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.
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.
The hubs are being released alongside the launch of Shimano Cues, which replaces the brand’s Altus, Acera and Alivio mountain bike groupsets, as well as its 10- and 11-speed variants of Deore, unifying them under a new ecosystem of components.
Pricing and availability of the hubs is to be confirmed.
The demise of cup-and-cone hubs?
Shimano has been a staunch supporter of cup-and-cone hubs, even using them on its flagship Dura-Ace R9270 road bike wheels.
Cup-and-cone hubs utilise loose ball bearings and require careful adjustment for the hub to spin freely.
They are easy to service because you can simply replace the ball bearings (providing the axle cone or bearing cup isn’t pitted) or make fine adjustments to play in the hub.
Cartridge bearing hubs see all-in-one sealed bearings pressed into the hub shell using a bearing press. It typically isn’t possible to adjust the preload of a cartridge bearing (although there are some exceptions) and when it wears out, the cartridge typically requires replacement.
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.
Campagnolo also uses them on some of its wheelsets, such as the Shamal, although it used cartridge bearings on some of its other products.
That Shimano is now embracing sealed bearings on three of the four hubs signals a radical departure for the brand.
Shimano cartridge bearing hub range
There are four options in Shimano’s new range, with the brand describing them as “versatile and reliable mid-range hub sets”.
Shimano TC600 hub
The TC600 hub sits at the top of the range and is designed for use with thru-axles (denoted by the ‘TC’ moniker in the product code).
It uses a modular axle and Shimano says you can quickly and easily change between Microspline and HG freehub bodies.
The TC600 uses twin double-row cartridge bearings and an additional labyrinth seal on the outside of the hub shell.
Labyrinth seals are designed to prevent contaminants entering the hub shell, which should improve bearing life.
The TC600 hub has an anodised finish and is said to offer 10 degrees of engagement.
Shimano TC500 / QC500
The second-rung TC500 / QC500 hub also uses cartridge bearings and can be converted between quick-release and thru-axles.
It also uses a labyrinth seal and can be changed swiftly between Microspline and HG freehub bodies.
It too has an anodised finish, albeit with 15 degrees of engagement.
Shimano QC400
The QC400 is only compatible with quick-release axles and steps down to a painted finish on the hub shell.It has 22.5 degrees of engagement.
Shimano says the hub uses cup-and-cone bearings in the 'outer body bearing'. We assume this means cup-and-cone bearings are used in the freehub, but we have contacted Shimano for confirmation.
Shimano QC300
The QC300 represents the entry point to the new hub range and Shimano likens it to its budget Tourney components.
It uses cup-and-cone bearings and is compatible with quick-release axles. Shimano also says the hub is compatible with 15mm nutted axles.
Like the QC400, it uses a painted hub finish and offers 22.5 degrees of engagement.
