Track hub theads munged?

I have a chance to get an old set of wheels where the rear flip flop hub has lousy threads on the
fixed side. Supposedly the other (freewheel) side is okay. How can one tell if track threads are
munged beyond repair? Can the threads be rethreaded? Any advice appreciated. Brian Plaugher

 

"Brian Plaugher" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a chance to get an old set of wheels where the rear flip flop hub has lousy threads on the
> fixed side. Supposedly the other (freewheel) side is okay. How can one tell if track threads are
> munged beyond repair? Can the threads be rethreaded? Any advice appreciated. Brian Plaugher

I am reminded of several conversations today wherein I was asked to "unrust" equipment. Rust is
what's left when your steel has gone away and removing the rust doesn't return a bit of steel. . .

In the case of your hub threads, there will never be any more material than when it was new. Any
(all?) thread damage is a _subtraction_ of aluminum and there was no extra to begin with!

Be that as it may, _minor_ damage can be cleaned up with a die and enough thread will remain to be
useful. Remember that every action now removes metal.

In the case of a stripped spark plug in an aluminum head or a crank whose pedal eye is gouged out, a
larger thread can be cut and a steel insert threaded in. The resulting piece is as good as new or
even better. This is the exact opposite problem and no such quick fix is possible

How much thread height is enough? You'll need to rely on an experienced technician as there isn't a
rigid rule nor a good way to measure.

So, find the local shop that's exerienced with bicycles and cutting tools and ask them while the hub
is at hand.

 

On Mon, 10 Feb 2003 20:48:53 -0500, A Muzi wrote:

> How much thread height is enough? You'll need to rely on an experienced technician as there isn't
> a rigid rule nor a good way to measure.
>
> So, find the local shop that's exerienced with bicycles and cutting tools and ask them while the
> hub is at hand.

There is another option, which would be your only option if the shop says they can't do it. Replace
the hub -- or just the shell if you want. There are many quite inexpensive track hubs available.
Check Sheldon's site.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | What is objectionable, and what is dangerous about extremists is _`\(,_ | not that they are
extreme, but that they are intolerant. (_)/ (_) | --Robert F. Kennedy