Ultegra hubs vs Dura Ace hubs
 

I'm an avid rider 240# at 6'1. I'm looking at building up a set of wheels on DT Swiss RR585 rims. The diff to upgrade to dura ace hubs is $275. Is the extra money worth it? Type of riding is rolling hills. Any input would be appreciated.

No. Ultegra hubs are fine.
What is important you is spoke count. I would not build with less than 32 spoke minimum at your weight.
There will be those that recommend 36 spokes even.
Have fun with the build.
PS: Get the Ultegra 6800 hubs that come with a spacer to run either 10s cassette with spacer or 11s.

Thanks. Was looking 3x on the rear. Same for the front?

^This is good advice^

If the roads in your area are crap, I'd go with 36 spokes.

Cheap 105 set:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Shimano-...item4616ef2fd9
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Shimano-...item43c2b56f60

I'd say that on 545 rims 36 spokes will be unneccessary. FYI I'm running a 32/32 3x set of A23 rims to Ultegra hubs at 260 and I have a slight untrue in the rear due to hitting a big pothole a few weeks ago that noone in the paceline pointed out :mad:! They've been a year and 3-4000km so far without a single problem.

With a more gutsy rim like the 545, a higher spoke count would be overkill unless that's what you're after. Also FYI I am looking to hit 240 in the coming months and I've ordered a set of Kinlin 279 rims laced to DA in 28/32. It's my last spend on the roadie before I devote more funds to my track bike addiction.

what made you go DA vs. Ultegra?

I would go with 28 front 32 rear 105 or ultegra hubs. At your weight, DA hubs will not be noticed.

prior to looking at having this wheelset built. i was looking at Williams 30 (28/32).

The only difference between 10-speed Ultegra and 105 hubs is the color of the finish...

Unfortunately there are no 28 hole 105 or Ultegra front hubs.

I have wheelsets with Ultegra and Dura-Ace. At a $275 differential, I say go for the Ultegra.

Basically that's your answer added to the fact that I plan on having these wheels a long long time. My primary concern is track racing and I only really ride road to train towards it.

I've had Ultegra hubs on my last 2 wheelsets and I am happy. The first set of wheels on my first 2nd hand bike were older Ultegra hubs laced 28/28 to Mavic CXP30 rims. They still live on the trainer, but the rear I think needs rebuilding as a few of the spokes keep going out of tension. I tensioned them myself and noted that the spokes weren't twisting, so that at least isn't the cause. Before this started happening, I had ridden those wheels while weighing in excess of 300lb and down to 275lb over a period of 2.5yrs with not a problem whatsoever. Who knows how many kms were on the wheels when I got them?

If you're happy with 32 spokes, then you may want to look at 105 hubs. Really there's not much difference besides the weight to Ultegra from what I've read. As for DA~Ultegra, just comparing my from track front wheel that is DA 32 to Aerohead rim to my road Ultegra 32 to A23, the DA does roll smoother. Not much, but it does.

Also remember, a 36 spoke wheel built by an average wheelbuilder will be an average wheel. A 28 spoke wheel built by a good wheelbuilder will trump the average 36 every time, irrespective of your weight. Well built wheels will last. I think I've been lucky to jag that for each of my wheels.

My vote goes for Ultegra. But, I'm biased:

[IMG]http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/...psebfc3144.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2404d71c.jpg[/IMG]

At 6'5" and about 250-260lbs I've put 12,000+ trouble free km on those wheels.

being that I'm 6'1" and 235-240#, would radial or cross lace be best for my size and which hub would serve the purpose better.

105 hubs are basically the same apart from finish and cheaper than both. Actually, if you need 10sp and don't care about brand, a mechanic friend of mine says the Tiagra hubs are bulletproof .

As long as the the number of holes is the same the geometry on different levels of 8/9/10 speed shimano hubs is pretty similar so one won't be better or worse than the next. Ditto for their 11 speed offerings relative to each other.

The rear spokes should be crossed as many a times as needed to produce the most tangent spoke possible on both sides which for 32 will be 3x.

The front wheels with rim brakes do not pass torque so they can be radial laced if the hub is built for it. Not all Shimanos are, but I believe the ones you have been considering are approved. Some people like that look and that it weighs fractionally less. Also, depending on whether it is laced heads in or out you can slightly alter the effective geometry of the hub. Personally, I typically cross my spokes on the front. I like the look better and a slightly angled spoke line and cross can help to keep your spokes from unwinding. But either way, a well built 32 spoke front wheel on a quality shimano hub isn't likely to have any issues so these differences are mostly academic.

The primary reason for radial spoking is a very small weight savings and an even smaller aero advantage. There is nothing light weight about you nor the 585 rims. If these are being built as durable training wheels don't mess with anything but 3x lacing. The biggest advantage to the DA hub is again weight savings. So, again, no real reason to spend that much on the hubs that are being paired to 560+gram rims.

Ultegra hubs, 585 rims, brass nipples, 14/15db spokes X3 is going to weigh in just over 2000grams for the pair. I don't remember the exact weight of mine and am on my way out the door for a ride or I would look it up.

I have a pair of wheels with Tiagra hubs. The cone bearing races are horrible, very rough machining and what looks like a couple of short pins or nipples sticking from the surface. The hubs do roll OK, but they don't look like they've been made to last, at least not without frequent bearing changes.

This guy is bang on. However I agree with the above - get 6800s for future compatibility. 32h will be completely fine with 585 rims even at your weight.

However, do consider the newer, wider DT rims like the TK540, which is lighter and wider than the 585 (which really has no real aero benefit). You should be running wider tires anyway (25/28) and they would profile better with a wider rim. You could probably get away with a 440 front and 440 Asym. rear, but that's pushing it.

The answer the original question (I have 3 sets of DA hubs and a few Ultegra ones), DA hubs have Ti freehubs, better polished races, larger axles, and a more complicated design. They also run almost silently and are backed by a 3 year warranty. Ultegra is about 90% as good for half the money. Don't know much about the 11 speed hubs tho.

kinda like the benefits of riding on a wider rim, like the 440's, 440f/440asym r, but can't seem to see if my weight, 240#, would be an issue.

If you want wider then you should look at something like the HED C2, Kinlin XC279, Pascenti 23 or H+ Archtype. All of those are 23mm ext. width (as is the above mentioned TK540). For reference, the 440 is 21mm and the 585 is 19mm.

There's no issue running a 28mm rear and a 25mm front on the 585s. ..... :-)

I just built up my 440s and they are a dream. 21mm wide is just fine :)

I built up my HED C2s and they are a dream. 23mm wide is better.