{"id":46800,"date":"2023-02-28T17:00:58","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T16:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=718149"},"modified":"2023-02-28T17:34:34","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T16:34:34","slug":"shimano-says-rip-to-cup-and-cone-bearings-with-new-hubs","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/shimano-says-rip-to-cup-and-cone-bearings-with-new-hubs\/","title":{"rendered":"Shimano says RIP to cup-and-cone bearings with new hubs\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

New non-series hubs use cartridge bearings <\/p>

By Oscar Huckle\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 28 February 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Shimano has announced a new range of hubs that, in a first for the brand, do away with classic cup-and-cone bearings in favour of cartridge bearings.<\/p>\n

The brand has long been a proponent of cup-and-cone hubs and, while we expect it will stick with them for its premium products, this could mark the start of a significant change of direction at the more affordable end of its range.<\/p>\n

The hubs are being released alongside the launch of Shimano Cues<\/a>, which replaces the brand\u2019s Altus, Acera and Alivio mountain bike groupsets<\/a>, as well as its 10- and 11-speed variants of Deore, unifying them under a new ecosystem of components.<\/p>\n

Pricing and availability of the hubs is to be confirmed.<\/p>\n

The demise of cup-and-cone hubs?<\/h2>\n
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Cup-and-cone hubs have ruled Shimano\u2019s wheel range roost.<\/span><\/figcaption> Simon von Bromley \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Shimano has been a staunch supporter of cup-and-cone hubs, even using them on its flagship Dura-Ace R9270 road bike wheels<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cup-and-cone hubs utilise loose ball bearings and require careful adjustment for the hub to spin freely.<\/p>\n

They are easy to service because you can simply replace the ball bearings (providing the axle isn\u2019t pitted) or make fine adjustments to the preload.<\/p>\n

Cartridge bearing hubs see all-in-one sealed bearings pressed into the hub shell using a bearing press. It typically isn\u2019t possible to adjust the preload of a cartridge bearing (although there are some exceptions) and when it wears out, the cartridge typically requires replacement.<\/p>\n

The majority of wheel manufacturers use sealed bearings in their hubs, with Shimano being the major hold-out and advocate of cup-and-cone hubs.<\/p>\n

Campagnolo also uses them on some of its wheelsets, such as the Shamal<\/a>, although it also used cartridge bearings on some of its other products.<\/p>\n

That Shimano is now embracing sealed bearings on three of the four hubs signals a radical departure for the brand.<\/p>\n

Shimano cartridge bearing hub range<\/h2>\n

There are four options in Shimano\u2019s new range, with the brand describing them as \u201cversatile and reliable mid-range hub sets\u201d.<\/p>\n

Shimano TC600 hub<\/h3>\n
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The TC600 hub heads up the range.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The TC600 hub sits at the top of the range and is designed for use with thru-axles (denoted by the \u2018TC\u2019 moniker in the product code).<\/p>\n

It uses a modular axle and Shimano says you can quickly and easily change between Microspline and HG freehub<\/a> bodies.<\/p>\n

The TC600 uses twin double-row cartridge bearings and an additional labyrinth seal on the outside of the hub shell.<\/p>\n

Labyrinth seals are designed to prevent contaminants entering the hub shell, which should improve bearing life.<\/p>\n

The TC600 hub has an anodised hub finish and is said to offer 10 degrees of engagement.<\/p>\n

Shimano TC500 \/ QC500<\/h3>\n
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The TC500 is the second-rung hub in the range.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The second-rung TC500 \/ QC500 hub also uses cartridge bearings and can be converted between quick-release and thru-axles.<\/p>\n

It also uses a labyrinth seal and can be changed swiftly between Microspline and HG freehub bodies.<\/p>\n

It too uses an anodised finish with an increased 15 degrees of engagement.<\/p>\n

Shimano QC400<\/h3>\n

The QC400 is only compatible with quick-release axles and steps down to a painted finish on the hub shell.<\/p>\n

The points of engagement are further increased to 22.5 degrees.<\/p>\n

Shimano says the hub uses cup-and-cone bearings in the \u2018outer body bearing\u2019. We assume this means cup-and-cone bearings are used in the freehub, but we have contacted Shimano for confirmation.<\/p>\n

Shimano QC300<\/h3>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The QC300 is the only hub in the range to use cup-and-cone bearings.<\/span><\/figcaption> Shimano<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The QC300 represents the entry point to the new hub range and Shimano likens it to its budget Tourney components.<\/p>\n

It uses cup-and-cone bearings and is compatible with quick-release axles. Shimano also says the hub is compatible with 15mm nutted axles.<\/p>\n

Like the QC400, it uses a painted hub finish and offers a 22.5 degrees of engagement.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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