Pulstar SOS!

[Mymumsaysimcool]

Hello Retrobike dudes,

I'm having trouble with a Pulstar rear hub and wondering if anybody can help. The freehub body has become awfully notchy and no longer move freely, which, obviously, makes it pretty useless. I've had a poke around and taken the axle assembly apart: the NDS seems to have a cartridge bearings with a preloading nut and locknut. The DS has a cup and cone bearing assembly inside the end of the freehub. I've removed all these parts but can't seem to get the axle out and wonder if the freehub is in any way serviceable?

Any help would be hugely appreciated, the wheel is a beauty and matches the front! Wheels are fitted to a Park Pre 825.

Cheers, Rory

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

Pulstar freehubs have a habit of bearings failing. The freehubs are bonded on with some sort of super strength glue. I have tried to remove two of them using a 10mm allen key in a vice and turning the wheel, both ending up exploding into lots of small bits. Even tried using heat to soften the bond but no luck.

As far as I know the freehubs are not the same fitment as shimano so even if you do get it off you won't find a replacement to fit.

Best of luck

 

[Mymumsaysimcool]

Drat! I had a feeling that the freehub wasn't detachable/serviceable, thanks for the confirmation. I could build the wheel onto a new Pulstar hub; do you rate the pairs for sale on eBay?

 

[REKIBorter]

Re:

Pulstar did a few types with different quality bearings. Best resource is here > http://www.bikepro.com/products/hubs/hubs_pulstar.html

I like Pulstar hubs which were years ahead in their design but they do fail at the weakest point - bearings.

 

[Retro Spud]

Re: Re:

I like Pulstar hubs which were years ahead in their design but they do fail at the weakest point - bearings.

+1 on the love front for Pulstar hubs

Can't say I've had many bearing failures and the one that did my LBS swapped the bearing out

Still have at least one rig running them today, Snowflakes front and rear ....something I wouldn't get away with on standard hubs
Also makes them easier to tension as the spokes don't spin

Check out page 3 of my Ozone in my signature below