wheel bearings

[mimitabby]

Mimi,

Yup, that's why you repack your hubs periodically or at the first sign of non-smoothness - so you don't have to replace parts. The cones go first, then they will wear pits into the bearings, then the bearing will wear pits into the cup surface of the hub body. If the hub body gets damaged, you have to replace the whole hub.

You might be able to mail order some cones if you can't find them locally. This place looscrews.com has a few Campy cones. I've also gotten brand new Campy cones on eBay.

Now for the evil question. how do I know what kind of cones I need?
(this is why i am probably going to have to hand carry the old parts to the LBS in the most congested part of the city on Sunday)

[DebW]

Do you know the hub model (Record, Super Record, Chorus, etc) and the year it was made? Many Campy hub models share the same cone dimensions, so they're not too hard to find. Also, I believe you will find engraved on the flat outer surface of the cones some numbers which will specify a diameter (inner and/or outer, not sure if both) and a tpi (threads per inch). If it's says Campy and matches those numbers, you should be good. Also a good idea to take the axle with you to be sure the threads match.

[mimitabby]

thanks for the suggestions, Deb, I do know it's a 2002 veloce,
and i have tons of specs for the bike but (sorry) i have no idea which are for the wheels. I will cut and paste here:

This bike has a great steel ride and has all
italian campy components. The bike is currently for sale on ebay
please go the following address to bid! The following is a list of the
components on the bike: Type: 18/27-speed road Size: 49 Colors:
Celeste; Dark Blue/ Yellow Frame: Bianchi Reparto Corse SL Chromo
Lite: Double-butted chrome-moly steel alloy, TIG-welded and
heat-treated. MegaPro down tube with variable section; ZFS (Zero-Flex
Stay) rear-triangle design. Vertical dropouts. Fork: Bianchi carbon,
CrMo steerer Headset: YST G-Force Threadless Bottom Bracket:
Campagnolo Veloce cartridge, 111mm Handlebars: Salsa short and shallow
Stem: ITM Forged, 90-degree on 27-speed Crankset: Campagnolo Veloce,
30/42/52 Chain: Shimano Hubset: Campagnolo Veloce Spokes: Stainless,
double-butted Rims: Mavic CXP-21, 32 Saddle: Bontrager Tires: blue
verestein fortezza tires F. Derailleur: Campagnolo Centaur R.
Derailleur Campagnolo Veloce, 9-spd Shift Levers: Campagnolo Veloce
ErgoPower Casssette: Campagnolo Veloce, 13-26, 9-spd Brakes/Levers:
Campagnolo Veloce; Veloce ErgoPower levers Seatpost: Bianchi alloy,
27.2mm Grips/Other: cork grip with specialized gel inserts

[DebW]

The only relevant line is:

Hubset: Campagnolo Veloce

If the bike is an '02, you probably have '02 hubs, though perhaps they could be '01.

Here are the '02 Veloce front cones:

Campagnolo New style '02-'03 Veloce ,Mirage front cone
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...ront+Cone.aspx

Other Veloce front cones that also fit Chorus, Athena, and Mirage.

Campagnolo Front Cone CH/AT/VL/MI (before '02?)
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Chatvlmi.aspx

The pictures look like perhaps the wrench flats are a different shape before '02, but that may just be perspective. Compare carefully with the old ones.

[mimitabby]

that sounds good. so if they don't have veloce in stock, they might have the better ones for just a few dollars more.]

Thanks Deb!

[DebW]

The part number is FH-VL004 (Veloce front cones 2002-2003)
http://www.smartbikeparts.com/search...61b7e48b5746b2

The 2001 Veloce front cones would be 20-HB-CH004
http://smartbikeparts.com/search_details.php?itm=HU9790

Looks like they changed the design between '01 and '02, with '01 Veloce cones being compatible with Chorus, Athena, and Mirage, and '02 Veloce being compatible only with Mirage because Chorus went to sealed bearings in '02. If the '01 Chorus and the '02 Veloce cones are the same dimensions, buy the better Chorus cones.

[mimitabby]

thanks, Deb I'm printing it out.