Hi there,
I'm hoping some of you folks can help me out. I've got a Surly Steamroller frame that I'm going to be building up (woohoo!) and I'm trying to decide on some hubs. The plan is to lace up a wheel set. I'm hoping to get something durable and easy to maintain, as well as reasonably fast rolling, but I'm commuting on it and don't want anything so nice I'm afraid to lock the bike. To give you an idea, some hubs I'm considering include All City's track hubs, as well as Surly's own hubs. Any opinions on those hubs or recommendations in a similar price range would be greatly appreciated. A few other criteria:

- rear spacing: 120mm
- looking for fixed/free flip-flop hub
-I will be commuting in a city with lots of potholes, so a high spoke count is probably a good idea

Many thanks!

Novatecs are decent and will fit the bill for what you're going for. Gran Compes are also a solid choice (I have them on my bike for track and road riding, no complaints). And if you like purple, you could get these Soma hubs mad cheap: Soma Somax Track Hubset: 3DV Purple Ano - 36H - 120mm - Flip/Flop - Front/Rear (NEW) - Bike Recyclery -- I picked up a set for a future wheelbuild not long ago. Bearings aren't the smoothest, but they're decent enough.

Almost 10,000 issue-free miles on my Origin8/Formula rear hub. I'd use another one without hesitation: Fixed Gear and Track Hubs from Harris Cyclery

Shutter Precision PV8 for the front. Yeah, it's more expensive than a regular hub, but dyno lights are so great for commuting that I'm slowly converting all of my bikes to them. I don't really notice any extra drag with my SV8, it's lightweight, and I always have light! https://www.sinewavecycles.com/produ...iant=564639137

Neither of these should make you more scared to leave your bike locked up somewhere than before. And both have high-quality cartridge bearings that don't require service.

I'll toss a vote in for Surly. Well made, reasonable price/weight, and not having to carry a 15mm of any type is a plus in my book. Formula hubs are fine and do the job but I recommend new bearings every 2,000 miles. The All City hubs look excellent as well but I like the all stainless steel hardware that the Surly's have.

I am a fan of the AC New Sheriffs. They seem reasonably light and well made and have seen some miles on my SS/FG RandoCross FunTime Machine and have another set for my Langster (or whatever comes next)

Huge +1 for Dynamo hubs and dynamo lighting especially for commuting, touring or riding at night. I like [MENTION=72219]thermo[/MENTION]nicScott are converting a bunch of bikes to dynamo (though not all of them for various reasons) but currently I have one that has been going for a year or so and loved it and am almost done converting my touring bike (just need to finish up some wiring and connect it all) and then on to my hybrid and I will be all set! SP makes a reasonably priced and weighted one and so far it has been excellent but I am excited to try the SON hub!

formula, Surly, novatec, AC,

basically +1 to all of the suggestions here. fortunately you have many options

Hey folks,
thanks for all the suggestions, much appreciated!