American Classic Micro Hub

[Paul Southworth]

Anyone tried the 68g American Classic front "Micro" hub? Any bearing slop or other problems with it?

--Paul

 

[Andy Coggan]

"Paul Southworth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:jcC_9.31523$A%[email protected]...
>
> Anyone tried the 68g American Classic front "Micro" hub? Any bearing slop or other problems
> with it?

I used one to build a set of "do it all" (training and racing) semi-aero wheels a couple of years
ago. After about a year or so (5000 miles total?), the tiniest amount of play had developed in the
bearings, not enough to really matter but I decided I might as well change them anyway. My LBS got
new bearings from AC for me in less than a week for about $15, and I popped them into place (a 15
min job). That eliminated the play, but then one of the new bearings quickly developed a "knock"
that was quite audible when riding, so I had to put new bearings in again. No problems after that
(wheels have since been sold).

Bottom line: I'd definitely buy the hub again, but I'd also probably keep a spare set of bearings
handy because they won't last forever. OTOH, they are so easy to change, it isn't a big deal - less
work, I'd say, than regreasing a classic cone-and-loose ball bearings hub.

Dave of Speeddream wheels apparently uses the AC Micro extensively, and has reportedly found a
source for higher quality/more durable bearings than come standard...

Andy Coggan

 

[A Muzi]

> "Paul Southworth" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:jcC_9.31523$A%[email protected]...
> >
> > Anyone tried the 68g American Classic front "Micro" hub? Any bearing slop or other problems
> > with it?

"Andy Coggan" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I used one to build a set of "do it all" (training and racing) semi-aero wheels a couple of years
> ago. After about a year or so (5000 miles
total?),
> the tiniest amount of play had developed in the bearings, not enough to really matter but I
> decided I might as well change them anyway. My LBS got new bearings from AC for me in less than a
> week for about $15, and I
popped
> them into place (a 15 min job). That eliminated the play, but then one of the new bearings quickly
> developed a "knock" that was quite audible when riding, so I had to put new bearings in again. No
> problems after that (wheels have since been sold).
>
> Bottom line: I'd definitely buy the hub again, but I'd also probably keep
a
> spare set of bearings handy because they won't last forever. OTOH, they
are
> so easy to change, it isn't a big deal - less work, I'd say, than
regreasing
> a classic cone-and-loose ball bearings hub.
>
> Dave of Speeddream wheels apparently uses the AC Micro extensively, and
has
> reportedly found a source for higher quality/more durable bearings than
come
> standard...

Regarding your 'knock"- Many cartridge bearings of that series are delivered with enough oil to
prevent rust in shipping but no more. It's good practice to lift a shield and pack them with grease.
In a bicycle hub, you can leave out the inside seal if you wish.

--
Andrew Muzi http://www.yellowjersey.org Open every day since 1 April 1971

 

[Scott Baryenbru]

> Isn't there a grease port in the hub? Can you grease it that way? B

The newest version of the American Classic hubs are built without the grease port. From what I
understand Bill Shook felt that the majority of people with grease port hubs did not consistently
use the feature thus leading to poor hub performance. He changed to the new design (minus the grease
port) with better seals to minimize user influence on performance. SAB

 

[Qui Si Parla Ca]

paul-<< Anyone tried the 68g American Classic front "Micro" hub? Any bearing slop or other
problems with it?

Used it for a couple of TT wheels, Zipp rims, work fine.

Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535 http://www.vecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"