Dilemma: Better Hub or Better Spokes?
01-04-11, 11:18 PM
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Dilemma: Better Hub or Better Spokes?
So here's the backstory. I'm ordering a new set of wheels using the Universal Cycles wheelset builder; wherein you get to choose hubs, spokes, rims, and nips. Budget being my most decisive factor ($180 tops), I had chosen Shimano M590 hubs (lowest tier Deore), Sun CR-18 rims, Wheelsmith 2.0-1.7 butted spokes, and brass nips . The total came out to $170.83 shipped.
After playing around a little more I found that for five dollars more, I could have a Deore XT rear hub, but I would have to sacrifice the butted spokes and go for straight guage 2.0mm Wheelsmith spokes to stay within my $180 budget.
So what do you guys think? Does the XT hub have a better upgrade ratio over the butted spokes, or will the M590 suffice in exchange for a more durable wheel? Thanks!
After playing around a little more I found that for five dollars more, I could have a Deore XT rear hub, but I would have to sacrifice the butted spokes and go for straight guage 2.0mm Wheelsmith spokes to stay within my $180 budget.
So what do you guys think? Does the XT hub have a better upgrade ratio over the butted spokes, or will the M590 suffice in exchange for a more durable wheel? Thanks!
01-04-11, 11:40 PM
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Spokes definitely. The most recent XT hubs kill their bearings and Freehubs too quickly. The Deores are more durable. Previous model XT hubs were much better.
01-05-11, 12:20 AM
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XT hubs don't kill their bearings when properly preloaded, iirc the m590 have a labryinth seal like the XT, the difference is the XT's cups are coated with a harder substance so they last longer. The shimano are almost all basically interchangeable so if you want XT later you can use the same spokes.
Anyways, I would go with the db spokes also, particularly for touring.
Anyways, I would go with the db spokes also, particularly for touring.
01-05-11, 07:51 AM
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See recent (last few days) comments on recent XT hubs on a Surly Long Haul Trucker forum. (My comments on that forum were the ones from Loaded Tourist in Madison.)
https://groups.google.com/group/surly...37f23f2a2b554d
I built up a set of touring wheels last spring, I used older XT hubs (M760) that have a steel axle, I used the same Wheelsmith butted spokes that you have, but I used a different rim. I am quite pleased with those wheels.
I can't comment on the M590 hub, but I will point out that according to the 2011 Surly catalog, they use a Deore M525 hub on their cargo bike.
https://groups.google.com/group/surly...37f23f2a2b554d
I built up a set of touring wheels last spring, I used older XT hubs (M760) that have a steel axle, I used the same Wheelsmith butted spokes that you have, but I used a different rim. I am quite pleased with those wheels.
I can't comment on the M590 hub, but I will point out that according to the 2011 Surly catalog, they use a Deore M525 hub on their cargo bike.
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