I've been enjoying my Mercier Kilo II all summer. I'ld like to upgrade the hubs for next season. What are some choices on today's market? I ride this bike for recreation, not racing, so don't say Phil Wood or $$$$ equivalents.

Unless you're familiar with wheelbuilding, or want to pay someone to rebuild your [already mediocre] wheels with new hubs, just grab a complete set of wheels from velomine and sell your stock wheels.

Dat saddle angle.

Why do you need/want to upgrade?

Also, is there a reason for the upgrade? Are you looking for something different out of a new set of hubs? Are you altering the type of riding you are doing?

Without knowing specifics, get something off of Velomine, laced to Formulas, sell your wheel set to recoup some of the cost, or do as I did and keep your old wheel set as a backup/winter set.

Upgrade your saddle angle.

How the **** can someone even ride a bike with a saddle angle like that?

Anything with a cartridge bearing will probably be better if you are experiencing trouble keeping your hubs properly adjusted, I have the same kilo and my hubs work loose every couple of weeks to the point where it makes a noise when I pick the bike up and set it down.

i want to upgrade but i dont want anything expensive? did i hear that right? assuming the bike has formula hubs, you will not gain anything from switching hubs, therefor, there is no effective "upgrade"

as others have mentioned, it's clear from your saddle angle that you dont ride that bike for more than a few minutes at a time, and you probably feel like you're going to fall off the front the whole time. get your bike fit sorted out before tearing your wheels apart, trust us on this one.

The Kilo doesn't come with Formulas, they're just cheapo loose-ball bearing hubs that are prone to needing constant adjustment.

The best, most cost-effective option is to buy a wheelset from Velomine, as others have mentioned.

And yet people still recommend this bike to everyone.

cant argue with that.

we are the ultimate trolls!

yeah my stock wheels were loose bearings but they didnt need to be adjusted alot.
luckily I knew how but I can understand how people are like "whats the noise? oh no my wheels are broken!" sadness haha

The hubs are arguably the last things you should be thinking about upgrading. What exactly are you trying to accomplish? And if you only ride recreationally, what "season" are you talking about?

Kilo TT.

My Windsor had the same wheelset, and aside from needing a repack + adjustment every year or so, the hubs have been fine. Sure, DA feels nicer, but what exactly do you expect out of a sub-$400 bike?

Shut up, Derek!

=[ fascist

The season when it's warm enough to walk your bike down to the local coffee shop wearing short shorts and an ironic tank top.

The season where the sqrls aren't hibernating.

Let's close this thread. Other than agreement that Velomine is a good source for wheelsets, it's only produced mindless chatter.

GIANT BALLS. It takes giant balls to ride with a saddle like that.

Seriously, go see a doctor, that swelling can't be normal.

How do you service loose ball hubs?

So you can start another one?

Remove the cone, locknut, and spacers from one side, remove the axle, remove dust caps, remove the bearings, clean, degrease, re-grease, reinstall. Make sure the cones aren't too tight against the bearing and there's no play.

Easy peasy.