pipeliner

I have the choice between DT Swiss big ride and i9 fat bike hubs for the same $. Which is better?
Heavy rider that rides mostly sand but some snow, if that matters.

HerrKaLeun

Reasonable people could argue for either. I had to make the same choice and decided on i9. By same price I assume you accounted for the 54 PoE ratchet for the DT?
My reasoning was:
- I would hate 18 PoE (currently have 54, which is my minimum) and then upgrade for $100 to 54. i have very low gearing, So PoE at the crank will be much lower.
- DT requires special tools for bearing removal. - Many people had a super pain (inc. destroyed tools) removing the DS bearing. i9 is really easy to service with regular tools
- I kind of like having the noise (trail bell!) of the i9.
- i9 hydra flex-axle pawl design seems convincing to me

the DT have an excellent reputation for reliability. Some say the 54 PoE is less durable, though. it is one of the things where Internet wars start.

Good luck buying one. I ordered min at a Black Friday sale and I'm still waiting.....

prj71

i9 quit making fat hubs. Where did you find one?

pipeliner

This builder says they have em.

prj71

Ahhh makes sense. He must have had some on hand.

Since i9 quit making fat hubs I would take caution in selecting that hub. If it breaks in the future you may have trouble getting replacement parts.

I just went through this with one of my Spank hubs that they quit making. The axle cracked and it took me over two months to find a replacement.