Originally Posted by
frankstoneline
So what you are saying is that because you arent willing to overhaul your hubs every 3 to 4 months, cartridge bearings are better. I think anyone can spare 30 minutes every 3 to 4 months. Park tools suggests you overhaul your hubs once a year if it isnt a bike ridden daily or for many many miles, and 3 times if it's a daily ridden bike that gets taken out in rough weather. Overhauling every 3 months would be 4 times a year, accounting for the fact that you really like some nice clean hubs spinnin' disco fresh. Overall, you are looking at 2 hours a year spent maintaining hubs. Honestly? I think the benefits of sealed bearing hubs are negligable. People have ridden loose ball hubs for years without problems.
When you're riding 40 hours a week year round (often under lousy conditions) those 2 hours don't sound that great... or, they didn't anyway.
I am somewhat amused that Phil's get dismissed as mere brand-lust while Duraace get a pass.
In my experience cartridge bearings could be purchased more cheaply from bearing supply shops than bike stores.
