Shimano says RIP to cup

Nov 03, 2023

New non-series hubs use cartridge bearings

This competition is now closed

By Oscar Huckle

Published: February 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm

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.

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.

There are four options in Shimano's new range, with the brand describing them as "versatile and reliable mid-range hub sets".

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.

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.

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.

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.

Technical writer

Oscar Huckle is a technical writer at BikeRadar. He has been an avid cyclist since his teenage years, initially catching the road cycling bug and riding for a local club. He's since been indoctrinated into gravel riding and more recently has taken to the dark art of mountain biking. His favourite rides are epic road or gravel routes, and he has also caught the bikepacking bug hard after completing the King Alfred's Way and West Kernow Way. Oscar has a BA degree in English Literature and Film Studies and has close to a decade of cycling industry experience, initially working in a variety of roles at Evans Cycles before joining Carbon Bike Repair. He is particularly fond of workshop tool exotica and is a proponent of Campagnolo groupsets. Oscar prefers lightweight road and gravel frames with simple tube shapes, rather than the latest trend for aerodynamics and full integration. He is obsessed with keeping up to date with all the latest tech, is fixated with the smallest details and is known for his unique opinions.

Order the Official Tour De France Race Guide 2023

Only £10.99 including FREE UK delivery

Subscribe to MBUK and get a Nukeproof Sam Hill Enduro Saddle Oil Slick as your welcome reward! Plus, save 30% off the shop price!