greatwhite Posted January 28 Posted January 28 Good Day All, Some advice please on rear ROAD hub options that meet the following criteria: 142x12 through axle 32 Hole J-Bend Centerlock disc mounting Shimano HG-L freehub (11/12 speed) Replaceable deep groove ball bearings (ruling out Shimano and others with cup and cone arrangements) I had hoped to use a DT Swiss 350 hub, but no longer make a 32 hole road hubs (I've had a number of DT350s which have been great both road and MTB) I am therefore exploring other options - so far, I have looked at (if some of the info below is wrong, please say so): Industry9 - no longer make a 32 hole road hubs Novatec D982TSB-CL-X12-11S is a low end hub with throw away freehub in the event of bearing failure but meet the spec, Novatec no longer make a 32 hole road hub in their upper ranges Chris King R45d 32h 142x12 hg. Nice, but hefty price White Industries CLD Rear - SKU: HUBCLD32RSBK12. Again, Nice, but hefty price. Bitex BX106R & BX108R. With steel axle (aluminium axles have reported failures). Mavic MR801 - seems very similar in specs to DT350 at similar price point but offer a 32 hole option. Hope Pro5 - it appears they supply a 32 hole hub at a similar price point to DT350 as well. Are there any other contenders worth looking at that I might have missed. Especially ones with local supply and support. (e.g Bitex and Mavic, I would have to import, not sure about availability of others locally for my specific spec) Any input on any of these hubs to avoid based on failure experience? Preferably actual experience rather than hearsay. Any input greatly appreciated - Thank you
Bro Derek Posted January 28 Posted January 28 What is the difference between a road hub and a MTB hub? Genuine question. Road hubs generally have less spokes any 142x12 by 32 spokes hub will work, surely?
openmind Posted January 28 Posted January 28 40 minutes ago, Bro Derek said: What is the difference between a road hub and a MTB hub? Most MTB hubs these days are boost - 148/110mm wide vs 142/100mm for road.
Bro Derek Posted January 28 Posted January 28 5 minutes ago, openmind said: Most MTB hubs these days are boost - 148/110mm wide vs 142/100mm for road. I am still unsure what specifies a 142x12 32 hole road hub vs a mtb hub The specs are the specs. The OP specifies ROAD hub, which is why I asked. I am well aware of what the 'current' MTB hub spacing is, but he specifically says the required hub specs and ROAD I am very curious why a 142x12 mtb hub isn't going to work as there are still plenty. There will in fact be far more of those available that an upper lever road hub with 32 holes, as most upper tier road hubs come with 20 or 24 spoke holes
David Marshall Posted January 28 Posted January 28 The Shimano HG 8-11 speed MTB freehub is shorter than the HG 11-12 speed road freehub. This is because the low (large) cog on the MTB cassette is dished closer to the spokes, effectively lengthening the freehub. You can only fit a road 10 speed cassette onto the MTB HG freehub. The diameter of the large cog on the road cassette is too small to dish over the hub body without contacting the spokes so the freehub is made slightly longer than the MTB one. (1.8mm) This is a mine field - with expensive school fees. Bro Derek 1
Bro Derek Posted January 28 Posted January 28 ah ok But a fair few hubs were released that can accommodate an 11 speed road cassette. I know I had some with a little spacer on and have subsequently fitted a road cassette without hassle. But. THIS is the answer! Thank you David Marshall
droo Posted January 29 Posted January 29 (edited) If you can find a DT with the right hole count, brake mount and OLD, you can just swap the freehub. I quite often see complete non-boost DT wheelsets in the classifieds that will cost about the same as a new 350. Edited January 29 by droo Headshot 1
David Marshall Posted January 30 Posted January 30 2 hours ago, nick_the_wheelbuilder said: Hope RS4 in silver available in that spec. No stock locally. 32 hole road hubs are frowned upon by the industry and the suppliers know best!
nick_the_wheelbuilder Posted January 30 Posted January 30 3 hours ago, David Marshall said: No stock locally. 32 hole road hubs are frowned upon by the industry and the suppliers know best! Ja, suppliers know best - so much so that I had to import a set of alloy rim brake road rims in 20h and 24h for a straightforward build I need to do for a customer. Ludicrous.
Captain Random Posted January 31 Posted January 31 Surely if you ask the guy at Intl. Trade nicely enough, they can have a hub here in 2 weeks? nick_the_wheelbuilder 1
nick_the_wheelbuilder Posted February 3 Posted February 3 On 1/31/2026 at 9:41 AM, Captain Random said: Surely if you ask the guy at Intl. Trade nicely enough, they can have a hub here in 2 weeks? Yes they do bring in special orders - sometimes can be quick, sometime you wait a while.
nick_the_wheelbuilder Posted February 3 Posted February 3 Can get these in 24/28/32h on special order.
greatwhite Posted March 17 Author Posted March 17 On 1/29/2026 at 9:16 AM, droo said: If you can find a DT with the right hole count, brake mount and OLD, you can just swap the freehub. I quite often see complete non-boost DT wheelsets in the classifieds that will cost about the same as a new 350. Not true - that was my 1st stop with the local DT repair agents trying to come right. They went to a lot of effort trying to make this work but to no avail. The road freehub is 1.85mm longer (as Dave pointed out) the driveside flange is therefore forced to be approx the same amount closer to hub centreline. i.e. the hubshell for a road hub and mtb for a DT350 is physically different. The good people at DT decided when they introduced the upgrade to the 350 (in 2021 IIRC) to do away with the 32 hole option so they only offer 24 and 28 hole hubs for road now.... I guess they felt there wasn't demand for 32 holes and that 28 holes was adequate. This I found out after reaching out to DT head office directly. It is especially dumb, when you consider they still off a number of their own road rims in 32 holes.... And there are so many use cases where 32 (or even 36) holes are the right thing. Ultimately, I imported a Mavic MR801. Comparable to a DT350 in many respects. Slightly larger flanges, and 40t ratchet vs 36 on the DT. Perhaps the only criticism I have of it is the split (to spring load, I believe) end cap on the non drive side which is aesthetically less appealing and perhaps a future gunk trap - I can't comment on it mechanically as the wheel has only done about 100km so far.
greatwhite Posted March 17 Author Posted March 17 On 1/30/2026 at 7:07 PM, David Marshall said: No stock locally. 32 hole road hubs are frowned upon by the industry and the suppliers know best! Thanks for your effort in that regard - BTW, the wheel goes really well so far
greatwhite Posted March 17 Author Posted March 17 On 2/3/2026 at 11:12 AM, nick_the_wheelbuilder said: Can get these in 24/28/32h on special order. Out of curiosity, what is it? Always helps to know options for the future?
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