wheel bearings

[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.

[mimitabby]

I have the cones now, you can see where they are pitted and worn all along
the curved neck part.

I called the fancy bike shop and they are confident that they have them in stock.
It's too bad, i wanted to give the little guy my business, but i didnt expect to have to get the parts for him too!
He checked the back and said the back wheel is sealed but the bearings are in great shape.

[mimitabby]

well, confidence is unfortunately not enough to get the job done

they do not have the stupid wheel cones that i need for my bianchi so THEY have to order them. The wheel cones did not look like either picture that you
sent m to, Deb, (the same two he had in HIS catalog) he called Campagnolo and they said "oh, yeah, those ancient things" they'll order them
That means at least 3 more visits to LBS's before i get my bike back.

an interesting aside. when the mechanic looked at the damage to my cones he said it was probably because the hub was originally too tight. so what does THAT mean?

owell

[DebW]

an interesting aside. when the mechanic looked at the damage to my cones he said it was probably because the hub was originally too tight. so what does THAT mean?

I wasn't aware that cone damage looks different from a hub being too tight vs too loose vs lack of grease vs grit contamination. The only cone damage I've seen is small pits in the bearing track (the circular wear line where the bearings roll). Probably the whole bearing track wears rapidly if the cones are too tight.

When a hub is put together, the cones are screwed in on the axle until they are holding the ball bearings in place between hub cup surface and cone. Then lock nuts are tightened against the cones with a keyed washer in between to keep them in that position (not as simple as it sounds because tightening the lock nut moves the cone). The tightness of the cones is critical - too loose and the hub and rim can wobble relative to the bike frame, too tight and the wheel doesn't turn freely. The correct tolerance also allows the grease to coat the balls effectively and avoid metal-to-metal wear. After a hub is repacked, it should be checked after a couple hundred miles to see that the cones still have the proper tightness - sometimes they loosen a bit or feel different after the grease has broken in.