
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Weyless - Designing the Future
their seatposts were very lightweight.
pedals and bottle cage also
i liked the wool jerseys, no side seams
their seatposts were very lightweight.
pedals and bottle cage also
i liked the wool jerseys, no side seams
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"bowtie" Martano tubular rims early with machined sides