Re: Atom Drum Brake, was [CR]Need advice on some Phil Wood Super Champion Tandem wheels

(Example: Component Manufacturers:Avocet)

Date: Wed, 02 Aug 2006 22:36:49 -0500
From: "John Thompson" <JohnThompson@new.rr.com>
Organization: The Crimson Permanent Assurance
To: Classic Rendezvous <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: Atom Drum Brake, was [CR]Need advice on some Phil Wood Super Champion Tandem wheels
References: <44D14099.1040702@cox.net>
In-Reply-To: <44D14099.1040702@cox.net>


Harvey M Sachs wrote:
> I would suggest that Sheldon is generous in his description of the Atom
> rear drum brake for tandems. Three problem areas to watch for:
>
> 1) Hub is narrow, bearings pretty far in, weight is high. Prescription
> for bent axles.

Hasn't been a problem here, but we have relatively light riders and low use.
> 2) Drilling varied, but frequently done for oversized wheelchair spokes.
> Installing modern high quality spokes requires drilling new holes
> between the old ones, and leaves you with 36 spoke wheels (I can't
> remember drillings other than 36, except for an acquaintance who laced
> his with 71).

My Gitane tandem has 40-hole drilling with 2mm (14ga) spokes.
> 3) Sometimes came with French FW thread, which means all but unobtanium
> unless Harris Cyclery has a stash.

Yeah, but the Atom "Tandem" freewheel (4 pawls instead of the usual 2) is still holding up.
> 4) If memory serves, axle was oversized, with unusual threading. Cones
> were lathe-turned, not ground, and pitted easily.

The Gitane tandem has a 12mm axle, but the cones are still good (20+ years now). I had a standard Atom hub on my old Velital with 36h drilling and 10mm axle though. Now stolen.
> I much preferred the Shimano "E," a true disc brake that worked at least
> as well.

I also have a set (front and rear) of Maillard drum brake hubs on my commuter bike. These are 36h drilling, with 10mm axles front and rear, although the front has milled flats to fit in a standard 9mm front dropout. These were samples from Maillard received in the early 80s. I don't think they were ever marketed in the USA as they fail the CPSC "lock up the wheel" requirement.

--
John (john@os2.dhs.org)
Appleton WI USA