Bicycle Mechanics - Velocity hubs

Velocity makes some 130mm and 135mm cartridge bearing hubs for about the same cost as Shimano's Deore XT line. How do they compare?

I don't know anything about the Velocity hubs, but I do know that for serviceable-bearing hubs, Shimano's quality-for-price ratio is unlikely to be beaten. But if you want cartridge bearing hubs, Velocity's are probably fine.

Loose ball bearings = less than a dime each
Cartridge bearings = about $6 each, 2-4 in each hub.

If you have an issue with a freehub, chances are the problem is the freehub body. With a Shimano hub, you can easily replace the entire freehub body. The cost is reasonable too. That's not true of some other hubs and it's one of the things that I like best about Shimano. I don't know about Velocity hubs.

Velocity makes some 130mm and 135mm cartridge bearing hubs for about the same cost as Shimano's Deore XT line. How do they compare?

The velocity "track hubs" if that is what you're asking about is the equivalent, exactly the same as formula hubs. Which is nowhere near ****ing deore xt Line. Abso-****ing-lutely not. Which means, they are the miniumu fixed gear rear hub i'd run on my personal bike.

If you're talking about some other "velocity" hub, then please do tell us what the **** it exactly is so we can help you.

I only have to quote Sheldon Brown on this one:

"In my opinion Tiagra hubs are superior to all non Shimano hubs except Phil Wood. Shimano hubs are unequalled." - Sheldon Brown

XT hubs are better than Tiagra, ergo, XT hubs are superior to all non Shimano hubs except Phil Wood.

End of discussion.

These are a really good deal - and you can get up to 40 spokes on a 130mm hub!

http://www.bikemania.biz/VeloCity_Dyad_Touring_Hybrid_29er_Wheelset_p/velocity_touring.htm

My rationale for this is simple: I want to buy a pre-made wheel using a heavy-duty rim, and I'd prefer to get it in 130mm so I can use it with a standard aluminum road frame. I can get a set of 32-spoke Mavic 319s laced to Deore XT hubs for $200 on eBay, but that would require me to spend a lot more on the frame - I was hoping to use the $150 ($130 if they have another 20% off sale) Nashbar touring bike frame.

If XT hubs are superior to all hubs except Phil Woods, then I guess that says the whole industry sucks? The White Industries, Chris King and the like must be inferior too?

I don't think so. If Sheldon Brown liked them . . . whoo hoo. .. . good for him. Spare us the Sheldon gospel stuff. People like XT hubs because they're inexpensive, and Shimano knows if they make them cheap enough they'll smother the competition because most people buy by price. . . not quality.



Velocity indeed makes 130 and 135mm hubs as Spasticteapot stated. I first saw them on Peter Whites site. He sells the hubs as well as makes wheels with them. http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/hubsets.asp .

Velocity offers many hubs:
http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=568
http://www.velocityusa.com/default.asp?contentID=570

I had asked Velocity via email . . . " If I use your ATB hubs(non disc), do you make replacement freehub bodies for it in case of future need to replace? I do not want throw away hubs." . . . This was their reply:

"We only have black ATB hubs, but they are by no means throwaway. You can get replacement free hub bodies, but if you ever have and issues beyond wear and tear we will cover it under our worry free warranty. We stand behind everything with our name on it 100%.
Let me know if you have any other questions.

Cheers,


MD
Sales Manager
Velocity USA
800.453.6126 "

These are a really good deal - and you can get up to 40 spokes on a 130mm hub!

http://www.bikemania.biz/VeloCity_Dyad_Touring_Hybrid_29er_Wheelset_p/velocity_touring.htm

My rationale for this is simple: I want to buy a pre-made wheel using a heavy-duty rim, and I'd prefer to get it in 130mm so I can use it with a standard aluminum road frame. I can get a set of 32-spoke Mavic 319s laced to Deore XT hubs for $200 on eBay, but that would require me to spend a lot more on the frame - I was hoping to use the $150 ($130 if they have another 20% off sale) Nashbar touring bike frame.



The Nashbar frame is spaced at 132.5mm and accepts 130 and 135mm hubs, you are aware of this are you not?

If XT hubs are superior to all hubs except Phil Woods, then I guess that says the whole industry sucks? The White Industries, Chris King and the like must be inferior too?

I don't think so. If Sheldon Brown liked them . . . whoo hoo. .. . good for him. Spare us the Sheldon gospel stuff. People like XT hubs because they're inexpensive, and Shimano knows if they make them cheap enough they'll smother the competition because most people buy by price. . . not quality.


/Woosh

Those CK hubs and White hubs cost the same as shimano XT's right? Of course they aren't much higher priced. That'd be ridiculous. The Shimano hubs are the best *value* for your dollar, especially the LX/XT's. When white industries and CK starts making hubs the equivalent or better quality, for the same price, then come back with your uninformed completely incorrect posts.

Value? It depends on how that value is measured, does it not ?

Spare me the uninformed, incorrect post crappola you spew operator.

Value? It depends on how that value is measured, does it not ?


To most of us "value" implies getting the most for our money. In this respect Shimano's mid priced hubs are basically impossible to beat for those that value functionality and durability.

Boutique hubs (CK, DT, etc) that use stupid design elements like aluminum freehub bodies (that get chewed) may get the weight weenies all excited but compromising durability for the sake of light weight is just plain dumb.

To most of us "value" implies getting the most for our money. In this respect Shimano's mid priced hubs are basically impossible to beat for those that value functionality and durability.

Boutique hubs (CK, DT, etc) that use stupid design elements like aluminum freehub bodies (that get chewed) may get the weight weenies all excited but compromising durability for the sake of light weight is just plain dumb.


They make steel ones too. It's not as if they only offer Al ones, as those are not for everyday riding.

Value is relative to the user. . . though. . . . short term , long term and everywhere in between. To each their own.

I only have to quote Sheldon Brown on this one:

"In my opinion Tiagra hubs are superior to all non Shimano hubs except Phil Wood. Shimano hubs are unequalled." - Sheldon Brown

XT hubs are better than Tiagra, ergo, XT hubs are superior to all non Shimano hubs except Phil Wood.

End of discussion.

Not to rain on your parade, but a few years ago he admitted here that Campy were better. Of course they were a lot more expensive.

Not to rain on your parade, but a few years ago he admitted here that Campy were better. Of course they were a lot more expensive.

I'm not sure he said better, just that he couldn't get the near perfect bearing adjustment in Shimano's that he could with Campy's.

Of course, I don't have an opinion here anyway.

The Nashbar frame is spaced at 132.5mm and accepts 130 and 135mm hubs, you are aware of this are you not?

Thanks for pointing that out - I was looking at the cyclocross frame. Oops!




To most of us "value" implies getting the most for our money. In this respect Shimano's mid priced hubs are basically impossible to beat for those that value functionality and durability.

Boutique hubs (CK, DT, etc) that use stupid design elements like aluminum freehub bodies (that get chewed) may get the weight weenies all excited but compromising durability for the sake of light weight is just plain dumb.

The Velocity hubs are, by themselves, about 25% more expensive and someone on another forum noted that you should probably swap the bearings for a superior version (a $12 15-minute upgrade) - probably not quite as good as the XTs, but likely good enouth. I do have difficulty believing that Velocity would use wishy-washy components on a 40-spoke hub - their rims are noted for being heavy, durable, and almost impossible to deform.

I suppose the question is whether I should buy the $225 32-spoke XT/319s or $330 40-spoke Velocity hub/Velocity Dyad wheels? While the vendors of the Velocity wheels aren't great, the eBay wheels effectively have no warranty beyond DOA, and I think I stand a better chance of geting help from either hub manufacturer if I have a proper receipt.

From my perspective of not buying throwaway hubs on the bike, Velocity's are a viable option. My objection to Shimano hubs always has and always will be they are disposable. I was burned once, and that was enough to know not to touch them again. I'll take cartridge bearings over non-replaceable bearing races every day of the week.

Your results will vary. I don't know anymore/anyless than anyone else and the future is unknown.

Who or what's building these wheels you're considering. You could have Peter White build you wheels with the Velocity hubs and either rim, and you'll never have to touch them with a spoke wrench.

You'll pay more $$, but ask yourself ........How much "value" do you put in that?
How much "value" do you put in knowing your bearings can be replaced?
Can Velocity deliver a quality freehub that won't leave you stranded?
Is their "warranty" worth the words it's printed on?
How long do you plan on using these wheels for?