Hope Big un QR conversion

Angrydragon

Retro Newbie
I have a Hope big un front hub and I’m trying to get the end caps off but no luck. Anyone got any ideas? I’ve attached a picture of the hub.

Also has anyone converted from QR to through axel with one of these hubs recently? Wandered if any of the parts existed anymore?
 

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Re:

Looks like a gem 1 so basically you have a solid axle with end caps, unfortunately they can be really really tight to the point that you will damage at least one of them getting it apart. You will need a kit to convert it to 20mm which consists of the end caps, the bearings and a center tube. I bought mine along time age so can’t comment on their current availability I’m afraid. Also be mindful that the 20mm end caps are not the same length.

HTH.

Tim.
 
Re:

Be brave, stick a showman skewer in it and then get a mallet and some form of support and whack it (technical term)

As you whack it the axle will push the bearing and the cover off one side and out the other, once it pops out you put the skewer in the side with the bearing and cover and then whack it till it comes off...

Don’t just whack the axle or you’ll trash the end and not fit a skewer through

The 20mm conversion is as the previous poster said just 2 bearings and a spacer - the end caps are the bits you’ll struggle with as they are like rocking horse sh1t
 
got some spares in the box, 20mm conversion should be possible. I'll check the shed tonight and confirm. Feel free to send me a nudge if I don't come back to you in a couple of days.

Got to be red? think mine are black
 
Re:

Hay rick I’ve never seen them in anything but black. Just for reverence see the sizes below.

20mm hope spacers measurements
Disc/Non Disc
Big un pre 05
21mm/19mm

Big Un 05-On
20mm/18mm

Bulb Splined
13.5mm/13.5mm

Bulb 6 bolt
19mm/13.5mm

Pro 2/ EVO/ Pro 4
19mm/19mm
 
There's 2 version's of the early Big Un & yours look as though its the 9mm specific type that uses the smaller 6002 bearings & it can't be converted to 20mm.
 
Theres some big un axle pics int he Hope Timeline thread. Might be of help.
It's not a hub I've had any use with so can't help otherwise :)
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=94741

Any info you do manage to compile, if you can add it to that thread it always benefits others 8)
 
Re:

Had a rummage, looks like I've cleared all the 20mm end caps but do have a middle tube spacer bit.

That tells me that I fitted a hub out without the spacer at some point.

Oh well...
 
iscervo":s3xjvemw said:
There's 2 version's of the early Big Un & yours look as though its the 9mm specific type that uses the smaller 6002 bearings & it can't be converted to 20mm.

Interesting, I’ve not herd that before I will have a look at the couple I have and see what size bearings I have.
 
iscervo":1o265nwq said:
There's 2 version's of the early Big Un & yours look as though its the 9mm specific type that uses the smaller 6002 bearings & it can't be converted to 20mm.

I have to disagree with you there. I have converted one of mine this morning. Removed the 6002 bearings and qr axle and replaced with 6804 bearings, center tube and the 20mm end caps.

As for op. I had a great idea for removal of the qr which I did (surprisingly easily) with mine this morning. I just used a small 10mm socket that fits over the very end of the axle but the outside was small enough to not touch the end cap. I have the hope bearing press thing which dose make it a bit easier but basically just support the wheel and tap the socket. This will knock out the axle and the bottom bearing leaving the top bearing and end cap on the top.
 
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