Speaking of the HiLo hub for sale in Germany, Rich Rose asked:
> > What was the idea / purpose behind this hub design?
To which Richard Sachs responded, tongue deeply in cheek:
> << it's for people who can't make a decision.
To which Chuck Brooks more seriously responded:
> Supposedly, it was an attempt to help equalize spoke tension, although I
> never heard (or saw) any evidence to that. In fact, if you look at Rolf
> wheels, they do just the opposite and have the large flange on the
non-drive
> side? I think it's all just "gimmicks"!!
My own serious answer: I have heard many stories behind this design. The one that makes perhaps a very little bit of sense, is that it enables the transmission of power more efficiently on the side of the hub where most of the power is, without losing too much comfort. I had also once been told that it was linked to its original use on track bikes (Is this the case?) You could replace broken spokes without taking the wheel out of the frame. Maybe Richard's response wasn't tongue in cheek!? Their value today is however more novelty than actual function, just like beautiful fancy lugwork... If it had been more than 28 holes, I would have gone for it myself instead of telling everybody on the list about it (aren't I greedy!)
Steven Maasland Moorestown, NJ
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