Zipp 950 disk wheel track axle

[mikesbytes]

Any suggestions on where I can get a track axle for a Zipp 950 disk wheel?

[dalai47]

Any suggestions on where I can get a track axle for a Zipp 950 disk wheel?

Go to a machineshop and get one custom made?

I had a couple track axles made up a while back. Still going strong!

[dalai47]

If you can't find someone to make you an axle, another possible option is a Wheels Manufacturing part no:Axle-34 9.5*180mm 24 tpi. Though it will need to be shortened slightly and unlike a custom axle the bearings will be sitting on threads unless you fill these sections of the thread.

I'd bought a couple of the wheels manufacturing axles before going down the custom path which as unused could happily sell to you. Otherwise can measure my spare custom axle so you have the necessary dimensions?

[mr_stephen_lane]

Hi Dalai47 , Do you have any of the details of your machined axle ? like what you took in to get it made? I have a 950 disc and it has no internals in it so I need to find new stuff or get it made...

[mikesbytes]

Hi Dalai47,

Somehow I missed your response back in June

Would be interested in your track axle dimensions or buying an axle off you.

mr_stephen_lane are you in Sydney?

[dalai47]

And I missed mr_stephen_lane's post... I'll try and measure up plus get photos etc online tomorrow.

[dalai47]

Custom axle is 158mm long threaded 44mm one side and 33mm the other. Threads are 24 tpi.

Although probably unnecessary I had a sleave cut to sit on the axle inside the disc to fit the internal space between the bearings. Unfortunately I didn't get a spare cut so can't provide the exact dimensions of this.

Bearings are easy to come by. Any R6 3/8" x 7/8" x 9/32" inch will fit. You can decide if ceramic is worth the trouble.

Top custom axle.



Bottom Wheels Manufacturing part no:Axle-34 9.5*180mm 24 tpi

[mikesbytes]

Thanks dalai,

Probably a dumb question, but what is the diameter of the axle?

[dalai47]

9.5mm - 3/8th inch.

[mikesbytes]

Thanks dalai,

What is the second axle in the picture?

[dalai47]

Second axle is the Wheels Manufacturing part no:Axle-34 9.5*180mm 24 tpi. Also the same diameter - thinking it must just be due to the angle of the photo that it looks smaller.

[QuangVuong]

I've got a Zipp 3000, which I think has the same hub as the 950 disc and I was thinking of converting it to a front wheel. The R6 bearings have a 9.5mm ID, so if I chuck a 9mm axle into the hub, it'll be loose.

Would it be easier to swap the R6 bearings for some 9x22x7mm bearings and stick a 9mm front axle in? This would keep the the standard nuts and cones,etc. Or easier to get a 9.5mm axle and use the current bearings? I'll just file two flats in the axle to fit the 9mm fork tips, like how the old NJS axles were like.

Also, where would I be able to find a HED disc freewheel to track rear axle kit? Seems like they aren't available anymore. I probably can work out how to get an axle in, but I'm thinking I need a chainline adaptor

[mikesbytes]

I've got an old HED disc wheel that's setup for the track, would you like to come over and have a look at it, might help you figure it out

[QuangVuong]

Managed to convert the rear Zipp 3000 to a front.

Basically, the 3000 and the 950 disc used the same hubs and bearings(R6). Front and rear used the same diameter axles, but different length and the front had shorter spacers which were blue rather than the red rear spacers.

This was the original axle and red spacers. It was spaced for 126mm OLD, so the red spacers were ~27mm with the bearings 72mm apart(end to end) all on a 136mm axle.


To get it down to 100mm OLD, I cut the red spacers down to 14mm. The axle needed to be cut to ~110mm too, and last 5mm on each side was shaved down to 9mm diameter. This was only necessary as I couldn't fit the 9.5mm axle into my steel fork tips.


The 950 disk had this sort of axle. The shorter spacer I estimate is ~18mm which is on the track threaded side and the other ~27mm for the freewheel side. Both spacers are held in place with a grub screw.

[mikesbytes]

Interesting visit by QuangVuong, he identified that my HED disk wheel had the same fault as his, that being that its only got a road screw-on mounting which means that the chain line is out

[dalai47]

Finally dismantled my Zipp 950 to convert.

Unfortunately I cannot remove either the left end or centre spacer to access the bearing. Has anyone been able to fully dismantle a Zipp 950 axle? If so which of the two sections comes off?

Right cap slipped off easily. The left and centre wont budge! Ideally I'd like the centre spacer to come off if possible as I could slide it onto my turned axle when fitting it rather than find another section of tube.

[QuangVuong]

The middle section is pressed into the steel axle. The left spacer should just come off as easy as the right side.

Maybe it's rusted on. Hammer tap should get it off.

[dalai47]

Thanks. Tried soaking in boiling water with no luck. And have just before drowned it in WD-40.

Will go the hammer next if no luck.

[dalai47]

Soak in WD-40 and then use of the hammer the end came off reluctantly. Thanks QV.

[QuangVuong]

This was my way of converting my HED disc to track. The top axle is the original, however titanium spacers were made for it(spaced at 136mm or so for some reason). A standard 10x1(or 10x26tpi) axle pictured under fits snugly within the original axle, so the original bearings can be used. The titanium spacers were cut down and nuts threaded onto the axle to hold it in place, and is spaced at 120mm.




Now the issue is to fix the chainline. Back when freewheel discs were widely used, various manufacturers supplied track adaptors with their discs. This pushed the chainline out about 10mm so that the chainline is ideal for 120mm spaced bikes.

Finding one of these track adaptors proved hard. SPNK Wheels do make one, however that one spaces the chainline out by 15mm. I believe this is for fixie kids who are still running 126/130mm spaced wheels.

So I had to find another, and this is when I was told of Steve Dixon's adaptors. He was only 2 suburbs away, so I went and picked it up.




He's made adaptors used by world champs and all, and his stuff is well known, at least around the older generation.

The adaptor is left with the machining marks and all, so I decided to polish it up. Here it is on the wheel.

[mikesbytes]

That's really interesting. How much did the track adapter set you back?

[QuangVuong]

They cost $60 each, and he's usually got a bunch in stock ready to go. Otherwise, he'll make a lot up in not too long.

He also makes axles too, so if you're after a solution for your Zipp, have a chat to him. Your HED disc just needs the track adaptor and it'll be good to use, with the correct chainline.

Just send me a PM and I'll pass over his contact details.

[mikesbytes]

Unfortunately the HED disc needs a new single too, I pumped it up and it spewed a brownish liquid out of it which I'm assuming is a puncture fluid.

The Zip track axle is of interest, I've also had passing thoughts of making it a front wheel but there's some negatives with that and it may be simply better to pick up an old front when someone offloads one

[dalai47]

Why not consider setting up the HED disk for front use and convert the Zipp 950 for on the back? As the 950 doesn't need a chainline adapter and with the lower profile of the HED hub would sit nicely between the front forks.

[mikesbytes]

Why not consider setting up the HED disk for front use and convert the Zipp 950 for on the back? As the 950 doesn't need a chainline adapter and with the lower profile of the HED hub would sit nicely between the front forks.

Good thinking dalai, you made me go have a look at my wheels, all singles;

1. Pro-light rear disk wheel. 10 speed Shimano / track using different axles. Veloflex record 22mm tyre, currently flat due to pot hole. Cost about $120 to replace the tyre, will try goo first.

2. Zipp 950 rear disk wheel. 7 speed screw on / track by flipping the direction. 7 speed axle, the track axle is missing. 19mm contential tyre. Cost ? for a track axle, I think tyre is good.

3. HED ventricular rear disk wheel with alloy brake surface. 7 speed screw on. Contential tyre has leak despite there being some sort of brownish liquid in it. Cost ? to convert to front or back.

4. Fast Forward 90mm front wheel. Veloflex record 22mm tyre, currently flat due to pot hole (the same one). Cost about $120 to replace the tyre, will try goo first.

So before I spend coin on this situation I need to consider the benefits. The Pro-light and Fast Forward need to be repaired as they are used for Road TT'ing so then I need to consider the costs for the other wheels;

a) Zipp 950. Getting a track axle means that I have 2 rear disk wheels, it never hurts to have a spare I suppose.

b) HED. if I pay to get it converted to a front, how does the performance compare with the Fast Forward 90mm front wheel? Being ventricular + having a small lip for the alloy brake surface, does this negate the benefit over the Fast Forward 90mm?