I have a Hed Cx rear wheel with a 600 rear hub. Because of how these wheels are constructed (the cf fairing is structual), I can not replace the hub. I was thinking I could remove the existing guts (leaving just the hub shell) and replace with new parts. When I rotate the wheel it feels sort of rough to me.
Is it possible to do this and if so does anyone have any ideas where I could find a new condition 600 hub? I assume I can’t just put an Ultegra hub axel, bearings, etc in there right?
How many spokes? I thinks I have a 32 hole at home.
Since it is stuctual I would think that you could use any hub that has the same number of spoke holes. I did with my CX front wheel, it’s just difficult but not impossible to find spokes that are that short.
I buy loose balls from loosescrews.com Get the grade 200 ones, as they are hardened. Not sure on the size. You’ll have to look that up. You shouldn’t have to replace the axle. You might need to replace the cones. Loosescrews has those too. How are the races? If the races are kaput, not sure what you can do at that point except replace the shell. Try replacing the balls alone before you pull the pawls.
I haven’t seen this particular wheel but I’m almost possible that you can replace the hub, the spoke nipples will be accessable with a special wrench after you remove the tire and rimstrip (if any). Also if the hub is rough chances are the bearings and possibly bearing races need replaced, which isn’t a major job. Any bikeshop can order the parts.
I think the rear wheel is 24 spoke. I checked with Hed about replacing the hub and they said it was a major pain in the ass and likely not worth the effort. I assume that is because the nipples are somehow embedded into the fairing and not accessable like a normal wheel (via the rim). ARe you saying you were able to replace the entire hub? Thanks!
I bet it’s going to be real hard to find a 24 hole hub from 10 or so years ago. Like the other posts mentioned, replace the internals of the hubs. The shell should not have to be replaced with normal wear and tear.
If you want to go real funky, I would get some ceramic SiN4 bearings from www.bocabearings.com, but at least go with grade 25 bearings which are the upper level of quality, especially for race wheels. You can also order new cones and possibly a new axle from the www.wheelsmfg.com catalog usually available in any decent LBS. New grease and bearings usually make a hundred percent difference in old hubs.
I haven’t seen this particular wheel but I’m almost possible that you can replace the hub, the spoke nipples will be accessable with a special wrench after you remove the tire and rimstrip (if any). Also if the hub is rough chances are the bearings and possibly bearing races need replaced, which isn’t a major job. Any bikeshop can order the parts.
Styrrell
I have a CX and there are no holes drilled in the aluminum rim. Well, just one for the tire valve. So you don’t have access to the nipples from the outside. You can certainly unscrew the nipples, detach the spokes, and take the old hub out. But it would be very difficult to get all spokes back into the nipples once the new hub is laced up. After taking each spoke out, you would need to tape up the nipple so that it remained in the hole in the carbon fiber part, and then pray like hell that you don’t lose one when you try to get the spokes back in because once it’s out, it’s gonna be a bear to get back in (if it’s even possible).
If the hub shell is OK, you can certainly get new ball bearings. If the cones are shot, you might be able to find new ones which will fit. I’ve gotten new cones for late '80s shimano hubs over at www.loosescrews.com.