Hubs
 

I just stripped my rear hub. This is on my first set of wheels I bought about 4 months ago, a cheap set of origin 8s. Luckily I can use the other side of the hub for the time being, but I want to get a new one as I don't really trust it now and I don't use brakes. What would you guys recommend as a reliable hub that isn't ridiculously expensive?

Hubs get stripped due to user error. Learn how to properly install a cog & lockring and it most likely won't matter what hub you have.

Ok, so make sure hub is clean. Apply grease to threads of cog and lockring. Tighten cog with chain whip. Tighten lock ring with lockring wrench tight as hell. What am I missing here?

Did you install the cog yourself? If so, you probably didn't get the cog and/or lockring tight enough. Origin8 hubs are rebranded Formulas. I have owned one and found it to be of good quality. I have to agree with Scrod on this one. You could try rotafixing the cog on the other side (although it's a bit overkill): Fixed Gear Blog: Fixing A Cog Without Tools? The ROTAFIXA Method

Cog and lockring were installed by LBS. I ordered the parts through them and they insisted that they did so. How often do you recommend to check/ tighten the lockring? I have not done so since it was purchased so I am assuming this would be the culprit. I assumed that the lockring would remain tight as resisting and skidding apply counterclockwise pressure.

Guaranteed they did not adequately tighten the cog and lockring. Few people seem to get this right, amazingly enough. Go back to them and tell them the situation. They should hopefully make it right with you somehow. Don't be an accusatory dick, just explain to them that your hub stripped and they were the ones to install the cog and lockring.

You shouldn't have to check the cog and lockring periodically. Install them tight and right the first time and you will never have to be concerned.

Actually you should check it once more after initial installation after the first official longer ride and tighten the lockring as needed.
That is because tension and torque exerted by the chain while pedaling will initially settle the cog more than any chainwhip will.

You'll be golden after that until your next cog swap in which case rinse and repeat.

It always amazes me that fixed gear bikes are the most simple thing ever from a mechanical standpoint, yet so many people who ride them know nothing about how they work.

Yup, I'm with hockeyteeth. The mechanic in the shop made all the noises but stuffed up. The Origin8 is a good hub, feel happy buying another one. Give the bike shop a chance to do the right thing, after all, they'll know the true story and you're a customer who they may get more money from ... if they look after you.

Brakes are always a positive step forward

You don't have to summon the strength of a gorilla to tighten a lockring. Having it firmly tightened by hand is all that is needed.

When are people going to realize that it's the cog that needs to be very tight, not the lockring. The lockring just needs to be tight enough so that it doesn't loosen on its own. The lockring has far fewer threads than the cog, and is not meant to be tightened nearly as much as the cog or you risk stripping its hub threads.

Incorrect. The real culprit is that the cog wasn't sufficiently tightened in the first place. As soon as you pedal forward, the cog screws clockwise and separates from the lockring causing it to become loose. The cog must be tightened properly before the lockring is retightened.

You need to learn to do this yourself and avoid having mechanical work done on your bike at your incompetent lbs.

How about the strength of the bear?

http://application.denofgeek.com/pics/tv/bsr03.jpg

Even more amazing is how many shop "mechanics" are clueless when it comes to proper installation of a fixed cog and lockring.

Seriously!

As long as it is not that of a grizzly or equivalent.

Thanks for the advise! Went back to the shop today. Explained everything and the guy seemed clueless. Oh well. He let me use the tools i needed to install on the other side of the hub. Went on a ride, went back, and like you said the cog was tightened down further so I tightened the lockring accordingly.