mrk

In comparison to XT hubs, how much worse off will I be if I got Deore hubs? mtbr.com has many claims that the hub is a piece of crap. Is this true or are most of them due to fact that they compare it to high-end hubs? If anyone currently has Deore hubs on their bikes now, please input your experience with them and how long you have used it. Thank you.

Maelstrom 

I won't buy anything less than XT. For me it was a weakness in the freehub body which I destroyed several times before switching to XT.

MattP.

I run Deore hubs on one of my wheelsets and I have yet to have a problem. But I mainly do XC trails/trail riding, no downhill and no huge drops.

mrk

What kind of weakness did you have with the freehub? What kind of riding did you do with the hubs?


How long have you had the hubs?

Raiyn

Mael (and I for that matter) are rather big guys if that tells you anything. I too use the XT for my Off Road needs. Why wouldn't I when you can get a wheelset like the one I use dirt cheap?
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/120...-Lite-Rims.htm

GreenFix

I used deore hubs for a while, and foudn they were fine. I am not a big guy. If you do get deore hubs and destroy the freehub body, it can be replaced. And I believe you can replace it with an XT freehub body if that suits you.

What kind of riding are you planning on doing with it?

alcahueteria

I started with deore hubs and had nothing but problems. I had to rebuild them because the axle stripped while adjusting, which makes no sense to me. And they need constant adjusting, other than that they were ok. the freehub body worked fine for me, but I really hated having to adjust them after every ride.

Matt Gaunt

Use XT with Mavic 717s. Considered the Deore option, but then found the XTs for quite cheap so bought them instead.

I would be wary about Deore hubs because they are base-model cup-and-cone bearings. Risky for big jumps I'd say, or even rough trails.

nodnerb

I've got deore on my bike now. No problems yet but they are far from smooth running hubs. XT hubs are much nicer feeling. I've still got a 10 year old XT hub that feels like butter and has never had a problem despite lots of abuse.

norcodirtjumper

XT's are deffinetly worth the money, even though its only a small difference.

gm1230126

I built up a high end 24" wheel mountain bike for my 10 yr old daughter and laced a set of Deore hubs so I could use 28H and keep the weight down. I did notice while lacing them that they are made in Malaysia where most of Shimano's entry level hubs come from. The XT's definitely have a better surface grind. And probably better seals thus feel smoother. As mentioned above I think it depends upon how hard you plan to pound them in terms of the durability.

wheelerer

formula hubs rock

mrk

I can't. I'm just going to go for the XT hubs. Thanks guys.

stapfam

Only do XC and run XT or Hope bigun hubs. Mates run Deore and I maintain their bikes. After a years use Deore are needing replacing, wheras the XT are fine with a yearly rebuild after 5 years. The Hopes by the way have not needed rebuilding after 3 years.

mrk

How do you know when your hubs need rebuilding?

alcahueteria

When they won't adjust properly and feel like ****.

gm1230126

Hey stepfam, how do the Hope freehub bodies hold up?

Jim311

I've blown up 2 XT rear hubs so far. The first one I bent the axle and blew up the ratchet mechanism. All the pawls inside broke off or rounded out. Left me stranded. The second time it was the same problem - broken pawls internally. I had them rebuilt each time. I'm fairly sure it's going to blow up again here shortly. It feels crappy and often bangs or pops while freewheeling. I think the seals on them suck, which leads to grease full of grit and short lifespan. I'm lucky if I can get them to last me over a year without having to be rebuild. I'm slowly eliminating everything Shimano from my bike. I got such a good deal on the set of wheels that I turned back to the dark side, and now I'm regretting it. I'm not even a big or heavy rider.. I'm 150 pounds soaking wet.