Re: [CR]Phil Wood Hub Timeline?Quality?

(Example: Production Builders:Peugeot:PX-10LE)

Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2002 21:01:49 -0100
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Harvey M. Sachs" <sachs@erols.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]Phil Wood Hub Timeline?Quality?


A couple of notes may be helpful:

1) I believe that Phil Wood sold the business outrijht several years ago, so whatever his practices were, they are no longer relevant.

2) There was certainly a design defect with one early generation of Phil BBs: a sharp-shouldered circlip groove to locate the cartridge bearing. They broke at the stress riser.

3) We've used a lot of Phil hubs and bbs on tandems. I do remember one bearing failure 20 ers ago, but think them pretty bullet-proof.

4) Phil should be credited for bringing a modern product to market real early. Cartridge bearings, well supported spoke bedding, and oversized, lightweight spindles for stiffness. Phil has built world-class stuff.

5) Yes, the disk brake was "idiosyncratic" or "weird" I still use one -- but gingerly, since the strippable disk is no longer available.

6) Disclaimer: Phil did replace a hub once when a flange cracked. I appreciated it.

harvey sachs
mcLean va