Hubs: Very expensive or very cheap?

[bunky]

I have been riding XT hubs since forever. These just are not working out. I have been though three rear hubs now in less than two years. In each case, hub has loosened up and allowed the races/bearings to become contaminated. This has resulted in a pitting of the races that makes the rear wheel spin roughly at first and then to fail altogether. I now understand that when you get these from Shimano, they need to be ripped apart before riding and regreased. But, quite honestly, since S Corp can’t seem to deliver hubs that doesn’t suck out-of-the-box, I am inclined to change my strategy.

I am at that point where I can go one of two ways. Either I start getting $89 Performance wheelsets and toss them like Bic lighters every 6 months to a year, or I go big and get a DT Swiss Hugi 240 wheelset which will cost big bucks., but (knock on wood) last a few years.

Any recommendations? Bear in mind that I am not one to engage in a lot of maintenance, am not very mechanically inclined, and beat the hell out of my equipment.

[allroy]

I had mine laced to DT Swiss TK 7.1's with DT Supercomp spokes. I've been using them for 6 months and running strong. I got mine here (http://classifieds.mtbr.com/cgi-bin/classifieds/classifieds.pl?db=MtbReview&website=MtbReview&language=&session_key=&search_and_display_db_button=on&results_format=long&db_id=104051&query=retrieval)

If you want to save some cash and get a great hubset check out Hope Pro II (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HU510B00-Hope+Pro+2+Disc+Hubs.aspx?sc=frgl).

I should add a wheelset is only as good as the person that build's it. Machine built wheels need to be rebuilt and tensioned properly.

[tomn]

I have also gone through lots of XT hubs and I tried the cheap route with Performance Topos. They suck. Not even worth the $100 IMHO. They taco very easily. Two of my buddies ride with Chris King hubs and they swear by them (plus they sound really cocky and you can get cool colors). But too spendy for me.

My latest wheelset is the newer XT (756) and so far they're great. I got them laced to 36 hole Mavic F519 rims for better durability (at the expense of a little extra weight). Only $160 for the pair, I have had them for over a year and no problems with the hubs, plus only one minor truing required.

[tomn]

Oh and I should note that I also bang the he11 out of my bike, weekends at the Shed usually (you know the drill there) and riding year round in mud, snow, ice, lots of creek crossings, rockfields, logs, chutes, you name it. The taco'd wheels were becoming a problem -- this is why I went with 36-spoke wheels this time. And I'm with you on the maintenance, the less the better (plus I don't have that much $$ for repeat purchases of bike parts). Anyway good luck with your next wheelset, I hope you find what you're looking for.

[bunky]

Allroy: I think your advice is sound. I think I'll try out the Hopes and see what happens. 250 (front and rear) is not a lot to pay for the hubs, when considering the opther alternative is the "good money after bad option." Now, seeing as how a wheelset is only as good as the person who builds it, who do we all know who can build these things for cheap or beer? :D

TDN. Thanks for the 411 re Topos--you confirmed my suspicion. Problem is, however, that the latest sets of XTs I have fried I think have been the 756s (although I thought they were M760s, which I had thought repleaced the M752s). Jebus, I can't keep that company squared away with their model numbers.

Gonna get the Hopes and see what happens. I have no shoratge of good rims to string them to, since I have been going through wheelsets like PEZ.

[TrailVictim]

Are you running Disc or V-Brake? I have a set of 2004 Crossmax XL (V-Brake I was thinking of selling). They only have like 5 rides on them.

[bunky]

Are you running Disc or V-Brake? I have a set of 2004 Crossmax XL (V-Brake I was thinking of selling). They only have like 5 rides on them.


Part of this whole exercize is to take the jump to disc brakes. Thanks for the offer, tho!

[tomn]

Thanks for the 411 re Topos--you confirmed my suspicion. Problem is, however, that the latest sets of XTs I have fried I think have been the 756s (although I thought they were M760s, which I had thought repleaced the M752s). Jebus, I can't keep that company squared away with their model numbers.
I think the 760's are the Shimano disc bolt pattern. I needed 6-bolt standard disc, and I think the 756 is the latest. But I thought they had redesigned them recently, could be mistaken.

Good luck with the Hopes.