[CR] RE; TT wheelset hubs

>In selecting a suitable wheelset for my late 1970s British TT frameset, I
>am wondering if there was a >convention or preference

Peter, When I was riding TT's in the UK in the early 70's most of the bikes I saw had high flange hubs and 24 spokes, tied and soldered. There were several spoke pattern that seemed popular. They seemed to feel the wheels would be "stiffer' with the HF hubs. My bike here http://www.flickr.com/photos/49353569@N00/876808116/ was built after I returned home from the UK. It is true to the style of the day and it sports the high flange hubs.

Seems low flange became a bit more popular in the later 70's and into the 80's as rider's started to look for any aerodynamic advantage. On your later 70's machine low flange 28's would probably be fine. Keep the spokes light and chromed if possible for that added flash in the sun these bikes seemed to have.

Also, we used to remove all grease from the hubs and run a drop or two of light oil instead. One bearing would be removed from each side of the hub and the cones would be set a tad loose.... These things may have had more of a psychological advantage than a mechanical advantage, but many of us did it looking for any gain we could imagine.

Another site you might look at is this one on Flickr that chris531 has up http://www.flickr.com/groups/648649@N22/ There are some early and late 70's machines in there and maybe you'll see what you're after.

Hope to see your machine at Cirque!

peter weigle
lyme, ct.