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Formula
Basic Front & rear Hubs
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Submitted by
2wheelsguy
a Cross Country Rider
from Cincinnati, Oh, USA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Cesars Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | They work. The front holds up decently, feels heavy and somewhat smoothely rolls. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, weak engagement, rear is junk. | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic crossmax, DT 240, Chris king. | | Bike Setup: | Marin Bobcat trail. Single speed. RS Recon. FSA pig.Surly Singleator. Mavic Crossmax. | | Bottom Line: | Would be ok for riding on pavement or VERY light trails. They just need alot of attention and are not even meant for the intro cross country. Dont buy if you ride good trails. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel Stumpf
a Weekend Warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | A Velocity 29er Wheelset From Ebay | | Strengths: | Front hub seems to be holding up. | | Similar Products Used: | White Industries, Shimano, Coda, Nuke Proof (oh yes, old school) | | Bike Setup: | Surly Monkey 29er 24 speed, Velocity, Sugino, Specialized, Avid, XT/XTR, Brooks - daily commuter and weekend logging roader.... | | Bottom Line: | I bought a set of newly built Velocity wheels from a real nice guy on Ebay. The rear is a "big guy" 40 spoker with a Velocity/Formula hub. Built the bike fall of 2007 rear freewheel just crapped out April 2008......I think its "typical" junk spring retaining freehub pawls, but I'm not sure. Tore it apart, cleaned it, regreased it, nothing seems to be visually broken or worn but it's still doing the skippy thing under light load. I'm gonna chuck it and have the wheel rebuilt with a 40 hole Shimano tandem hub (is they make 'em). Hopefully it'll handle a bit more punishment. If you're building a wheel go for the Shimano Hub... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Downingtown, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Good while it lasted. | | Weaknesses: | Won't stand up to harsh trails. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | stock Jamis Ranger | | Bottom Line: | This hub is ok if you're going to be doing pretty tame riding, but use it for anything that shakes your bike around and you're asking for trouble. I've had my bike for 13 months (9 of those months was riding around campus) and just today I noticed that the splines the cassette mounts to was alarmingly loose. I had recently been noticing a "loose bearing" sound, and when I investigated I found I could shake the cassette all around. Steer clear of this hub. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug Clarke
a Racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: August 17, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike from steves bike shop | | Strengths: | nothing | | Weaknesses: | everthing | | Similar Products Used: | cheapo shimano hubs | | Bike Setup: | 07 giant stp2 with tuvative shift guide | | Bottom Line: | these hubs came on my bike and are horible along with the axles everything cam loose and the axle shifted to one side and bent the front axle and it wore the hub making my front tire rub on my fork and throw everything off it even made my disc squel and the back came loose i will never run thease agian | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Downhiller
from Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | rough dirty ones | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | coverd under warenty | | Strengths: | it worked relly well until it broke | | Weaknesses: | it broke in six months, owell, the oem chosen only lasted 1 | | Similar Products Used: | choen(crap) shimano and whatevers on it now | | Bike Setup: | khs dj50 rhyno lite back, truvativ, avid, drop off tripple,shimano | | Bottom Line: | dont buy unless u do xc, in witch case its too hevy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan Waters
a Downhiller
from Bozeman, MT
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Cheap, smooth bearings, they work, what else should a hub do? | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, but that's to be expected with a cheaper hub. | | Similar Products Used: | Dt Swiss Hugi on MTX(current set up), lots of shimano | | Bike Setup: | '06 Giant Faith 2, Juicy 7, DT Swiss hubs on MTX, '02 Monster T | | Bottom Line: | I'm not actually using these hubs anymore as I upgraded my wheelset for this coming season. It seems like everyone else out there is having problems with these hubs, but I have to say I have not had a sinle problem with either the front or the rear. I rode these all of last season at Bigsky resort which is as rocky and dusty as anyplace I've ever seen. My bearings are perfect and my freehub works like new. I weigh 155lbs and don't tend to break equipment, but my buddy raced his '05 Faith all season with these same hubs. He weights around 180-200 depending on the day, and he destroys equipment. I guess after reading the other reviews, I wouldn't choose these as an aftermarket part, but I'll have no worries running them if I should blow up my Hugi's(never happen). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Dulac
a Weekend Warrior
from Wirral, England
Date Reviewed: April 17, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | Llandegla | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | Front hub is still holding out. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, no style, poor quality, skipping grinding freehub. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, novatec. | | Bike Setup: | Giant Trance, Rockshox Reba fork, Alex rims, Panaracer Cinder 2.1 tyres, xt mechs, Truvativ FireX crankset. | | Bottom Line: | Giant stuck these on my bike OEM as I purchased the cheapest version of the Trance with the intention of upgrading pretty much everything. Have put off upgrading the wheels as they seemed to stay true (sort of) and I thought I would wait until I trashed one but after 6 months and around 100 miles of trail riding the freehub is skipping and grinding and I have discovered that I will need to replace it every year - S** that!! Guy at LBS warned that the cones and bearings on both hubs are unlikely to last much longer anyway so I have just ordered a pair of Mavic Crossrides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bud Fields
a Weekend Warrior
from The Woods
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came with bike | | Strengths: | they hold the spokes to the rim | | Weaknesses: | noisy, sticky, cheap-o all the way | | Similar Products Used: | shimano diores suck too | | Bottom Line: | started to get real sticky after minimal use. i'm not sure but they may be the worst hubs on the market, i've seen generics with better quality. these "hubs" aren't worth 2$ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J B
a Downhiller
from uk
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | Never let me down | | Weaknesses: | so far, none | | Similar Products Used: | lots of high end over the years. | | Bike Setup: | stock gem | | Bottom Line: | Came on a gemini I bought as a thrash/abuse bike.
Ok they are'nt going to be on many xmas lists but if they come on your bike? I've been delivering punishment 2x weekly on the bike for a year. uk conditions and regularly dropping 5/6 foot to flat the hubs have'nt needed a single bit of attention. Probably just my luck but a fact nevertheless.
I certainly can't grumble.
Actually had more trouble with kings on my cross country bike, go figure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Downhiller
from Langley
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | BSP | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | weak, skipped from the first day, no style, crap barings | | Similar Products Used: | Funn, Rungle, | | Bike Setup: | Faith 3
05 Boxxer Race
05 6 Way
Mavic 729 rims
Rignle hubs (new) | | Bottom Line: | if you buy a bikw with these hubs on it, immedietly change them out, they suck, the front one is decent...still makes noises and dosent hold up too well with large drops or downhilling - spoke holes bore out VERY easily | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lucas Vrener
a Downhiller
from edmonton
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | black trail on mt. 7 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | pedal head | | Strengths: | cheap 150 mm 12mm through axel hub infact it is the cheapest | | Weaknesses: | cheap is cheap this hub is crap they better warrenty it, | | Similar Products Used: | qr hubs from shimano | | Bike Setup: | Giant Faith One | | Bottom Line: | this hub is OEM on all of the Giant faiths so you'd think it would last at least one season, but no its crap as I always say you get what you pay for and this is cheap so you get crap, I'm writting this after a failed ride cause its the second time it defuncted on me, its the palls inside the hub that seem to be the problem, so drop the dough and get a better one!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Capy
a Cross Country Rider
from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 30, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$55.00 | | Strengths: | Sealed cartrige bearing, bearing is a standard comercial size and can be replaced with many differnt makes of bearings | | Weaknesses: | Free hub dosen't seem to last long | | Similar Products Used: | Deore LX & XT | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS, Formula front and Rear hubs, Mavic Rims, 195lb cross country rider. | | Bottom Line: | I have had these hubs for two seasons going on three. No problems with the front hub at all, it is still as good as when it was new.
After about a year of riding, combination of trail rides and endurance races, I started having problems with the rear freehub body becoming loose and generally not as smooth when it was new. I picked up a rear wheel with a Deore hub as a replacement and had nothing but problems. What a mistake. It made me appreciate not having to adjust bearing cones that constantly become loose. Slowly over three months the Deore hub slowly went to crap as far as smoothness.
I decided to repair the Formula Hub. I picked up a new freehub for $25 canadian and two new bearings $15 each. I am not really sure it needed new bearings but I got them any ways. A nice thing about the bearings is they are a standard size that you can get at any comercial bearing shop. I picked up a set of standard single row angular german bearings but other types availible including ceramic that are supose to be better. Bearing replacement was very simple and I had no problems installing them. The hub has been working great for 6 months no problems and rarely needs adjustment.
I think this hub is an excelent value. The hub spins as smooth as my friends $400 chris king. I do admit the engagement is not nearly as good though. Even though the freehub didn't last long, which may have something to do with winter rides here in Ontario, its not that costly to replace. I am very happy to replace it once a year if it keeps spinning this smoothly. I think sealed bearings are the way to go which you cant get on any Shimano hub.
Bottom line is that I would recomend this hub to any cross country rider but would plan on replacing the freehub body regularly like you replace a chain.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bryce
a Cross Country Rider
from Chelmsford, Massachusetts, USA
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Stone Row / Indian Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | So far so good | | Weaknesses: | Yeah, it isnt silky smooth, but it came sotkc on the bike, doesnt seem to really effect me when Im riding. | | Similar Products Used: | N/A | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Jamis Durango Sport SX | | Bottom Line: | Good hub, it isnt silky smooth but what more can I ask for. Hasn't failed me yet! been riding it for more than 6 months, first two weeks I owned the bike put about 240 miles on it. Repack them every couple months since it's not that hard to do, as with a lotta things it take a while but worth it. All in all, came stock, havn't had trouble, good for the price! 4 on overall since it it a tad sticky but really should have givent it 5 stars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
schmitty
a
from Moab, UT
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Rear: Cheaper and not as bad as WTB | | Weaknesses: | Not good, either | | Similar Products Used: | WTB Rear | | Bike Setup: | 8.5" travel frame, 150 R axle spacing. Hubs spec'd on bike. | | Bottom Line: | 20mm front:
4 months and still works flawlessly.
150mm spaced rear:
Spring retaining freehub pawls crapped out after a couple of rides. Worked okay after replacing spring with one from a Bontrager hub. This seems to be a common problem (at lest 4 others I've seen). Build yourself a new wheel if your bike is spec'd with them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jAson wEgman
a Downhiller
from Whistler
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | No Joke to Too Tight to Angry Pirate to A-line to Wrld Cup Single Trck to HoChiMin to Hrt of Drkness | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Giant warrantee | | Bottom Line: | Giant warranteed my first hub and replaced it with something similar but spec is unknown to me. It lasted again just about 1 month before it totally blew up. Worse even than my last one. At least that time I could pedal home! See my rating of the Giant Faith 2 for more info. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jAson wEgman
a Downhiller
from Whistler
Date Reviewed: July 8, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | B-line into Heart of Darkness | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Came stock on my bike. | | Strengths: | Couldn't even list one, except that it didn't blow out on me on the trail. | | Weaknesses: | In less than one month of moderate use it was totally shot. Now I'm without a bike waiting on the warranty! Not re-buildable. | | Similar Products Used: | Its my first setup in Freeride. Everything else has been XC. | | Bike Setup: | Stock Giant Faith 2 | | Bottom Line: | Like others with the same problem I would not suggest buying this product even if its cheap. As it is not re-buildable it is only contributing to our landfills when it goes down. Save the environment and yourself the pain and hassle, buy something that can be rebuilt because eventually everything does break. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Greg
a Downhiller
from Winter Park, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anything dangerous enough to do something stupid on | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | sun and ski sports | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | froze up after less than a month of riding
not that light for the price either | | Similar Products Used: | other XC/AM hybrids | | Bike Setup: | which one? | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy 'em. If you do then keep an eye on them. They're cheap though and they came on my bike stock which saved me money so I'll give 'em a few... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Cross Country Rider
from Ithaca, NY
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came stock on my old bike | | Strengths: | Cheap, easy to repack which is good because you need to do it WAY too often. | | Weaknesses: | Only seals are a metal dustcap that dosn't really fit, so they get full of crap really fast. Rear axle snaps a lot, which kinda puts an abrupt end to a ride. The cones corrode and get pitted pretty fast too. For all the things they left off (seals, decent axles) they still coudn't even make them very light. | | Similar Products Used: | I've got an XT rear, LX front now. | | Bottom Line: | My first reaction was that brian was dead on- throw these in the nearest body of water, in his case Peuget Sound, but I'm going to agree with Cam and just reccomend that you don't buy them, and if they come on your bike just wait until they die, then replace/ upgrade them. You won't be waiting long. These probably are an OK hub for a comfort bike that's only riding around town at low speeds, but they definatly aren't very trail worthy. Still, since they are extrodinarily cheap, I'll give them an OK value rating, but low overall because they're crap. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Needham
a Weekend Warrior
from Milford, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Dark Horse Bicycles | | Strengths: | Low Price and easy maintanance | | Weaknesses: | Weak axles | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore | | Bike Setup: | 16 inch hardtail setup for urban riding | | Bottom Line: | A very good hub for the price if they are used for their intended use. I am by no means a large rider, nor a rough rider, but found that I had bent my axle over time by doing small drops. I would recommend this product for cross country mountainbiking on a budget, however, if you ride rough at all, these are not for you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross Country Rider
from Edmonton, AB, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Recieved with new frame | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub froze after having riden in the rain for 6 hours. Hub MIGHT have had 24 hours of riding on it. | | Similar Products Used: | XTR | | Bike Setup: | Haro 2004 XLS - Hayes Hydro Discs, xt throughout, 02 Sid SL front and rear | | Bottom Line: | This hub has let me down. Barely been riden and it's already screwed. It is being replaced under warrenty, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
Rode an XTR for over a year without the slightest bit of problem. Lost my XTR's when my frame broke and was upgraded - which meant I upgraded to discs, but the XTR hub wouldn't take the Hayes discs. Wheels were thrown in free by Haro, and will be replaced ASAP! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jbhi
a Downhiller
from Vancouver , BC , Canada
Date Reviewed: July 1, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Bogeyman , A-Line | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | West Point Cycles | | Strengths: | - haven't done a lick of maintenance on them for 3.5 years & they haven't let me down yet
- cheap , came with original bike | | Weaknesses: | - not as "cool" as some other hubs like Chris Kings , which are a total waste of money IMO | | Bike Setup: | 2003 RM7 Frame , parts from 2000 RM6 | | Bottom Line: | - they are a no maintenance , cheap front hub
- why would you spend a ton of money on a front hub ?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from North Shore
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Online | | Strengths: | Easy to service (only serviced once in 2 years)
Cheaper than most + reliable & strong has all the normal gear, sealed bearings, strong casing. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano/FUNN/ KRIS KING | | Bike Setup: | DH Rrig too much to mention | | Bottom Line: | Dont waste your money on expensive hubs for the price they are the goods. dont know about the rear hub but the 20mm front is perfect.
Check them out tho you have to get thru ya local bike shop.
Link Below to check them out tho you have to get thru ya local bike shop.
http://www.formulahubs.com/ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neal
a
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: April 15, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Easter Bikes | | Strengths: | The front QR20 hub has been working flawlessly for the past year of dirt jumping and park riding, as well as some night time street sessions. | | Weaknesses: | Weaknesses.....the rear axle. I have been maintaining it after every ride to make sure it is running in good shape. My rear axle has broken. The rear axle has about 6 stress points. It was like a monkey designed it. HORRIBLE design | | Similar Products Used: | none. about to be atomlab trailpimps | | Bike Setup: | Eastern (prototype) freeride bike. DJ1s FSA, E13 | | Bottom Line: | front hubs are GREAT. The rear axle WILL break!!! Not only is THAT a problem but its also nearly IMPOSSIBLE to find anyone who carries the hubs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cam
a
from Melbourne, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | weight, price | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS2, Deore Hydraulic brakes, XT/LX running gear, duke u turn | | Bottom Line: | Probably the weak point on the stock NRS, but what can I say, 18plus months of riding, including many filthy winter rides and the frony hub just had its first service, rear was cactus, now have new deore hub....don't go out and buy this product, but don't freak out if it comes stock on your bike, just upgrade when it dies. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron McGraw
a Cross Country Rider
from Oil City, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oil Creek--Allegheny--Sugar Creek Trail System | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Came on a wheelset from Jenson USA (I think that's where I got 'em) | | Strengths: | Quiet. No grinding thus far. Smooth. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing really. Not too aesthetically appealing. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Exage, LX, Acera...Suzue, Maillard, Sanshin, Specialized, Shimano 105, 600 Ultegra. | | Bike Setup: | Mongoose FS, Weinmann Rims, Nashbar cassette, Deore and Deore XT derailleurs with Truvativ crankset, Alivio brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Good basic hubs. Low maintenance, not the prettiest of the lightest, but on a 50 dollar wheelset, what would you expect? I'd reccommend them as training wheels for racers, or good all-around wheels for the non-racer set looking to save some bread on a durable hub. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pablo Pizarro
a Weekend Warrior
from Caracas, Venezuela
Date Reviewed: September 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | the next one | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came w/bike | | Strengths: | Reliable, strong enough. I havén´t serviced yet and still working. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. Maybe a little bit heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX-RC, Shimano LX (not Deore, the old one) | | Bike Setup: | old proflex reptile with Manitou Magnum R, Avid SD Ti, etc, etc..... | | Bottom Line: | Acctually this a review for Front Hub Only. This Hub has been working fine for last five years, and I haven{t serviced yet. And I do trials and rough terrain with large amount of mud and dust. And for me this are quite good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tage
a Cross Country Rider
from Vashon, WA
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came w/bike at Gart Sports Tukwila | | Strengths: | rotates, holds cassete | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, freehub is loose | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Parallax (shimano) | | Bike Setup: | K2 sidewinder, avid mech disc, Manitou Six super, XT disc rear hub, Sun DS1-XC rims. | | Bottom Line: | Heavy, did not have same features as my '97 LX, lightness, reliability. I ditched this hub with the rest of the wheel because I ate the spokes with my chain (my bad... derailleur adjustment). Overall, this was an OK hub, It came on a cheap $450 bike. After about 3 months of easy XC, the rear hubs freehub body got loose and caused the cassete to wiggle. It was NBD though, I dodn't notice. Engagement and adjustment were good. Got dirty about the same speed as shimano hubs.
Front hub was crap, low flange XC, black. Needed adjustment after some dirt jumps. Horrible cup & cone seal, pitted races. Adjusted every 2 months!
You get your money's worth, but little performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian
a Cross Country Rider
from seattle, wa, usa
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | tiger mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | the freewheel continues to lock up. the hub has been rebuilt twice and it has done it again.
| | Similar Products Used: | xt on my other bike, no problems | | Bike Setup: | Cove G-spot with Hayes mechanical discs brakes. | | Bottom Line: | The bike came with the formula hubs. After less than six months the rear freewheel started to catch making the chain get tangled up. I took it back to Cove and they fixed it. Then about 4 months later it did it again. This time I took apart the hub and re-greased and realigned the fingers. Now it has happened for the third time and instead of fixing it, I'm throwing it into the Puget Sound.
XT is in my future, I don't have the desire to rebuild my rear hub every few months. It's a crappy design. Maybe they work for people who don't ride in mud or sand, but that isn't me. And although the front still works, I won't ever buy formula again!!!!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lowrider
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Sealed bearings. | | Weaknesses: | Bearings shot after 2 years, which is not too bad but: no proper seals to keep water and gunk out. Lateral side to side play in wheel now. Freehub makes grinding noises, does not spin with ease. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Giant NRS | | Bottom Line: | My bike came stock with this hub, and mech MD1 disc brakes. I was unhappy with the brakes so upgraded to shimano deores. Now the rear hub just decides to give up. Not happy Jan. I am staying well clear of all formula products from now on. I am totally unimpressed. Shoddy products. Very hard to get parts for too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jonathan **
a Downhiller
from sydney
Date Reviewed: April 12, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | red hill | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | it worked for 9 months | | Weaknesses: | The hub was going great untill I snapped the axle in half a couple of days ago.Thsi product is sh*t.NEVER BUY A FORMULA HUB!!! | | Bike Setup: | giant AC1.Aireal lifter stem. | | Bottom Line: | do not buy it | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe Jackson
a Downhiller
from England
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | I'm running a Formula Downhill 20mm front disc hub and it works fine for me. I've had no problems whatsoever after loads of hard riding. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | XT front disc hub | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz bullit, 5th element shock, XT drivetrain, Hope M4's,Azonic Bars, Goldtec stem, front and rear D321's, DMR V8 pedals, Monster T's, Shimano XT disc rear hub | | Bottom Line: | Overall I've had no problems whatsoever with it. I'm running a XT hub at the rear and I've already had too service it 7 times in 6 months, but I haven't touched my front hub and it working better than the rear.
Works fine and I haven't serviced it once yet, if your looking for a good cheapish hub, buy this. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ward
a Cross Country Rider
from vernon
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | $90.00 | | Strengths: | light, stong, smooth, quiet. | | Weaknesses: | no model # on product. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | rocky mountain hard tail. xt rear deraileur, lx crank and rear cog set, mavic 519 rear wheel. | | Bottom Line: | There are a lot of different models being discussed here. Mine is the 2002 dh36-1 rear dic hub. It works very well and comes with sealed cartridge bearings (which shimano doesn't have at that price range if at all). When first installed it seemed a little louder(clicks) then most freewheels but it is at a lower frequency which when your out riding on the trails is less noticable when your freewheeling then other hubs. Brilliant. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Spin forever. Require very little adjustment or tightening. Sealed bearings. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore hubs | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude with Formuala Savage wheelset. | | Bottom Line: | These hubs were obviously part and parcel of the Formula Savage wheelset I found on Supergo.On the Formula website, I identified these hubs as model "TS92/TS32".
That being said, I can't speak to the rest of the Formula line, but my hubs have been great. With the Shimano hubs (admittedly, they didn't have sealed bearings), I was constantly battling dirt water, etc, which would slow the spin down. Well, I haven't been babying the Formula hubs, but they still spin as well as they did on day one.
The front hub has required no adjustment whatsoever. I've adjusted the rear hub twice just to alleviate a few millimeters of play between the cassette and the rest of the hub. That's it.
I don't even think about the hubs now. They're great.
PS---I found out from a Supergo emplyee that these hubs used to be the Specialized Stout hub model. So infer what you will.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Downhiller
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | signil hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | ? | | Strengths: | can hold a disk | | Weaknesses: | the freewheel myne has not locked up it spins ford and makes a grinding sound and a few clunks and the wheel dose not go round | | Similar Products Used: | other disk hubs | | Bike Setup: | avanti hotdog with race face cranks xt bits dmr chain guide mavic d521 wheels and fomula hydro disks | | Bottom Line: | thay suck thay are all good for a while then thay crap out go for a deor hub or somthing and thay are hard to get bits for | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from Canberra , Australia
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | not telling! | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | They work fine. Very low maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | None? | | Similar Products Used: | Deore, LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | 2002 Giant NRS1 | | Bottom Line: | I thnk there are a lot of different hubs being discussed here! My hubs have sealed bearings and the rear freewheel just slides off after removing the axle - neat! I have had absolutely no problems with these hubs after almost 12 months and 6000 kilometres of riding. Don't know what people are complaining about! I like 'em! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
malcolm cleland
a Downhiller
from palmy, NZ
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | rotorua nats DH track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | none really | | Weaknesses: | can only run formula brakes on it
freehubs is shot after a couple of mud rides
bearing are shot after a couple of mud rides
if give it hell tho, but it still cant take any of it | | Bike Setup: | rm6, foes f1 wet ones, hayes mech, 321 f+r | | Bottom Line: | unless your on a realy small budget save up a bit more and buy a quality 6 bolt hub, also the formula disc brakes arent all that good ether | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
YR
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Barbara
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | rear hub broke (that's aweakness isn't it?) | | Bike Setup: | Giant NRS2 2002 default hub on the Mavic X223 | | Bottom Line: | Within a month it started to pull the chain on freewheeling.
Now it completely slipped on forward movement and I had to
walk for 2 miles to the nearest bike shop on my way to work
(I ride to work). Too bad I can't give it a 0.
****Stay away from this hub***** | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Georgia
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Front hub seems ok. | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub freewheel stopped working. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Chris King. | | Bike Setup: | NRS1, SC Heckler. | | Bottom Line: | These came with my NRS1 with mavic UST rims. After 6 months the rear hub stopped freewheeling. The mechanic at my LBS said that the soft metal in the ratchet mechanism becomes deformed with use and then the ratchet locks up. He took the hub apart and machined the high spots with a bench grinder. Its worked fine for the 4 months since then. A friend of mine with a giant AC (same rear hub) had a similar thing happen but it was a bent axle. He got another rear wheel. Get something else! I give it a value of two because the front hub still works. Overall poor rating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ben dion
a Weekend Warrior
from maple ridge, B.C., Canada
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | woodlot | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | sharpies cycles | | Strengths: | the front hub works really good, the back is all right. | | Weaknesses: | the back hub tends give me chain suck and grinding noise after the 5th ride on the trail.
| | Similar Products Used: | 4 roks hubs, shimano | | Bike Setup: | norco sasquatch 2002 | | Bottom Line: | the back hub works fine except about every month i have to take it apart a clean the freewheel and re-pack all the bearing inside. it think the the free whell would be so bad if they put a better seal and mabye lighter grease. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Cheap. A good one seems to last. | | Weaknesses: | Quality control | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Disc hubs | | Bottom Line: | Based on my experience and the other posts, it's a matter of luck whether you get a good one or junk. My front hub is perfect. Problems with the rear, notably play even if the cones are tightened so much that the bearings bind. The XTs are heavier, but they work. Should have bought XT in the first place. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Downhiller
from Cobble Hill B.C Canada
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Little Dipper Mt. Zoo | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | With Bike | | Strengths: | Front Hub works Fine | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub. Same problems as everyone else. Hub developed
play had it fixed and tightened really good a shop. Freewheel is junk. When you stop pedaling the freewheel keeps moving Tangles up the chain!! (problem comes and goes). Have to replace rear hub soon. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Alivio waaaaaay better | | Bike Setup: | Stock 2001 Norco sasqautch. With rokko's and d521 rear rim | | Bottom Line: | The rear hub definitly has problems don't buy!! Front works fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Richard
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Prarie Creek/Powederface | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | hmmm.....its a hub, makes my wheel turn......hmmm.....makes no noise | | Weaknesses: | none found | | Similar Products Used: | deore | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX 840, RS SID 100 Fork, DeoreLX drivetrain, hayes HMX-1 disks, Time ATAC pedals | | Bottom Line: | I dont know why so many people have been having problems with these. I've been riding these since May of 2001 and have no problems at all. They came with my bike, and I have put almost 2500km on them. They still run smooth and work fine with my disks. They work, and thats all that matters to me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Pretty light, and very nice for the price. Is it even possible to break these? | | Weaknesses: | We'll have ot wait and see. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano | | Bike Setup: | Not finished yet. I need to get more stuff before I will call it MY bike. | | Bottom Line: | Unless you are looking for something super light weight, or downhill worthy get them. Maybe more colour choices would be better? But i could say that about everything. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Racer
from Medford, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | White Rabbit, Ashland Watershed | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | 2nd Gear Cyclery | | Strengths: | Disc compatable, nice looking, quiet rear, meaty...but still VERY light. been doing LOTS of heavy singletrack riding, and jumping at a local BMX track, hubs are holding up well. Traded a used GT Palomar for the hubs with sun CR17A rims. | | Weaknesses: | well considering there is no pic for this hub,I'm not sure if everyone is reviewing the same product. The hubs im reviewing for are fairly meaty, black with "Formula" on the hub body, and have standard 6 hole disc mounts, n' spoke holes | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap Shimano hubs...below LX | | Bike Setup: | too much to list...my wallet is screaming | | Bottom Line: | hubs have lasted well, and worn in good. hopefully these hubs don't take just formula rotors like everyone is saying. (I'm about to drop $300 for XT discs) Im a fairly light rider (5'10" 146 pounds) and they seem to work fine for me.
MTBR...u need to get a pic of the hubs so there isn't any confusion to the hubs that are being reviewed (observe the price difference...$35- $400) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt P
a Cross Country Rider
from Huber Heights, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything that climbs. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | came with mavic ust rims | | Strengths: | Absolutely NONE! | | Weaknesses: | Absolutely EVERYTHING! This hub has completely locked itself into a fixed gear, if you stop pedalling while your moving, the chain keeps on going and tangles itself. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock parts, these wheelset was supposedly a 'step up' in parts. blah. | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Giant Rainier SE, avid mechanicals. Mavic UST Tubeless with Formula F/R hubs. Drivetrain replaced with the Shimano Deore Hollowtech component line. Hutchinson Scorpion (R), Hutchinson Python (F; both tubeless. | | Bottom Line: | Initially I taco'd the OEM rim after a spoke broke. After beating into place I went to the LBS and he had this wheel, rear only. After a few gentle rides down the road I finally got my Hutchinson Scorpion UST tire and I mounted it. Also my front rim arrived from a sale on ebay, I installed that as well.
This hub only survived the first 15 minutes of the first climb before it started slipping, then it wouldn't pedal backwards. I thought it was full of mud, after stopping and checking, nope no mud yet, drivetrain still clean. Then I grabbed the cassette with my fingers and it would not turn backwards.
Also after arriving back home after driving for 2 1/2 hours for a 25 minute ride or so, the rim is out of true as well a good 1/4".
This hub/rim is going back to the LBS first thing in the morning, replacing it with the same model is not a option. I think I'll ask for my money back and get something else.
On a positive note, this was also my first time on tubeless tires, I'm a good sized rider at 215lbs, and the front psi was 30 and the rear was 35, I was getting traction in places I never got before and I was having no problems at all, right up to the point where the hub said no more and it broke.
If you got a rimset with these hubs, the best thing you can do it is put it back in the box and take it back and get a XTR, or a Chris King if you can afford them.
Now, someone please email me and tell me how someone as reputable as mavic allowed there rims to be put on such junk hubs?
How come ZERO stars is not a option? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hunski
a Cross Country Rider
from Cornelius,Oregon,USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | University Falls | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Bike-n-Hike | | Strengths: | Would be good for target practice | | Weaknesses: | Steaming pile of rat dung. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC NRS 1 | | Bottom Line: | I will totally agree with the rest of the reviews.Have owned my bike for almost 1 year,and the freewheel hub just died FOR THE THIRD TIME.I take most of the winter off,so it does'nt see too much mud and muck.I see that the 2002 NRS1 has XT hubs on them instead of this Formula garbage.These hubs are not worth the dynamite it would take to blow them up! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CED
a Cross Country Rider
from Charlesbourg
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | None whatsoever! Pure sh*t! | | Weaknesses: | Name them all! | | Bike Setup: | Giant XCX-DS2 | | Bottom Line: | Got that Formula cr*p with my Giant XCX-DS2, including some terrible Formula MD-1 disc brakes. Got MD-1 replaced for some Avid ball bearing disc MTN. The bike was in the shop for a full 2 months. When I got it back, the rinding season was well over. Now this year, on my first ride, the rear Hub cr*p on me! I will NEVER buy Formula products again! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a
from North Vancouver
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | They do the job. | | Weaknesses: | No complaints as of yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: | Front: Mavic D321, IRC Kujo 1.6, Formula 20mm Hub
Rear: Mavic D321, IRC Kujo 1.6, Formula QR Hub | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding them hard for about the past 6 months and they haven't failed me yet. They get a bad rap but they come with sealed cartridge bearings (which XT don't have) and they're lighter than XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Downhiller
from Bellingham, Wa
Date Reviewed: April 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | NONE | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub's freehub body | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | GT I Drive 2.0 | | Bottom Line: | Free hub body fell apart after about 6 months of once a week winter riding. One of the metal tabs broke off binding the whole thing up and forced a walk off the hill. Now i cant find a replacement free hub body so i am forced to buy a new hub and rebuild my rear wheel. Bottom line: Garbage, your better off with Toys-R-Us brand. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JK
a Weekend Warrior
from Hong Kong
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Front hub no problems so far. | | Weaknesses: | Rear hub freewheel mechanism is very weak. - Poor materials spec. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Hope | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC1 | | Bottom Line: | The rear hub only lasted 6 weeks before it started to make strange grinding sounds. Still seemed to work OK and I let it go for a couple of rides.
After 8 weeks, it totally crapped itself and I took it apart to investigate. Found that one of the pawls had split and there were small fragments of metal in the freewheel mechanism. The ratchets in the hub were worn and the two remaining pawls were worn and only a few rides from destrucing as well. Total distance ridden 481km!
My Hope Big-Uns have been going strongly for over 3 years and must have done several thousand kms of hard offroad riding under identical conditions.
Avoid the rear hub at all costs! 0 chilis of possible! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Freerider X
a Downhiller
from BC
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Buttery Smooth Bearings, Strong Freehubs, Cheap, Disk Compatible | | Weaknesses: | Only way to make them better is to give them 72 engagement points like a Chris King | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King, Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Changes weekly | | Bottom Line: | They are the best hub you can get unless you get into a Chris King, Hope, or Razorrock Hub. Just make sure you get a good formula with cartridge bearings on both sides. After blowing a dozen shimano free hub bodies I got my formula and I've never blown one yet. Just make sure the cones are locked well when you get it. For the price, how can you not get one? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from North Van, B.C.
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Ned's ADB | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Cove Bikes | | Strengths: | Front disk hub has been fine. | | Weaknesses: | Rear disk hub is WEAK - by design. Lousy warranty (3 months - not much riding in 3 months of winter). | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Hayes Mechanical disk on hardtail. | | Bottom Line: | The rear hub - well, it sucks!. Just some cross country wet/mucky riding (maybe 20 hours), and the hub became loose. When my LBS pulled it apart rusty, mucky water gushed out. Freewheel was shot, among other things. Had to pay for the parts for the rebuild. When it goes again (soon), there's no way I'm replacing it with another one of these - they're crap. And I'll make sure I'll tell everyone to stay away from them too!
Front hub works fine - so for that I give it 1 chili. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Fantasy Island | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | After one year of hard, dusty riding, no problems. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Came stock on my bike | | Bike Setup: | Alpina 700 (Univega) | | Bottom Line: | Maybe it's just because I'm a flyweight (135 lbs.), but the stock Formula hubs laced to Vuelta Excaliber rims have worked great for me. I've never even had my wheels trued through all the pounding over rocks, etc.. Also, whoever said the Formula hubs can only be used with formula brakes is sadly misinformed. I've got ProMax mechanical discs, and these hubs fit ANY standard 6-hole disc. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
superl8
a Weekend Warrior
from Abbotsford BC
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Strengths: | price was the motivation | | Weaknesses: | where to start, pawls shattered, axel bent, came loose after a weeks use so I regreased and locktited it together(no lock nut on the drive side = lame) | | Similar Products Used: | first disc setup | | Bike Setup: | aside from this hub bombproof | | Bottom Line: | stay away from this sub-standard crap | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from California
Date Reviewed: November 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | San Juan | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Bike Setup: | XT disc Brakes, | | Bottom Line: | They were not so bad for the first 3 months untill the hub cracked and split right down the middle.I have used many brands on my bike and Formula has done nothing but let me down across the board. Right now you couldnt give a formula product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pancho Villa
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose CA USA
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Came on Bike | | Strengths: | None. Big disappointment! | | Weaknesses: | In a 2 week period I whent through 2 free hub body's
What the !@##$$%^^&&&* is that!!!!!! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano is better | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC NRS1 (stock except for saddle) | | Bottom Line: | Well, after a couple of rides the freehub body whent BAD.
It got replaced and it happened again after a couple of rides on that one. What can I say the hubs SUCK! My bike has been in the shop more that on the trail since I bought it. What a disappointment!
My advise to you is avoid them like the plague if you are a serious rider GO Chris KING!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris carter
a Cross Country Rider
from barbados
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | fort george | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | (came on bike) | | Strengths: | they look cool and are convienient for those riders who what to switch from v-brakes to discs | | Weaknesses: | they arent strong enough, busted my rear hub on a wet trail
they aint durable enough..made for light riders not aggressive ones | | Similar Products Used: | just your standard ol hub | | Bike Setup: | raleigh m600 2001 judy race front suspension fork suspension
seatpost shimano deore lx shimano avid levers | | Bottom Line: | they ok but they need to be more durable! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Woody
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere Big Bear | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | Does not work! | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Aeon Isis, Shimano XT groupo, XT discs, Race Face, Easton, Mavic 317, Zoke Z-1 CR. | | Bottom Line: | I bought a Formula/Mavic disc wheelset at Supergo in February. The rear hub stopped freewheeling on the first ride. Supergo replaced the wheel with the same thing. The first ride the rear hub started doing what the first one did. Supergo told me to ride it for a couple hundred miles and it would break in. No dice! After two months, one chain, and a major crash due to the defective hub, I had an A-1 mechanic check the hub. He told me there was a basic design flaw in the hub. There is no locking mechanism to keep the two pieces of the hub apart, thus the lock up and lack of freewheeling.
I am now riding on a severely flat spotted loaner rim and my original wheel has been gone for a month to places unknown for warranty work. DO NOT BUY FORMULA DISC HUBS!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam The Monk
a Downhiller
from Lincoln, UK
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | My wheels are still perfectly true after 6 months+ of jumpin and dropping off 4 ft+ walls, accept 6 bolt disks, look ok | | Weaknesses: | have allot of play, not too smooth | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | highly custamised | | Bottom Line: | I must of got a good batch
had em 4 6 months+ and they have stood the power of my hope hydro disks with RED EBC pads and my wheels are still perfectly true from above riding | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Forsyth
a Cross Country Rider
from Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Calr's local | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | cam with bike | | Weaknesses: | cones, bearings, rear hub freebody. Gee, what else is there in a hub? | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Stock Diamondback XR-6 | | Bottom Line: | Cones, bearing badly pitted after 2 months riding. Rear hub freebody pawls would not catch one day ( this is dangerous as I meet the cross bar at full torque ) and then the next day jams completely so it becomes a fixed gear bike.
If it can't take mud and dirt, what is the use. It IS an off-road product. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | colin's | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | everything else | | Similar Products Used: | none yet | | Bike Setup: | Kona Moko Moko stock, except for panaracer dh pro tires and bomber z3 flylight 100 forkl. | | Bottom Line: | I don't know a lot about bike maintenance, but I do know that the rear hub should not constantly keep coming loose. I've been riding this bike hard for only about 4 months now and my hubs are almost already shot! Plus the rear hub has got to be the dumbest design on the face of the planet... who the hell makes a hub with a cap that you can't get off? I had to file grooves into mine in order to unscrew it. Do not buy these!!! If you do, break em' and upgrade em'! Oh yeah, and I guess I won't be upgrading to Hayes anytime soon since they aren't compatible with anything but Formula disk brakes... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DC
a Cross Country Rider
from Marlboro MA USA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Cheap and functional | | Weaknesses: | cheap | | Similar Products Used: | XT | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Joshua 4 with Hayes Hydraulics | | Bottom Line: | I had bought the Formula front hub with a Mavic 317 disc rim. After 100 miles or less, the damn this started sqealing like a pig. I took it apart knowing the bearings needed to be repacked. Upon inspection, I dodn't see any friggen grease whatsoever. That's just poor quality control. I immediatley ordered an XT with a spoke set. I plan to replace the Formula during the next storm. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Secretary
a Cross Country Rider
from Eugene, OR
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Mechanically, the hubs have worked ok. I've had a little problems with the rear hubs bearings but nothing a little re-packing did'nt cure. The seals work well and I ride in a lot of slop. | | Weaknesses: | Formula created a hub that is not compatible with any other disk brake system other than Formula. This bites! Even if you wanted upgrade from Formula to Hayes or Hope you can't. Formula does not make an adaptor. All they offer is another type of Formula brake. Bad business. | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes, Shimano XT disc | | Bike Setup: | Giant XTC SE1 (1999 model) | | Bottom Line: | If Formula wants to stay in business they need to offer a more extensive and compatible product line. I don't have any problems with the hubs per say (Hence I give the value rating at least a "3"). But I have a lot of problems with how Formula does business (Therby explaing my overall "1" chili rating). I wrote Formula and asked if they made an adaptor for Hayes brakes and they wanted me to buy an upgrade for their mechanical brakes. If I'd wanted Formula brakes I would have asked for brakes and not an adaptor. It would be best if Formula realized that making a product specific hub/brake system is not the way to go in a business where individuals often like to mix and match high quality produts. BAD business Formula. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nate
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, GA
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bull Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | No probs to speak of. | | Weaknesses: | Uh... | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | '98 Moab (cro-mo!); Manitou fork; LX back hub; ritchey peds; mavic 517's | | Bottom Line: | I haven't had any probs with this hub as it was an OEM spec. I know it's a front hub and you can't mess that up easily (can u?), but it's been great. The only reason I'm getting ready to switch is I'm getting a front disc brake. Probably go w/ XT. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete
a Cross Country Rider
from Boston
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Nam | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strengths? Please its made by Formula | | Weaknesses: | Blew apart | | Similar Products Used: | Hayes Elite | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Instinct | | Bottom Line: | After all the trouble that I have had with my Formula Mechanical Disc Brakes it seemed somewhat fitting that my rear Formula Hub should disinigrate. The entire wheel set on my Rocky Instinct 99 has been nothing less than a disaster. After the rear hub went I took off the tires and deposited the remains where it belongs ...in the dumpster! I then replaced the wheel set and brakes with Mavics,Hayes and Shimano Discs and it works like it should. My opin...DONT BUY FORMULA.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kerry
a Downhiller
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | K-Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | 2nd hand | | Strengths: | Seem to last well sealed bearings cheap from any bearing supplier. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, AC | | Bike Setup: | Home made copy of Turner, KX 80 front forks, formula disks front and rear Hed rims. | | Bottom Line: | Good product at decent price. I don't know what all you other people are winghing about but I have had no problems with mine in 2 years. My bike weights about 50lbs so it isn't light and probably stress them lots I would say they are lasting well. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Cross Country Rider
from winnipeg
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | cheap
rolls smooth | | Weaknesses: | well....for what the front hub costs, I'm satisfied. | | Similar Products Used: | upgraded to XT | | Bike Setup: | Xt hubs/cassette, Mavic rims, Bontrager Revolt SS | | Bottom Line: | These hubs were on the bike when I bought it, but I upgraded to XT. The front hub is quite possibly 'better' than the XT front hub, but the rear Formula hub is pretty much just meant for grocery-getting bikes with little tassels hanging from the hand-grips.
I'll rate the front hub a 4
and I'll rate the rear hub a 1 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Whitey
a Downhiller
from Victoria
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Absolutely none. | | Weaknesses: | Durability | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano, campagnolo | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Kona Stinky | | Bottom Line: | The Formula rear hub is, without a doubt, the WORST product I have ever encountered in 10 years of mountain biking. It is constantly loose, and must be tightened after almost every ride. It is not even that easy to service, since access to the inner adjustment nut is blocked by the bolt heads which hold the brake disc on. In addition, my freehub body as broken twice (warrantied, but a common problem according to the shop) and is now broken again. I have done more maintenance to this hub than to any bike I have ever owned. This hub is absolute crap.
The front hub, incidently, works fine, but how hard is it to build a front hub anyway. Congratulations to the Formula engineers.
Thanks for nothing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex Mullholland
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | just some place wear old folk do not dare to come | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | none it falls apart it rattles lose after about 15 minutes riding | | Weaknesses: | everything | | Similar Products Used: | nothing this bad | | Bike Setup: | GT timberline with titec risers manitou magnums | | Bottom Line: | lob it as far as you can | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DAVID
a Weekend Warrior
from VAN NUYS
Date Reviewed: August 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
NONE THE PRODUCT STINKS YOUR BETTER OFF SPENDING YOUR MONEY ON STX V BRAKES!!!!!! | | Weaknesses: |
THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM FROM THE CRAP ASS LEVERS TO THE WANNA BE DISC BRAKE SET UP THIS SHIT SUCKS | | Similar Products Used: |
SIZE 12 OLD SCHOOL VANS
(WORKS BETTER) HAD TO RESORT TO THE FRED FLINSTONE TECHNIQUE TO SUPPLEMENT THESE BRAKES TO STOP | | Bike Setup: |
GAINT XTC GREAT BIKE UNTIL I TOOK IT OUT ON A STEEP DOWNHILL!!!!! BRAKES NEVER WORKED AND NEVER WILL WORK BAD DESIGN NOT ENOUGH POWER TO THE DISC TO STOP YOU WHEN YOU NEED TO!!!! INSTEAD OF LOOKING LIKE AN EXPERT RIDER LOOKED LIKE A LITTLE BITCH YELLING GET OUT OF MY WAY, HELP | | Bottom Line: | THE BRAKES SQUEEKED FROM DAY ONE. I TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT THAT THE DISC WAS BENT AND MADE THAT NOISE.I PAID AN EXTRA 80 BUCKS FOR A NEW PAIR OF DISC....THE DAMMMM CRAPPY BRAKES STILL MADE THE SAME SOUND...THEN A MONTH LATER THE WARRANTY DEPT SAID THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT BUT THEY COULDN'T GIVE ME BACK MY MONEY.BAD SERVICE BAD PRODUCT...DOESN'T STOP. TO DANGEROUS TO RIDE ON!!!!! TRY SOMETHING ELSE | | Overall Rating: |
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