Thursday, September 20, 2007

Phil Wood Hub and ACS Claws Freewheel


Phil! I'll be putting the fabled Phil hub through some serious abuse starting yesterday! The pacific northwest weather is some of the harshest around for moving parts, like bottom brackets, headsets, suspension and hubs. I ride religously through it all, day and night, so Phil I hope you've brought it, because you are going to need it. Phil replaces an XT hub that my local bike mechanic deemed, "the worst he's ever seen, and totally not rebuildable". Well he stuffed it back together and I got another year out of it.
After coughing up the dough for the Wood, I had to go lightly on the freewheel, so I got an ACS Claws and will see how that goes. After one day at the SeaTac Flow Park and the Buckley Skate Park the combination seems smooth and has no problems. Let's hope so! I like the sound of the ACS Claws, (it has the bmx sound!) but the feel is a bit sloppy, which is about the equivalent to the XT hub. I've been spoiled lately with the DT240 that is on my cross bike, which I've been riding a lot lately. Tonight brings the classic trail ride and with a bit of rain lately the gloves will come off for Phil.
Let's say a bit about the Phil hub, because it is worth some praise. It is nicely built, a work of polished chrome art. The bolt on mechanism is stiff, tight and fits snug as a bug in a rug. The skewer system it replaces didn't have that same solidness. Pete at the Black Diamond Bike Shop said it built up very easily, yes that's right my wheel is Peterbilt!
-Adam
P.S. I'll have a progress report on the Rollenlager, Singlator, Surly Cog, Forte Tensioner and Surly Ring shortly.

2 comments:

Carson Blume said...

I am new to the blogging world, hence the late reply to your post, you are welcome to put my bike on your site. I am getting a new single speed from my boy at Deslavo Cycles; ti frame 29" wheels, carbon belt drive, truvativ cranks, king hubs and headset, Juicy ultimate brakes, Fox F29 fork, Thompson Stem/Post, Easton MX bars. I will be taking some Pro Pics of this one!

Adam said...

Thanks Carson for replying to my blog, it's great to have comments! I found you through Chase Jarvis' blog, which I like to keep up on. That Desalvo sounds super cool! I'll copy that pic and add it to my set, thanks.
-Adam
If you get a good picture of the Desalvo, send it on over.