Re: [CR] Advice on French hubs for vintage touring bike - Maillard & Normandy

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References: <004201c9d754$6365cb10$2a316130$@org>
To: <mark@petry.org>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 02:53:47 -0400
In-Reply-To: <004201c9d754$6365cb10$2a316130$@org>
From: <verktyg@aol.com>
Subject: Re: [CR] Advice on French hubs for vintage touring bike - Maillard & Normandy


Mark,

Interesting stuff on the Phil hubs and BBs. I have a Phil BB that I've been using since 1975 and it's been in about 5 different frames. It still works great.

In the 70s I built a set of tandem wheels using Maxi-Car hubs. I also built several sets of tandem wheels with Phil hubs.

The Maxi-Cars were interesting but IMHO not as well built Phil hubs.

Normandy Luxe Competition hubs were very smooth spinning with quality bearing cones. The problem with those hubs is that replacement cones were hard to find even back in the day.

Maillard 700 hubs are also very well made. I have a bunch on them on my French bikes. They're every bit as smooth running if not better than Campy hubs. Again finding replacement cones can be a real problem plus I think there were several versions of cones and axles used on the Maillard 700 hubs.

Chas. Colerich Oakland, Ca USA


>> Just my personal opinion - I had a set of NEW Maxi-Car hubs and while they are cool. I was very disappointed with them. They were not in any way "smooth". The rear felt like a cheap hub - grindy - and despite advice from those in the know, and quite a bit of messing around with the bearing preload and axle endfloat adjustment - I was never able to get them adjusted any any better.

So I sold them.

Phil Woods are excellent, reliable, and period correct. The Phil axle will not bow or deflect as it's clamped with the quick release, and the thick flanges support the spoke bend really well. Others may have different experience, but I have never had a problem with Phil hubs or bottom bracket, and that's nearly 40 years and many many 1000s of miles of cycling. I have one pair that 20 years old, never been touched, and still smooth as buttah.

Others may have a different view, but Phil hubs and BB get my vote. And, more than one set was sent to Alex Singer in Paris for assembly on bike destined for European customers. There's also the story of a visitor to Via Edgido Folli 45 who found that Cino Cinelli's personal bike was "Phil equipped".

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA