Hubs for Heavies

[RodTi]

Cannot believe I'm actually starting a topic like this

 

Anyhows - thanks to all of you that helped me out on my previous post regarding the Crossmax SL.

 

I was given some great advice regarding my new wheelset upgrade.

I have been building my bike up for a year now - and the choice concerning the wheels is proving to be the most difficult!

 

Would really appreciate some wise words regarding the following:

 

First off - I have decided to go local and have my wheels made up here. Just think that at the end of it all, if I do have problems - at least I have a bricks and mortar LBS I can walk back into and hopefully have the problem fixed!

Besides - local is lekka.

 

That being said - Mavic XM819 2007 32h rims with DT Swiss Champion 2mm spokes on a Shimano XT M760 [front & rear] hub...

 

Does this sound about the best setup for a rider weighing in at 110 kg's?

[i'm big boned ok!]

/Jeep track/XC/Singletrack/bit of road/

 

I have been told that the most important part about the whole set-up, is the hub - since that's what's going to get the wheels turning faster or not.

So I guess I really shouldn't skimp on the hubs.

 

Is going XT not maybe a bad move?

Let me just add that the wheels I have on my ride now, are old, but are still working fine. They are Shimano STX with Parrallex hubs?

But I don't know exactly how old they are - given that I bought the bike second hand - and so, mainly for piece of mind - I want to upgrade and put on something new that's not going to have me thinking (in the back of my mind) - "Watch the holes!!!" - whilst I'm tearing down hills...

Also - I'm getting sick of punctures.

And I don't want to go half-measure with Stan's - so I'm looking at going UST...

 

Of course I realise that for top performance, you should expect to pay top dollar. But what would be the best hubs for a good all-round mix between strength (for my weight), durability and performance?

 

Any advice?

Go with the XT? - or look ovc for something like Hope etc? 

 

[TitusTi]

The XT/XM819 combo is good, just use DT Competitions instead of Champions, they're actually a little stronger.

[fatcyclist]

From one heavy to another, I've been using a set of 32hole XT hubs for the past few years and haven't had any hassles with them. Had to have them rebuilt once after Dirtopia when it was still in Greyton, and the swamp was full of water. Apart from that, not a problem.

[RodTi]

Just received a PM suggesting the Crossmax XL - apparently designed for harder racing and terrain - therefore much stronger, and not too pricey?

 

Any good?

[TitusTi]

Don't go for Crossmax! Crappy freewheel body attached to a nice rim with crappy spokes.

[MintSauce]

XT is the best value for money, but they do not use replaceable bearings(am i right guys....unless Shimano has woken the he!! up?)

 

Something like Hope, Ringle or Chris King will have replaceable bearings meaning that if they do eventually fail, you can just pop new bearings in them. This basically means that you'll never buy another hub in your life.

 

Unless of course you get a bad case of UGI

[TitusTi]

The XT's don't have sealed bearings, they operate on the cup and cone system. They work well, just need to open and service every now and then and they will last you a good few years. In fact I still have a set of cup and cone DuraAce hubs from the mid 90's that I use all the time as my training wheels. If it is well looked after it will look after you.

[Mudsimus]

I find my Xl's awesome. If you serviced the freewheel correctly it doesnt give you sh*t. The spokes are fine to. But then again I only weigh 67kg so dont listen to me...

[Thug]

I've curtrently got XT hubs on XC717 rims and have never had a problem. A good reasonably cheap (in comparison to DT, KC) combination.

 

 

 

[Dicky DQ]

I fluctuate between 90 and 97kg's and I am using Ringle dirt flea hubs with the ZTR Olymic rims. Strong as an ox and still true. However I have lost two nipples lately and I somehow seem to be super heavy on freebody bearings.

 

Not a huge problem as I now keep a hadfull of bearings around and it takes a few minutes to replace.

 

Oh what was it you were asking..... strong wheels....... don't know.