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Submitted by
nagatahawk
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Sycamore Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Summit Ski and Cycle | | Strengths: | Beautiful finish, cnc machined lip, smoooth bearings. the front wheel spins like my Campy road bike front wheel. light weight and strength with 20 mm thru axle. | | Weaknesses: | expensive but you get the finest hub | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Hone, Shimano Deore XT | | Bike Setup: | KHS AM2000 Rock shock Pike 545 front fork, Fox DHX Coil 5.0 rear shock , custom built wheel with Mavic D 321 rim | | Bottom Line: | awsome wheel when built up with the Mavic 321, and the XTR disc brake rotor. rotor alloy centers are painted met. grey and CNC'd machined. the rotor centers, Mavic 321 and frame are all met. grey color. Nice!
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Navid tahamtani
a Cross Country Rider
from SaoPaulo Brazil
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | e-bay | | Strengths: | Quite and silky smooth, like all older (2006 and earlier) XTR stuff. That smoothness may lead you to believe they are not reliable or strong, Wroooong. They are unbelivably reliable and easy to service and maintain. | | Weaknesses: | They are not as light as some hubs with industrial bearings. | | Similar Products Used: | XT and hope proII and chrisKing. | | Bike Setup: | hard tail with mavic 317 rims and rigid front. | | Bottom Line: | Some people show-off their rear hubs by spinning it to make the ratchet sound. The higher the sound the better the hub???? That is stupid. These are quite and smooth and although heavier, they last longer and if you do real trekking and need light wheels that last and can be serviced in every corner of the world these are it.
If want to race, then buy ready wheels from Mavic. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Bayne
a Racer
from Annapolis, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco and Michaux | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | speedgoat | | Strengths: | Durable, Seal Quality, Grease Quality, Smoothness, User serviceable | | Weaknesses: | Heavier than other high end hubs, Slower engagement than other high end hubs | | Similar Products Used: | Variety of shimano, mavic, king | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kula Deluxe, XT/XTR/SRAM mix. Marzocchi Mararthon 80mm. | | Bottom Line: | As a budget oriented racer I want parts that are durable, light, and have a good price point. I need to be able to train and race on the same gear.
XTR hubs more than satisfy. Other high end hubs can be lighter and have better freehub engagement, but for almost twice the price.
Bearing adjustment and replacement is very easy, you just need to know how to use a cone wrench and keep things clean.
I got this particular set of hubs in 2002. I never adjusted them or opened them up until 2008. I was afraid it would be a mess inside. These hubs were raced 8-10 times a year plus riding in all weather. The balls, races, and grease were all perfectly clean as if they had just come from the factory. I've never seen an adjustable item sealed this well! Plus the freehub still engages perfectly, no skips at all. I can't recommend these enough. The only reason I would go to the really high end stuff (King, AC, etc) would be for weight weenie purposes.
Buy these if you want a pretty light, user serviceable, super durable hub for cross country riding and racing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Klass
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Tokai, CT | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Complete bike from distributor | | Strengths: | Bombproof - does exactly what it is designed to do | | Weaknesses: | Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore (87-88)Shimano XT (90) | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Tellico - Full XTR, titanium encrusted | | Bottom Line: | Setup properly and provide some TLC and it will run fine for years, maybe only requiring some adjustment on the gear cables to be 100% accurate shifting. Replace chain and sprockets when they wear out eventually. Still works like it came out the box eight years later! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MOI
a Racer
from CANARY ISLANDS
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | VANCOUVER NORTHSHORE | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | BOMBPROOF STRENGTH, RIGID AS HELL, NOT THAT HEAVY, GOOD LOOK, PERFECT BEARINGS AND NO MAINTENANCE NECESSARY FOR MANY MANY YEARS | | Weaknesses: | NOT THAT LIGHTWEIGHT!!! | | Similar Products Used: | SHIMANOT, LX, DEORE, ACERA, MAVIC.... | | Bike Setup: | 9.5 KG, KONA KULA, SID, CHRIS KING, LOADS OF XTR, TI AND ALU BOLTS, SELLE ITALIA SLR... | | Bottom Line: | AFTER 3 YEARS (WITHOUT ANY REPARATION), 1 TRANSALP CHALLENGE (05)MANY XC RACES AND , FEW 24HRS, AND MORE MILES THAN A PLANE, STILL GOING SMOOTH LIKE THE FIRST DAY. I ALWAYS RECOMMEND THEM!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | pinhotti | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | For XTR 960 Hubs - quite, spins well, got them on the cheap, pretty easy to work on. | | Weaknesses: | SlOOOOW engagement, rear hub wont stay properly adjusted, lack of dust protection on non-drive side of rear hub looks like a bad design but I've not had any issues. | | Similar Products Used: | Older XTR, King, Rolf, Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | Saltamontes | | Bottom Line: | Ok hubs, just ok. My main problem with them is the slow engagement. Coming from King hubs, the difference is major. In fairness, I paid a TON less for these and I'm using them for training wheels only. Bearing adjustment on rear hub has required some regular attention but it is a simple thing to fix. For the price I paid, I am very happy with these hubs.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
charles
a Cross Country Rider
from holland
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Strengths: | light, smooth rolling, reasonably stiff. | | Weaknesses: | 2007 freewheel engagement is a disaster. Dull looks. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, Chris King | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the new 2007 xtr rear hub, fh-m970. The hub itself works fine, but the freewheel doesn't. Shimano has 'upgraded' it's freewheel with more pawls (and also smaller ones maybe?) to provide 125% faster engagement. Bad idea. Right out the box, the freewheel malfunctioned constantly, causing the cranks to slip about 1/8 of a turn with a loud 'clack'. The LBS tried to solve this problem by removing the grease from the freewheel body, this helped somewhat, in the sense that malfunctions occur only sporadic at temperatures above 18 degrees celcius(about every 10 miles). Below that, there's little improvement, if any. Hubs should not be temperature sensitive, and with a hub in this price range, this kind of malfunctions should not occur at all! In an attempt to keep up with fast-engaging hubs like Chris King, Shimano clearly has crossed 'a bridge too far'. Probably, with some tinkering, further improvement is possible, but with a new hub, this shouldn't be neccessary. In this case, Shimano deserves only one chili for effort. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim yao
a Cross Country Rider
from China
Date Reviewed: December 21, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$280.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle world | | Strengths: | ultra smooth and quiet, affordable price | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Tune, DT | | Bike Setup: | Giant MCM, SID,Mavic 717 disc, Hayes nine | | Bottom Line: | no time needed to break in, ready to spin fast | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mitch
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Fairly light @ 150g for front and 310g for rear (disc hubs).
Veeeeerrrry smooth, literally drag free.
Well sealed (not the greatest though).
Easy maintenance/adjustment.
Silent. | | Weaknesses: | Slow engagement.
VERY FLEXY!!!!!!!!!! The axle diameter is simply too small + its made of Titanium instead of steel. I would get rear disc rub whenever I do hard corners with these hubs, I'm sure its not my frame thats flexy cos I never had this problem with my hope xcs. | | Similar Products Used: | hope xc
xt
american classic (absolute POS never buy these!!) | | Bike Setup: | Ti hardtail with float 100rlc. | | Bottom Line: | Would probably be the best hubs I've used if it wasn't so FLEXY!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alejo
a Cross Country Rider
from spain
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Smooth rolling,lightweight,quality built, titanium freehub body and axle,pewter finish... | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | other shimano (xt, deore), ritchey | | Bike Setup: | Cross country HT. V-brake, ceramic rims.Classic stuff. | | Bottom Line: | Cup and cone design and diamond polished races result in super smooth spinning. These hubs roll soooo smooth !Back hub doesn´t have that massive rubber cap dragging all the time that some other shimano hubs have...nice. Check freehub body healt often as replacing will be expensive (it´s titanium).It´s one of the few that are built with the cup and cone system, and that´s good for servicing and for adjusting to the right preload at the bearings.
They look very nice !
My value rating is high becouse bought second hand. New can be expensive. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jackson
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$230.00 | | Strengths: | Very smooth rolling on the road,
crisp "tick tick" sound,
nice finishing,
center lock(for those using shimano disc brake), | | Weaknesses: | Fewer engagement points than competitor,
Center lock(for those not using shimano disc brake), | | Similar Products Used: | Deore | | Bike Setup: | Black Panther | | Bottom Line: | From the very 1st ride, i can feel the smoothness, it becomes smoother and smoother as it break in. Made cruising on the road a relax affair. I always wanted to install a center lock rotor to my shimano disc brake, after changing to this hub, i made my wish comes true. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham
Date Reviewed: November 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Red trail loop Oak Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Colorado cyclist | | Strengths: | Nice pewter color, price, extremely quiet freehub, light. | | Weaknesses: | Dust cover on bearings is plasticesque, axle is threaded; I like the axle area around the drop out to be smooth. | | Similar Products Used: | Ringle, american classic | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed ocoee....old school xc, king headset, king front hub, Thompson stem & post. | | Bottom Line: | This is a amazingly quiet freehub . I can barely here the click, so it great for sneaking up on hikers or wildlife viewing etc.....This is a great hub for the money. one thing I have noticed is it does not always have instant engagment when ratcheting; feels like a half inch of slack has to be taken up. good bang for the buck. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry Mendoza
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Nor Cal pick 'em | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Fantastic bearings/real spinners, good looking, best value out there | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore, Shimano STX-RC hubs | | Bike Setup: | Recumbent RANS Tailwind, custom wheelset (Alex DA16 rims, XTR, Marwi spokes), SRAM X-7 rear, Sora front derailleurs, SRAM PC-58 chain, SRAM 7.0 halfpipe shifters | | Bottom Line: | Sure it's not a mountain bike, but for a 20" wheeled recumbent, quality hubs/bearings are even more critical due to the increased wheel speeds. Couldn't have made a better choice than these XTRs - silent, seamless bearings that spin forever, at an unbeatable price point. Huge reduction in friction & noise from the previous wheels, and they even look great. Is clearly the most impactful upgrade I've made to the bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mack
a Cross Country Rider
from Napa
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | yours | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Strengths: | Looks, reputation | | Weaknesses: | Not smooth (crunchy), front comes out of adjustment easily | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mtn. Team Scandium | | Bottom Line: | Thought better of Shimano but I was foiled. Lucky I got a good deal on the set. If I would have paid full price I would've been pissed. The highest quality hubs should be silky, right? I've tried everything from repackin em' and cleanin', to changin the grease, to loosening the skewer on the fork. Still not like butter (like they should). Maybe I'm picky and that dam front hub won't stay tight! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
m
a Cross Country Rider
from n mi
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | shimano | | Weaknesses: | shimano | | Similar Products Used: | uke proof, mavic | | Bike Setup: | santa cruz superlight full xtr disc | | Bottom Line: | rear hub trashed after only 35 miles. aparently the non drive side locknut loosened up causing the drive side to overtighten from pedaling torque. this caused the axel to strip threads off and also crush the freehub body into the bearings. shimano is looking into it, but said that they would probably not warranty it. they said it was due to improper maintainance. this groupo was just purchased 35 miles ago...i am not happy with their lack of concern. this hub was shipped from their factory in what should be ready to use condition one would think. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim Tucker
a Racer
from Lakeview, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 9, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Mountain goat | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$160.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | They work | | Weaknesses: | These are to much for what they are.No outstanding features | | Similar Products Used: | specialized, XTdisc, Ritchy | | Bike Setup: | x-country race bike | | Bottom Line: | The dust cover on the rear hube dose not stay on.These are the hardest hubs I have ever regreased. The first time I did it I could not get all the balls in. I put it back together and it made nose. I took it to the bike shop and got it fixed. They used differant grease than me so i had two types of grease in my rear hub. I tried to redo it agine and same problem. It is dumb luck when all the balls finaly fit.
I do not know why these are top of the line. They do not out spin my XTs or cheep specialized hub set. they are not super lite and they do not rebuild well. Buy XT if you want shimano hubs there is no advantage to the XTR.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nitish Nag
a Cross Country Rider
from Fremont, CA
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Phat Tire | | Strengths: | Nice looks. XTR lightness, durable so far, consistent bearings. | | Weaknesses: | Not as smooth as King or Hugi. Not as light as other top end brands. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Hubs, King, Phil Wood | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Santa Cruz Blur, 2003 XTR with discs, Progressive 5th Element Air Shock, Easton Carbon Cockpit, eggbeaters SS, | | Bottom Line: | This is an excellent hub if you want solid shimano reliability and good kujos. Solid, but it isn't as smooth as XTR should be, This is where i get disappointed with the performance. The sticktion is not from improper hub adjustment but rather the seals which produce the friction. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Fowlerville,MI
Date Reviewed: September 9, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Can you say everything a hub should have ? Lightweight, quiet, durable, worry free, etc. | | Weaknesses: | NONE !! I can only say that for a handful of products. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Mavic, Hugi | | Bike Setup: | XCR 1500, Manitou Black fork, XTR everything, Thomson, etc. | | Bottom Line: | I've now owned these hubs through three bikes, one of which was a hardtail and I am still completely amazed. After five years of semi-pro riding with a 170 lb rider and almost 3700 miles of trail riding (yes I keep track) the hubs are still untouched from the factory. That even includes about 200 miles without a rear dust cover...bike shop cracked it when I first bought the wheels. They still spin like new, make no noise besides the freewheel, and don't even show any signs of wearing out.
After such a long service I'm about to replace them with another XTR hub wheelset that will probably outlast me...current set going to a good cause...my stationary trainer.
Buy these hubs and you'll never be sorry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bikerx40
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | These hubs have it all: Lightweight, Durable, Great bearings, Excellent seals, Titanium Freehub Body, Adjustable loose-ball bearings, Inexpensive for the quality that you get.
Just build up the wheels and forget about them! | | Weaknesses: | Slightly heavier than "boutique" brand hubs. I've gone there though, and it just isn't worth it. | | Similar Products Used: | Ringle 439/Bubba, Shimano XT, White Industries Titanium. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Hiwassee Full-Suspension, Full XT/XTR, Race Face Stem, Bars, Cranks, BB. | | Bottom Line: | I can't argue with a part that you install and then never have the think about ever again! XTR hubs are one of those parts. After trying all of the big "boutique" brands out there (tempted by the dark-side of lightweight) I got frustrated with worn-out/non-adjustable bearings, soft aluminum freehub bodies, and inabilty to be rebuilt. I've rarely gone wrong with Shimano hubs. My old XT hubs saw more muddy conditions than I care to remember, but after several seasons I opened them up to repack the bearings (felt sorry for neglecting them) and much to my surprise, the grease was still that Shimano semi-transparent green color!!! Amazing. I've had the same luck with the XTR's. After more than 3 seasons of dusty riding conditions, I finally rebuilt them last week and the grease was still white! I'm not sure how they do it, but damn good engineering if you ask me. I love the fact that they are loose-ball bearings too. I'll take adjustable and rebuildable products any day.
These hubs come highly recommended for anyone who doesn't like to repack their bearings all the time, or anyone that likes parts that you never have to think about. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hank Hill
a Cross Country Rider
from Hyattsville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The quarry | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | BikeWorks | | Strengths: | Looks great, light weight, smooth action, wonderful integration | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King Classics | | Bike Setup: | Seven Sola Ti, Full 2003 XTR Disc, Sid Team, | | Bottom Line: | The 2003 XTR Disc hubs are fantastic. Mine are laced to Mavic X317 Disc rims. Andre is the man. These wheels are stiff and light. The hubs are silent. They spin smoothly and engage instantly. I love the buzz and performance of the King hubs, but these are just as good. The new Disc interface makes a great performing wheel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
glenn gould
a Cross Country Rider
from tokyo
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | mailorder | | Strengths: | every aspect hub shoud require | | Weaknesses: | need a lock from steal | | Similar Products Used: | specialized super fly stout
Chris King | | Bike Setup: | TREK STP w/Full XTR,ITM bar,stem,CK headset
| | Bottom Line: | No other can get that seal,smoothness,and looks for front and rear $130 brand new, and can't be happier with XTR disc hubs for only a $5-6 more.
P.Pezzo won her gold@with XTR wheels when she can use Bontrager race lite w/Chris Kings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
johan w
a Racer
from belgium
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | malmedy belgium | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | freddy's shop | | Strengths: | durability | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | xt, ritchey | | Bike Setup: | giant full xtr, rond air fork, itm | | Bottom Line: | after one year of racing, if you know Belgian weather conditions, i took them apart and the grease was still looking white! I think guys with problems wash their bikes with high pressure washers or so, I recomend you never to do this and you will have no problems with it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BOB
a Cross Country Rider
from Marysville CA
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | South Yuba | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Cambria as wheelset | | Strengths: | Smooth and quiet. Stay tight and have been reliable. | | Weaknesses: | I have not found any. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX XT and White industries | | Bike Setup: | S/C superlight Race face cranks,XT drive train,Avid V brakes,Thomson post & stem 517 rims w/ XTR hubs | | Bottom Line: | I shelled numerous XT and LX freehubs and I then bought a White industries hub and it did not shell but it would not stay tight for very long. Up to this point it was the best hub I had used. Not a huge deal to retighten just a allen wrench. When I needed a new rear rim I really did not want to use the White industies. I bought a new wheelset on XTR hubs with 517 rims.I bought ceramic rims and the whole wheelset was less then 400$. I am very happy with the XTR hubs they stay tight and I have not shelled a freehub yet.I just repacked the hubs with grease a couple of weeks ago and I really like the front hub axle. It is very different then tne XT shimano and was easy to retighten the hub. I looked at alot of reviews and almost went with chris king or hugi. I took a chance on XTR and for me and they met my needs completely and surpassed my expectations.I am a moderately agresive trail rider who pounds alot of pavement during the week and the XTR hubs are perfect for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Corvallis OR
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Time Warp | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Low maintenance, good looks, easily rebuild-able, good parts availability. | | Weaknesses: | Nothing worth crying about. | | Similar Products Used: | Hugi, King, Syncros(junk), All the high end Shimano stuff. | | Bike Setup: | Custom titanium hardtail, Hugi 240/Bontrager valiant wheels (the XTR's were snagged by my Wife) Full XTR drivetrain, Avid SD Mag brakes, Judy Race fork (don't like the SID) Tompson Stem/seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | I honestly don't know what some of these people are whining about. The XTR hubs hold up fine if you take care of them. We’re not talking mad maintenance here, just basic care.
I raced the 99’ season on the hubs, which included about 90 miles of training rides per week, along with the races on the weekends. I went on to use the hubs all winter, riding in snow and mud and never a problem. My wife stole my wheels for her bike and has been riding them for the last 2 years and no problem.
I have owned several “boutique” brands like King, Hugi, Syncros, etc, and with the exception of the syncros hubs, which I couldn’t get to stay tight (king hubs do that to but not nearly as bad), have liked them all.
If you ride in nasty conditions, you have to maintain your gear better. I rebuild my XTR hubs every 6 months or so. In winter, I use a good marine grade bearing grease and in the summer I use Bullshot. It works for me.
If you race, and are a fairly competent mechanic, then XTR are a good deal. If you want good value and aren’t as concerned with weight, then get XT. If you want the pinnacle of coolness, get King (make sure to check them to make sure they are tight every couple of rides) If you want hubs that hold up under any conditions, get Hugi. If someone offers to give you some Syncros hubs, run away!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A.O. Braseth
a Racer
from Norway
Date Reviewed: October 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | blaastier | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | A friend of mine | | Strengths: | Reliable, smooth rolling, easy to get spare parts, light, good lookin hubs. | | Weaknesses: | A bit messy to service. I use more than one hour to service one hub and get the correct preload | | Similar Products Used: | Old xt, from 91, exceptional build quality, still running. Crappy Bontragers, ruined after 6 months use. | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Race frame with all the stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I dont't know why some of you people complain, these hubs are as good as it gets. But if you are a 200+ lbs (I'm 155 lbs) clydesdale rider, using these hubs in rainy and muddy conditions without servicing the hubs, they will break, as all other hubs.
However, they need to be looked after, especially the rear hub, and be carefully not to preload the hub to much, the ball bearing should run fluent and very light, almost loose without the skewers tightened. The preload is to high when new (thanks Joergen), correrct preload is the key to long life.
Value rating only four chilis (the hubs are a bit to expensive) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Emma Long | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Smooth, fast, and light | | Weaknesses: | don't know yet | | Similar Products Used: | POS shimanos that came on my Moab 3. | | Bike Setup: | mavic 517 rims, Mars fork, and the rest is stock | | Bottom Line: | The hubs are great, they make me go real fast, yada, yada, yada.
DON'T buy from Pricepoint! I ordered these hubs as part of a wheelset. When I got them, late, one of the hubs had a big plastic chunk missing. The guy on the phone said to return them for a refund, and place another order, would be the only way to get a new set in the mail right away. I'm impatient, so I did it. When the second set came, it was totally the wrong wheelset, despite the invoice being correct (crackheads). So back to UPS I went. A gluton for punishment, and unable to pass up the cheap ass price, I placed a third order. Before it arrived, I called to check on the status of my refund. The receptionist said they had recieved one return, but it was the second one. They couldn't find the first one. She went and investigated to find out that it had been repaired and returned to me (crackheads). When the third wheelset arrived, there was a nice little dent in the rear rim. This is about 3 weeks later. I was pissed off, but I also knew that I had another set on the way. When the repaired first set arrived, it was good. There's two lessons here. Don't buy a wheelset mailorder and dirt cheap, and don't buy anything from pricepoint unless you can accept a 25% chance of getting your order right.
The hubs are light too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Winno
a Cross Country Rider
from NZ
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | swap for SPOX | | Strengths: | Does it's job. | | Weaknesses: | None that I can think of. | | Similar Products Used: | White front hub (very nice...fat, looker, smooooth), XT, Spinergy (XT guts?) | | Bike Setup: | Marin Quake 9.0 FRS with all XTR, Plasma, Magura. | | Bottom Line: | I had some nice White/XT hubs on the bike when I got it and then went for some Spinergy Rev X's and then Spox.
Long story about the Spinergy's but lets just say that after going back to a "traditional" design, I have not had to worry about hubs and problems since.
The XTR hubs I have in my current wheels are smooth, quiet and have been very reliable with no hassles what so ever.
Spokes are DT Revolutions with 217cd rims.
The wheels have been built by a guy who does the wheels for a team here in NZ and I have not even had to put the spoke wrench to them at all.
I have not had them apart(will do very soon though) but I still cannot hear them spin and feel any grit in them at all.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T.R.
a Cross Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | The XTR hubset is a very reliable, durable hubset. It does not need much mantainance, it offers smooth bearings and good seals and a bombproof Ti cassette body, which prevents dents caused from the cassette. No problems with this hubs, for me it is one of the best hubset on the market. Not as expensive as the competitors. | | Weaknesses: | It's not the lightest hubset, but it is durable. | | Similar Products Used: | I owned Ringle, WTB, Tune and Chris King, but XTR is still my favourite hubset. Chris King is a good hubset, too, but it needs to much service, because of it's average sealing na it's ring drive. More over the chris King has a an aluminium Cassette body, which is light but not as durable as an Ti cassette body. Tune offers bad bearings with bad sealings, moreover the axles are flexible and do not stiffen the bike's front and rear, the aluminzuim of the cassette boy is very weak. It's not a hub for serious riding. | | Bike Setup: | Ti Hardtail with SID Race and XTR | | Bottom Line: | I can recomend the XTR hubset for everone, who is searching for the ultimate XC-Hubset. It's durable and lightweight. Nothig else even comes close, perhaps Chris King, but it needs more service.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Henley, UK
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Has 'XTR' branding on it.
Quite nicely laser cut quick release lever - again with 'XTR'
| | Weaknesses: | Not that light.
Not in the same league of quality as many of the small companies.
Short bearing life in normal use.
Freehub that cannot be economically replaced.
| | Similar Products Used: | Hope Ti Glide, Campag Daytona, | | Bike Setup: | Pace F5, Pace forks, XTR | | Bottom Line: | When the freehub goes tits up, you will (re)discover the cynical way that Shimano makes money.
A new freehub is quoted as $100 at Shimano UK.
But a new hub is only $120!
This is crap. I will not pay this much so I've decided to scrap the hub. Crazy eh....
PS Other freehubs won't fit on apparently.
When my Hope hub needed new freehub inards (after 4 years) it cost me $25! And the parts arrived next day! Say no more.... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mephesto
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | It is reasonably light and maybe the colour that's about it. | | Weaknesses: | It rides like any other Shimano hub. Engagement is so-so, doesn't roll any better than any Shimano hubs with conventional bearings. Price is too high for what you get. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX-RC, LX and XT and the coveted CHRIS KINGs | | Bike Setup: | Specialized S-works M4 with Gripshifts, XT, XTR, Thompson and Chris King bits all over. | | Bottom Line: | If you love the Shimano feel(I doubt anyone loves it after they've tried Chris King) and you absolutely need to feel the prestige of "XTR-grey" bits on your bike, go for it!
If not, pay 1/2 the price and get XT hubs, just as good, just a tad heavier, or save up abit more and get Chris King's. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dk dk
a Weekend Warrior
from ontariosudbury
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | rock | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | rep | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | all | | Similar Products Used: | lots | | Bike Setup: | 9.0,racefacecrank&small&mid sprocketsblackspireringgodmammothrimsrfhdsetsdgkevseatmx66.5"forkprofiledhbardhstemmagurastrialsxcountrydhlotsup&downhills&accrossrivers | | Bottom Line: | a rear hub is supposed to be durable and dependable but this piece of crap just keeps breakin down. i guess buying the "best" shimano rear hub was the wrong thing to do. i don't get it why even sell this crap to the public it should come with a warning on thw box "do not purchase unless you have your own mechanic" like those xcdhpro people. that pisses me off why make a hub that selfdestructs this thing has been to the shop more than i have and its gonna be replaced as soon as the new one comes in. please do not buy this hub there are lots of hubs out there that are 2 times as good as this one. i guess you could buy this thing to look cool but thats why they sell it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Nguyen
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: March 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | Light, smoooooooth, easy maintenance. | | Weaknesses: | Slow engagement in rear hub. | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | full XTR freeride | | Bottom Line: | Every 10 rides or so, I remove the caps and repack it with Teflon grease. For two years they have been buttery smooth and fast rolling. My LX hubs developed gouges in the cups after one summer of riding. The XTR's are still like new- no kidding! I'm thinking of getting King hubs in another year or so because of the rave reviews but if you're on a semi-budget, there is no reason NOT to get XTR hubs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ian
a Racer
from Washington
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | BEacon | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came on bike | | Strengths: | Light
Durable | | Weaknesses: | Slow enguagement
Costomer Service | | Similar Products Used: | KING | | Bottom Line: | These are good hubs. I liked them until I built up my King wheels. . .thats when I started to notice the little things to look for in a quality hub. Little things like how quickly the hub enguages when you step on the pedals. . .shimano might want to work on how slow the XTR's catch. Also when it did come time to service my hubs I found out that they were ruined and that I needed to send them back to shimano. No biggie I ride in the northwest, the mud ruins everything. When Icalled shimano they refused to even look at the hub. I called again and another person that I talked to said "..oh eah no problem we will fix it for you." $50 and 3 weeks later I got my hub back and it still wasn't as smooth as it was the previous year I rode on it. Maybe since I own a pair of Kings and have had them sent in fixed and back on my doorstep within a week and at no charge, I am holding Shimano to a higher standard than they are at par with. I gues I am trying o compare apples and oranges, there is no comparison when it comes to king hubs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew Weston
a Cross Country Rider
from Vejle, Denmark
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Houffalize, Belgium | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Looks, weight, Smooth(dry conditons) | | Weaknesses: | Sealings(there are non), require lots of maintanence | | Similar Products Used: | CODA Expert | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Supercaliber with full XTR, Race Face, Manitou, Hutchinson, Time, Bontrager | | Bottom Line: | When I first bourght these hubs, they were both cool, smooth and light. But already after 2 months they needed re greasing. About another 2 months gon, an they needed greasing yet again. I've now re greased them 4 times, changed the bearings, freehub and axels once. Bottom line these hubs are light and cool, but they are only suitable for dry conditons, cause water slips in the hub to easily and ruins the inside.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Walter Gude
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago IL
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Porcupine Rim, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Strengths: | Nice Finish, Light | | Weaknesses: | Not sealed | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, STX, White Industies | | Bike Setup: | Marin Mt Vision, '99 Z2 Bombers, Sun Rhino Lite rims, race face cranks, XTR drivetrain, avid brakes | | Bottom Line: | I bought this hud thinking I'd never have to worry about it
again. That might be true if you never dunk it in water. I've repacked this thing 5-6 times, never have to touch the White Industies front hub. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pascal NEPPER
a Weekend Warrior
from Luxembourg (Europe)
Date Reviewed: August 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Treet, trials. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | hibike.de | | Strengths: | Not too heavy
Bombproof | | Weaknesses: | not cheap | | Similar Products Used: | old XTR, LX, Exage, ... | | Bike Setup: | Merlin Taïga 15" for trials, freestyle. XTR, Mavic, Race Face, Moots, ... | | Bottom Line: | I only have the rear hub. I'm doing trials, jumps and freestyle, and thus hub stands 6' dropoffs !
As I don't ride a lot in the mud/rain, I can't tell if it stands it, but I chose this hub to be quiet, and I am, cos I saw so many broken hubs from Ringlé, etc... at my lbs.
Maybe it should also be waterproof? ;-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
OB1
a Cross Country Rider
from CO
Date Reviewed: August 16, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | 1)weight
2)skewers included
3)durability
4)stealth looks
5)incredible value
6)ti cassette body | | Weaknesses: | 1)could be sexier | | Similar Products Used: | 1)Exage
2)Acera-X
3)STX-RC
4)LX
5)XT
6)Nuke Proof ti
7)White Industries
8)Spin | | Bike Setup: | -XTR hubs/skewers
-Mavic 517CD rear
-Matrix Swami Ceramic front
-alloy nips/db spokes | | Bottom Line: | Durability is just plain unbeatable with these things. I have thousands of miles over 4 years and I've never even touched the front hub. The rear has been overhauled once, but only because the ti cassette body blew out. I tend to think it was a freak thing however. The skewers that are included are also top notch w/a smooth stroke and lots'o'clamping force.
Durability: 4.5
Cost: 5
Weight: 4
Overall: 5 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Raf
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Pulau Ubin | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Colour | | Weaknesses: | Everything inside it | | Similar Products Used: | Alivio | | Bike Setup: | Sintesi, Gripshift | | Bottom Line: | XTR Hubs sucks big time. Not durable for XC use,maybe for road it is smooth. But still crap! Get a King/Syncros/DT, not Shimano cause they don't last that long. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Any dirt... | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light, trouble-free, smooth. | | Weaknesses: | None so far... | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX, Nuke Proof | | Bike Setup: | 98 ProFlex Beast w/ Girvin Chubby up front. Full XTR. | | Bottom Line: | The absolutly smoothest hubs I've ever used. They are so maintenance free that all I have to do is pack new grease once a year. Smooth, light, and tough. What more could ya want? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from Tosa
Date Reviewed: May 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Among the lightest.
Super smooth.
Tough and foolproof.
Affordable; can even be had for cheap => watch for sales! | | Weaknesses: | The stupid plastic dust cap - how much more $ or wt. would a better solution cost Shimano, anyway? | | Bottom Line: | There's a saying: "The last 5% of performance is 50% of the cost". Well, with XTR you can have very nearly the best (it's all subjective at this level anyway) and *still* be able to afford groceries.
The only weak spot is the plastic dust cap, which can pop loose. However, mine did on a long, *pouring* rain, muddy ride without my knowing it and without consequence. Ever cautious, took it to a shop to have it cleaned out. Wrench puts it on the stand and says: "Sure, but it's smoother than anything in the shop as is...."
5 Chiles for value and solid high-end performance. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andy
a Cross Country Rider
from Zurich
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the Alps | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | durability, price/performance ratio, smooth bearings, fully servicable, nice quick release | | Weaknesses: | cheap plastic dustcap at rear hub | | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX | | Bike Setup: | race hardtail | | Bottom Line: | The XTR hubset has been working fine for three years (countless epic rides as well as several bike marathons with 100km+). The hubs are durable and run extremely smoothly. Although they are lightweight they're not the lightest hubs on the market. But the few grams more (compared to a King or Tune hubset) are negligable. Last year, I took part in a bike marathon that was incredibly wet and muddy (Iron Bike Race, Einsiedeln, Switzerland: 120 Km, 4000m climbing). Two friends of mine with XT and LX hubsets complained about rough and noisy hubs after the race. In both cases a bike mechanic was needed to fix the hubs. Apparently the XT and LX seals didn't do their job properly. The repair turned out to be expensive; in one case a rear hub needed to be replaced since the race of the bearing was damaged. My XTR hubset passed the test with flying colors! The hubs ran as smoothly as they did before the race.
There's one thing I don't like though. The dustcap on the non-drive side of the rear hub is made of cheap plastic. The other day a stone chipped off a part. If it weren't for this detail I would give the hubs five flaming chilis.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Racer
from Miami
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Price, user serviceable? | | Weaknesses: | Bearings, cassett body, easily contaminates with water. | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | blue and yellow | | Bottom Line: | Like many others i thought that i was getting something that would give me long life and low maintenanace, no worries. I was wrong! After only a year and a half the bearings are shot, front and back, cones are shot, and the cassett body might not make it. My bike shop ordered the parts from shimano over two weeks ago, they must be comming by MUEL! What's the point of paying XTR price for LX quality? Next time Chris King, hmmm, maybe? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dijridoo
a Weekend Warrior
from North Dakota
Date Reviewed: March 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Paul Bunyan, MN | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light weight
Adjustability
User-serviceable
Muted color
Availability
Price
Ball bearings | | Weaknesses: | Ball bearings
| | Similar Products Used: | XT, LX, System 3 | | Bike Setup: | custom steel hardtail, Judy SL/air, wheels are XTR/Mavic 517 ceramic/DT double butted/alloy nips | | Bottom Line: | I had an open mind & open wallet two years ago when building up a custom hardtail. I considered White Industries, King, Ringle, and Hope. My LBS talked me into XTR because the $$-to-performance ratio slays all the aforementioned hubsets. I like the low cost, user friendliness, and smooth operation of the XTRs. I have never regretted my choice. I believe in ball-bearings whenever possible due to their easy replacement and the immediate availability of new bearings. Yes, cartridge bearings are smoother, but I know I can always rebuild my XTR hubs with scavenged parts from other Shimano hubs if necessary.
I noticed other reviewers mentioned poor seals and short bearing life, but I have not had any of these problems. I am due for a cassette body flush (time to buy a freehub buddy). Two strong years on this wheelset and lots of life left.
I heartily recommend XTR hubs as an affordable alternative. Buy King headsets - you will NEVER regret the extra $$, but for hubs, do your homework and don't get sucked in to the hype. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of them | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light, Cost, Durability, Forged hubshell | | Weaknesses: | could use better sealing | | Similar Products Used: | Hugi, Chris King, XT, LX, STX. | | Bike Setup: | Full suspension bike with AD10 rear | | Bottom Line: | This is the best set of hubs on the market. No one has equaled this hubset yet. Chris King has come close but they need adjustments on a yearly basis. The XTR are ride and shoot, no worries about adjustment of side to side play. They are also easy to grease using a Freehub buddy.
THE BEST | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Road Rash
a Weekend Warrior
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Fast. Upgraded to these from STx and I noticed a difference immediately. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. except price. It ain't King. Too High profile. They get noticed by a-hole | | Similar Products Used: | XT, KING | | Bike Setup: | GT-LTS3 Heavy. Now Ellsworth Sub22. Not exactly sub 22 more like 24.5 but with some heavy parts. ie Mar Z1 and welgo 636 knockoffs | | Bottom Line: | Swapped out between the C. King's and XT with same build and rim. King kicks a hands down. I may not have ridden enough to notice the small details but to tell the truth I can't tell the difference between XT and XTR when I ride. Maybe on the long haul XTR will out last XT, but I've now ridden my XT's for over a year and haven't had a problem. If yer wondering why i have been riding Xt instead of my XTR....XTR are too high profile. Some a hole jacked my wheels the one time i only brough my U-Lock and left my cables at home. Then the next week bastich broke into my car and jacked my bike while i was taking a number two in the bushes at a trail. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr Huck
a Racer
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I've never done maintenance on my rear XTR hub and it has been flawless all this time. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Pulstar: yuck! | | Bike Setup: | 2 wheels, a handlebar, a seat, a tire here and there, and some pedals | | Bottom Line: | This hub rocks! But noone will ever read this review so who cares what I think. The only reason why I am submitting this is to add to the hub's numbers. Great hub! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James 'Beruang' P
a Cross Country Rider
from Kalamazoo,MI
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Custer,Yankee Springs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Light,Durable | | Weaknesses: | Could come in nicer colors! | | Similar Products Used: | Nuke Proof Atombomb,Shimano LX & XT | | Bike Setup: | '98 Voodoo Bokor, Raceface,XTR/XT,Chris King Headset,'96 Judy DH with Speed Springs | | Bottom Line: | My New Nuke Proof Atombomb front Hub crapped on me after my first ride,the flange came loose!!!I just spent a lot of doughon it,later I tried calling the company I purchased the hubs from and they say they no longer deal with them!
So I had to shell out additional $$$ to get another set of hubs..could only afford XTR..turned out to be the best buy ever, it's almost been 2 years the hubs(XTR) is still sweet..oh by the way I weigh in at 260lbs. I'm a clysdale class rider! I figure that XTR...if it survive me..it can for you too!Big and Heave guys and gals DO NOT choose NukeProof.They're Crap..go XTR it's a safe bet! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff Savage
a Racer
from Milwaukee, WI
Date Reviewed: December 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Top Secret | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
One of the lightest | | Weaknesses: |
Detents, not infinite adjust for seat angle | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano XT
Kalloy
Dean Alu | | Bike Setup: |
GT Xizang Ti
Full XTR
Sid SL | | Bottom Line: | What can I say about this post? Well, it's one of the lightest ones out there (215g). It's long enough for adjustability (360mm), unless your some sort of mutant. It's beautifully polished silver (why silver though, all other XTR parts are sorta a gunmetal finish?). Easy to adjust. Holds the seat where you put it. Won't creak (at least for me, I'm 140lbs). Very strong and durable. All in all, it's a work of art and in my opinion one of the best seatposts out there. I've used mine for 2 years and 3 frames, and it is great. Probably the last post I'll ever have to buy... so that right there justifies the cost for me. Buy one!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Weekend Warrior
from renton, wa
Date Reviewed: October 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Bottom Line: | Good news: I've been satisfied with the seatpost
for a year, light weight, and the set back. Bad news: this weekend the bolt snapped while riding.
It just fatigued and broke at the first tread. Fortunately only sang suprano for a few minutes
but was shocking to say the least. I am the type
that inspect and work on my own bike and didn't
see this one coming. I picked up a bolt at ACE
hardware and will continue using it. Anyone
>200 lbs should consider spending $1 and replacing
that bolt. By the way, it's on a full susp bike. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
decion
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Rafael, CA
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
NorthStar-Competition | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
super silent, good looks, light weight | | Weaknesses: |
none so far | | Similar Products Used: |
LX, Chris King | | Bike Setup: |
'91 Cannondale HT w/ Manitou Mach 5 SX, Chris King Font hub and XTR rear w/ Mavic 517s, XTR drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | man i love this hub. it is so quiet; when i first got it i had to keep looking down to see if my chain was still on, :-). thought about the chris king but those are just annoyingly loud. i like being able to coast in stealth mode. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
green machine
a Racer
from stratford ,ont
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
my secret trail up north | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
light, smooth bearings, bought used for $100 CDN so not expensive,nice freewheel sound(not as loud as a King) | | Weaknesses: |
older so no ti | | Similar Products Used: |
lx, stx-rc | | Bike Setup: |
schwinn moab 1, Z3 light,full xt, avid brakes levers, RaceFace turbine crank, XTR hubs | | Bottom Line: | These hubs are the best for the money even brand new at $420 CDN. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Cross-Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Any | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
I have the old school XTR skewers (pre 97 or so). They have a smooth action, alway clamp tight, look nice. Lighter than the XTs they replaced. | | Weaknesses: |
I haven't tried any other super trick weight weenie QR's, but then again, I don't really need to with these. They have worked great for 3+ years. | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano XT, LX | | Bike Setup: |
Mongoose AL frame with 8 speed XT stuff | | Bottom Line: | They work, pretty light, look good. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Ngueyn
a Weekend Warrior
from chicago
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Smooth
Light
Easy maintenance | | Weaknesses: |
None so far | | Similar Products Used: |
LX
XT | | Bike Setup: |
Mavic 517 on ProFlex Beast | | Bottom Line: | Smooth and light- easy to relube and clean. Worth extra $ and looks sweet to boot! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gus
a Cross-Country Rider
from Santa Monica, CA
Date Reviewed: September 9, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Hardesty Mtn. | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
They are pretty light, look pretty tough (nice skewers), and you can grab them cheaper than the after-market stuff. | | Weaknesses: |
The bearings aren't so great. I got clicking less than 3 months after purchase. I expected more than I got. | | Similar Products Used: |
XT | | Bike Setup: |
Homegrown Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | XTR is flashy but overrated. I had a pair of XT hubs that I put ~5000 miles on, and they never complained. In my opinion, XT is a better hub, and it will cost you considerably less. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenneth Chang
a Cross-Country Rider
from Tucson, AZ
Date Reviewed: August 26, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Starr Pass, Tucson, AZ | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Light. 210g. Made #4 on Mountian Bike Action's Lightest Seatpost list. | | Weaknesses: |
The graphics on the post faded too quickly. I can barely see it anymore. But hey, it works, right? | | Similar Products Used: |
Not much. | | Bike Setup: |
1997 Gary Fisher Kai-Tai
Rock Shox Indy SL
XT drivetrain
blah blah blah | | Bottom Line: | If you're looking for a lightweight, kick ass seatpost, but don't want to pay for Titanium, go with this. Been riding on it for over a year and it's still going strong. Never noticed any creaking with mine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon Mutiger
a Weekend Warrior
from Oshawa, Ontario
Date Reviewed: June 7, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Bing Bang, Bromont Que. | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Cool colour | | Weaknesses: |
Pawls let go after a year. I was attempting a wheelie drop off a 3 foot high obstacle, when it let go, I fell flat on my face, and mangled my deraileur bad. | | Similar Products Used: |
XT Hubs | | Bike Setup: |
1997 Rocky Mountain Speed, 5.5 Fox Oil/coil rear shock, Z1 front.. Race face/XTR drive train. | | Bottom Line: | They didn't light my fire, they looked cool, and make a statement, I have too much money, and not enough brains. Next time I'll spend the extra $100 and get Chris King hubs.. Just the idea of the Pawls in a shimano hub is a crappy notion. The clutch system in a King hub is so much more reliable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Racer
from Nelson BC
Date Reviewed: June 4, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
all of them | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
looks great
holds the whell in place | | Weaknesses: |
expensive | | Similar Products Used: |
LX
joytech 10 year old ones | | Bike Setup: |
univega with mag-21s | | Bottom Line: | the best skewer never fails me. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Shane
a Cross-Country Rider
from Sonoma, CA.
Date Reviewed: May 8, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sobre Vista | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
They were solid for the first 3months | | Weaknesses: |
They aren't sealed and the bearings suck. | | Similar Products Used: |
Stick with Chris King. If your wheels don't roll you can't go. | | Bike Setup: |
Custom steel hardtail, Manitou SX Ti, full XTR, Except for my King hubs. | | Bottom Line: | Rob a bank if you have to Chris King is worth it. XTR hubs are great if you plan to ride your bike only on the weekend and never when it is wet out. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Coyote
a Weekend Warrior
from Germantown, MD
Date Reviewed: April 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Obed, full XT, XTR Hubs, Indy SL fork | | Bottom Line: | these hubs are freaking fantastic. hooked to Mavic 517 Citron's. i came off of riding STX hubs attached to maverick rims (stock on an old g. fisher) and it's been like night and day. uphills are much easier and downhills, you just keep going and going and going... i mean, you can spin one of these wheels and it rotates forever - HARDLY ANY FRICTION AT ALL!!! not the lightest on the market and not THE best for the money, but if you find these suckers on sale, BUY 'EM! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ride guy
a Racer
from Windsor Ontario
Date Reviewed: April 5, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Bottom Line: | light and strong the exact thing i need from my components (rear hub) the ti hub body kicks ass, and my rear is lighter than my friends front wheel | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
All Pro
a Racer
from Vancouver, Canada
Date Reviewed: April 4, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
There are light, very smooth, look great, and a very stiif. | | Weaknesses: |
Theye are very expensive hubs and you cant radialy lace them. | | Bike Setup: |
I had these on Sun 0 xc with DT triple butted spokes and they are super light and ride awsome. | | Bottom Line: | These are nice hubs, but cost way to much. If i had the choice i would get the DT Hugi hub. But from what i have seen these will be an awsome hub. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross-Country Rider
from State College PA
Date Reviewed: April 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
tussey mt. | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Light for cr-mo
look good
free with hubs
laser-cut logo-wow | | Weaknesses: |
expensive separately | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano XT
Gonzo non-QR | | Bike Setup: |
cr-mo hardtail, 98 SX-R | | Bottom Line: | These are good skewers, look trick, and don't weigh too much. I love the laser-cut logo, and they're easy to adjust. My one gripe is they cost a lot for cr-mo skewers, and I wouldn't get them if they didn't come with the hubs. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cranky
a Cross-Country Rider
from Podunk, IL
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
1) smooooooth action
2) trick laser etched graphics
3) reasonably light
4) inconspicuous
5) lever fits the hand well | | Weaknesses: |
1) nut is hard to turn
2) expensive if bought separate from hubs | | Similar Products Used: |
1) old school LX
2) XT
3) Control Tech Ti leverless
4) Control Tech Ti
5) Giant cromo leverless | | Bike Setup: |
XTR hubs
'99 Z2 BAM
'97 Klein Mantra | | Bottom Line: | Not much to complain about here. Simple, light, and they hold the wheels in the dropouts. 4.5 steaming cow pies only cuz the nut is a bit tough to turn. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
heatstroke
a Weekend Warrior
from malaysia
Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
light | | Weaknesses: |
creaks | | Similar Products Used: |
kalloy
ringle | | Bike Setup: |
litespeed obed + superfly | | Bottom Line: | nice - good finish, much lighter than the ringle and kalloy i had. Creaks if not clamped tight enuf. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T.R.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Germany
Date Reviewed: March 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
These are very fine hubs, they are not the lightest hubs avaible, but they are very durable and reliable. In two years of using, they were nearly maintainance free. Very smooth bearings, and the labyrinth seals are dirt and water resistant. By building the cassette body from titanium Shimano saves weight and prevents dents in the cassette body which are caused through the cassette. | | Weaknesses: |
Still searching for....
Perhaps they are not the lightest hubs on the market. Tune hubs (rear: 185gr, front:78 gr)are the lightest hubs avaible, but are they so durable and reliable.... | | Similar Products Used: |
I tried a few hubs, especially from US manufacturers, like Ringle, Syncros and WTB. But all causes trouble because of there weak sealed bearings (WTB,Syncros)or their freewheel construction (Ringle) which were destroyed after a short time of riding. These hubs are much expensiver in Germany than the XTR's, but they were not so durable, altough they are heavier than the XTR's (Ringle, WTB). | | Bottom Line: | If you want durable, quality, lightweight, reliable hubs, which will work very well for a long time on your MTB, the XTR hubset is your choice. In my opinion these are one of the best hubs on the market, so I give them five stars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Cross-Country Rider
from State College PA
Date Reviewed: March 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Tussey Mt. | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Durable-1 overhaul in 2 years, still going strong
light enough, without being flimsy
nice color
Excellent bearings
Ti freehub body
Great seals | | Weaknesses: |
Not the lightest
front axle ends strip easily
Not as stiff as larger-axled hubs | | Similar Products Used: |
Ringle SuperDuperBubba/Eight
Older Shimano XT | | Bike Setup: |
Cr-mo hardtail with AMP and 1998 SX-R fork | | Bottom Line: | For the money, these are great hubs. There are better out there, but none less expensive, or with better bearings. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a racer
from Fremont CA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had problems with flashy aftermarket hubs just like many of you and tried the XTR hubs as a last resort. The price is right and I have more than 2000 hard offroad miles with no problems at all.These hubs are a great buy and are almost as light as anything else out there.I will recomend these hubs over any others based on price,reliability,and weight. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
berrywise
a cross-country rider
from Stillwater, MN
Date Reviewed: March 2, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I have owned the hubs for about a little more than a year and a half. They have held up great. I overhaul them once every few months and I havn't had any problems to date. Compared to some of the other high end hubs (Chris King, Huegi) they may not be the most trick hub but they do their job and that's about all I ask for. I find xt and xtr hubs to be great hubs for the price. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Hinman
a weekend warrior
from Columbia, MD
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Replaced my XT/Bontrager Mustang with XTR/517 a couple of months ago. Very nice hub and for once my cassette doesn't wobble when freewheeling. The bearing are very smooth too, it seems that they go for ever when you spin them in the repair stand. Same weight as the Crosslink, but it uses standard parts, and can handle a rider heavier than 180 lbs. I do get a lot of lateral flex from the wheelsmith DB spokes, but I only notice it when I haul my kids in the trailer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a cross-country rider
from So. Cal
Date Reviewed: January 29, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
The only negative thing that I can say is that they don't have sealed bearings.
The XTRs are actually the same weight as the King hubs if you include the skewers. As far as durability, I am 225 and have put in 50+ miles over the last 13 months on them without a single problem. Lace them up with DTs and 517s, and you have one of the lightest wheel sets around.Light, durable, and inexpensive compared to the competition. What more do you want...Red anodizing? Buy the King for $150 more! And that is just for the rear!
Five burning chilis! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Nguyen
a weekend warrior
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
97 Beast came with Mavic 221 rims on LX hubs which ran OK. After several months of severe riding and rebuilding, I finally bought XTR and put Mavic 517's on them. The ride difference was night and day. I'm sure some of it has to do with the new rims, in all fairness. But the smoothness and durability of the XTR's are great! I took the hubs apart to regrease them just to find that no maintenance was necessary! Terrific- lots of bang for the buck!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mario
a weekend warrior
from Boston,Ma
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Jenson USA just built me a set of xtr hub, mavic 517 citon rims, wheelsmith 14/15 spokes with alloy nipples, 32 hole, all for $297.
Very nice light wheelset. Ran them hard on Sat, hammering down hills and letting the rear susp and wheel get a good pounding. After 4 hours, straight and true despite the drop offs and jumps. Should stand up well. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SkateNate
a cross-country rider
from San Diego, Ca
Date Reviewed: October 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The XTR is actually as light as Chris King, I have the mechanic put it on the scale. It's 3.5 lbs just like Chris King! and $200.00 less. They thought its heavier because everytime they compare it against the Chris King it weighs more with the skewer but without skewer its the same weight. I weigh 158 lbs and have broke two hubs Nuke proof and World class, I will have to find out how good this XTR. So far its great! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andi
a cross-country rider
from Stuttgart, Germany
Date Reviewed: October 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
These hubs are not only lightweight and cool looking, the best about them is the durability. After riding them for nearly 6000 km, I thougt it might be time for a little overhaul. I opened them and I can tell you they nearly looked like new !!!
Besides they are a solid base for a lightweight wheelset stiffer and cheaper then CrossMax | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph B.
a downhiller
from new york
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The XTR hubset rules!!! I never feel resistence when riding in bad conditons. they are better and cheaper than all of the after market crappy colored hubs.(chris king, Ringle) to name a few. If your looking for a cheap hub that will not fail you go XTR. And if you don;t have one-hundred bucks to blow go XT | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a cross-country rider
from Austin, Tx
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The XTR hubs are light and durable for the price you pay, you can get lighter with the Chris Kings, but you also pay quite a bit more. Considering I had the Spinergy ROKS-Xe before, The XTR/517 radially laced wheels save me a pound. So far they ride fine. Great hubs! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parson R
a weekend warrior
from denver, co
Date Reviewed: September 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Since Mt Biking is more of a religion than a sport to me, I am more interested in durability than lightweight racing performance. Nothing ruins a good Sunday sermon like broken critical components. Bought these hubs for my new wheel set because more than one wheel builder said Dude, If you want reliability go XTR! To which I replied Dude, I'm 230 lbs! I think the axels are spec'd too small. But the experienced builders convincied me that I could get the reliability I needed and save a few $$. Oh yes brother, the love of $$!! I succumed to the temptation and woe is my fate! The front hub indeed feels floppy (by comparison to the old Ringle)and after 2 months of riding I have bent the rear axle already. I always bend rear axels, but usually not for a year or so. Maybe these hubs are OK for the light guys but big men beware! I have repented and will purchase some real beef in the near future. Amen. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr Sampath
a
from Mumbai (Bombay), India
Date Reviewed: August 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Living in a country not known for its MTB prowess, I pick and choose
my components CAREFULLY. On a trip to the States for a meeting with
a company in Southern California, I stopped in a local bike shop,
and purchased a set of XTR hubs for my Klein Rascal MTB. I can lay
claim to the title of owning India's most costly MTB -- aside
from having the only set of XTR hubs in the country. I ride in 115F
withering temperatures, deluge rains, and other tests of human/hardware
endurance...my hubs have never failed me -- even after 40,000Km
of riding. I have never re-lubricated the assembly...don't think
I need to! They are splendid. Thankyou, America-Sampath | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bob
a downhiller
from lansdale pa
Date Reviewed: August 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I think these hubs are pretty damn good. If you dont have the $$$ to spring for King, ect. hubs, they do a great job for the money. My everyday bike is a Cannondale KV 700 that came with Mavric 221 and Shimano STX/RC hubs. i upgraded them to a Ritchey wheelset with XTR hibs and noticed the differance. the bearings are MUCH better. there seems to be a lot less rolling resistance than other shimano hubs. they can take the beating of heavy off road use everyday and a race on the weekend. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robb
a cross-country rider
from Pasadena, CA
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I ahve a lot of Shimano parts on my bike but if I had a choice, I wouldn't have any. However, if you're strapped for cash, Shimano parts are the best deal in the industry. My XTR wheelset works just fine, but its the backup for my Phil Wood set and it so it gets next to no use. If you want a real hub that will last, check out Phil Wood, Hope, and King cuz there's tougher, longer-lasting, more easily serviceable, smoother and simply better hubs out there. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Freddy Edgemon
a racer
from Chattanooga, TN
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had good luck and bad luck with this hub. Good news is that they are Shimano. Not a shinny blue aftermarket part. They are light and most of the time durable.
Bad news is that I broke a pawl in the freehub body. I only weigh about 130lbs. Didn't really affect riding, just the engagement wasn't that good. Sent it back to the big S and fixed it free of charge.
Good product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tom
a racer
from manchester n.h.
Date Reviewed: July 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
not too shabby. dust cap on the rear hub is loose though, won't tighten much either. seem to be strong flanges. got stick stuck in spokes once. thrashed the spokes and the hoops, not a single hole in the flange damaged. good hubs. like the look.
that damn dust cap pisses me off though. 4 chilis | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lancer
a weekend warrior
from Northridge, CA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have XTR hubs on 2 bikes, excellent hubs, bomb proof and cheaper than many of the aftermarket hubs. If you want an excellent product go XTR. If you have money to burn and want a lighter hubset go with Chris Kings. The choice is yours to make, wheelsets and the frame are the most important selections you can make for an excellent ride. | | Overall Rating: |
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