Ok gang, bargain shopping time.

I'm looking at building up a fixed/free mtb wheel (no, for serious--the free is for off-road the fixed is for getting there) and I'm torn between a Surly and Kogswell hub.

The Kogswell is $80 for front and rear and includes free shipping. It comes fixed/fixed so I could conceivably use a track cog on both sides and have a fixed road gear and fixed off road.

On the other hand, I don't need a front, really. I'm also concerned that fewer engaged threads may cause the freewheel to strip the hub even though that's not the case with a track cog that has the same number of engaged threads.

My LBS can get me the Surly for $70, rear only. It's a fixed/free but that's my intention.

What should I do?

I'm going to throw another hat into the ring, my boston comrade.
I'm going to say take a look at the iro ss hub. The rear about $40, or the set is $70.
Judging from the quality of the other iro hubs, I'd say that this would be a great deal.
The hubs have large serrated locknuts, and come with real track nuts.
https://irocycle.com/fixedgearandsing...einc/id45.html
Tony @ iro is also a really cool guy.

On the other hand, the surly rear mtb hubs are a proven great ss hub. Just ask any one on the mtbr-ss board about them. I've only heard good things, and I've never heard of a failure of any sort.
I think that what ever optioon that you pic will be a good one, but I would go for the cheaper iro hub. But if I wanted a tried and true hub, the surly would be the way to go.

Good idea, I totally forgot the IRO had 135mm fixed/fixed. It's a done deal, dude!

I've got a tensiometer on order at the LBS (I want to build this up plus another 700c wheelset so I figured it was worth investing in the right tool), just ordered the IRO. By the end of next week I should be able to put everything together and get rocking!

Plus that damn Tony (or someone) is hanging out checking email at 9pm and let me change my shipping address. Class act, man.

I feel kinda bad not buying from the local, but hey, I am buying my tension meter and will getting the rim and spokes from them (unless the rim selection sucks).

Funny thing is, one of the places I stopped in to check on 135mm flip-flops was Cambridge Bicycle. Dude at the counter only knew about Surly but they're one of IRO's Mass. dealers. They should probably know that stuff.

I've found some of the people in camb. bicycle kinda annoying and tuned out. I walked in there one day, and browsed for about 15min, and none of the 3 guys in there really paid much attention to me. It's not like they were busy; I was the only one in there.
I also asked about fixed rear wheels, and the guy kinda hassled me about it, like do you really want one , can you handle it (fixed riding), he then offered to sell me a crap suzue basic hubbed wheel, and sun m13 rim for $100, sans cog,tire,lockring,tape. Uh no thanks, I can get that on ebay for $50, and that wheel is crap.
I then saw a durace wheel hanging above, and asked about that one. He said, that one is for REAL track riders. Ok dude, I'll take my business elsewhere if you really insist.

Wow, that sucks. I bet I can guess the guy though... Black hair, has a wooden joint tattoo on his elbow, pinnochio style?

I like the place and the owner especially is real nice, but they do sometimes have a too-cool-for-school attitude.

I can't believe there are people in retail that have attitudes like that. I'm pretty sure the owner of the business would appreciate you letting him know you were treated that way. It's just bad for business.

Bad service is quite common, which is why if u find good service it solves all the problems about where to do business.

Actually the owner was right there too. I don't know If he really heard the whole thing, but he WAS in the store, about 20' away, sitting down and talking to another employee, browsing catalogs. They might not have heard the whole thing, but the nerve of the guy to give me that kind of treatment with the owner PRESENT....

I don't really recall they guy, but all I know is that I have got some shady service a few times that I've been in there...
I've have only had GREAT service with their sister shop, Boston Bicycle (I think thats the name). Go figure.

Actually the owner is kinda aquaintances with my family, but not me.

That sucks.

I agree that Boston has better service, at least the few times I get over there (which is ironic because it's like the 2nd nearest to me--but work is closer to Cambridge Bike & I always go past on my way to/from Broadway Bike School). It's weird because they share at least some of the same wrenches, too.

Does Kogswell make a 120mm hub?
Perhaps I have misunderstood the 135mm dimension listed on the Kogswell site.

No, they only make it in 135mm for mountain bikes.

The IRO hub is actually the same as the Kogswell hub just unstamped. (Sorry, Tony, hope I'm not dropping any trade secrets.)

How do I know? Dude emailed me today after reading this thread to make sure he was going to be sending me the hub I wanted. Turns out there was some confusion and we got it straightened out. Now that's service!