I wanted to get some input on rear track hubs. Reason being: I'm going to try and build a wheel for the first time (specifically a rear wheel). I just wanted to know what hubs other people have/would-like-to-have used and based on experience (or word of mouth, encounters, witnesses, etc.) whether or not they would recommend that for a first build. Or if you have anything in mind that you feel is appropriate for my situation. Please take into account cost vs. quality. I've considered Phil Wood for a while based purely on other people's builds and the little research that I have done.
Thanks for the input!

I've only heard good things about these:
https://www.bikeforums.net/archive/in.../t-256871.html

It seems like these hubs are near impossible to acquire. I'd either have to be able to speak polish or get someone who does to be able to order these. Thanks though, sparked my interest. I'll still try to look for these.

EDIT: Nevermind. It says he can be emailed directly. How convenient!

all hubs will probably build the same, just calculate the correct length spoke.

I built up a dimension hub, but didn't get to ride it much and had the bike stolen

i'm currently using iro low flange hubs. they felt stiff in the beginning, but now the bearings spin very nicely. I haven't had a chance to feel what phils feel like though. I have some old dura ace here, the bearings aren't noticeably nicer imo, just loose ball.

maybe practice with cheap hubs and cheaper rims? probably not necessary, just a thought.

It's not a track hub but building up a SS coaster brake hub could be a lot of fun.

If you have the cash spring for Phils. If you have some cash and don't mind 44mm chainline, get the Pauls. You can get a set of polished phils with a single fixed rear for $240 on AEBike, or a set of Pauls on the same site for $190.

From what I understand, Mack is a very nice guy who handbuilds all of his hubs. The quality is apparently superb and some have mentioned their superiority over Phils. They can be had for about $180/set shipped(low flange).

I think he's a little backed up w/ orders at the moment though.

It would be badass to sport a set of handbuilt hubs that no one else really has.

I have no idea why you posted this, but I like your style.

I have some Miche Primato hubs that Ive been more than happy with. Personally I don't really believe in buying expensive hubs. Seems like the bearings can be easily upgraded without the need for an expensive shell.

you are on to something there.

I like my Paul Components rear flip/flop hub, but will soon be trying a Phil's rear SS only hub. I didn't know they made such a beast till I was emailing Phil's service department on a different matter and the subject of rear hubs came up. According to Phil's, they don't list them in their web catalog due to low demand, but they are avaliable direct from Phil's. I'll be building up a rear wheel (actually the LBS will build it) with this hub as soon as it gets here.

Thanks.

I know we all like to have nice things but the difference in performance between a Formula and a Phil hub is negligible to those of us who ride our bikes exclusively for recreation/transportation. If I were competing in some way on my bike I'd splurge for the best but since my bikes are all just for fun, I'd rather build up a fun wheel set (like a cheap coaster brake hub) than a performance based one. Other people may have different priorities though so to each his own.


/My first wheel build was an old shimano high-flange front hub to a Sun CR-18 rim. Nothing fancy but I learned a lot.

The question is, where can I get a 135mm SS coaster brake hub?

Formula hubs are at a great intersection of quality and cost. They're really cheap and they're really solid. In two or three years you might have to put in a new set of sealed bearings; a locknut might crack. That's about as bad a thing as can be said about them and since you can get 'em for what, $50 a set, it's hard to beat. If you're building your first set of wheels, go for the cheap-and-fine route. No sense dropping a few hundred bucks on a PW rear hub to build it into a mediocre wheel, right? It's your first wheel. Use it as a learning experience.

When you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, spend as much on hubs as you want to. Gran-Compes are nice. Dura-Ace are nice, if you have the patience for looseball hubs (which is to say, check them every now and then to make sure they're not tightening; learn how to overhaul LB hubs). PW are expensive and strong and all that discourse, and it would suck to get them stolen. So pick hubs (like any other part) with a smart eye toward their use. I wouldn't use nicer looseball hubs on a winter wheelset, wouldn't put PWs or other pricey hubs on a daily or lockup bike, and wouldn't shy away from using Formula hubs on anything but a dedicatedly pretty bike.

Well put mattio.

120mm hub + 15mm worth of spacers?

Or just ride a steel frame like the popular kids.

Ha, I want to fit it for my 29er. I don't know how I feel about adding 15mm worth of spacers....

My SRAM S-7 IGH has a coaster brake. I believe it is 135.5mm spaced but I could be mistaken. I just bent my 120mm-spaced frame to accept it.



This is a shot from a ride I took with my coaster-braked IGH "tarck" bike-

So, uh... where are you finding $50 formula sets?
(cause I need some hubs)

Yea the cheapest I found them was $85 a set...

From what I've observed, White Industries Track hub really impresses me. Swapping out cogs is a snap and White Industries has some of the highest quality parts on the market (I just ordered a freewheel from them for my SS 29'er).

https://wheelgirl.typepad.com/web_log...industrie.html

That WI is very cool; I wonder if it's more competitively priced than the outrageous Phil iso hubs.

I have the WI 17t trials freewheel; it's my favorite part of my 29er.

It looks like they're running about $180 for the hub. I know people get up in arms about expensive parts, but being in the bike game for SO long, I've learned my lesson about cheap parts - they always end up being more expensive through replacing them.

I think you can go skimpy on some stuff, like tires and grips, but if you're going for an all-out sweet build - high quality parts. Heck, why else would riders like you and I spend $100+ on a stinkin' freewheel?!