I finally set up my old Fat Chance with a White Industries ENO hub, and if there was a Nobel Prize for bike components, WI should get it. After one frustrating road bump after another putting the bike together one night, abated only by the nector of Shakespeare Stout, I looked at the wheel and chain and dreaded the thought of chainline and tension. Set up the chain as tight as I could and it laughed at me, droopier than sagging breasts. BAH! I adjusted my ENO hub and POOF the sucker was tighter than Hendrix. The few tension adjustments I've had to do on the road have been cake (pie?). This hub has been phenominal and brought my trusty old steel mtb frame back to life. New trails lay ahead.


Pic of my lovely hub and chainline. (Finished bike pics forthcoming.)

Yeah, that hub is great. All of my frames have vertical dropouts, and now I can ride them all fixed! Are you riding fixed in the dirt? Cool vintage steel MTB frame, hang on to that.

My original plan was that this bike would be my super hilly/heavy stuff commuter and to take it to Alaska with me in a few weeks, but I have been biten hard by the dirt bug after a long hiatus and I'm daydreaming about Moab and Whistler and mass amounts of fun. This frame is the bomb and it feels like the first day I got her 13 years ago right before the suspension fork boom took off. She dances up hills and makes you a better rider - a better technical rider, which is nearly a lost art with today's push-a-button-motocross-soulless-hybrid mtbs.

that is very cool and it has made my list of things jeff wants to buy.
other things on the list? don't worry about it.

jeff

Mmmm, fixed fat chance.

I eagerly await pics.

May I be the first to complement you on the photograph? The perspective makes the chainline appear almost parallel. Very compelling.

Yeah, that's true. I'm tempted to take the short travel suspension off my MTB for the same reason.

I shake my head at people who spend $$$ on full suspension machines. For the majority of off-road use, all you need is a well made bike with the right geometry and tubing, and good technique that includes using your body to absorb movement. This steel frame is so subtle and smooth I would never have a need for shocks. Then you add the simplicity of a fixed/ss hub and it completes the circle. I'm stoked.

And graci Halfbiked. That pic did come out nicely.

you riding trials with that wee gearing?

I haven't touched real trails yet. She just got built! It's a 36x16 for now. And I like to call it "pansy" gearing. I revel in my pansiness.

You may find 36/16 to be a bit steep. No joke.

my bad must be distortion from the angle you shot it... cuz it looks like 1:1 gearing or something

36:16 is pretty hardcore

Yeah I have no doubt about that, but for today it's good around the city hills. I know my man used a much smaller gearing with his SS. I'll take it out this summer and see what's best. It's all about the discovery.

Agreed. I've been running 38/20 offroad and 38/15 on pavement.

Sweet. Made local here in somerville.

looks very nice just from that one pic.

will you be takin' this out tomorrow?

The ENO hub is the single best component I've ever had, hands down.

To Harlot and other ENO users: what's your standard chain-tensioning procedure?

I set tension with the bike upside down, rear wheel between my legs. I get the bolts medium-tight and then use a 3/4" wrench to set tension while making sure the bolts don't slip in the dropouts. I then wrench down and I'm on my way. In practice, this takes me about 10 seconds tops and at this point I think I could do it in my sleep.

Mr. Habitus - Yes I am taking this mighty steed on the ride tomorrow. I have moustache bars on it so it can hold lots of balloons!!

Mr. Dave - I do pretty much the same as you, but it's not upside down and I probably should adopt that. I also find that it holds well if I just adjust the hub with my fingers. It's so stinkin' easy there's not much technique needed. If only everything could be this easy......well hell then everyone would do it.

I just got one of those eno hubs for my trials bike recently. It rolls super smooth, and the chainline is perfect. 1.1:1 gear ratio. I haven't tried it fixed yet though. I think trials is hard enough with a freewheel, but it'd be fun to try anyway.

I want to use this Eno hub, just need to investigate the price.

Unfortunately WI LTA rear hubs are $250. Hopefully this won't be near as expensive.

$160 ish
https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/fixed-hubs.html#white

I only wish it was high flange.

That look like an pretty awesome hub (if it's like other WI hubs) and I'll bet this rear wheel would be strong as hell since there won't be any dish in a 130mm application (good bracing angle on both sides).

I have yet to see any evidence that the Eno hub is anything but an absurdly well made component.

Try having your LBS order it through QBP. I got my hub for $130.

I have to get one of these. Is it freewheel on one side and FG on the other?

It would work obviously with horizontal drop-outs too right?