[CR]S-U hub - one more clue

(Example: Framebuilding)

Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2007 08:53:55 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Tom Dalton" <tom_s_dalton@yahoo.com>
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR]S-U hub - one more clue

Mark Bulgier has pics of a front "S-U" Record hub on his website. It is not possible to tell if it also has the wierd logo, sans globe and rays, but I did confirm that Mark's front hub, like the Dustin's rear hub, used the C-record style locknuts.

http://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Campy/S-U_hub2.html

With these locknuts a lower profile cone is needed to get the same axle spacing. I think the S-U is a warning that you can't use the normal Record cones with this hub...

Or, the cups are closer together to compensate for the fat locknuts and the normal Record axle set is not compatible. This possiblity seems less likely because it would probably call on a change to how the shell is machined...

Or, the entire bearing setup is like the early C-rec, uses 3/16" balls, and none of the normal Record parts will work. This last possiblilty seems least likely given that Dustin's rear hub uses the secnd style (larger diameter) C-record locknut, and this locknut was not made until after the entire, stupid, 3/16" front hub setup had been superceeded by the 7/32" (the setup that they should never have moved away from in the first place).

My money is on the first possibility.

Overall, I'm convinced that S-U markings as seen on both Record and C-record hubs is an external indication of an internal modification, a warning of hidden wierdness. On the C-rec fronts the addition of the S-U mark coincides with the change from 3/16" to 7/32" bearings, when virtually all the internal parts were altered. On the C-rec rear hubs the mark coincides with the enlarged locknut diameter (presumably in response to wheel slippage). This change meant that the earlier cone-shaped dustcap could not be used because it would not fit over the new locknut, though the parts were not ortherwise altered, afaik.

Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA USA.

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