building tubulars, looking for hub feedback
 

hey all
So I am going to build a set of tubulars for the upcoming 'cross season and wanted to get a little input regarding the hubs out there. I can use 130 or 135mm (I have the Uncle John frameset), but prefer the 135 - so looks like MTB hubs are the way for me.

I know Chris King is "top drawer" but I am not sure I can justify the cost of a hubset (althought who does not want the sound of angry bees chasing you???). So, XTR? XT? DT Swiss? White (trying to avoid since they have not kept up their end of a sponsorship...)

I would dig hearing some feedback on people who have used various hubs in tubular builds and how they have performed, etc.

For the record - this will be my first true season racing 'cross.
Thanks

I think the best bank for buck out there is the XT hub. XTR and King is obviously top drawer, but not really a big enough difference other than price. Frankly, unless the 135mm is a must, I'd go with a set of Ultegra road hubs. Lighter, virtually bombproof, and will roll out much better. This past year I was using an old set of Dura Ace (8spd vintage but 9 and 10 capable) that I built for the road bike 7 years ago and have a ton of miles on them. They still are butter smooth after some really vile mud baths.

Hope this helps.

no need to spend the money on kings or XTR unless you have money burning in your pocket.

like auk said, get XT or Ultegra hubs. they are cheap and strong. XTR and Dura Ace hubs are nice, but they are really expensive.

If you're building race wheels... and I assume you are since you're going tubular... don't use Ultegra or XT hubs. They are just too heavy. DT Swiss road hubs are really nice and sealed well. I also have a st of tubulars wheels built with some Speedcific hubs from Mike Garcia. You can see them here:

http://oddsandendos.safeshopper.com/7/cat7.htm?284

They are the serinity models. 70 grams for the front and 218grams for the rear. They've held up great on my primary racing wheels. (Laced to Velocity Escape rims 28/28).

Also consider the White Industires road hubs.... really nice design and good weight as well.

If you shop carefully you can pick-up Dura Ace hubs for not much more than Ultegra, in fact I think its harder finding real deals on Ultegra. With a reasonable amount of maintenance either will last a long long time, I still have some DA hubs from the early 90s that work perfectly if I felt like building up a non SIS bike. Some of the Cannondale Coda competition hubs were made by DT and I've had good luck with them for bargain-basement prices.

by no means do I see myself winning much of anything, so I am looking for durability and will probably get the XTs to fit the 135mm spacing as well as being able to beat on them and not feel too bad. Now, if for some reason I actually outperform my own expectations, then I will look into a better set up and use the XTs as spares, etc.

Thanks for all the input, and if there is more - please continue! I am always looking to learn more.

At which point I fully expect to see you rolling on a set of Zipp 404 pave' rims laced to XTR or DT 240s hubs. After all, if I can't run them, I want to see someone with some fast mofo wheels.

check flickr or cyclocross world...i cannot even afford to look at those yet.

:)