c3hamby

I'm buying a Surly LHT soon.

I'm trading the stock XT hubs for a Shimano Dyno hub.

The bike shop told me it's less expensive to build a new wheel than to simply trade hubs.

They don't recommend the XT for the backwheel because of parts availability, in case something breaks down.

They are recommending downgrading to the next step down-LX I think, because parts for repair are much easier to locate a bike shops.

Does anyone have an opinion about the validity of the downgrade?

stedalus

I don't know how the new stuff compares, but I had an older set of LX hubs and they were great. If it's a significant cost savings, I'd probably go for it. The only thing that bothers me is the "replacing parts" explanation. That seems a little bogus. XT hubs still have steel axles and freehubs, so it's not like there's anything special that would be hard to replace.

Also, try the Touring or Commuting subforums.

kudude

what parts are you talking about replacing? The freehub on the XT is easily sourced for about $30, the rest are just spokes, nipples and whatever rim.

what's the problem?

Also, for a wheel like that, probably not worth rebuilding a different hub into it.

Smallguy

if you lbs can't source XT parts I'd be weary XT stuff is a dime a dozen in most quality shops

it's also made for mountain biking and can take a trashing

foresthill

are you building two new wheels?

benajah

Good chance the guy needs an XT hub for a build, wants to use yours, sell you an LX, sell the XT as new when it's basically free on a complete bike. Sounds like a lot of work to make 30 extra bucks but it's been known to happen.

MichaelW

Current XT has an aluminium axle and smaller bearings.
Current LX has steel axle but downgraded seals (it is now marketed as trekking not MTB)

c3hamby

Just to clarify, I'm ordering a LHT, complete bike, but I want a dyno front hub.

So the guy told me instead of replacing the the stock hub, he wants to order me two new wheels and recommended the LX hubs over the XT because of parts availability. It's easier to find parts for the XT on the road than an LX, or so he says. The impression I am getting is that is not the case.

kudude

why do you need to replace the rear wheel at all?

c3hamby

If we go with a new pre built wheel from quality then it has a different wheel, LBS recommends to match the wheels.

kudude

This might come off as blunt, but that's stupid.

c3hamby

I think I'm going to forego the LBS and the dynohub and just go with an LED light, and spend my $ on other stuff.

mihlbach

bingo!