Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - best hubs for long wear

I'm starting to build up a new touring bike using the Surly cross check frame. I have decided on most of my components but I'm stuck on which hubs to use. I love the look of White industry hubs but they are spendy, which is o.k. if they are durable. I'm a clydesdale rider and want something that will last and is easily serviceable.

Thanks Pat aka "Biggerton"

1. Phil Wood
2. DT Swiss
3. White Industries
4. Campy or Shimano

I'll add another to the list of Hope Biguns. Take the all up weight of a 400lbs offroad tandem that is used aggressively. I Have another Tandem friend that uses the Hope Bulb's aswell

Put 57,000 miles on Phil Wood hubs on our tandem . . . no problems. Sold the tandem and as far as we know, the Phils are still 'a-rolling!'

phil it and fergit it.

Thanks everbody. General conscensus seems to be phil woods, might take a couple of extra paychecks but sounds like the way to go.

I agree, in todays world the Phil Woods are the best. I ran into a person touring on a set those hubs who claimed he had over 150,000 miles on them and that was 4 years ago...of course he maintained them real well.

Phil Wood goes without saying if you can afford it. If you want something that will last a long time, Shimano XT hubs are not uber snazzy, but from what people say, they are highly durable.

Hi,

Not trying to steal the thread or anything,
I'd like to know what's the average life expectancy of the cartridge bearings.

I KNOW it depends on whether you did any drops with your bike (just to make a point,) and whether you rode in the rain/mud/dust,
and even if you took it straight from a warm environment to a very cold and wet one.


Not asking for a definite number, just a rough estimate.
Either time wise, or mileage wise.

Tal.

A large friend uses White Industries hubs and has had problems more than once.
I have toured and ridden thousands of miles on Ultegra hubs and never have to think about them.

No love for Chris King in this thread? The only disadvantage is the need for some special tools for servicing them, but they are at least as reliable and durable as PW.

For durability, my vote goes with Phil Wood or Shimano XT/XTR. King hubs are nice if a bit loud. Make sure you get their steel freehub body, not aluminum, for touring use. That goes for all the other "boutique" brands as well.

More good choices......


Formula hubs... sealed bearings. Cheaper an Dura Ace, last like Phil Wood. (Phil's hubs are easier to work on however)

DT Swiss, 240s or 340s--- match them with DT swiss spokes and rims. Really nice wheels.

More good choices......


Formula hubs... sealed bearings. Cheaper an Dura Ace, last like Phil Wood. (Phil's hubs are easier to work on however)

DT Swiss, 240s or 340s--- match them with DT swiss spokes and rims. Really nice wheels.

I respectfully have to disagree with the Formula hub recommendation. I've had several fail inside of 2 years from failures in the freehub mechanism. This mechanism is far less available than shimano ones, so the poor cyclist who breaks one on the road is likely sidelined until fedex can show up with spare. Same goes for DT swiss - had their onyx freehub fail and was left scrambling for parts that weren't readily available.

Shimano LX/105 and above are great bets if the rider wants a hub for the long haul. Highly serviceable and THE best for small parts availability. Axels, cones, freehubs, etc are all commonly found in bike shops. The ball bearings they use are also widely available.

phil it and fergit it.

Phil hubs are a good reason to write a will. You really should have a beneficiary for them.

Phil Wood goes without saying if you can afford it. If you want something that will last a long time, Shimano XT hubs are not uber snazzy, but from what people say, they are highly durable.

Hate to say it but XT hubs are pretty good. They are the standard for a lot of Mountain bikers, last very well and take the punishment.

Hate to say it but XT hubs are pretty good. They are the standard for a lot of Mountain bikers, last very well and take the punishment.
+1

You can't get better bang for the buck than XT hubs. Plus, they are easy to service, have great seals, and the bearings are readily available if need be.

O.K. Thought I should get back to y'all. I was down @ my LBS and they had a set of '04 XTR hubs brand new in box. Got the set for 200$. Couldn't pass it up as the only differance over the years has been mostly cosmetic. Thanks all for the input.