Submitted by
Jhanney
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2010
Strengths: good looking, well finished.....looks strong. looks nice, looks well built...
Weaknesses: shaft broke after 1 odd month of use of leisure xc rides.
Bottom Line:
I bought 3 pairs of hubs in anticipation that they will be as good as burgtec hubs since they are the same factory.
1st rear hub seized at the cassette 135x9. customer service has been insisting the bearing is dislodged..? huh? I have sent to 2 different mechs, and taken numerous measurements but to no avail. everytime i tell them that it is not, cs insists that its a loose bearing.. but isnt a loose bearing bad in the first place?
2nd rear hub 135x 12 shaft, snapped in 2 from xc riding. its that weak?? huh? 80kg rider..
3rd rear hub is lying on the floor in rear that something will happen if i spend the money to lace it up
customer service has been poor to respond. 2 months out and just empty promises.
I have given up and now asking for their money back. absolutely rubbish. should u buy it?
YES definitely. if u like your bikes to be hanging on ur racks without the wheel.
Similar Products Used: hope, nuke proof, chris king, white industries, gravity lite, easton havoc, 960 xtr, Dabomb
Bike Setup: One Ghost Wakazashi, titus el guapo, Giant Reign.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
MrCookie
a Cross Country Rider
from Bend, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2009
Strengths: Looks good, quick engagement.
Weaknesses: Bearings blew up in second year of use, taking out the pawl springs and sundry other small bits.
Bottom Line:
When the bearings broke to pieces, the pawls and springs were damaged as well. Since I am in the US, there are no distributors here, and the cost of new parts caused me to shelve the hubs (about 3 years ago). Perhaps I'll email them again to see what costs are these days (seems like shipping alone was $20).
Similar Products Used: Chris King, Hope, Shimano, Woodman
Bike Setup: Intense 5.5
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Gary
a Weekend Warrior
from Cardiff, Wales
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003
Strengths: This is a second follow up another 3 years since the last review.
Weaknesses: The hub actually packed in about a year ago. I had to order a tool from the company that has now taken over Goldtec, to take the hub apart. The problem was due to the outer hub body cracking.
Bottom Line:
The hub can be repaired with new replacement parts but they are expensive. I can buy a new Shimano XT hub for the cost of the hub body and stub axle so that's what I have done. Shame really, it was a good hub while it lasted.
I would say it lasted about 1.5 times as long as I get from an XT hub.
Bike Setup: All bolts tight and plenty of air in all the tyres.
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Submitted by
Adam Read
a Weekend Warrior
from Lancaster, UK
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2001
Strengths: good design - 4 bearings, 48 pick-ups, sounds nice, a bit 'different' to the usual Hope, shimano etc...
Weaknesses: I blew mine apart in less than 10 hours of riding. I ride trials, and managed to crack the pick-up ring that sits inside the hub in 48 places, kill a set of pawls and springs, and severely damage a freehub body (a steel one) so it had to be sent back. I was THEN told that i would have to wait at least 2 weeks for a new freehub body... so i told them to sack it and i would have a refund. Id only had the hub for a week and a half, AND I was testing it for them as well!! But no.... not a full refund at all... Im soooo gutted....
Bottom Line:
If ur an XC whippet - they'll be just the job i reckon. Anyone who puts a lot of pressure on the freehub though... please dont bother...! Nice hubs, but i killed them quickly, and didnt get a refund!! :(
Similar Products Used: Hugi - hadnt slipped in 3 YEARS!!!! Sh1Tmano (but still lasted longer than my Goldtec!!) and Hope (too common, and they slip as well...)
Bike Setup: Orange Zero, middleburns, XT/Ultegra/Dura-Ace, Azonic, etc....
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Piers Newland
a Cross Country Rider
from Wakefield
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2000
Strengths: It has gone round without fuss for close on three years, is user servisable, has an oil port and the bearings are still the originals. The manufacturer is still friendly and helpful.
Weaknesses: I was a little less than impressed with a set of replacement pawl springs that I ordered in early 99 because I'd lose one in servicing - they were from the "short batch" that afflicted my hub in the first review (submitted 07/'98) Because it's a "total-loss" oiling system, the oil ends up on the outside of the hub body eventually and can look a bit foul in dusty weather (does anyone in England remember dusty summers?. That's just cosmetic though.
Bottom Line:
If you dont mind wiping the occasional bit of oil off the hub body they're fine. The hubs work and are disc compatible. 5/5 again.
Favorite Trail: Any really rooty, technical single track
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Purchased At: Kendel's Cycles, Castleford
Similar Products Used: Shimano XT ('89, '90 & '95,)DX ('90-ish)105 ('95) and STXrc.
Bike Setup: Santa Cruz Heckler for XC trails and custom steel rigid for the same purpose.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Gary
a Cross Country Rider
from Cardiff, Wales
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2000
Strengths: Still runs smoothly after 15 months Continues to sound great Back wheel has remained the most true wheel I have ever built. I have used the same spokes and rims for years so it is very likely to be the hub allowing the spokes to sit well.
Weaknesses: Looks a bit 15 month old "Made in Wales"
Bottom Line:
This is a follow on from my previous review of this hub. I did have a problem with the hub which was due to a faulty casting. I dropped into the GoldTec factory one day and they stopped what they were doing to fix it at no charge. What more could you ask for?
Similar Products Used: Shimano XT for last 12 years. I used to get about 12 months out of an XT freehub.
Bike Setup: Setup just right. No slack. No play.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from St Albans, Herts, England
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2000
Strengths: The front hub is great, it still runs as new after 2 years hard x-country riding. The rear hub is also running well but I recommend using the oil port regularly when out enjoying everything that the British weather can throw at you.
Weaknesses: I have had endless problems with the spigot (the bit the freewheel attatches too). The spigot has 4 spring loaded pawls that transmit the drive to the hub therefore take the whole drive force. The spigot housing the pawls doesn't seem to be up to the job as I have managed to break mine twice. The weakness in the spigot seems to be from the notches that hold the pawls as in both instances this is where the cracks start. As far as I can tell the spigot is made of aluminuim and obviously isn't strong enough. After the second spigot split, Goldtech acknowledged the weakness and are replacing it with a titanium part. Hopefully this will be up to the job - I'll suitable praise Goldtech if the repaired hub holds out.
Bottom Line:
I'll gladly vote Goldtechs hubs with 5 stars if the titanium part works
Submitted by
Matt Young
a Weekend Warrior
from Bristol, UK
Date Reviewed: April 22, 2000
Strengths: Well made, smooth,Look smart, 2 year jump garanty ( I have never seen a company offer this before).
Weaknesses: None so far.
Bottom Line:
My SAM Front hub has taken some of the UK's worst weather like this years Salisbury Plain Challenge and my local trails are well varied and produce all kinds of mud. (You Californians thought there was only one type of mud) These hubs are made in Wales and if you don't know it never stops raining there, so they should be up to what ever you throw at them. The fact that you can by well made complete wheels (Mavic rims) direct from Goldtec is so cool. There well cheap, wheels are about the same price as the average high-end hub. As there are only about 6 employees you get to deal with the guys who actually make the hubs. My Hope rear Hub is playing up although I ve had it 3 or so years, but I will probably replace it with a Goldtec as the one my Dad has looks the business.
Submitted by
Frazer
a Cross Country Rider
from Galashiels
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000
Strengths: smooth. good design. grease port. garanteed for jumping for 2 years!!!!.
Weaknesses: cassette wouldnt fit when i first got them but goldtec sorted that asap
Bottom Line:
fantastic. no problems as yet as good as hopes for much less £££££ great for any riding not the lightest but they are strong. they do do lighter hubs but they are not disc campatible. the DH ones are similar(same rear hub on different axle). probably top notch for trials & duel slalom (garanteed for jumping for ......... sake) but also brilliant if you want some top quality disc hubs for not to much money, for riding anything.
Strengths: Rear hub low weight 340g Silky smooth bearings with no play Good value Oil port for freehub Made in Wales
Weaknesses: Too quiet No 24 or 28 hole front hub to match - yet
Bottom Line:
This hub has a neat and unique freehub design that uses a small amount of light mineral oil in the hub to lubricate and flush out any crap that gets past the decent looking seal. Freehubs seem to be the weak point of most hubs so I hope this one lasts more than the usual 12 months I get out of an XT. I will update this review in 12 months time to report if it works. The hub flanges are angled in slightly and well finished and DT 14/15 spokes bedded in well. The freewheel sounds great when spanking new but gets a lot quieter with the first few rides - a shame because it sounded good - like a sea fishing reel. It has a more nutty sound than an XT freehub. The anodising is acceptable for the money and good to see they don't waste time and your money polishing to a Chris King state/price. It's good to see a Made in Wales etched logo on the hub, but the writing has a bit of a Made in Wales look about it. If you want a really light matching front wheel then Goldtec don't (yet ?) have anything under a 32 hole. This is a missed opportunity for them because they could easily produce a low cost light front wheel with 28 or 24 hole versions or their neat front hub. They should also do a 28 hole rear. Otherwise this is a great rear hub with a good price to weight ratio which just happens to be made in Wales.
Goltech hubs hmmmmm nice Had me a set for six months now the factory that makes them is just down the road in carfilly. Built by one of the best wheel builders ive every met. i jump them ride them dam hard at least twice a week and just cant break them. they also make a very load nice clicking noize, much nicer than hopes offerings and cheaper.
Submitted by
Piers Newland
a cross-country rider
from Wakefield UK
Date Reviewed: December 7, 1998
Bottom Line:
Just incase you're wondering, I don't work for Goldtec and I'm not sponsored by them.This is a fine bit of kit. I chose it to survive British winters. It goes round with sealed smoothness and clicks enthusiastically from it’s 4 pawls. The hub looks business like and Goldtec’s other offerings have a reputation for lasting well. The 2 sealed bearing assemblies are placed as far apart as possible for strength and they are user changeable. The free wheel body rotates on a titanium nitride bushing that is lubricated through an oil port on the non-drive side. Note that some other grease port systems seem only to lubricate the bearings, not the vulnerable freewheel mechanism. Said mechanism is easy to service (you’ll need the SAM tool) and spares are easy to get in the UK. The one fly in the ointment was a faulty set of pawl springs that were changed under warranty within a week. I chatted to Goldtec who admitted that there was a quality problem with their spring supplier but this is now sorted. They are a nice, helpful bunch of people to deal with. I am however a little bit miffed because shortly after buying the hub for £110 Goldtec began selling the complete rear wheel for £110. That is the SAM hub (normally £110) with Mavic 517 rim, DT spokes and hand building by Cyclopaedia in Cardiff for £110 total. Better ideas than Hope and much less lucre too. Available direct from Goldtec in Wales UK 01222 852700.
Is it me or does that review below look like a thinly veild attempt at a manufacturer trying to advertise their wares. I thought MTBR is supposed to let customers review products, hey MTBR do you guys do some kind of reviewing of what gets posted here. If I'm wrong you can remove this withour a protest from me.
These are the latest Goldtec hubs, and look quite different from the old Ti hubs, the body is all Anodised Al. They're considerably lighter and cheaper than the Ti hubs, and weigh in and cost less than Hope hubs. The rear hub runs on 2 cassette bearings, both balls so there's no shake like in the Ti hubs (which I've also got. Running is silky smooth, they run on oil not grease. The oils pumped in through a nipple on the off side and is pumped out of the hub keeping all the crap out. There's no bearings in the free wheel, it's a plain bearing running on a Ni PTFE surface on a Titanium nitrided titanium spigot, upshot one seriously smooth flex free hub. The front hub's real pretty with a bulged centre, Both hubs are still running perfectly afgter nearly a year's muddy abuse. Love 'em. I'm also running their Ti ringed crankset, Ti titanium nitrided rings on a middleburn crank, well sexy gold colour really, smooth running, bugger all chainsuck. I wouldn't ride any thing else now.You don't seem to have an adress for the company on the page so here's the fax and phone No.tel: +44 (0) 1222 852700 fax: +44 (0) 1222 861900
