How important is it for hubs to be sealed and how weak are 28H hubs?

Hi All,

This weekend I scored 2 hubs at the cycle jumble, 1 used HF Campag Tipo 32H front:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16898783@N04/1800906778/

And 1 NOS HF Campag Record 28H rear:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16898783@N04/1800906776/

I'm currently building my first fixed and I was intending to fit either Miche or System EX when I build up the wheels, primarily because they are sealed and also because I could get both in 32H. I'm going to try building these up as they're just too damn good looking to sit in a box, but how much trouble am I likely to get through the lack of seals? Also, I'm building these up onto CXP33s, does anyone have any experience on whether the 28H rear will be strong enough with a 105KG rider when laced 3 cross?

Cheers.

I'm also interested in this as I'm looking to get some DA hubs and have heard that you can get a cover for around the cones?? I remember Winston talking about this a while back I think

i'm running a rear 28h goltec on cxp33, had it for 6 months and beaten the shit out of it, still perfectly straight no probs. i'm nearly 12 stone.

31trum i'm nearly 12 stone.

Thing is I'm topping out at 16.5 stone, more with a bag.

They don't call you big ben for nothin'.

I went through a pair of non sealed cartridge bearings in miche primato hubs after about 3 weeks on the road as a courier one winter replaced with sealed units and they lasted a couple of years. On the other hand my track bike and my wifes fixed commuter both have non sealed and no problem. Type of use and amount of maintenance are issues to be considered.

I built a pair of 28h Record onto Mavic Cosmos rims 2 cross for my wife, borrowed the rear for a week (while I replaced bearings in my rear wheel) and it turned to jelly. The hub wasn't damaged but rim and spokes went in the bin. I'm 15 stone

I'm using CXP33'S I built up myself with 36H Ambrosio hubs. I've used it constantly in all weathers for 18 months (average 150-200 miles a week) All on 68in fixed. I weigh 103kg. The hubs are still smooth and the wheels as true as they were when I first built them.

Well - not as heavy as you but can attest that:

1) Tipo/Neuvo tipos are great little hubs. Have run mine all winter long changing the bearings every six months. Still works a charm on the track/street etc. The same is true of the records etc. You just need to keep an eye on them.

2) 28h 3x cross can be built pretty strong. Had a Saavedra rim (which to all intents and purposes is comparable to a Deep V) laced 3x. Beat the bejesus out of it and never had a problem.

A lot depends on the quality of the build and how hard you ride though. Your other option is build a cheapo-winter-sealed wheelset to bang on and use these for Sunday best/racing wheels. Or use a beefier spoke like Sapim Strongs.

You'll definitely need a deep section rim for the 28h

28H should be fine for city use provided you don't go jumping up and down pavements or the like. As above a nice solid rim will help, as will building them 3x.
With regard to the bearings, you will need to learn how to clean them out and replace/repack them if you want them to go long term. Get yourself a couple of cone spanners for the job and take note of how the hub feels right now when it's NOS - that is what you will need to replicate. Over the winter you will probably want to swap out your old bearings for good quality replacements (Campy or similar) every six months or 2500 miles. Don't use cheap bearings - the size tolerances are tighter on good quality ones.
That is all.

how come i didn't spot that hub at the jumble??

i'd say don't use them if it's wet, especially the rear one. if i have such a nice hub i'd lace it to a tub rim and will only use it on the track. for london weather + london roads you're really better off with sealed cartridge hubs, saves you a lot of work, although i personally find working on loose ball bearings quite enjoyable and therapeutic... :)

3 cross and 28 will be fine with cxp 33's i heard really bad reviews of pista navigators 28 hole but 2 cross on the rear. but they were the pre velocity deep v's in london so loads of twits had em

I have not had a problem with unsealed bearings as I generally pull them apart every few months, give them a good clean and repack them.

If you are more of a install and forget type - then I would go for sealed.

One small point and perhaps irrelevant for most people, unsealed bearings (the good ones - Dura Ace etc) run very smooth as they have no seal drag.

Cheers for all the comments. The Evans is unlikely to see too much bad weather use (hah!) so I'll give them a go and keep a sharp eye on the bearings and the general trueness of the wheels.

Its not logical, but they are soooo pretty!

Anyone who recommends 28s for a 16.5 stone rider is a plank!....especially for a rear....OMG.

My dura-ace 36h small flanges came with optional "seals" which were in the box but not fitted, they were pieces of silicon that looked like split rings that slipped on to grooves on the axle...one either side up front and two on the back.

A lot of manufacturers (strangely) think track hubs will be used on the track! and as such pack very little grease in their hubs...for minimum resisistance....always a good idea to open up and rebuild new track hubs with as much grease as you can get in ....if you intend to use them on the road /in the wet....

al...are you on lates?

winston A lot of manufacturers (strangely) think track hubs will be used on the track! and as such pack very little grease in their hubs...for minimum resisistance....always a good idea to open up and rebuild new track hubs with as much grease as you can get in ....if you intend to use them on the road /in the wet....

Good tip, cheers for that.

I can't find those seals anywhere ! :( got a serial number on them ?

They are for a rear Dura Ace high flange.

Don't know where to get them, but if the axle doesn't have the grooves, they would be useless anyway....

in this bit i was asking for advice, but i edited it out because....

...i just saw the other thread about wheelbuilding and it told me everythign i needed to know...

apart from spoke length with zenith hub (yuk, but cheap) and cxp22....

jonaent (Jon) I'm also interested in this as I'm looking to get some DA hubs and have heard that you can get a cover for around the cones?? I remember Winston talking about this a while back I think

dura ace wheelset........large flange....3x......mavic cxp 14 deep rims......used on track only.......as new......and behold!!!!......brand new seals......180
golden nuggets....no????

if only they're cxp30's not 14's... bling bling

whats wrong with 14????