Originally Posted by bikebikebike

This is probably necro as hell, but to be honest I couldn't find any information on the topic.

A friend had a hub fail and I started rethinking a lot of my assumptions, and this was one.

As I use more IGH I am reassessing my use of bolt on axles. I know with the new Thru-Axle tech that this is even more archaic , but still interesting.

Bolt ons were the hallmark for a while of cheap bikes, and this skewed (sorry) the attitude towards the bikes they were on and prolly prejudiced them towards failure/ out of spec, as they were possibly low end and price sensitive items.

Yes , QR are easier to swap, but if I need to change a tire, I need tools and a pump, so a dogbone or other light wrench isn't hard to toss in, and I may have IGH that need a wrench, anyway.

Bolt ons are not as purdy, but is there much weight differential, and bearing issues in the non race world?

I understand that cargo bikes and fixies also have a preference for bolt ons, but are they just sort of farkle, like reduced spoke hubs? with 32 spokes and a solid axle being stronger, without much of a weight penalty.

I don't have any weight comparisons, if that is felt to add to the issue, but low and central non revolving weight is probably a factor that doesn't detract much for bolt ons.

I was looking at some hubs that may have a longer life , being left as they are.

Thanks