8mm axle?

I recently bought a pair of track hubs and the front one oddly (to me at least) had a 8mm axle.

The rear is 10mm like normal, but front is 8. They are both standard nutted type.

Was just wondering if this is normal, and if they will be safe to use on standard 10mm dropout forks without any special washers etc?

id think it would be fine as long as the nuts are up tight its not likely to move.

these are older 50's style hubs when the front drops had smaller dropouts ;)

these are older 50's style hubs when the front drops had smaller dropouts ;)

thats odd, because my hubs are new. I dont even think they are NOS. They look 100% fresh made, shiny shiny polished.

weird. although aren't some NJS hubs running smaller axles as well?!

I think most axles are actually 3/8th" (=9.52mm) hence the common 10 mm thing. I too have seen many bikes with smaller front axles though. I have a pair of on one hubs at home (clearly new) that I seem to remember have a smaller front axle too. I check them tonight if I remember but I would not worry about it in the mean time just go ahead and build them up.

You sure they're not 9mm? HubJub have track nuts (DuraAce) in 9mm for front and 10mm rear.

You sure they're not 9mm? HubJub have track nuts (DuraAce) in 9mm for front and 10mm rear.

nope, measured preciseley it is actually just UNDER 8mm.

Sounds like you got the front hub that should go with a 110 rear.

Hey, decades ago I know, but did you ever sort this? I have discovered the same problem today.

FYI - I picked up a new "Chinese" 27" front wheel with Quando hub that also has an 8mm axle. And it's the rare 1.0 pitch thread, as well, making spare flanged nuts (almost track nuts) hard to find. Plus it takes a 14mm spanner, so another tool to carry in the event of a puncture. I think I'll see if I can swap the axle out for a more standard size. Can't complain - the wheel (with Weinmann rim) was £20 new.