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American Classic hubs

by bigbaddave
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 09:06
7

I've just ordered a pair of American classic hubs (Mirco 58 & Road 205) to build onto a pair of Stans Alpha 340 rims.
Has anyone on here got any real world experience of the hubs, as the reviews I've read have been rather mixed!
Bought them as I want to build a nice lightweight pair of wheels, without going for Mavics/Fulcrums et al.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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7 comments

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monty dog | 12 years ago
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I've had 2 pairs of wheels with AC hubs - they do need a little bit more attention than others, but bearings are cheap and servicing is a doddle. I've had some AC420 wheels for 4 years and the hubs have been fine with the occasional tweak. I've built some lightweight CX wheels with Chin Haur hubs (AC copies) too and they've also been fine.
I think you'll find that WTB licence the hub design from AC, not the other way around. Alpha rims are notoriously flexy so spoke tension is critical - they'll probably not be as stiff as a Mavic or Fulcrum IMO (I have Mavic and Campagnolo wheels too)

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joeegg | 12 years ago
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Mine developed play within 3 months of new ,both back and front.
Replacement bearings from Enduro also came with play in from new.The axle had a thread for a nut and lock nut to pressure the bearing but it obviously wouldn't work as the bearing already had play in it.They are a lot lighter than the Hope though.

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Adam Buckland_ASD | 12 years ago
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Hi BB Dave,

I've just sent you an email from via your contact details.

Feel free to give me a call when it suits, I have put my details on the email.

If anybody else would like information please mail sales [at] asd.uk.com.

Thanks

Adam

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joeegg | 12 years ago
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I've used WTB high end hubs on my mountain bike for 3 years.No problems at all with the freewheel and ratchet engagement system but the sealed roller bearings are an odd size and you pay through the nose for them.Also the bearings have play in them from new,which you can't take out,and the replacement bearings also came with play in them.Not sure if this info applies to your road bike hubs though.Would still recommend the WTB hubs over Hope if there was a price saving.

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bigbaddave replied to joeegg | 12 years ago
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I've had WTB hubs on one of my mountain bikes in the past, but as soon as I could get rid of them I did!
They're really light & I actually really do like the drive system, but hate the odd size bearings, there's just no need for it at all.
AT least the AC hubs have come with stainless bearings, so they might last a bit longer.
Also, I never had any play in my WTB's in the two years I had them, with either the original or replacement bearings I fitted, so not sure why yours had?
There's no price saving over Hope's with the AC's, just quite a big weight difference & I'm wanting to build a pair of lightweight climbing wheels, so went for the lightest I could afford.

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bigbaddave | 12 years ago
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Thanks for the reply, shame the AC hubs arrived today, although I will admit I didn't realise the rear is basically a re badged WTB hub..
What weight, drilling & bearings do your hubs have? & most importantly how much are they? Or can I give you a ring about them on thursday when I'm next at the shop?

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Adam Buckland_ASD | 12 years ago
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Please excuse the plug* but did you see the review the road.cc did on the Soul S2.0 wheelset?? If you don't fancy the complete wheelset and want to buy your own the Soul Prodigy hubs are available seperately. They would build really nicely on to Alphas.

http://road.cc/content/review/48341-soul-s20-wheelset

The Am Classics can be really good - but as you've noticed they're a bit hit and miss...

*I work for Advanced Sports Distribution, Soul's UK distributor.

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