I just thought I would mention that not all sealed, cartridge type bearings are designed for axial loads. They come in all sorts of configurations, including thrust-bearings. Check out a catalog or web site from a company that manufactures them, and you will be surprised in the numerous different designs. Many of these companies will even make bearings that are specifically designed for an application, if you have the bucks to order large quantities. I have met, and visited with Phil Wood (the man) back in the late 70's, and my impression is that he is intelligent enough to choose the correct bearings for the job.
On Thu, 11 Jan 2001 12:50:16 -0700 Bicycle Classics inc
<bikevint@tiac.net> writes:
> The comments regarding Phil hub bearing usage vs loose ball designs
> is
> interesting. Does anyone know what quirk of design enables old
> Maxicar hubs
> to behave so well? Their 1948 design seems to be nearly identical in
> concept to the current phil design, yet they generally do not
> display play
> at the rim. At the same time, their longevity is astonishing - the
> one off
> my 1952 Herse runs like a champ - super smooth and no play that I
> noticed.
>
> It is possible that these are simply being run too tight, but based
> on
> observed longevity this doesn't seem to be the case. Is it perhaps
> a
> slightly different bearing specification or locking arangement
> against the
> bearing shoulders causes this?
>
> In any event, it is remarkable that it took Phil Wood decades to get
> to
> where Maxicar was in the 1940's. One reason that Maxicar is so rare
> in
> this country is perhaps related to Spence Wolfs relationship to Phil
> Wood.
> Spence Wolf was perhaps the most visible importer of top tier french
> goodies (i.e Alex Singer bikes) yet he had strong ties to Phil Wood.
> Had
> Wolf actively imported Maxicar products and not encouraged Phil
> Wood,
> perhaps Maxicar would have become much more popular.
>
> Any thoughts from folks who know more about this than myself?
> Thanks, Mike Kone
>
> _______________________________________________
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