More Tuff 2s

[GavinKent]

Right, I've just bought my second pair of Tuff 2s in 1 week.  I always wanted a pair for my BMX when I was 15 back in 1985, and now I've bought 2 pairs in 1 week - but when I'm 38.  I returned the first pair which cost £105 as they were damaged.  This new pair cost £40 and look pretty okay.  The rear wheel has the alloy star shaped hub thing, but the front doesn't - although it says Tuff 2 on the wheel and has patent No: 4280736.  They do look a pair but I thought both wheels should have the alloy hub, being 80s.  Once again I need the oracles to advise, until I learn all this!!  Any ideas? 

Thanks

[dwain dibbly]

early ones have metal hubbs front and back mid-late 80's
have plastic fronts

[munners]

If the rear iis an alloy hub and a front sealed then the chances are they are 80's originals as they also came like this as a pair.

[GavinKent]

oh good, so I have got 80s ones!!   

[series.1.rs.turbo]

I still have a set I bought in 1985, & was offered the choice of alloy hub or later style you have.

As above, they came this way with the alloy back hub....so I would say they are mid to late 80's 

[GavinKent]

so is there any diference between my later style 80s wheel and the new skyways?

[moanjam]

your front one is the same as new ones and obviously rear is differrent but as far as i know they use same moulds and materials

[MartyC]

so is there any diference between my later style 80s wheel and the new skyways?

Yours are loose ball bearing hubs, the ones today are sealed bearing hubs 

They were around late 84 onwards so if you wanted a pair in 85 I wouldn't mind betting you've got what you would have got back then 

[GavinKent]

Excellent  so how can you tell?

[telelogic]

they still come with unsealed bearings unless you get a coaster set or the convertible axle version.

[LOS1969]

when did skyways go all plastic?

[magna13]

87 onwards?

[MartyC]

they still come with unsealed bearings unless you get a coaster set or the convertible axle version.

Interesting, Skyway and Colored Tuffs sites both say they all come with sealed bearings except the coaster brake rear   

[GavinKent]

So if you have a sealed bearing wheel from the 80s, and a new one, there must be some way to tell them apart and I'm sure Skyways can.  I'd like to compare them together and measure bits etc., to find out the tiny differences.  They must be there somewhere.  I have too much time on my hands!!   

[GavinKent]

Or I should say loose bearing hubs from the 80s! 

[GavinKent]

I've found the serial number on the rear wheel of my tuffs - it's either 2620757 or 2626757 - any idea of date?

Thanks

[oberonspacefruit]

you will struggle to find someone who will answer that question, perhaps you should take it up as your "cause".....


start a list, tuffs, serial numbers, known dates.

thats just the kind of painstakingly tedious thing thats always being done on here.....but  not one that i know has been attempted so far.

[GavinKent]

Good idea.  Are Tuffs interchangeable - can you use the rear on the front, or vice versa,  if you changed the axle or whatever you had to do?