Author Topic: Loop wheel on a Tonti?  (Read 218 times)

Offline wirespokes

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Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« on: February 13, 2026, 09:52:16 AM »
Is an Eldorado disc front wheel any different than an early Tonti - say an 850T or a T3? I'm thinking of getting an Eldo disc wheel to use on a T3.

Offline guzzisteve

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2026, 10:38:36 AM »
Hub is different wheel rims maybe same, Tapered bearings in one, roller bearings in the other, just use the right stuff or get it new from HMB. Call Harpers they might have a trailer full, if He ain't to lazy to go get them.
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2026, 10:50:43 AM »
Disc Eldo front wheel is virtually identical to T, T3, Convert, G5. The bearing carriers will be different - Eldo will have one that is 39.5 mm thick and the other that is 22 mm thick. You'd need a pair of 29.5 mm thick ones for use on a T3.





https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=218&products_id=579
« Last Edit: February 13, 2026, 10:52:11 AM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

Offline wirespokes

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2026, 11:13:25 AM »
Thanks, Charlie! I figured you'd know.

So the answer is that Eldos used ball bearings and newer ones have tapered rollers. Right there is enough to warrant changing the carriers, though the wrong thickness would definitely dictate a change.

Did the eldo disc front wheel have stainless spokes?

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2026, 11:39:19 AM »
Thanks, Charlie! I figured you'd know.

So the answer is that Eldos used ball bearings and newer ones have tapered rollers. Right there is enough to warrant changing the carriers, though the wrong thickness would definitely dictate a change.

Did the eldo disc front wheel have stainless spokes?

You kind of have that backwards. Most drum brake Loops had tapered roller bearings (the exception being the four-leading-shoe front drum which used ball bearings). Tontis all used ball bearings (except the rear of the V7 Sport).

Stainless spokes (with nickel-plated brass nipples) were used on Loop wheels after 1969, so yes, the disc Eldo front wheel will have stainless spokes.

If you buy the disc Eldo wheel and it comes with the 39.5 mm wide spacer/bearing carrier, I would be interested in buying that. A bit hard to find. 
« Last Edit: February 13, 2026, 11:46:43 AM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

Offline guzzisteve

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2026, 12:18:39 PM »
Disc Eldo front wheel is virtually identical to T, T3, Convert, G5. The bearing carriers will be different - Eldo will have one that is 39.5 mm thick and the other that is 22 mm thick. You'd need a pair of 29.5 mm thick ones for use on a T3.





https://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=218&products_id=579
Thanks for correcting, I knew you would be along.
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Offline wirespokes

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2026, 03:08:49 PM »
Yeah, that's right. I forgot the tontis have ball bearings - I'm so used to the airheads with their tapered rollers.

Offline matt franklin

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2026, 05:43:53 PM »
It would probably be easier to find another Tonti front wheel than the Eldorado disc wheel.  It was only made for 1 year.  Any convert, G5, T or T3 wheel would work.  SP as well.

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2026, 06:31:17 PM »
It would probably be easier to find another Tonti front wheel than the Eldorado disc wheel.  It was only made for 1 year.  Any convert, G5, T or T3 wheel would work.  SP as well.

It sounds to me like he's already found the Eldo wheel and just wanted to know if it will work or not. Short answer is it will. it's the same wheel except for the bearing carriers.

The 1000SP had cast alloy wheels, not spoked ones.
Charlie

Offline matt franklin

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Re: Loop wheel on a Tonti?
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2026, 09:15:59 PM »
It sounds to me like he's already found the Eldo wheel and just wanted to know if it will work or not. Short answer is it will. it's the same wheel except for the bearing carriers.

The 1000SP had cast alloy wheels, not spoked ones.
It might look weird, but I assume it would work, since the hub width is the same.

 

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