Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Rear Hubs

Alright, so I've been doing a lot of reading on here and I've been paying special attention to the hubs people seem to like but I can't figure out which is actually the best or which is the worst. I mean people seem to love these suzue pro-maxes, but then they also seem to really like iro hubs, or formula hubs or phil wood hubs, or dua-ace or surly or...you get the idea.

Basically I am looking at building up a rear wheel and I work at a shop so I can get stuff cheap and I am trying to figure out which would be the best bang for my buck. Though I'm not trying to be cheap, just frugal.

As an example, I'm coming from mountain biking and LX seems to be the best value while, xt is a nice step up, and xtr is just over the top. I'm looking for lx or xt level. I don't need xtr(though I am curious what is at the top). anyway, I'll stop rambling. Thanks, ahead of time, for your information.

formula/iro are the best bang for your buck.

I tried posting a very similar thread the other night.
I finally settled on the Nashbar hub for $39 (marked down from $50).
Seems to be very much like the Formula or Iro.

I think Phils, Pro Maxes, Dura Ace, etc... are all higher end hubs (I ride pro maxes on my main bike and love them) where as Iro, Formula, Surly, Nashbar are all solid, midrange hubs.

forgot about the nashbar, good call.

I would like to get something pretty nice, because I won't have this job forever, but I'd like to get stuff that will last for a long time to come and that I won't have to replace in a year or two when I will have to pay a lot more. I figure that if I can get stuff cheap now, I should go for the nicer stuff, unless it's just over the top ridiculous. I won't be racing, but I will be commuting daily and I may try to messenger once I graduate from this God forsaken school.

I would like to get something pretty nice, because I won't have this job forever, but I'd like to get stuff that will last for a long time to come and that I won't have to replace in a year or two when I will have to pay a lot more. I figure that if I can get stuff cheap now, I should go for the nicer stuff, unless it's just over the top ridiculous. I won't be racing, but I will be commuting daily and I may try to messenger once I graduate from this God forsaken school.


Sounds to me like you're describing Suzue Pro Max or Dura Ace.
Not as expensive as Paul or Phil Woods, but a very very good hub.

This is how I rank the hubs I am aware of.
1. Phil Wood/Paul
2. Pro Max/Dura Ace
3. Surly
4. Iro/Formula/Nashbar/Miche
5. Suzue Jr.

I've had no problems whatsoever with my Surly hubs. The bearings are replaceable, and you can order these babys from QBP. They aren't as sexy as Paul or Phil Wood, but they do the job just fine.

One factor will be whether you want sealed or loose-bearing hubs. I still like the IROs (same as Formula to my understanding), but if I wanted to get crazy I'd probably get Phils.

alright, cool. I'll have to check out the prices of this stuff again. It will really end up depending on my funds. But I guess I have a few months to think about it.
I may end up wanting to go crazy...phil's or paul?

phils.
dura ace are cup and cone (loose ball) and will need a lot more maintenance than than the phils (cartridge)

alright, phils it is...if I decided to splurge AND have the money to do it. Those dura-ace bearings are pretty smooth though. I mean my xt ones are and they are lower level mtb ones. However, I hate shimano cones. the flat part is too narrow to get my cone wrenches on and adjust properly. Do any of you guys have that problem? Are the suzue's any better?

I've been running a Kogswell hub for a couple of months now (review post to come) and as a heavy curb climbing/jumping rider and I've been very happy with it thus far. Extremely burly locknuts and very nice track nuts for a 50$ hub, plus cartridge bearings.

I stripped a Formula hub before I was riding this one. Don't generally skid but I do backpedal to slow down.

**** phil.

alright, cool. I'll have to check out the prices of this stuff again. It will really end up depending on my funds. But I guess I have a few months to think about it.
I may end up wanting to go crazy...phil's or paul?


pauls...

Don't forget about Levels or Kogswell in your list. Kogswells have received nothing but good reviews, and are recommended for off-road use. Levels are impossible (impossible!) to strip, since they use bolt-on cogs.

interesting, I will have to look into those. I had only recently heard of kogswell, but I have never heard of level, I will have to look into both definitely then. I like the bolt on idea. I was thinking people ought to make a lockring with teeth so you can just use your chain and pedals to put it on. But bolt on seems pretty nice.