Okay, think i might have got my hands on a cheap Dura Ace front hub but of course has a QR rather than track nuts, how hard is it to swap it to a solid Axle and will i be needing some fancy tools?

Ta chaps

you should be able to do it with the right cone spanners.

shimano do have a decent database of exploded diagrams on their website though, they should help

Well... I haven't done this on a DA hub, but if the solid axle is the same diameter as the old hollow one you shouldn't really need anything more than some cone spanners. But I don't know if that'll be the case or not. The other thing is getting hold of a solid axle and nuts that match your hub for quality - I imagine Shimano ones are a fair bit of cash - I don't know if they're anything special or not though.

@Kelvin, why do you want to run track nuts rather than a QR on your front wheel ?

Less likely to be nicked by an opportunist kid

I wasn't thinking along those lines, but yes, that is very true, but surely that could be achieved by simply buying a bolt on front axle (non-QR) - much much cheaper and more readily available (walk into any branch of just about any bike shop).




Or for even better security (if that is the main issue) then grab a pitlock front axle, still cheaper than a Dura Ace hub rebuild and new axle and much harder than even a front with track nuts for the opportunist to nick and again readily available in your local bike shop or somewhere like Evans.

hey kelvin, pop in the shop on sunday, i might have an old front 5mm skewer out the back......im sure i saw one the otherday ill see if i can find it!

@lewis - what shop do you work at? i too have shimano qr front hub id like to make less 'opportunistic'...

it's mainly a security thing but if a Pitlock or similar is going too prove cheaper/easier I'm not too precious.

Though I might be having a going on brighton's wee track league and I wasn't sure if they'd allow Quick Release wheels in their events

You Sir are a Gent.... You'll most likely be seeing me tommorow

Turns out they have X-lite cam QRs so reasonably thief proof, which sort of solves the original question but...

The chap I got it off even ended up giving me the rear too for next to nothing.

So now I'm the proud owner of an 8 speed 32h dura ace hub laced to open pros that I dont really need.

Shall I just flog the rear or de-lace the hub get it on the bay and save the rim.

They've hardly seen any miles, so would go well with a nice new rear track hub.

What you guys reckon?

I have a Dura Ace front hub with a Quick release. It's on a bike I use for ride-outs etc rather than locking up in town. If I ever lock that bike up I put my second lock through the front wheel anyway.

Maybe getting a second lightweight lock is an option?

I would say that you need 2 locks in london, and if you do not have a seccond lock get one.

Dura Ace front hubs made in the last ten years (7700 and 7800 series) use an oversized aluminium axle. Nothing else will fit the hub, so your options are limited to using a security skewer. If the hub's older than that (7400 series) you can fit a normal 9mm x 1mm solid axle. The only tools needed are cone spanners, and it's a 15 minute job.

Hi, I too want to convert my front wheel to solid-axle. Are there many different sizes? Even Sheldon's website hasn't got any information on axle sizes. Do I need to measure my current QR's diameter?

I was thinking of getting something off ebay. Would that one do? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Traditional-Bi...ayphotohosting

Bump. Has anyone got an idea? Or is it just trial and error until I find one that fits??

When I bought my wheels(already laced) I didnt actually know that Qr was a problem. I have a QR on the rear which I was told today wont hold the tension of the chain.
So my real question is: should I try replace the Qr for a solid axle or will I wait till I have the money to get a fixed hub(and the experience on the ss) and just replace that?
Cheers.

@Stein: either, it's up to you.
@fried chicken: go to your LBS.

Both: you don't say what hubs you have, should we just guess and advise you based on that?

No need to guess, just read between the lines..

Sorry, I'm bored..

I just bought an axle (more or less random) and it fitted. Correct me if I'm wrong but as long as it goes through the hole in the (weinmann front) hub the cones-baring interface will sort itself out. What I mean is that if your new axle is smaller than the one that was in there before then you just need to screw in the cones a little further, right?

And btw, biatch, why this tone? I haven't exactly bombarded you with silly questions in hundreds of threats. I have posted in an old thread (as one should), bumped it once, didn't get an answer and the left it at that...

No tone intended, was just being a twat and probably had a few beers to many. peace

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