What do you look for in a Quality Trackhub

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

Hi all



I’m totally new to the whole track racing scene. I’ve made myself a little familiar with it.

I now got the assignment to design a hub for a small hub-manufacturer.



My question to you is: what are the things that you expect from a Quality Track hub? What do you guys look for in a Track hub?

Things like low weight/friction and high rigidity?

Please let me know what yo exactly look for when you go buy ah Trackhub.



Thanks in advance



Ps. If this is against the rules just close and delete this thread

No Idea, but every so often someone looks at my track bike and says "nice hubs". If you don't get a good answer on the forum, why don't you go down to your local Velodrome on a practice night and ask the locals.

There is a tripp planned soon, but its always better to get more opinions on things

I wouldn't be too concerned about weight, strength is of utmost importance. High flange is good for stiffness as the spokes can be shorter. spoke holes with plenty of meat around them is important especially for wheels built with radial spokes so as to resist spokes breaking out of the flange. Angle the flanges in towards the rim slightly, aleviating the stress on the spokes on the outside of the flanges.

Press-in type sealed bearings of high quality are good. Only the "sheilded" type are neccessary as they are unlikely to be ridden in wet conditions, therefore eliminating seal drag. Don't bother with ceramic bearings.

If aiming at selling them as training quality then the rear hub should be double sided with lockrings both sides. If a high-end hub, then single sided is neater.

and finally, make 'em look nice with a high polish, or coloured anodised finish and a nice shape, and make them in a variety of spoke drillings like 36, 32, 28 and 24 holes.

Just my 2c worth.
Jack-o

For elegant wide-flange designs, have a look at http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/airlites.html or do a web search on British Hub Company - or for that matter Chater-Lea.

When I packed up, I rescued my one pair of wide-flange Airlites out of one pair of sprints, covered them in WD40 and hung them up in the shed as a neck-hair fizzing reminder of good times gone.

:eek: John:eek:

I wouldn't be too concerned about weight, strength is of utmost importance. High flange is good for stiffness as the spokes can be shorter. spoke holes with plenty of meat around them is important especially for wheels built with radial spokes so as to resist spokes breaking out of the flange. Angle the flanges in towards the rim slightly, aleviating the stress on the spokes on the outside of the flanges.

Press-in type sealed bearings of high quality are good. Only the "sheilded" type are neccessary as they are unlikely to be ridden in wet conditions, therefore eliminating seal drag. Don't bother with ceramic bearings.

If aiming at selling them as training quality then the rear hub should be double sided with lockrings both sides. If a high-end hub, then single sided is neater.

and finally, make 'em look nice with a high polish, or coloured anodised finish and a nice shape, and make them in a variety of spoke drillings like 36, 32, 28 and 24 holes.

Just my 2c worth.
Jack-oAwesome reply, I agree completely with Jack. Maybe you should make Jack a part of your design team!!! ;) Take a look at some old Suntour Superbe Pro or Campy Super Record High Flange Track Hubs for inspiration. 36H hubs are a necessity. Please post a follow up when you get a prototype in the works.

I'll volunteer to test the prototypes!;)

I should have added in my first post that pre-tensioned bearings would be a plus. Let me jump on the prototype testing bandwagon as well! :cool:

thank you all for your advice i find it very helpfull.

ill try to keep you informed on the results. although i cannot say very much in the process.

ps. prototype testing get a bit difficult during the location,(i work in europe)

I'm not a racer, but I was told that bearings are really important.
Someone in the past use oil instead of grease!!

Weight isn't so important as well...

In the past most track racer used high flange hubs for a more rigidity. Now Campagnolo has discontinued the production of high flange hubs.
Rigidity is a must! Maybe some riders are interested in hubs for aero spokes.