Fogre

Hi all; long time reader, first time poster...

The reason I finally decided to make an account and post is because I can't seem to find much information on Velocity Race hubs. I'm looking to have a wheelset built with Velocity A23 rims, but I'm undecided on the hubs. I've narrowed it down to the aforementioned two, as well as Shimano Ultegra 6800's.

Is it true that the DT Swiss 350's have the same innards as the 240's? Does anyone know anything about Velocity's Race Hubs, such as the number of teeth, pawls, etc? Hub shell material? So far I've mostly heard good things about Velocity hubs, but trying to find specific information on the Race Hubs is proving difficult. I contacted Velocity as well, but no response as of yet. It's only been a day or two, though.

Thanks!

Psimet2001 

The Ultegra hubs you mention are only available in a 32 or 36 hole drilling.

Dt350 are previous OEM style hubs. They are very specific hub shell configurations available. Very drilling and spoke type specific (most are straight pull as opposed to j bend spokes).

Velocity Race hubs are an import hub. In other words velocity re brands and imports the hub. Velocity carries a wide array of hubs and each one seems to come from a different hub OEM.

The three options you list are about as different as night and day. Heavy cup and cone 32 spoke Shimano w steel freehub, vs DT 350 vs import with cast aluminum freehub driver, etc.

Without a discussion about your actual needs and pricing and budget this is really just an academic exercise. As for recommendations after you provide the missing info....well that's what I do for a job so...I probably won't chime back in here. Hope that helps.

Fogre

I realize they are all quite different, so I suppose I'm really asking for opinions, comparisons, personal experiences, etc...

As far as uses and what I'm looking for in a hub: road riding only, anywhere from short trips around town to multi-hour country rides. I'm over 200 lbs, so spoke-wise I'm leaning toward 32 rear, 28 front. Obviously that won't work with the Ultegra, though I had considered going 36 rear, 32 front if I went with those hubs.

One specific question that does come to mind.... The DT hubs get rave reviews, and are known to be very reliable. Are the Velocity hubs, being around the same price, as well regarded?

rpenmanparker 

OP, I second Psimet's advice. But reading between the lines, I think he is saying something more than you may have gleaned. The best way to get your questions answered is to ask your wheel builder. It doesn't sound like you plan to build the wheels yourself. I wouldn't recommend you have it done at an LBS unless they have a highly reputed, dedicated professional wheel builder in house. You don't want just any shop mechanic (no offense to that genre) to build wheels for you. So if you are going to a custom builder, why not work with him/her to make your choices. The builder will have all the answers to your questions and likely prevent you from making some serious mistakes. For example, your weight suggests a somewhat more rugged build, but 32/36 is very likely overkill. Choose your builder and pursue the project with him.

canam73

I have wheels with A23, Kinlin XC279 (also called BHS 472) and HED Belgium rims which are all 23mm external width. Doing it again, I would have passed on the A23. They were the least well finished of the three and mine were of the original Australian type. From what I have heard the USA production might be worse. The Kinlins were the cheapest and the deepest and I really like them. The only down side I know of is the weight but the +20 grams or so really isn't a concern of mine. The HED is nice, but I really don't like paying over $100 for an aluminum rim. I have no experience, but in the same width the Pacenti SL23 and H+ Sons Archtype are well liked. I would give one of those a try before the A23, too.

I believe I read that the Velocity Race hubs are made by Novatec, but I have no confirmation on that. But Novatec hubs have a good rep for an import hub and the one set I have has bore that out. For around $100 more than the Velocities you might want to consider the White Industries T11 set. If you can afford it, they offer some nice features such as a Ti freehub shell that won't gauge like aluminum can.

But on that note, for an all-around wheelset I personally don't worry about a little 'overkill'. The Ultegras are very solid hub. Steel freehub shell and axle and with occasional cleaning the bearings should outlast the cartridges in the other hubs. And if you happen to drop some weight or want a lighter or racier wheelset later on, a beefy 32/32 or 32/36 set with ultegra hubs makes a great back up set that can be used for commuting or slop riding with some heavier tires.

I have never been interested in DT hubs mainly because they didn't take advantage of the wider rear geometry that Shimano 8/9/10 speed allowed. But if you are looking at 11 speed compatible rear hubs that is out the window.

Do you have a wheel builder selected? As others have said, he should be able to work out details with you and may have preferred pricing on certain products.

rpenmanparker 

I agree that Velocity rims can be poorly finished. I have had trouble building them with even spoke tension due to faulty joining at seams and warpage (rim not flat to start). I like Kinlin much better.

Robert

Clipped_in

OP I have a set of Velocity A23's laced to a set of Velocity Race hubs. The hub flanges on the rear hub are a high/low design. They are good hubs for the money--no complaints. Filings in the rims with less than stellar joints that cause pulsing, and a generally soft character to the rim keeps them out of the league of HED's and Pacenti's. They're certainly not bad rims, but at the price I'm seeing them over the past year, I'd go for the H Plus Son Archetypes. The "actual" weight is quite close to the A23, they are much stronger and have a really nice finish. The polished silver ones are just stunning. Match those up to some White Industries T11 in silver and the bling factor would enough to make most rappers start riding bikes.

Velocity A23


H Plus Son Archetype

seely

Hi Fogre,

For what it's worth, our Race hubs have been super reliable for us. I run the standard road on my touring/commuter bike and have zero complaints. The hub shell is aluminum, as is the freehub body. They use very high quality Japanese cartridge bearings, etc.

Anyway, we do also build to other hubs and there are many other fine options out there, depending on what you're looking for.

One thing I will say is that when we build our wheels in house, we do so to the highest standards in the industry for even tension, and vertical and lateral true using Sapim or DT Spokes and DT Swiss Tensio's, plus our custom wheel press to set the spokes flush against the flange and take off any wind up from the build process.

Anyway, sales pitch over -- feel free to email me at seely@velocityusa.com if you have any other questions or want to figure out what wheelset would work best for you.