Front Hub Conversion
09-13-18, 07:04 PM
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Front Hub Conversion
My gravel bike has 12x100 front thru axle. Will be ordering custom wheels soon, and wanted to ask about Hubs that are 15mm that can be converted.
The two I’m looking at are White Industries CLD and Hope Pro 4. I’ve read about axle kits that can be installed, and end caps, but I’m confused about how this works and whether it degrades the strength of the hub.
Are one of these two hubs stronger with 12mm conversion?
The two I’m looking at are White Industries CLD and Hope Pro 4. I’ve read about axle kits that can be installed, and end caps, but I’m confused about how this works and whether it degrades the strength of the hub.
Are one of these two hubs stronger with 12mm conversion?
09-13-18, 07:12 PM
#2
Banned.
When I was shopping for hubs. I decided I’d go Shimano front and rear. I called them and they had a lot of info. I hope some here can help as well.
09-14-18, 02:05 PM
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its for a bike with disc brakes and 6-bolt rotors. Might be used for bikepacking, though mainly for gravel. Not sure the Shimano road disc hubs are suitable. The MTB front hub is 15mm, so no different than others
09-14-18, 02:58 PM
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I'm not sure I'd go with a 3rd party conversion.
However, if you download the specs for the hubs you are interested in, many will have different end caps available for different configurations, so it is less of a conversion kit, but rather a configuration option.
It appears as if several 12x100 hubs are available.
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/fron...d-cx-disc-hubs
I see on the HOPE pages several configurations are listed. So, if you go with an OEM conversion, then it will be like it was that way from the factory.
One issue is whether you can actually acquire the parts. In that case, a local bike shop may help, but it may be expensive.
However, if you download the specs for the hubs you are interested in, many will have different end caps available for different configurations, so it is less of a conversion kit, but rather a configuration option.
It appears as if several 12x100 hubs are available.
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/fron...d-cx-disc-hubs
I see on the HOPE pages several configurations are listed. So, if you go with an OEM conversion, then it will be like it was that way from the factory.
One issue is whether you can actually acquire the parts. In that case, a local bike shop may help, but it may be expensive.
09-14-18, 08:59 PM
#6
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It's unclear--is it important that you can switch between 12x100mm and 15x100mm? 15x100mm is dying as a MTB standard with 15x110 and 20x110 being almost universal going forward for suspension forks. White CLD and Hope Pro 4 are both available as 12x100mm. End caps work fine. If there is any strength difference between these hubs it probably relates mostly to the manufacture of the hub flanges and the hub flange geometry, and bearing durability probably relates predominantly to bearing quality and shielding, and the tolerances of the bearing bore, and possibly how the bearing is loaded in the hub design. Those are both very nice hubs and I wouldn't worry about it too much.
09-15-18, 04:54 AM
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It's unclear--is it important that you can switch between 12x100mm and 15x100mm? 15x100mm is dying as a MTB standard with 15x110 and 20x110 being almost universal going forward for suspension forks. White CLD and Hope Pro 4 are both available as 12x100mm. End caps work fine. If there is any strength difference between these hubs it probably relates mostly to the manufacture of the hub flanges and the hub flange geometry, and bearing durability probably relates predominantly to bearing quality and shielding, and the tolerances of the bearing bore, and possibly how the bearing is loaded in the hub design. Those are both very nice hubs and I wouldn't worry about it too much.
09-15-18, 06:04 AM
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my gravel bike has 12x100 front TA. When I first started hunting for new wheels I wanted wide rims (25mm internal) to support the 1.9” tires I run. All of those wheels were geared for mountain bikes, and front hubs were 15mm. I don’t really understand the difference other than one is 3mm larger in diameter and didn’t want to make a bad choice. Are the hub cylinders for 12 and 15 the same and the caps are different? (See, I don’t understand;-)
https://www.mtbtools.com/product/ada...ear-hub-frame/
https://www.mtbtools.com/product/mou...pter-rear-hub/
Some hubs have removable end caps to use different size axles, end caps are usually brand specific and can be made to only fit a certain hub, they are not universal.
Hub end caps of various sizes
09-15-18, 07:21 AM
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Thanks. I know, for example the White Industries CLD can be installed with an axle kit the fits 12mm. I guess that’s like the sleeve in the link above. Seems solid. I would have the wheelbuilder take care of this when ordering...I just wanted to learn more about this for myself (and I’m learning a lot).
09-15-18, 08:54 AM
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This is why I bought a DT Swiss wheelset for my road disc bike. It comes with 15mm/12mm/9mm front axle and 10mm/12mm rear axle. Future proofed included in the $450 price with wide rims. If I needed a gravel grinding wheelset I'd look at either their new wider 24 spoke road wheelsets or their even wider 28 spoke MTB wheelsets with the same axle fittings as my road wheelset. The 3 pawl freehub wheelset are under $500 with standard rims and spokes widely available (if ya gotta replace them in the future).
09-15-18, 03:23 PM
#12
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If what you are looking at is similar to DT Swiss their end caps for the different diameters just pull out and the new one is inserted, they just jam between the outside of the bearing and the inside of the fork. Works great.
09-17-18, 08:58 AM
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I’ve been doing more reading, and there seems to be two methods of converting a front 15mm thru to 12mm. End caps comes up a lot. But for some, like White Industries, the solution seems more robust:
The Mi6, CX11 and CLD can be converted to accept a 12mm thru axle assembly for frames designed specifically for the thru system. Conversion kits replace the hubs internals to allow for the 12mm thru axle that is supplied with the frame. Upon request, the hubs can be outfitted as 12mm thru compatible at the time of purchase.
I’m not mechanically inclined, but I would take more comfort in the solution above to sticking end caps on a 15mm hub (which will be receiving a 12mm TA).
Am I on the right track?
The Mi6, CX11 and CLD can be converted to accept a 12mm thru axle assembly for frames designed specifically for the thru system. Conversion kits replace the hubs internals to allow for the 12mm thru axle that is supplied with the frame. Upon request, the hubs can be outfitted as 12mm thru compatible at the time of purchase.
I’m not mechanically inclined, but I would take more comfort in the solution above to sticking end caps on a 15mm hub (which will be receiving a 12mm TA).
Am I on the right track?
09-17-18, 09:50 AM
#14
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You are worrying way too frickin much about this. DT uses end caps and are probably the most common high end hub option. They work fine.
