China carbon wheels, which hubs?
10-12-16, 10:34 PM
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post-ironic
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China carbon wheels, which hubs?
Thinking about ordering the 55mm carbon wheels from light-bicycle. I can pick between Bitex RAF 10, Novatec A291SB-SL, and DT Swiss 240s hubs.
I know the DT Swiss hubs are very well regarded, though it's a $300 premium over the Bitex and Novatec options. I don't mind paying it if there is a realistic benefit over the Bitex/Novatec hubs. Anyone have long-term experience with Bitex and Novatec?
Thoughts?
I know the DT Swiss hubs are very well regarded, though it's a $300 premium over the Bitex and Novatec options. I don't mind paying it if there is a realistic benefit over the Bitex/Novatec hubs. Anyone have long-term experience with Bitex and Novatec?
Thoughts?
10-13-16, 01:05 AM
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My wheels have Bitex hubs, albeit a different model, and I honestly wouldn't pay $300 more for the DT240s. My hubs comes with enduro bearings that if I ever have to replace, only costs like $12 bucks to replace all 3? very easy to service, no special tools. "aside from a home depot DIY bearing press tool"
10-13-16, 06:47 AM
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Based solely on what I have read, I would probably go Bitex. In fact, if they had the new Bitex centerlock disc hubs, I would have probably ordered a wheelset from them by now.
10-13-16, 06:48 AM
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I have long experience with Bitex, and they are great. However, changing bearings does require some tools such as a block to hold the hub while punching out the old bearings and a bearing press to set the new bearings. After considerable use I just had a 4-cartridge front bearing hub overhauled at the LBS for $47 including the 4 new cartridges. That worked just fine for me. I would never buy any hub other than Bitex. The other thing I like about them is how easy it is to change the freehub body, either with just a new one or to upgrade to 11-speed. Literally a 3-minute job with just a pair of Allen wrenches.
10-13-16, 07:29 AM
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Bitex hubs are really good. But an excellent budget alternative is Dura Ace 9000, 18/24.
10-13-16, 08:46 AM
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Bob, no job is ever literally 3 minutes, other than maybe inflating tires.
Just me being pedantic.
Just me being pedantic.
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10-13-16, 08:58 AM
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Sounds like I'm going with Bitex. Cheapest and lightest, what's not to like? Thanks everyone.
10-13-16, 09:26 AM
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10-13-16, 09:50 AM
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Just curious, as I have a pair of Bitex centerlock hubs on special order for my new build, do you have any evidence that their hubs are notably less strong than others of similar weight? I have previously used American Classic hubs which are similarly light but not cheap (though still cheaper than some). I am hoping for similar reliability from the Bitex hubs, having only damaged one of the AC hubs after hitting a large pothole but otherwise going strong after 25,000+ miles.
10-13-16, 10:10 AM
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10-13-16, 10:11 AM
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I'm going with DT 240s. The reason is I have a thru-axle for the front wheel and a QR for the rear wheel. The next frame I'm considering (down the line) has thru-axles for both wheels. The DT hubs will accommodate all mounting options. That's pretty snazzy but if you're considering the other hubs it isn't anything you need.
10-13-16, 10:43 AM
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I guess that's my question, since noodle soup seems to be claiming otherwise. Are they strong enough? I want to believe they are and the place I bought them from recommended them over Novatecs (which wouldn't have worked for me anyway).
10-13-16, 11:45 AM
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DT and WI are far better, but they definitely cost more.
10-13-16, 11:56 AM
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A crucial step, indeed.
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10-13-16, 11:58 AM
#18
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Please explain.
As for 'strong enough', I am a middle aged male, soon-to-be father of two with no aspirations of a professional cycling contract in my future. I weigh 160-175 lbs. depending on how much I've been able to get out on the bike.
As for 'strong enough', I am a middle aged male, soon-to-be father of two with no aspirations of a professional cycling contract in my future. I weigh 160-175 lbs. depending on how much I've been able to get out on the bike.
10-13-16, 12:42 PM
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My friend that had freehub bodies fail is about 215lbs, but a very powerful sprinter-type.
10-13-16, 12:51 PM
#20
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Worst damage I ever did to a hub was with a non-name hub on a set of Vuelta wheels. It was acting weird, so I took the wheel off the bike, and the freehub was only being held onto the wheel by the QR skewer. When I took off the QR skewer the freehub fell on the ground, I had sheered it off completely snapping a piece of metal in half!
Last edited by dr_lha; 10-13-16 at 12:55 PM.
10-13-16, 01:31 PM
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Seriously, it is worth a try...IMO.
10-13-16, 02:12 PM
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10-13-16, 02:45 PM
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May work on the 210 hub also. I just don't know.
Last edited by rpenmanparker; 10-13-16 at 02:54 PM.
10-13-16, 04:51 PM
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https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Ultr...608.0.0.m6chJv
Got these customized with Novatec. I'm hard on wheels and so far so good.
Got these customized with Novatec. I'm hard on wheels and so far so good.
Last edited by 99Klein; 10-13-16 at 04:57 PM.
10-13-16, 05:42 PM
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I haven't personally had a problem with Novatec hubs yet, but I'm no Clyde. My buddy went with WI hubs to replace his Novatec and Bitex hubs, and hasn't had an issue since.