Hub upgrade recommendation?
02-06-05, 10:49 AM
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Hub upgrade recommendation?
Hello all,
I recently purchased a Specialized Hardrock sport disc from my LBS. It is due to be in at the end of the week. I have been doing light trail and mainly short distance commute (5-10 mi.) a day at college. I am a big guy- 6'2" and 220 lbs, and dont expect to be any lighter. Im not exactly easy on my bikes.
As I've been reading here, the Joytech hubs that come with the Alex dh20 rims on the hardrock aren't the best. I've broken several rear axles in the past on my now bent and deceased Giant boulder, so I would expect that I'll do it again.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what hubs to upgrade to, either before or after I break my first rear wheel? I am a mechanical engineer and am completely able to rebuild a car engine and transmission, so as long as I pick up a few tools I expect to be able to do this myself. On that note, is there a good all-around bicycle mechanic's toolset available anywhere?
Thanks in advance.
I recently purchased a Specialized Hardrock sport disc from my LBS. It is due to be in at the end of the week. I have been doing light trail and mainly short distance commute (5-10 mi.) a day at college. I am a big guy- 6'2" and 220 lbs, and dont expect to be any lighter. Im not exactly easy on my bikes.
As I've been reading here, the Joytech hubs that come with the Alex dh20 rims on the hardrock aren't the best. I've broken several rear axles in the past on my now bent and deceased Giant boulder, so I would expect that I'll do it again.
Does anyone have any recommendations as to what hubs to upgrade to, either before or after I break my first rear wheel? I am a mechanical engineer and am completely able to rebuild a car engine and transmission, so as long as I pick up a few tools I expect to be able to do this myself. On that note, is there a good all-around bicycle mechanic's toolset available anywhere?
Thanks in advance.
02-06-05, 12:37 PM
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Freewheel or cassette is the biggest difference.
Hubs that use a spin-on freewheel have the outermost bearing on the right side relatively close to the center of the hub. That makes it easier to bend the axle. Freehubs that use a cassette are designed so that the outermost bearing is located within the freehub body mechanism much closer to the frame dropout. You'll have much better luck with a cassette freehub.
I'm partial to Shimano freehubs. They come in several price ranges and, if you do trash a freehub body, replacements are easy to obtain and install. I've had bad experiences with Formula freehubs for example.
Hubs that use a spin-on freewheel have the outermost bearing on the right side relatively close to the center of the hub. That makes it easier to bend the axle. Freehubs that use a cassette are designed so that the outermost bearing is located within the freehub body mechanism much closer to the frame dropout. You'll have much better luck with a cassette freehub.
I'm partial to Shimano freehubs. They come in several price ranges and, if you do trash a freehub body, replacements are easy to obtain and install. I've had bad experiences with Formula freehubs for example.
02-06-05, 12:57 PM
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thanks retro,
so I take it the hardrock I just bought uses a spin-on freewheel and not the cassette? I've taken apart a spin-on so I know exactly what you're talking about. The bending moment on the axle is horrible. Does anyone know what type my hardrock will have?
so I take it the hardrock I just bought uses a spin-on freewheel and not the cassette? I've taken apart a spin-on so I know exactly what you're talking about. The bending moment on the axle is horrible. Does anyone know what type my hardrock will have?
02-06-05, 01:24 PM
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if it has disc brakes i seriously doubt it has a freewheel, i dont think any one makes a freewheel-disc hub (maybe some tandems?)
Id reconmmend a solid and inexpensive wheelset like Shimano Deore/DeoreLX laced 3X with Dt 2.0 straigh guage spokes to 36H or 32H Run RHyno Lites.. Shouldnt run you very much and will be very strong, albeit a little on teh heavy side.
Id reconmmend a solid and inexpensive wheelset like Shimano Deore/DeoreLX laced 3X with Dt 2.0 straigh guage spokes to 36H or 32H Run RHyno Lites.. Shouldnt run you very much and will be very strong, albeit a little on teh heavy side.
02-06-05, 02:08 PM
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There are tool kits available from Park Tools. VIsit their site and you will see them, they range in price. Keep in mind if your replacing hubs that also means replacing spokes unless your very lucky. So that is rebuilding wheels. I always recommend shimano XT hubs. I think they are the best value for the money, very solid stuff. Plus they are cheap!
