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Sovos Hub Upgrades

Sovos flip-flop hub

These large flange 36 hole hubs are threaded for a fixed gear on one side,
and for a freewheel on the other side.

These come with a solid axle, serrated flange nuts and lockring included, but do not include a sprocket.
(Earlier shipments did include a fairly useless sprocket, but my supplier ran out of them.)

Newer shipments have a thicker barrel section, but are otherwise the same.

Note: If you are using inexpensive sprockets with short threads, a spacer may be needed to allow the lock ring to engage properly. In addition, with inexpensive sprockets, it is a good idea to use a thread adhesive, such as Loctite. This is especially true if you are running a low gear.

Upgrades

These are not the world's best hubs, but may be substantially improved by upgrading some of their parts. The axle supplied is spaced for 110 mm track frames. The stock axle is long enough for 120 mm dropout spacing with suitable spacers, but you would need to replace it with a longer one for use with newer road/mountain frames.

Axles

We can supply a made-in-USA Wheels Cromoly solid axle to fit for $7.95 extra (plus another $12 for labor if you need us to install it, including spacers to fit your frame.)

If you prefer, we can supply a Wheels Cromoly hollow axle to fit for $11.95 extra (plus another $12 for labor if you need us to install it, including spacers to fit your frame.) You probably already have a skewer, right?

Track Nuts

The axle nuts supplied are basic serrated flange nuts, as shown below on the right. For easier adjustment, we recommend proper track nuts, as shown on the left. These have permanently attached washers built on. $7.95/pair.
Track Nuts
Optional
Track Nuts
Standard
Serrated Flange Nuts
The standard serrated flange nuts are not useless, even if you upgrade to track nuts.

When adding spacers to widen the hub for use on a road or mtb frame, use the serrated flange nuts in place of (or in addition to) the standard lock nuts, with the serrated flange outward so that it contacts the frame. This will give a larger contact surface at the fork end, and make it less likely that the axle will slip.

Hub with flatted axle
This Sovos hub has been upgraded with a Wheels 137 mm axle for 126 mm frame spacing. The lock nuts have been replaced with the thicker serrated flange nuts, installed inside out. Notice the large gripping surface this supplies. Installing 2 mm thick spacer washers between the cones and the serrated lock nuts brings the spacing right up to 126 mm.

This axle has also had a flat ground on each end to allow extra chain length adjustment in a frame with vertical dropouts. (See my Fixed Gear article for more tips on dealing with vertical dropouts.)

Bearing Balls

The stock bearings use 7 inexpensive bearing balls in a retainer. For best results, we recommend upgrading to loose balls (9 1/4" per side.) We can supply a set of grade 25 (the highest quality) balls for an additional $2.95.

Installation

If you are not used to working on hubs, we will install your choice of axle, with the grade 25 bearing balls and Phil Wood grease for an additional $12.00 labor charge. This would include respacing to any desired over-lock-nut distance.

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