For Sale: Bling Ring track hub lock ring

A few problems exist with track hub lock rings:

1. Hook wrenches are crude tools
   
2. A tool which could be operated with a torque wrench would take the uncertainly out of tightening, leading to fewer failures of both kinds - under-tightened lock rings loosening, and over-tightening damaging the hub threads.
   
3. Sprockets with deep recesses (i.e. belt drives) need a socket-type tool as a simple flat wrench can't pass the sprocket overhang.
   
4. Chain running on small sprockets (12T, sometimes 13T) can hit flat lock rings, preventing proper meshing.
   
5. Steel ones are needlessly heavy, given that the male thread is quite soft aluminium
   
   

Each of these problems has been solved individually by various makers, but I haven't seen a product which addresses all of them at once.

Specification:
1,2,3. Drive to the lock ring to be via a spline to fit common HT2/GXP/UT BB cup tools. If you have fitted a modern BB, you probably have one of these tools already, there are loads of versions out there including sockets

1. A step to allow Wippermann 1R8 chain on a 12T sprocket to clear the driver spline
   
2. 7075T6 aluminium alloy, so it's light but still stronger than the hub
   To keep cost under some sort of control, raw finish. Anodising would be troublesome, since it would mean machining blanks, then anodising, then going back to the lathe to cut threads. It should be possible to make a mix of thread sizes without too much trouble, so 1.290"×24tpi LH BSC (JIS, ISO) 33.5mm×24tpi LH BSC (Campag, Phil, Miche) and M33×1.0mm LH (Mavic) are possible. Feel free to spam anywhere you see a need for this product with a link to this thread :-)
   

1 Attachment

List:

1. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
2. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
3. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   

List:

1. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
2. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
3. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
4. umop3pisdn 1.290"
   

Could be up for another depending on final cost/how skint I am etc. etc.

1. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
2. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
3. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
4. umop3pisdn 1.290"
   
5. Scilly Suffolk 1.290"
   

Pls. For my WI splined hub - as far as I know they use 1.29*24, but chime in if I'm wrong.

1. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
2. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
3. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
4. umop3pisdn 1.290"
   
5. Scilly Suffolk 1.290"
   
6. Howard 1.290"
   

http://www.wheelbuilder.com/white-industries-lockring.html says 1.290"×24tpi

1. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
2. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
3. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
4. umop3pisdn 1.290"
   
5. Scilly Suffolk 1.290"
   
6. Howard 1.290"
   
7. edscoble 1.290"
   

Bump for a great idea

Wish I had £25 to spend on a lockring :(

^+1

Bump.

Great idea.

1. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
2. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
3. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
4. umop3pisdn 1.290"
   
5. Scilly Suffolk 1.290"
   
6. Howard 1.290"
   
7. edscoble 1.290"
   
8. Scilly Suffolk 1.290"
   
   

How many before this is viable?

Need to consult the machinist, but I'm hoping I can do 10 @ £25 and break even.

1. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
2. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
3. mdcc_tester 1.290"
   
4. umop3pisdn 1.290"
   
5. Scilly Suffolk 1.290"
   
6. Howard 1.290"
   
7. edscoble 1.290"
   
8. Scilly Suffolk 1.290"
   
9. Khornight 1.290"
   
   

Not checking outside of polo much at the moment, so will probably need a nudge when they happen!

Powertap show something similar in their track hub drawing, but I'm not sure if they are actually making them or their draughtsman just wishes they would. I'm going to get a price from the machinist when I pick up the next batch of slam-that-stem, and I'll see whether there's any indication of the PT one becoming available, then we can see whether this project is worth proceeding with.

I've seen pictures of these and thought of this. Wheelbuilder branded, but I can't find them for sale anywhere.

http://www.lfgss.com/conversations/254114/

So they definitely exist in the wild

These have the wrong thread but the right drive, about £22 shipped. If Wheelsmith make something, it won't be distributed to the UK so it's going to cost at least that to buy from the US

Sneaky edit or did you say Wheelbuilder first time around? Doesn't make UK distribution any more likely anyway.

Sneaky edit once I found the picture...

I've changed the picture in the first post to more accurately reflect the final design. There's enough material for about 20, so still plenty of room to add yourself to the list. Pre-payment price is £25 each including UK delivery for 1.290"×24tpi, offer closes 31st October. If you need Campag or Mavic, ask for a quote. Delivery should be before the end of November.

Bike24 now carry the Sugino lock ring if you don't need the step for small sprockets, about £20 shipped, and for about £22 the stepped DiaCompe CrMo one if you don't mind the weight and crude design. Can't be sure what the clearances are on those, mine has been specifically designed to allow the use of Wippermann 1R8 chain with a 12T sprocket, lighter chains need less clearance both radially and axially.

Because getting the clearance means making a thick lock ring, there might be circumstances in which clearance to the chain- and/or seat-stays is an issue. Basically, if you run a wide chainline (like 47mm) on a 120mm OLN frame with compact track ends, the ends of the stays might encroach on the space required for the lock ring.

Here's an example where the end of the chainstay is quite close to the axle slot:

It's quite likely that you wouldn't be able to run the axle at the front of the slot on that, assuming a wide chainline. I can't recall seeing anything which wouldn't work with a normal 42mm track chainline, although 110mm OLN frames bring the whole issue inboard by 5mm so there's that. Long story short, the lock ring is 45mm diameter by 8mm thick, so if you're at all worried then have a look at your current installation and make sure you have the extra space needed.

"Deadline approaching" type bump...

Last call for pre-payments, especially important if you want Campag or Mavic as I won't be making any of those which aren't pre-paid. Going to the machinist in the morning.
@master
@Drew_Hubjub
@edscoble
@pnut

Hi @mdcc_tester

Sorry for the delay, £65 sent for 1x British and 1x Campag

Best,
Drew

How's it going?

#notimpatient...much