General Cycling Discussion - LX hub; re-use or upgrade?

OK, so there's nothing wrong with the hub, but the rim is cracking by six of the spoke holes, so it's time to get parts together for a new wheel. I picked up a new Velocity Dyad rim but I'm not sure whether to re-use the LX hub or upgrade.

So, is there any functional improvement going to an XT or any other under $100 hubs out there? Is the difference between the LX and XT just cosmetic?

The wheel will be for the rear on my Cross Check that I use for commuting and general recreational riding.

is it front or rear? age?

The hub I have is a rear, is about 3 years old, and has less than 4,ooo miles on it.

You can replace the freehub part and put a 10-spd on if you want. Otherwise, just tape a new rim next to the old one and transfer the spokes over.

You can replace the freehub part and put a 10-spd on if you want. Otherwise, just tape a new rim next to the old one and transfer the spokes over.

If it's only 3 years old it'll have an 8/9/10 speed freehub body anyway won't it? The tapeing the rims together trick won't work unless your rims have the exactly same effective rim diameter.

I'm not positive about the difference between LX vs. XT, but I know for sure that the road equivlent Ultegra hubs have a more sophisticated sealing mechanism than 105 hubs.

If it's only 3 years old it'll have an 8/9/10 speed freehub body anyway won't it? The tapeing the rims together trick won't work unless your rims have the exactly same effective rim diameter.

I'm not positive about the difference between LX vs. XT, but I know for sure that the road equivlent Ultegra hubs have a more sophisticated sealing mechanism than 105 hubs.

Find a good wheel builder or two and compare prices. The one I use in the UK is cheaper to buy a new wheel than to buy a new rim and spokes and labour at my LBS. Then there is the fact that you still have an old hub- a well used freehub and it still needs rebuilding.

On the upgrade line- LX is not as good as XT and the price difference is not a great deal at my wheelbuilder. An LX wheel with me needs replacing after about 2 years. The XT will last all of 24 months. Pay your money and take your choice.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/Wheels.html

An LX wheel with me needs replacing after about 2 years. The XT will last all of 24 months.

Any recommendations for one that will last about 104 weeks?

104 weeks cost a LOT more but the Bling factor is worth it

Any recommendations for one that will last about 104 weeks?

I don't know about 104 weeks but i'm looking for something that will last about 728 days.

I was hoping to get just a couple more days out of it. I mean, what about leap years? Seems like it should last at least 731 days.