disc hub ideas for a new wheelset
#1
Sunshine
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disc hub ideas for a new wheelset
So I am going to build(or have built by prowheelbuilder, maybe) a disc wheelset for a new gravel bike. Itll most likely be 28h/32h with butted spokes, a quality mid-priced hubset, and aluminum hoops(h plus son would be the default).
Im not married to that, but its what i am guessing ill use based on what I like on one of my paved road bikes.
Question here for all the smart disc folk- is there a hub that is in the Bitex quality, weight, and pricerange that doesnt buzz like a next of angry bees?
I actually like the Bitex RA12 hubs on the road bike and the noise is nice because it easily signals I am close to cyclists ahead of me much like a bell. But I dont need that or want it on gravel. Its just me out there- me, music in my ears, and thoughts in my head.
Im not married to that, but its what i am guessing ill use based on what I like on one of my paved road bikes.
Question here for all the smart disc folk- is there a hub that is in the Bitex quality, weight, and pricerange that doesnt buzz like a next of angry bees?
I actually like the Bitex RA12 hubs on the road bike and the noise is nice because it easily signals I am close to cyclists ahead of me much like a bell. But I dont need that or want it on gravel. Its just me out there- me, music in my ears, and thoughts in my head.
#2
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I actually have the same thing in mind. I am going with the Shimano RS770 hub though. Shimano doesn’t get a lot of attention, but I like them because they are silky smooth, have steel or titanium freehub bodies and I can service them myself without a bearing press. The RS770 is actually pretty affordable as well. I have the same hub sans the disc brakes on my training wheels for my dedicated road bike and they are whisper quiet.
#3
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The Shimano hubs are a tad heavier than the Bitex hubs. If you're targeting a specific weight for a wheelset, it's something to keep in mind. I think I'd prefer quiet over a few grams.
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No idea what the Bitex hubs are, but I have built a few H+Sons with DT Swiss 350, and they've been awesome. Very subtle sound.
#7
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#8
Reno/Seattle/NYC
The Bitex hubs I have on the wheelset Mill City built aren't exactly silent, but they're not nearly as loud as some of the hubs I hear out there. I'm not sure which model hubs they were exactly. The invoice specifies the rim model, but not the hubs.
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I love my Hope Pro4 hubs, but they aren't what I would call quiet. My DT350 with a 54t star ratchet is actually pretty loud. I like the fast engagement when riding over technical terrain so I just deal with the noise.
#10
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Ha, well thanks all for some responses. Pretty sure Im searching for a unicorn here though.
I have Shimano 5800 105 hubs on a wheelset and they are very quiet, but that wheelset has the same rims and butted spokes as the Bitex wheelset and is 430g heavier. If its were a few oz difference, I wouldnt think twice because weight is not the be all end all for my decision making, but nearly 1# difference is apparently past where I dont care.
Ill look at the DT 350 hubs. I thought they were pretty loud, but maybe not? Admittedly I dont know much beyond that they exist.
Same with the Hope hubs- I know that Hope exists as a wheel and misc anodized bits company, but dont know much more. Ill check them out.
thanks again!
I have Shimano 5800 105 hubs on a wheelset and they are very quiet, but that wheelset has the same rims and butted spokes as the Bitex wheelset and is 430g heavier. If its were a few oz difference, I wouldnt think twice because weight is not the be all end all for my decision making, but nearly 1# difference is apparently past where I dont care.
Ill look at the DT 350 hubs. I thought they were pretty loud, but maybe not? Admittedly I dont know much beyond that they exist.
Same with the Hope hubs- I know that Hope exists as a wheel and misc anodized bits company, but dont know much more. Ill check them out.
thanks again!
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I have bitex on mine. They aren't loud. Yes, they are louder than the Campy hubs on my road bike and also louder than Shimano. Once you're off pavement, the sound of dirt, washboards, winds, my breathing, and birds all seem more present than my hubs.
I've snuck up on deer and even a lynx this year. Must not be too loud
I only coast downhill above 30. That's pretty loud and engaging. I never hear the hubs then anyway.
Fwiw though, both my bikes are steel with Al rims. They are dead silent except the hubs. It's been a long time but I seem to remember carbon frames were much louder, carbon rims even louder. If that's what you have, maybe turn up the music?
I've snuck up on deer and even a lynx this year. Must not be too loud
I only coast downhill above 30. That's pretty loud and engaging. I never hear the hubs then anyway.
Fwiw though, both my bikes are steel with Al rims. They are dead silent except the hubs. It's been a long time but I seem to remember carbon frames were much louder, carbon rims even louder. If that's what you have, maybe turn up the music?
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you could go with a Project321 for just the rear hub and opt for the quiet option. They aren't as cheap as Bitex but if you only get that for the rear hub it could be an option. I think they are similar weight too.
#14
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havent heard of these, thanks i have some afternoon reading to do!
#15
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I have bitex on mine. They aren't loud. Yes, they are louder than the Campy hubs on my road bike and also louder than Shimano. Once you're off pavement, the sound of dirt, washboards, winds, my breathing, and birds all seem more present than my hubs.
I've snuck up on deer and even a lynx this year. Must not be too loud
I only coast downhill above 30. That's pretty loud and engaging. I never hear the hubs then anyway.
Fwiw though, both my bikes are steel with Al rims. They are dead silent except the hubs. It's been a long time but I seem to remember carbon frames were much louder, carbon rims even louder. If that's what you have, maybe turn up the music?
I've snuck up on deer and even a lynx this year. Must not be too loud
I only coast downhill above 30. That's pretty loud and engaging. I never hear the hubs then anyway.
Fwiw though, both my bikes are steel with Al rims. They are dead silent except the hubs. It's been a long time but I seem to remember carbon frames were much louder, carbon rims even louder. If that's what you have, maybe turn up the music?
#16
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Ha, well thanks all for some responses. Pretty sure Im searching for a unicorn here though.
I have Shimano 5800 105 hubs on a wheelset and they are very quiet, but that wheelset has the same rims and butted spokes as the Bitex wheelset and is 430g heavier. If its were a few oz difference, I wouldnt think twice because weight is not the be all end all for my decision making, but nearly 1# difference is apparently past where I dont care.
Ill look at the DT 350 hubs. I thought they were pretty loud, but maybe not? Admittedly I dont know much beyond that they exist.
Same with the Hope hubs- I know that Hope exists as a wheel and misc anodized bits company, but dont know much more. Ill check them out.
thanks again!
I have Shimano 5800 105 hubs on a wheelset and they are very quiet, but that wheelset has the same rims and butted spokes as the Bitex wheelset and is 430g heavier. If its were a few oz difference, I wouldnt think twice because weight is not the be all end all for my decision making, but nearly 1# difference is apparently past where I dont care.
Ill look at the DT 350 hubs. I thought they were pretty loud, but maybe not? Admittedly I dont know much beyond that they exist.
Same with the Hope hubs- I know that Hope exists as a wheel and misc anodized bits company, but dont know much more. Ill check them out.
thanks again!
#17
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So I am going to build(or have built by prowheelbuilder, maybe) a disc wheelset for a new gravel bike. Itll most likely be 28h/32h with butted spokes, a quality mid-priced hubset, and aluminum hoops(h plus son would be the default).
Im not married to that, but its what i am guessing ill use based on what I like on one of my paved road bikes.
Question here for all the smart disc folk- is there a hub that is in the Bitex quality, weight, and pricerange that doesnt buzz like a next of angry bees?
I actually like the Bitex RA12 hubs on the road bike and the noise is nice because it easily signals I am close to cyclists ahead of me much like a bell. But I dont need that or want it on gravel. Its just me out there- me, music in my ears, and thoughts in my head.
Im not married to that, but its what i am guessing ill use based on what I like on one of my paved road bikes.
Question here for all the smart disc folk- is there a hub that is in the Bitex quality, weight, and pricerange that doesnt buzz like a next of angry bees?
I actually like the Bitex RA12 hubs on the road bike and the noise is nice because it easily signals I am close to cyclists ahead of me much like a bell. But I dont need that or want it on gravel. Its just me out there- me, music in my ears, and thoughts in my head.
You want something similarly cheap and bottom-of-the-barrel....Seek ye Novatech. Be warned, they too are cheap, and the seals aren't generally good--but they're light and cheap and cartridge bearing so when bearings die they can just be replaced.
Otherwise, seek ye Shimano hubs.
Lots of gorgeous hubs--but Novatech/Bitex are basically the entirety of the bottom-of-the-barrel segment. Some more expensive wheel makers have taken to using them and charging $1K (Hunt or Rodeo to name a few)
Likes For Marcus_Ti:
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It baffles me how Hunt has the gall to charge $1000 for a carbon wheel with a super generic hub when We Are One charges the same with an i9 hub. And the We Are One rim is made in Canada with US sourced carbon fiber.
#19
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Itd be rough to hear that $200 cant buy hubs that are better than the worst you can get(bottom of the barrel).
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https://www.rodeo-labs.com/shop/wheels/wheels700c/
I paid less for my Light-Bicycle rims laced to Onyx MUSA hubs with Sapim spokes.
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Rodeo Adventure Labs...don't get me wrong, I like the owner and the other products the company sells....sells Bitex CF rim'd wheels starting at $1,550
https://www.rodeo-labs.com/shop/wheels/wheels700c/
I paid less for my Light-Bicycle rims laced to Onyx MUSA hubs with Sapim spokes.
https://www.rodeo-labs.com/shop/wheels/wheels700c/
I paid less for my Light-Bicycle rims laced to Onyx MUSA hubs with Sapim spokes.
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I think Velocity has a hubset around $250, but it'll be heavier. Even the Hope and Shimano and DT350 are like $100+ just for a front hub, add in the front and you're probably 50% over your desired budget. DT makes a lower tier hub, the DT370 that I've seen on DT's own wheelsets--but Prowheelbuilder for example doesn't list them as a discreet part.
https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/prod...&price=100-200
Granted Prowheelbuilder and other wheelbuilders will probably do the build for less than the MSRP or MAP of the individual parts. If not regularly then PWB for example has sales all the time (they have an ongoing 4th of July sale ATM)
#24
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$200 for a hubset is where the bottom of consumer hubs is. Even the Bitex rear hub by itself is a $100-$150 part.
I think Velocity has a hubset around $250, but it'll be heavier. Even the Hope and Shimano and DT350 are like $100+ just for a front hub, add in the front and you're probably 50% over your desired budget. DT makes a lower tier hub, the DT370 that I've seen on DT's own wheelsets--but Prowheelbuilder for example doesn't list them as a discreet part.
https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/prod...&price=100-200
Granted Prowheelbuilder and other wheelbuilders will probably do the build for less than the MSRP or MAP of the individual parts. If not regularly then PWB for example has sales all the time (they have an ongoing 4th of July sale ATM)
I think Velocity has a hubset around $250, but it'll be heavier. Even the Hope and Shimano and DT350 are like $100+ just for a front hub, add in the front and you're probably 50% over your desired budget. DT makes a lower tier hub, the DT370 that I've seen on DT's own wheelsets--but Prowheelbuilder for example doesn't list them as a discreet part.
https://www.prowheelbuilder.com/prod...&price=100-200
Granted Prowheelbuilder and other wheelbuilders will probably do the build for less than the MSRP or MAP of the individual parts. If not regularly then PWB for example has sales all the time (they have an ongoing 4th of July sale ATM)
Ultegra 6800 hubs cost $125 total for both from Jenson and PWB sells the bitex ra12 hub set for $200, so I figured that $200 mark would have hubs that aren't bottom of the barrel.
But I figured that because I haven't viewed the bitex ra12 hubs as bottom of the barrel since they cost more, are lighter, and have been as reliable as Ultegra 6800 hubs...and I don't view 6800 hubs as bad. Heavy yes, but not bad.
Looks like I have a good bit of learning to do on what makes disc hubs 'good' and 'bad' beyond the number of engagement points.