American Classic Micro Hub

"Paul Southworth" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

"Paul Southworth" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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

"Andy Coggan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

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?),

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

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

Quoted message said:

spare set of bearings handy because they won't last forever. OTOH, they

are

Quoted message said:

so easy to change, it isn't a big deal - less work, I'd say, than

regreasing

Quoted message said:

a classic cone-and-loose ball bearings hub.

Dave of Speeddream wheels apparently uses the AC Micro extensively, and

has

Quoted message said:

reportedly found a source for higher quality/more durable bearings than

come

Quoted message said:

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 yellowjersey.orgyellowjersey.orgOpen ↗ Open every day since 1 April 1971

Quoted message said:

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

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 vecchios.comvecchios.comOpen ↗ "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"