Best Inexpensive Hub?
06-11-15, 06:44 PM
#1
Banned.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 97
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 45 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Best Inexpensive Hub?
Hello, I'm about to have a wheelset built, and was curious as to what people would suggest for the best choice for an inexpensive hub that can handle commuting and training miles.
Here's what I'm looking at:
Origin 8 Track Hubs - It is my understanding that these are Formulas
Some Somax Hubs
Surly Ultra New Hubs
From what I've read, it seems the Origin 8 is a solid choice. I also read that the Soma may be a better choice, however I wasn't able to find an explanation regarding why it may be the better choice. I've read multiple accounts of people having bearing issues with the Surly hubs, while others seem to have no issues.
If anyone can share any further info about these hubs, I'd appreciate it.
Here's what I'm looking at:
Origin 8 Track Hubs - It is my understanding that these are Formulas
Some Somax Hubs
Surly Ultra New Hubs
From what I've read, it seems the Origin 8 is a solid choice. I also read that the Soma may be a better choice, however I wasn't able to find an explanation regarding why it may be the better choice. I've read multiple accounts of people having bearing issues with the Surly hubs, while others seem to have no issues.
If anyone can share any further info about these hubs, I'd appreciate it.
Last edited by nob; 06-11-15 at 06:47 PM.
06-11-15, 09:06 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,264
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 88 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
10 Posts
Can't really beat Formula's for the price. Upon closer investigation, often the competition is simply re-branded Formula's anyway.
I really like Suzue Pro Max hubs which I think are better looking and not a ton more expensive but might not be any better technically.
Sometime you find wheels built with loose bearing Dura Ace hubs for a relative bargain.
After that you are into Pauls, Phil Woods etc...
I really like Suzue Pro Max hubs which I think are better looking and not a ton more expensive but might not be any better technically.
Sometime you find wheels built with loose bearing Dura Ace hubs for a relative bargain.
After that you are into Pauls, Phil Woods etc...
06-11-15, 09:09 PM
#3
THE STUFFED
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 12,680
Bikes: Rock Lobster; EAI Bareknuckle; Evil Insurgent
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 361 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
5 Posts
*sealed cartridge bearing* Formula hubs, hands down.
Yes there are loose ball Formula hubs and they're pretty ehhhhh considering the price difference is not even that bad.
Yes there are loose ball Formula hubs and they're pretty ehhhhh considering the price difference is not even that bad.
__________________
¿pɐǝɹ oʇ sᴉ sᴉɥʇ ƃuᴉʎouuɐ ʍoɥ ǝǝs
¿pɐǝɹ oʇ sᴉ sᴉɥʇ ƃuᴉʎouuɐ ʍoɥ ǝǝs
Originally Posted by veganbikes
Pound sign: Kilo TT
06-12-15, 01:27 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: los angeles
Posts: 366
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by TheRealFaux
Formula, but I don't think inexpensive hubs are worth the hand built wheel labor.
06-12-15, 07:40 AM
#7
Old Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Berkeley, Denver, CO, USA
Posts: 13
Bikes: 1974 Italian frame with Campy Nuovo Record Components, 2016 single speed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Miche
I bought a Miche Pista/Strada hub set for my new single-speed build. $110.
Pista/Strada Hubs | Miche Bike Components
Pista/Strada Hubs | Miche Bike Components
Last edited by davebarnes; 06-12-15 at 07:49 AM.
06-12-15, 07:46 AM
#8
Brown Jersey Winner
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: The Bad Woods.
Posts: 8,806
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 243 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
formula/novatecs
i have thousands of miles on them in heat cold rain snow and i havent even needed to adjust them or do anything besides wipe the crap off the outside
mine are on a set of handbuilt wheels and no ragrets. not one letter.
i have thousands of miles on them in heat cold rain snow and i havent even needed to adjust them or do anything besides wipe the crap off the outside
mine are on a set of handbuilt wheels and no ragrets. not one letter.
06-12-15, 09:36 AM
#9
7-speed cultist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 20,091
Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers)
Mentioned: 88 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2792 Post(s)
Liked 734 Times
in
516 Posts
No complaints with my Origin8/Formula rear hub after nearly 5000 miles of year-round riding.
__________________
RUSA #7498
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
06-12-15, 09:51 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: LA not L.A.
Posts: 213
Bikes: Are awesome!
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd definitely recommend the sealed bearing Formula hubs too. I'm currently running some rebranded Formulas on my SS bike and while I don't have as many miles on mine as Mumonkan or ThermionicScott (~500 or so), I've had zero complaints/issues so far.
06-12-15, 10:12 AM
#11
Speechless
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Central NY
Posts: 8,805
Bikes: Felt Brougham, Lotus Prestige, Cinelli Xperience,
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I own the Soma Somax and the Surly Ultra New (rear hub only for both), and I have nothing but positive to say about the Surly, and a long list of bearing failures with the Soma. Most likely it is a problem axle chewing through the Soma's, but I have replaced the sealed bearings on it twice in probably 6000 ish miles of use.
06-12-15, 10:15 AM
#12
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Where are you guys buying the Formula hubs**********????
I was looking for the TH-20 (low flange track front) a while back and could not find a source. Still can't.
I was looking for the TH-20 (low flange track front) a while back and could not find a source. Still can't.
06-12-15, 10:22 AM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: dEnVeR
Posts: 1,684
Bikes: CENTURION / LOOK / Bianchi
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 214 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Ive got a set of wheels with Novatecs currently -- Couldnt be more happy with them. Don't have a lot of miles on them yet but workin on fixing that in the next year 
Originally Posted by Mumonkan
formula/novatecs
i have thousands of miles on them in heat cold rain snow and i havent even needed to adjust them or do anything besides wipe the crap off the outside
mine are on a set of handbuilt wheels and no ragrets. not one letter.
i have thousands of miles on them in heat cold rain snow and i havent even needed to adjust them or do anything besides wipe the crap off the outside
mine are on a set of handbuilt wheels and no ragrets. not one letter.
