The best 'budget friendly' hubs for tandems

[Saudiq]

Hi All,

 

I need to replace the hubs on my tandem and I'm looking for the best budget friendly hubs available. Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[Johan Bornman]

Tandem and budget-friendly cannot be said in one sentence.

 

Tandems place enormous strain on components and you don't compromise on:

 

1) Forks.

2) Brakes

3) Wheels.

 

 

As for the hubs, the only worthwhile ones (at a reasonable price) are Shimano ones. Get 40-spoke if your team weighs less than 160kg and 48-spoke if your team includes Os Durant.

 

Shimano hubs will set you back just under R3000 for the set. Can't remember the exact price but can look it up if you PM me.

 

 

[Saudiq]

Thanks for the reply Johan.

 

Would it be worthwhile for me to replace only the axles and bearings on my current wheel set? I spoke to a mechanic at my LBS and he suggested that as an option?

 

[Johan Bornman]

Thanks for the reply Johan.

Would it be worthwhile for me to replace only the axles and bearings on my current wheel set? I spoke to a mechanic at my LBS and he suggested that as an option?

 

I don't know what your current hubs are or what the problem is. However, if they are good quality hubs, with enough spokes and only the cones are pitted, then by all means, replace only the cones and bearings. The axles are a by-product of cone replacement since they usually come together, whether you want new axles or not.

 

 

[Dealer01]

 

Thanks for the reply Johan.

 

Would it be worthwhile for me to replace only the axles and bearings on my current wheel set? I spoke to a mechanic at my LBS and he suggested that as an option?

 

I don't know what your current hubs are or what the problem is. However' date=' if they are good quality hubs, with enough spokes and only the cones are pitted, then by all means, replace only the cones and bearings. The axles are a by-product of cone replacement since they usually come together, whether you want new axles or not.

 

 

[/quote']

 

Doesn't Shimano sell loose cones anymore?

2 cones used to cost a third of the price of a complete axle.

 

[Johan Bornman]

Thanks for the reply Johan.

Would it be worthwhile for me to replace only the axles and bearings on my current wheel set? I spoke to a mechanic at my LBS and he suggested that as an option?

 

I don't know what your current hubs are or what the problem is. However' date=' if they are good quality hubs, with enough spokes and only the cones are pitted, then by all means, replace only the cones and bearings. The axles are a by-product of cone replacement since they usually come together, whether you want new axles or not.

 

 

[/quote']

Doesn't Shimano sell loose cones anymore?
2 cones used to cost a third of the price of a complete axle.

 

Dunno. The once or twice I ordered cones I got the complete axle set. Maybe it has to do with model, availability, clever sales etc.

 

 

[Dealer01]

 

Thanks for the reply Johan.

 

Would it be worthwhile for me to replace only the axles and bearings on my current wheel set? I spoke to a mechanic at my LBS and he suggested that as an option?

 

I don't know what your current hubs are or what the problem is. However' date=' if they are good quality hubs, with enough spokes and only the cones are pitted, then by all means, replace only the cones and bearings. The axles are a by-product of cone replacement since they usually come together, whether you want new axles or not.

 

 

[/quote']

 

Doesn't Shimano sell loose cones anymore?

2 cones used to cost a third of the price of a complete axle.

 

Dunno. The once or twice I ordered cones I got the complete axle set. Maybe it has to do with model, availability, clever sales etc.

 

 

 

That's the same reason a poor seal pup is being clubbed in another post, Coolheat wants the monopoly, but doesn't want to supply the small "penny" parts that comes with being a sole agent.

 

[Johan Bornman]

That's the same reason a poor seal pup is being clubbed in another post' date=' Coolheat wants the monopoly, but doesn't want to supply the small "penny" parts that comes with being a sole agent.
[/quote']

 

Hmmm, I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I'm sure they sell whatever they have available at the time. I'd hate to try and keep an optimum, yet intelligent level of stock for a range of products as wide as Shimano. Some days you have only cones in stock, the next day only axle sets. Customer must say yes or no.

 

Do a little permutation exercise one day and calculate how many different stock items there are for just the current range of Shimano products, not to mention those a few years older.

 

You'll see that it is not trivial and requires massive capital.

[Dealer01]

 

That's the same reason a poor seal pup is being clubbed in another post' date=' Coolheat wants the monopoly, but doesn't want to supply the small "penny" parts that comes with being a sole agent.

[/quote']

 

Hmmm, I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I'm sure they sell whatever they have available at the time. I'd hate to try and keep an optimum, yet intelligent level of stock for a range of products as wide as Shimano. Some days you have only cones in stock, the next day only axle sets. Customer must say yes or no.

 

Do a little permutation exercise one day and calculate how many different stock items there are for just the current range of Shimano products, not to mention those a few years older.

 

You'll see that it is not trivial and requires massive capital.

 

We getting off the point of the post now, but didn't Coolheat refuse to supply you?

Why? because they can.

I don't have to sugar coat anything I say, I call it as it is.

They don't want ANYONE else in SA to have a part of Shimano, ask CWC...

So who's problem is it when they run out, or struggle with cash flow?

 

This post is not aimed at you Johan, not stepping on anyone's toes, just freedom of speech & previous experiences.

 

Thanks

 

[Guest Big H]

That's the same reason a poor seal pup is being clubbed in another post' date=' Coolheat wants the monopoly, but doesn't want to supply the small "penny" parts that comes with being a sole agent.
[/quote']

 

Hmmm, I'm not a conspiracy theorist. I'm sure they sell whatever they have available at the time. I'd hate to try and keep an optimum, yet intelligent level of stock for a range of products as wide as Shimano. Some days you have only cones in stock, the next day only axle sets. Customer must say yes or no.

 

Do a little permutation exercise one day and calculate how many different stock items there are for just the current range of Shimano products, not to mention those a few years older.

 

You'll see that it is not trivial and requires massive capital.

We getting off the point of the post now, but didn't Coolheat refuse to supply you?
Why? because they can.
I don't have to sugar coat anything I say, I call it as it is.
They don't want ANYONE else in SA to have a part of Shimano, ask CWC...
So who's problem is it when they run out, or struggle with cash flow?

This post is not aimed at you Johan, not stepping on anyone's toes, just freedom of speech & previous experiences.

Thanks

 

Bypass Coolheat and import. Then there are NO conspiracy theory. Try St John Street Cycles on the Shimano hubs and other hard to find Tandem spares.

 

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/

 

 

[Johan Bornman]

Wednesday I had a Shimano WH-550 wheel come it for truing. Its cones were shot and didn't allow me to accurately true the wheel. So I ordered cones, thinking I'd have to buy half the wheel.

This is what I received.

 

 

 

And at a very, very reasonable cost. Sometimes even the devil must get his due.  This doesn't forgive Satan himself for designing that wheel, but that's another story.

[Dealer01]

 

Wednesday I had a Shimano WH-550 wheel come it for truing. Its cones were shot and didn't allow me to accurately true the wheel. So I ordered cones' date=' thinking I'd have to buy half the wheel.

This is what I received.

 

 

 

And at a very, very reasonable cost. Sometimes even the devil must get his due.  This doesn't forgive Satan himself for designing that wheel, but that's another story.

[/quote']

 

That's a bit better, they are exactly the same as the standard 9 speed road hubs, 105 & Ultegra.