Mountain Biking - What hubs would you use?

So I am planning on building myself a set of alternate/ wet weather xc race wheels to compliment my AC wheels. I have a spare set of DT rims that I am planning on using. Part of me wants to go cheap and use XT hubs. However, I had a set of wheels with those and hated them. Another part of me wants to build them with something fancy like Hope hubs that will preform and be better sealed, but seem kind of excessive for an alternate wheelset. What would you do? Any other suggestions?

Personally, I'd go with XT hubs; they are cheap and durable. If I wanted something flashy I'd probably get some Paul's or Chris King hubs.

Personally, I'd go with XT hubs


So I am planning on building myself a set of alternate/ wet weather xc race wheels



So in wet weather...you'd be servicing the XT's all the time. Hope Pro II's are sealed and absolutely ROCK!

I love mine. Cheaper than King, Paul, DT, Hadley...and I'd say nearly comparable quality.

So in wet weather...you'd be servicing the XT's all the time. Hope Pro II's are sealed and absolutely ROCK!

I love mine. Cheaper than King, Paul, DT, Hadley...and I'd say nearly comparable quality. True dat. I have them on my commuter and my mountain bike. Rockin'...

The DT "240s" is a sweet hub. I haven't had any trouble with it in any of the conditions I've ridden. My first set of built wheels so I don't really have much experience choosing hubs but these have been AWESOME.

$385 for DT's
$320 for the Hope's

That's a tough call b/c in the grand scheme of things...$65 isn't much. I do prefer the Hope front over the DT though b/c it's convertible JIK you wanna do a QR15 or 20mm TA later on. The QR15 may not complete replace QR skewers, but it seems better on paper.

Holy christ just pick a hub...is XT low-end now or something?

is XT low-end now or something?

Has been for quite some time.

$385 for DT's
$320 for the Hope's

I just bought a set of Hope Pro 2s from Jenson last week. They are only $250 for the set.

So in wet weather...you'd be servicing the XT's all the time.

I don't see any problem using XT hubs in this application, unless by "wet weather" you mean riding in 3' of water.

Another personal opinion here ...

I would (actually I do) use the same hubs on a spare wheel set as I have on my primary wheel set.
Reason, a different manufacturer or a lesser quality hub may have different tolerances then the primary hubs. If you run disc brakes you could end up having to realign the caliper every time you swap wheels, depending on your brakes and how often you need to change out the wheels, that can be a real pain in the arse.

Also, depending on how aware you are of your bikes ride, different hubs with different bearing will feel a lot ... well ... different. :D and that can be annoying to some riders.

DBD:beer:

Last year XTR hubs. I scored a pair from Nashbar for $145 shipped. Screamin' deal. Only >450 grams for the hubset, come with Ti freehub too!

Downside? centerlock. Not a downside if you also score XTR hydro brakes for $140 for the set. Check Jenson.

Last year XTR hubs. I scored a pair from Nashbar for $145 shipped. Screamin' deal. Only >450 grams for the hubset, come with Ti freehub too!

Downside? centerlock. Not a downside if you also score XTR hydro brakes for $140 for the set. Check Jenson.

You don't necessarily need Shimano hydros with centerlock hubs. I have some XTR centerlock hubs with adaptors.

You can use Problem Solvers, basic solution for $18 each: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR605Z00-Problem+Solvers+Adapter+-+Ctr+Lock+To+Is.aspx

Or you can use DT Swiss adapters, the more elegant solution for $36 each: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BR408C12-Dt+Swiss+Centerlock+Adaptor+To+6-Bolt.aspx

Downside? centerlock. Not a downside if you also score XTR hydro brakes for $140 for the set. Check Jenson.

Uh, no. The calipers are $77. The levers and rotors are MUCH more expensive.

With every Shimano rear hub I've had, the freehub boby has packed up in 6 months or less. Hope ones seem to go on forever. I've got Pro IIs and a really old Hope XC rear on my hardtail. But the next lot of wheels I build will be with hubs from these guys:
http://www.superstarcomponents.com
They are 120 point pickup so should be instant power like Chris King, but they charge a reasonable price. Don't know how much shipping to the US is, but can't be too bad. Check out their headsets as well. Seems the only downside for some people is not such a cool brand name...

http://www.superstarcomponents.com

How much business have you done with them? After looking at their site, I'm intrigued.

If you want to sound like a pissed off bee going thru the woods get the Hopes, I love mine. they also come with a 5 year warranty.

I am honestly leaning towards the hopes. These are going to be my wet weather/ bombproof wheels. My current wheels are a set of American Classics, which feel amazing but I have heard have some durability issues.

As for 3" of water... Do you know how much rain we have gotten in the midwest this year?

How much business have you done with them? After looking at their site, I'm intrigued.

Hi. I've had a Hollowtech II BB from them - it's same quality as Shimano but for 1/2 the price (at least it's 1/2 the price in the UK). The rear hub looks interesting - a Chris King is 70 points of engagement & this one's 120, so should be good to ride. If I get one (may not be soon tho) I'll post a review.