Topolino's Hub

THERMOPLASTIC CARBON FIBER COMPOSITE HUBSHELLS:

Our proprietary composite has amazing properties.

High strength

Our hub shell material is stronger, yet 45% lighter than the 6061-T6 aluminum typically found on high-end hubs.

Optimized geometry

Because our hub shells are formed in a mold, the hub shell geometry is not limited to the concentric circular contours of a conventional machined hub. We were able to use finite element analysis (F.E.A.) to optimize the hub shape for the greatest structural efficiency. (Note the exterior ribs on the drive side, for example.)

A shape like this simply cannot be turned on a lathe.

Superior spoke support

The hub flange is molded to completely encase the spokes, fully supporting the spoke within the hub flange material. The spokes exit the hub in perfect alignment with their path extending out to the rim. No mismatches or gaps between the spoke and the hub flange means there is no room for bending or flexing. The spoke is held in pure tension – the way it was meant to be. Thus, we eliminate the overwhelming source of spoke failures; fatigue from flex and squirming during use.

FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY:

Designed to balance smoothness, light weight and strength.

Perfect bearing alignment

Our unique "shoulderless" front axle (pat. pending) eliminates misalignment between axle shoulders and bearing shoulders, allowing for perfect bearing alignment with no axial binding, lower friction, and longer bearing life.

We use a wave spring to provide a specific axial preload to the inner bearing surfaces, optimizing contact between the balls and the bearing races for longer bearing life.

Light, stiff axle

Topolino’s hollow axle saves weight and is made from one of the strongest aluminum alloy available (7075-T6). And the oversized 12mm diameter axle creates a solid and rigid connection with the frame.

Smooth rolling

Full-sized, 12mm bearings, with two lip seals in each, provide long life and zero maintenance. Beware! Undersized bearings, used in some "light weight" wheels, have much lower load ratings and shorter life.

REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY:

Light, strong and reliable, with remarkable attention to detail.

Cold forged freehub body

Our cold forged 7075-T6 freehub body is heat treated after forging. Cold forging produces superior grain structure versus machining from billet, increasing strength and ductility. Heat treating AFTER forging improves heat penetration, which is particularly important with 7075 alloy, as 7075 exhibits superior basic strength properties, but is one of the more difficult alloys to heat treat. In contrast, the billet machining operation, used by some other wheel makers, starts with a pre-heat treated bar and removes the outer heat-treated material of the bar to expose the softer portions within. Not good.

Hard anodized

Our freehub bodies are hard anodized (a thicker, more expensive coating than standard, or "decorative" anodizing), giving the freehub seal a better surface on which to slide, thus minimizing friction and seal wear. Hard anodizing also protects the freehub body from the cogset, and lowers friction and wear at the pawl pivots.

Super sealed mechanism

We use a flex-lip contact seal to keep lubricant in and contaminants out of the ratchet mechanism, increasing reliability and longevity. Note: Typical of contact seals, some increased friction is expected when the wheel is new, and much less after the first few rides.

3-pawl ratchet design

Three simultaneously engaging pawls provide greater strength and alignment than 2-pawl designs. The pawls and ratchet ring are hardened Chromium-Molybdenum ("chrome moly") steel alloy, which is among the strongest steels available. Stronger and tougher than conventional carbon steels.

Faster engagement

Topolino’s 24-tooth ratchet ring provides instant lock-up and faster response when power is applied. Most others use only 16 or 18 teeth, with a greater angle of lost motion between engagement points. We also utilize a rectangular cross-section pawl spring provides greater rebound force and has a lower tendency to become overstressed versus round-section springs.

Optimized freehub spacing

Topolino’s Shimano-compatible and Campagnolo-compatible freehub bodies may be interchanged on the same wheel. Our freehub design requires swapping a small spacer and re-dishing the wheel to complete the change-over. This allows wheel dish to be optimized for each system. Beware of wheels that don’t require this additional set-up!

Chrome moly axle

A steel axle? Yes. Our axle is heat treated alloy steel for excellent stiffness (steel is 3 times stiffer than aluminum) with variable wall thickness to reduce the weight.