The Tester Approves thread (see first post)

True. I got my M525s for 8 quid each though. Random CRC special offer. I reckon the two wheelsets should cost about 35 quid each, although that's with (lightly) pre-used spokes.

Approved, skinned & 11 speed plz: Grizzly/Alpine/Novatec?

If you're not trying to be a weight weenie, you might as well wait for FH-5800 to hit the shops

Not quite sure where to post but I'm thoroughly enjoying riding on conti GP4000s in 25c and on Archetype rims. Great rolling speed, excellent grip and trouble free for roughly 400 miles so far. In my experience better than Duranos, Rubinos, etc.

Smooth and comfy too. All miles done within London.

The Novatec track hubs are already 120mm, so if you don't want to change either that or the chainline, you just re-use the spacing nuts and locknuts just as they left the factory.

The axles need to be shortened and tapped per this drawing, but symmetrically if you're not changing the chainline.

http://static.lfgss.com/attachments/83683d1398728518-novatec_axles.png
When modding a front axle as per the diagram what would bear the load the axle or the bolt? i.e. would the axle protrude from the lock nuts and sit in the fork drop out or be cut flush with the lock nuts?

Also could you recommend a suitable m6 bolt?

The axle is supported by the dropout, after cutting it is 108mm, same as a normal road QR axle. Any M6×16 screw will do, the exact choice depends on what kind of washer you use, but I'm using these and these.

Went through this topic, can't find what I'm looking for.

Best quick release for the money? need something secure for the disc brakes and don't mentioned thru-axles as the bicycles doesn't have any.

Whatever Shimano one you have laying around.

That I don't have, will look at Madison when I'm next in work.

Are you fussed about the colour, Ed? I've got a silver one you can have for nowt and I might have a black one hiding in a bits box somewhere.

Any tester approved front disc hubs with industrial bearings not costing an arm and a leg?

Are you fussed about the colour, Ed? I've got a silver one you can have for nowt and I might have a black one hiding in a bits box somewhere.

Managed to find an Deore one, cheer though.

Any tester approved front disc hubs with industrial bearings not costing an arm and a leg?

Define "industrial".

The Echo TR Disc (6-bolt) hubs I use on my polo bike use standard "6000"-type bearings (6 = plain symmetrical bearing, other digits define the OD, ID and width).

Only 130g inc bolts, about £45 from Tartybikes.

Well anything except the Shimano standard open cone bearings that fall apart if you remove the axle.
Thanks.

Nothing wrong with loose-bearing hubs, the XT hubs have pretty good seals.

Any tester approved front disc hubs with industrial bearings not costing an arm and a leg?

Whatever is on sale cheap, 90% of them will have been made by either Joy Industrial Co Ltd or Kun Teng Industry Co Ltd regardless of what the decals say. Avoid anything with titchy bearings, 6000-2RS is about as small as you want to go for durability. And Emyr is right, Shimano XT hubs are as good as anything else, and if they do get flooded you can strip and regrease them when you get home, which is easier than swapping out cartridge bearings.

Fair enough. XT it is then. Thanks.

£17 from CRC with QR - that's pretty much trade price. Can't really go wrong.

Is there a tester approved 1" sealed bearings headset?

Freewheels, need a single speed freewheel to be used all winter in muddy and wet conditions.

Anything less expensive that WI worth buying? Not ready to commit to that price because I don't know what gear I want to run.

http://www.tartybikes.co.uk/complete_freewheels/c16.html

@umop3pisdn had something in Epping last week that seemed pretty decent.

Halo Clickster serving me well. Mine was second hand, but I think they're only 40 new. Plenty of trials options (which the halo, rebranded, probably is)

Those shimano freewheels are whack.