So My rims are coming today: Mavic Open pros, I've got a Miche Primato high flange rear hub, and a handful of 14/15 DB Asahi spokes that probably aren't the right length. I'm still trying to pick the front hub. A part of me wants a Miche just for symetry, but individually I can't find one for less than $65.

I could also get:
Suzue Promax for $50
Formula for $30
Ultegra (road) for $30
Suntour XC (old mtb) for ~$20
Gipiemme (road) for ~$20

I'm sure any one of the above would be fine, but I'm going to the trouble to use top quality spokes and rims, I might as well use a really nice hub. Watcha think? I'll probably make my decision, and order in the next 24. Thanks for your input.

Eh, I'd got with saving the money for the match. I have a nashbar rear that I bought when they were cheaper, and regret not getting the front (I got the their SS rear hub instead). I got a Promax front recently, but I want the matching rear especially in light of recent Suzue news.

get the matching hub. Think of it this way, you wear matching socks when you put on matching shoes. Why? because it looks normal, natural, better. Do the same for your steed.

I have a Surely Front and a Paul Back and it drives me crazy. I don't even ride the bike every day, but all I think about is ordering a Paul front and swapping them out.

I dont always wear matching socks. Get the one that fits with your spokes. If more than one fit with your spokes, get the one with the best bearings. All else being equal, I'd lean towards the suntour hub, just cuz.

Ha! Are you sure you don't mean "ordering a Phil back and swapping them out?" Jussst kidddding...

My track bike's got a Phil rear and a Surly front. I don't mind. It looks fine. And when the Surly bearings go, I can get the red Phil ones as replacements, and then nobody'll ever know. (From the side, at least. And except for the lack of allenbolt trackbolts.)

Oh, and I vote for the Formula hub, provided it doesn't look too, too different from the Miche.

A while ago I replaced my rear IRO hub with a miche. It almost always agitates me that my hubs don't match. Unfortunately I have no real reason to replace it. Just think about the really nominal price difference. Even at worst its 45 dollars. Thats like 1, possibly 1 1/2 nights of decent drinking. In the vast scheme of things not that much.

BTW. Businesscycles sells the front hub for 57.50

On the bike I rode to work today, I have a Shimano front hub, laced to a Mavic rim with DT spokes, and a Campy rear hub with a Wolber and Wheelsmiths. Tyres also are mismatched. I do this to confound people who think everything should be the same brand/model.

I wound up going with Suzue Promax. By most accounts they are great hubs, aesthetically they lok the more similar to Miche than the other choices, and Airbomb has them at a great price (better than advertised if you use their make an offer feature).