Hi all,

I'm looking for good quality hubs for my first time wheelbuilding as the snowy winter time project.

There are several auctions of the "Real" hub (for mountain bike, front, 6-bolt disc rotor mount, 32 holes) on ebay now,
and the prices are pretty reasonable (at least as of now). Please refer to some of the ebay auctions of the "Real" hub below;

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7186563332
https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=7187000183

I read some reviews about "Real" hubs at https://www.mtbr.com/reviews/Hub/product_22062.shtml,
but I couldn't get a clear picture on its performance and durability.

As a matter of fact its average review score on the https://www.mtbr.com is not high.

Is there anyone who can give me your hands-on review of the "Real" hub?

Thanks in advance.

Real (the company) no longer exists, from what I can gather. I can't say I've ever heard anything positive about their hubs, but then again I haven't heard much about them at all. I would say go for it based on the cheap price as long as you don't mind rebuilding your wheels if they don't work out . If you're going not (re-)building your own wheels if the hubs fall apart, factor the rebuild cost into the equation of a failed experiment in those hubs.

Personally, since I'm too cheap for Chris King, I found a great deal on some Hope XC hubs, which I've only heard good things about. The bike I'm building isn't done (trying to finish before first snow!), so they're untried as of yet. If you don't mind the whole centerlock thing (on applicable models), Shimano hubs generally deliver what you pay for them and some lines aren't too expensive. Is there anything wrong with the normal choices, or are you just bargain shopping?

Thanks for the good words, nav! You mean the "Real" is one of real sucks. I will not think about it.

Someone said the hubs made by mass production companies like Shimano are generally good but not best.
I think this is true because I'm currently using Shimano M475 and LX hubs, so I do know it's not expensive and the quality is not that good too.

I think the hubs made by Chris King, DT Swiss, and American Classic are top notches but somewhat expensive.
In fact I'm looking for a compromising product; maximum quality at not very high price.

How about below hubs?

"DT Swiss Onyx Disc 32 hole (911GH)" front and rear hubs at
https://cgi.ebay.com/SILVER-DT-Swiss-...categoryZ36143

or

"DT Hugi Onyx Disc 32 hole" front hub at
https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-DT-HUGI-ONYX...temZ7187637568

By the way, are "DT Swiss" and "DT Hugi" same company?

If possible, would you please pick out quality front and rear hubs priced around $80~$150 each for me?

As far as I know, Hugi is just an old name that DT Swiss no longer uses. The 240s, 340s, and 440s (getting more heavy duty as the model number goes up) are great but there's mixed reviews on the Onyx series (their budget hubs). Most people say they work pretty good for the price as long as they don't break, which tends to happen a little more often than it should. If you find a great deal on some, they're more worth gambling on than the Real hubs because DT is still in business .

I've also heard good things about White Industries' hubs, but they're not much cheaper than DT Swiss.

They're not all that common, and I don't yet have any personal experience to share with them yet, but you might want to look at the Hope XC hubs that I bought. Jenson's price isn't bad. To paraphrase a general comparison that I read in a review somewhere they're "a lot better than XT hubs for not much more money" (and they're made in the UK, which mentally puts them above the "cheap stuff" ). Their Bulb hubs are the heavy duty version, if that's what you need. The Hope XCs are the "compromising product" I went with until I can somehow find some free King hubs because I'll never be able to afford them .

I've not only heard Good things on Hope Hubs. I use them and they are great. Ok I now use Hope Big-Un hubs, but the Bulb is a cheaper version and just as good. I even have a Hope Lighweight front hub (No longer made) that is now on its 4th rim and original bearings. If you want a Top rate hub without the Chris King price. Check Hope Hubs out.

Real Designs was a Southern California company that produced nice chainrings and decent hubs.

The front hubs didn't have any noteworthy problems -- mine I bought used and it spun true under my 200+ pounds for over four years of regular use. I wouldn't hesitate to run one again, except that I'm leaning towards through-axles for any new construction projects.

The rear hubs had some issues, but there are a few items that come up in a quick Google search explaining some home-spun remedies to install a spacer to solve the issue of excess play. Not ideal, but for the right price...

So front = good, rear = problematic but workable if you've got the inclination.

how about some hadley hubs? im going to use them for my new wheelset (which BTW is gunna be f'in awesome. hadley hubs with alpine 3 spokes on mavic 823s set up with ust tires, pics in a few months )

What I remember of Real was that it's a brand that used to be a peer to the Ringle, Machine Tech and Paul's. This is at least when they where all boutique companies making some nice looking anodized stuff. Now, you don't know where or who is making the stuff now. An example is AC and Control Tech. Back in the day, nice made by a small group of people with a CNC machine. Now, the name may be the same, but it may be made and designed who knows where. Best bang for the buck, is still going to be Shimano. If you want nicer bling factor, etc. go Chris King or DT Swiss. The bearings on the old Hugi hubs where very smooth, so the new stuff should easily be that good.

My take on it -- an I could be wrong -- is that the Real Designs hubs and rings that pop up here and there are all "NOS" -- New Old Stock that is floating around in dealer and distributor inventory. I'm pretty sure none of this stuff we're seeing is of recent production.

Your recollection of the company is correct. They were in business for a short time, maybe four years, beginning in the mid-90's, and went away as part of that post-bling-anodized-period industry consolidation / shake out.

I would agree with this assessment. Our team was sponsored by them around '96-'98, and the stuff I see on store shelves and available online is exactly the same as what is in the old catalog. I would avoid their 8-speed cogset, but the brake levers, chainrings and front hubs all work[ed] quite well.

So at least the FRONT hub of "Real" is not that bad, isn't it?