Best commuter hubs?
03-18-09, 12:24 PM
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Best commuter hubs?
So I'm going to be building the wheels for my girls commuter bike this friday and wanted to know what you guys' would recommend. I was thinking Phil hubs but am also torn between American Classics, DT's 240 hubs and Paul hubs. I know the DT and American's might be a little overkill, but would the everyday riding in all weather conditions be too much for them? I really like the Phils but have never ridden them but have been on a brand new set of American Classics and the 240's before. And have not really heard much about the Pauls.
03-18-09, 12:45 PM
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If the bike is going to be locked up outside, I would go for something a little less flashy than Paul, American Classic, DT or Phil.
When I was doing a lot of commuting and leaving my bike locked up, I tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible. My goal was to have the Wal-Mart full-suspension bike locked up on the rack look more tempting than my commuter (which was worth about 10x more).
Also, sealed bearings are nice if your daughter doesn't like messing around with loose balls and grease
When I was doing a lot of commuting and leaving my bike locked up, I tried to make it as unnoticeable as possible. My goal was to have the Wal-Mart full-suspension bike locked up on the rack look more tempting than my commuter (which was worth about 10x more).
Also, sealed bearings are nice if your daughter doesn't like messing around with loose balls and grease
03-18-09, 01:15 PM
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i have a set of pauls that i have abused for years with no problems. they are great hubs. i've replaced the bearings in the rear once (a new set of phil sealed bearings was like $15) and other than that i've done nothing to maintain them. they've seen dust storms, rain, snow, ice, etc while still running great.
also, while i agree that bling-y hubs can attract the wrong attention on a bike, i don't feel like my black pauls are flashy at all...
if pauls are still a little more than you want to spend (even though they are much cheaper than phils) you should also look at surly hubs. they use the same standard bearings as the pauls and phils, and the hub body and axles are very well built. i had a rear for years with no problems, once again having to replace the bearings once, but that's not a big deal with sealed. many single speed cyclocross racers use surly hubs, and if a hub can take 'cross, it can take commuting.
also, while i agree that bling-y hubs can attract the wrong attention on a bike, i don't feel like my black pauls are flashy at all...
if pauls are still a little more than you want to spend (even though they are much cheaper than phils) you should also look at surly hubs. they use the same standard bearings as the pauls and phils, and the hub body and axles are very well built. i had a rear for years with no problems, once again having to replace the bearings once, but that's not a big deal with sealed. many single speed cyclocross racers use surly hubs, and if a hub can take 'cross, it can take commuting.
03-18-09, 01:37 PM
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I second Surly hubs. Mine has seen thousands of miles of sand snow and salt, rain, mud, frozen rivers, trails, and basically everything I can throw at it. I've only replaced the bearings once (after failure due to me neglecting to check the cone nuts).
