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Submitted by
cafam1
a Weekend Warrior
from staten island ny
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | Very sturdy, no nonsese cone and cup bearing set up,easy to maintain. | | Weaknesses: | These hubs can be finicky, | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Turner Sixpack battleship gray, all xt , Chris king, wtb. Truvativ, Avid BB7, Marzocchi all mountain 1,. | | Bottom Line: | This is for the 756 disc hub. Depending on you riding style some riders are hard on particular parts such as rims, drivetrains or headsets. I'm hard on rear hubs for some reason. This hub is a no nonsense strong hub that can be easily broken down by the home mechanic with the right tools.If you can breakdown this hub and regrease on your own the hub is a dream. If it gets loose and you get pissed don't giveup on it. Get yourself together and take it apart correctly ,regrease and reassemble. I myself made the mistake for years of not making the driveside cone and nut under torque. The beuty of this hub is that you just need some cone wrenches,grease and a little mechanical ability. I have had nightmares with these aftermarket boutique rear hubs and found this hub to be pretty damn good. I'm not a Chris King basher either. I have a front hub and headset thats Chris King. For a rear hub I choose xt. I learned early that a hub is as good as its mechanic. If you don't maintain your own bike and Rely on a shop, don't get this hub.Its not the prettiest or lightest hub but if your looking for a strong sturdy no B.S hub this maybe for you. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mokganjetsi
a Cross Country Rider
from Cape Town, South Africa
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Jonkershoek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike manufacturer is | | Strengths: | Ran wonderfully true until it broke..... | | Weaknesses: | ..... broke while riding a jeep track. Did less than 1500km! No replacement or refund from Shimano (yet). | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Merida hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Absolute rubbish. Bike dealer told me they have a lot of problems with Shimano hubs. Last time I used them. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
richjh21365
a Weekend Warrior
from Danbury, CT, USA
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Mtn, NY | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | EBay, Dealer in GA | | Strengths: | Well, it worked OK for a while? Not much of a strength. | | Weaknesses: | New rear XT hub failed after only 6 months! This the second Shimano rear hub I have owned & both were JUNK. Both failed internally while riding XC trails. The last one was an LX that came on a Stumpjumper, had it repaired, and it failed again. This one was the XT, which I would expect to be better than an LX, but no. (The cone also loosened up recently.) | | Similar Products Used: | LX rear hub, also crap. Chris King - awesome.(replaced the failed LX hub) | | Bike Setup: | 2008 Ellsworth Epiphany, mostly XT. | | Bottom Line: | Shimano rear hubs suck. Had to walk out of the woods 3 times now thanks to them. Will buy a Chris King and get back to riding reliable equipment. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CBL
a Racer
from Redmond, WA
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | Weak free hub | | Bottom Line: | I ride a lot of hills and am a fairly strong rider. The freewheel in these hubs last about 6 months before breaking. I've gone through 3 free hubs in the past 2 years. It's good that these are pretty cheap. The +...when they work they work well. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
20tooth
a Weekend Warrior
from Wellington
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2009 | | Favorite Trail: | Ridgeline | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | bikeroom.com (now ou | | Strengths: | Cheap. Easy to get replacement parts, which you WILL eventually need. | | Weaknesses: | The freehub is weak. The cones are prone to loosening. | | Similar Products Used: | Various Shimano hubs, a nice Kona "Java the hub" | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Prophet frame with 2004 Dawg components, Marz 2004 Z1 FRSL fork... | | Bottom Line: | I've owned both disc and non-disc versions of the XT hub, so this is for all of them.
Shimano freehubs are crap. I've gone through far too many of them in the past 12 years, at least 5 freehubs now. 2 broke while I was in the woods, meaning I had to walk the bike out.
I'm a big rider, and I like to climb very steep hills. This puts a lot of stress on the freehub, but this is part of mountain biking. I'm not going to walk up a hill just to save my freehub.
Yesterday I was in the mountain bike stage (the last stage) of a multisport race, cranking up a steep hill and the XT freehub blew up. Theres no way to fix this in a race, so I had to withdraw. Thanks again Shimano!
Apart from the freehub, the rest of the hub isn't too bad; not great, and not terrible. The seals aren't great, but if you repack every year or so it will last. I also experienced the cones loosening themselves off. This was easily fixed by putting loctite on the threads.
I've used many different Shimano hubs. It doesn't seem to matter if you but something cheap or xtr, they all use similar freehub technology. Why doesn't shimano strengthen the freehub? It hasn't changed much for over 15 years. Its simply not strong enough for the forces many riders put on it. More pawls or larger/stronger pawls would be nice.
This hub would only be of use for a lightweight rider that puts very little stress on components, prefers to walk uphill, and repacks it every year or so.
Normally I'd give it a high value rating since it is cheap, but you have to include the cost of replacement freehubs. Here in New Zealand, the local bike shop wants $100 for a replacement XT freehub! HA! So how long will this one last me? It WILL fail, the only question is when.
The only other option is to use a different brand of hub. The reviews here indicate the following are the best (in no order):
-Phil Wood
-Hadley
-Chris King
-some DT Swiss
Unfortunately all of these hubs are several times more expensive than an XT hub. It would be easy to replace the freehub, and keep riding it, but I'm getting sick of this thing breaking on me! Hopefully I can find a good deal on one of the hubs above. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gandaria
a Cross Country Rider
from Jakarta
Date Reviewed: February 15, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Jakarta | | Strengths: | Very good hubs | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Mavic | | Bike Setup: | Iron Horse | | Bottom Line: | It is a good product in the world, Good price ang good product, durability | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
verblogin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sydney, NSW, Australia
Date Reviewed: February 9, 2009 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Cheap? But this is not a strength if it doesn't do it's job, just a waste of money. | | Weaknesses: | I have a XT front hub that's completely fine, so I'm only talking about the rear hub - the cones constantly comes loose, I've had it tightened 9 times since owning it. I've had the whole internals replace twice, and after the 2nd time 2 months later, the cones cane loose again. | | Bottom Line: | Since owning this crappy rear hub, I've realized how important the rear hub is. It's not worth cheaping out on, so I'm buying a Chris King for trouble free riding for years to come. I will never buy a Shimano rear hub. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
monteverest
a Weekend Warrior
from New England USA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Bottom Line: | Was talked into these and have them laced to Mavic 819 UST. The rear hub comes loose about every 75 miles - definitely feel the rear wiggle, shift, and flex. Bike shop tells me to just keep bringing them back for adjustment. Overall a terrible piece of Shimano s%#t that is not suited for purpose. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kosha5
a Cross Country Rider
from Ukraine
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Reliable, quiet, strong. Good sealing. Not expensive. | | Weaknesses: | Not for a light setup. But weight savings always compromise reliability.
When left under rain for all-night long, seals let some water inside bearings. So, the seals are not perfect, but close. | | Similar Products Used: | Other Shimano and DT-240s. | | Bike Setup: | Doesn't matter. | | Bottom Line: | It is for FH-752 (non-disk version). Practically ideal workhorse. Will work another 3 years. 760, 765 should be good too.
But I don't recommend buying new rear hub modifications like 770, 775, 970, 975 because of possible problems with freewheel malfunctioning.
As to front hubs - they're always perfect. There's nothing to malfunction there.
Yet, after a wet season a hub servicing is desirable. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sven Jacobsen
a Cross Country Rider
from BW, Germany
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | poison-bikes.de | | Strengths: | Durable, good quality, good price. | | Weaknesses: | Not that lightweight, but it´s all right. | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Good choice for those who ride a lot and enjoy riding instead of thinking all the time about a more expensive and more prestigious setup. Those who complain about the weight should reduce their body-weight first. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
barnyard Stalemate
a Cross Country Rider
from mass
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | close to home | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | online retailer | | Strengths: | relatively inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | finite life | | Similar Products Used: | other shimano hubs | | Bike Setup: | 3 custom rides | | Bottom Line: | I've seen Dt Swiss, King, and Ringle hubs all crack around the spokes. I rode xt hubs down the continental divide mountain route and then threw the winter. I had an xt rear hub break at the spleins the cassette body sits on. I don't expect hubs to last forever. For the money, I'm happy. The high end hubs are for the rich who don't ride as much as I do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vlad
a Cross Country Rider
from Cluj, Romania
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | cheap and kinda light .... kinda .. | | Weaknesses: | it's weak ... the life of the product is to short | | Similar Products Used: | other Shimano's | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale taurine, marta brakes, xtr and xt component, selle italia slr syntace parts, xpedo pedals, sapim spoke and 717 rims | | Bottom Line: | So this review is for the 2008 xt disc hubs ... the cone from left broke, the ax is not stiff | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pedalitup
a
from oregon
Date Reviewed: August 24, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came with a 2002 bike they outlasted | | Strengths: | This review is for the FH M756 model hubs I have owned since 2002.
This hub holds a podium spot in the reliability hall of fame. All internal parts are available if you ever need to rebuild them. The chain won't suck even with a warped rear axle. They have no need for constant pampering like some overpriced "royal" hubs. You adjust the cones and grind 'em up with wet granite till they get replaced! | | Weaknesses: | They're not royality. They're plain. They wiegh a few dozen grams more than stuff that bends. They prove that simplicity still kicks butt for reliability and make lightweight stuff look. . . well, lightweight! | | Bike Setup: | Three different full suspension XC bikes!
Every time I am waiting for this or that item for one of my boutique hubs, I throw this rear wheel on and continue to thrash the livin' daylights out of it. And yes, that means Northstar, Mammoth and any other time I feel my lightweights are at risk. | | Bottom Line: | These babies have been raced in the rain, beaten down bike park runs and rebuilt at very low cost time and time again. I wish I didn't have to admit that Shimano has kicked aftermarket butt here, but I do. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pierre bourgon
a
from cornwall, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: July 31, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | came on bike | | Strengths: | indestrutable | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | LX, deore | | Bike Setup: | Nishiki Alian/Arial full XT | | Bottom Line: | I rode this bike for 15 years. the bearings in the front hub only lasted a year and had to be replaced. I never did any service on that hub again. I took the rear hub apart after 7 years to regrease it. the old grease was still cleanafter 7 years. I didn't reggrease it I just put it back together. never touched it again. this bike saw a lot of use. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Berkeley, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Strengths: | Strong, last for ever. Light, given how strong they are. | | Weaknesses: | A bit heavy I guess. | | Similar Products Used: | Several -- remember Nuke Proof? | | Bike Setup: | Iron Horse Azure, Shimano XT, SRAM XO(shifters rear der.), Manitou shock and fork, Easton bars, Avid brakes, Race face seat post, Chris King head set, crank bros... | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding with XT hubs for many years on all types of trails. I'm from Ohio, lived in New Mexico and Colorado for a while and now live in California. I've had three sets of these hubs. One for each bike that I've purchased over the years (Stump Jumper, Cannondale and an Iron Horse). "slow hook up" is nonsense. I defy anyone to "feel" a millisecond or two difference, if there is any. I've done very well in races riding on XT hubs. In the real world, on a 100 mile plus ride, you want a strong reliable hub, which is what these are. I do very little maintenance, basic cleaning, and get a tune up at a good shop once a year. Constantly fooling around with precision parts doesn't help them (IMHO). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chip
a Cross Country Rider
from Chattanooga, TN
Date Reviewed: December 22, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | The Chupakabra | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Cheap, durable, parts availability | | Weaknesses: | Requries some basic mechanical aptitude to service | | Similar Products Used: | Lots | | Bike Setup: | Heckler w/ stuff to make it go | | Bottom Line: | To all of you who have problems with your rear hub coming loose- PAY ATTENTION:
Buy a set of cone wrenches
adjust the cones against the bearing so that there is a little drag, then back it off just a hair. Now, the outer nut has to pre-load against the cone so that neither can move.
Remeber the purpose of the outer nut is NOT to aply force to the bearings, but to apply force to the inner nut to hold it in place. You HAVE to keep the cone stationary when tightening the outer nut. If, after tightening it, you have drag on the wheel- you did it wrong.
Roller bearings DO NOT collapse (they are solid steel balls!), and if your race cracks it's because you had too much pre-load. If your bearings come loose, it's because you didn't have enough. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: October 13, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Warehouse | | Strengths: | Works awesome. I have had no problems whatsoever with XT hubs. Price is reasonable for a part that works great and I never have to worry about it. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore--works awesome. Chris King--I got a lemon. | | Bottom Line: | You can't go wrong with Shimano XT hubs. They aren't that expensive and will take an incredible beating. I weigh 250lbs and ride hard and these hubs have had no problems at all. I have them front and rear on 2 of my bikes.
I have Chris King's on my main ride and the rear hub failed after only 9 months. My mechanic assured me it was a fluke--but a fail is a fail. My XT's are still going strong after 2 years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$225.00 | | Purchased At: | Beyond Bikes | | Strengths: | Reliable, cost effective. | | Weaknesses: | Not as light as the expensive stuff. | | Similar Products Used: | Lower End Shimano, Mavic Wheelset (Road) | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, XT Components, Mavic Tubless Rims, Fox 100RLC Fork | | Bottom Line: | Price was for a wheelset with XT M756 disc hubs and Mavic X3.1 Tubless Rims. Have used the wheels in the dirt at least twice a week for four years (including one year up in the rain in Seattle) and have never even had to adjust the hubs. Just replaced the freehub, because the freehub bearings got noisy. Axle bearings were still in perfect condition, so just regreased them and the rear hub is good as new. Thought about upgrading to XTR or Chris King, but spending so much money to save .25-.50 lbs just doesn't seem worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from boise
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$210.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | affordable, dependable. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | mavic | | Bike Setup: | 2004 ibex hardtail | | Bottom Line: | You would have to be pretty gullible to pay 300.00 for some hubs, why do some people equate price with performance? I am having this rear hub rebuilt after 2200 miles, the bearings finally wore out, I have never had a problem with xt hubs,this is a dry climate here so maybe they last longer here in Boise, yeah there heavy but I am not racing so no big deal, bought this wheel set at performance bike,I feel the wheel build is critical to reliability, performance bike gets credit for this fine wheelset, mavic 717 rim brake type. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything fun | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Strengths: | Front hubs are ok, decent weight, strong flanges | | Weaknesses: | Ride, maintanence, ride, maintanence, ride, buy new internals, maintanence, ad infinitum... weak freehub internals | | Similar Products Used: | Other shimano crap: XT, LX, Deore, STX-RC | | Bike Setup: | TST Ti hardtail, Marzocci MX Comp ETA, Thompson hardware, Shimano drive, Crankbrother Candys, Chris King Hubs, Mavic 717 rims, etc | | Bottom Line: | This review is for non-disk XTs (M760)
I must say, I have not had much problems with Shimano front hubs so this post mostly looks at their rear hubs.
Shimano rear hubs just suck. The problem is that the drive side always gets contaminated which pits the cone and then your in for expensive replacements if you want your hub to work well again (for a little while). I maintain my bike very well and make sure to re-pack the hubs when they need them. However, this does not seem to matter. Also, after tighening the locknut very tight (I'm sure tighter than spec'd for) they have come loose in the past on rides and oh... there goes another hub.
Shimano rear freehubs also hit the low chilli end. After it started to stick the other day I opened it up and found metal shavings from the pawl surfaces in with the greese and bearings. I'm talking large shavings. Poor quality garbage.
Shimano really has to get rid of their crappy rear design and make something that lasts and doesn't need maintanence after every wet or muddy ride.
The bottom line: If you like maintanence and replacing internal parts regulary or want to deal with a grindy pitted hub, than look no further. Otherwise, save your money and buy something worthwhile. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Strong, and with maintenence they last a looooooooong time. | | Weaknesses: | They only lasted about 8000 miles. | | Bike Setup: | Oryx Frame, Marz FR 3 ETA, XT drivetrain and shifters/brake levers, Easton XC carbon bar, Thompson Stem and seat tube, WTB Lazer V seat, Cane Creek bar ends, Zu-Zu pedals | | Bottom Line: | This my commuter bike that I like to jump, take on a trail, practice trials(but I suck), basically this my all purpose bike that I put A LOT of miles on. Most of those miles are on the road, but I have dropped 6 feet onto concrete, been hit by three cars, botched a landing off a jump and trashed 8 spokes at one time. I am telling you this to show that I abuse my bike, because I like to have fun on it. Thse hubs held up just fine for a while, but I had to take them apart and clean/grease them a few times but that should be expected. For the price they can't be beat but after a while the bearings start to go and they will slow you down, I didn't realize how much they slow you down until I layed these to rest and got some Hope Bulbs and let me say.... Oh my they are nice, and now I can even put this other set of rims onto my 66RC that is on the bike I REALLY abuse!
THEY ROCK AND THEY DON'T COST MUCH! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jorgex
a Weekend Warrior
from Almada, Portugal
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | -none | | Weaknesses: | -exploded after a year
-slow roller | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT, hope XC, DT cerit | | Bike Setup: | Giant Escaper'92(hardtail)
frontwheel DR cerit disc with dt middle range spokes and mavic xm 321
rearwheel Hope XC disc with dt middle range spokes and d521 | | Bottom Line: | XT derailleurs and XT crankset are great products but the hubs i don't know where to start.
Front Hub:
Nothing special, it's does the job perfectly. After 3 years using that hub, i sold to a friend XCbiker and he still uses it today. Thats another 3 years, a total of 6 years.
Rear Hub:
It was a ride to remember, other bikers screaming, dogs barking and jumping at the time on the trial. Fortunately i was just 10km away from home. I can say now that my sidi shoes are comfortable.
It auto-destroid exactly 365 days after the installation. How bizarre.
Until then good luck because it feels like you have a 2.3 tire on the road, very slow roller and slow aceleration.
Both:
Together are unstable because fronthub pushes you forwards and the other backwards. You almost feel the bike snapping the middle.
Please, do yourself a favor, buy DT, Hope or Chris King hubs. Don't waste money on these hubs.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Burdell
a Cross Country Rider
from Fletcher,NC
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Pilot Rock | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | LBS came on bike | | Strengths: | There are none | | Weaknesses: | Lets see. Require constant maintenance, rear comes loose, free hub EXPLODED. | | Bike Setup: | 05 Haro XLS R7, xt drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | To reiterate what others have said. These things suck. Do not buy them unless you enjoy working on hubs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stuart
a Weekend Warrior
from Abbotsford, B.C.
Date Reviewed: November 29, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt merchant | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | traded for it | | Strengths: | Its smooth, strong, compatible with bolt-on axles, unlike deore crap, and hasnt given me any real problems yet! I love the clickety-click sound it makes :-) | | Weaknesses: | some people dont like the clickety-click, but i love it! | | Similar Products Used: | deore(crap), lx(better), formula(good) | | Bike Setup: | morphine w/super t, freeride spec, and the xt rear hub:-D | | Bottom Line: | Its a quality product thats not insanely expensive compared so some. Its not as good as a hadley, or a ringle, or a king, but it certainly gets the job done, and it clicks pretty nicely. Not as much as a hadley tho:-( Either way, I'm planning on it lasting a good long time. cheers | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jonathan Kelman
a
from Irvine, CA
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Heartbreak Ridge | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Company | | Strengths: | Quite inexpensive for a rear disc hub, roll decently smooth, hub body is definitely burly, did I mention they're cheap? | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, and of course the recurring loosening problem | | Similar Products Used: | Hugi, XTR, LX, WTB speed disc | | Bike Setup: | Turner 6 Pack, XT rear hub is laced 3x to a Sun Singletrack | | Bottom Line: | This is the second rear XT disc hub I've owned. The first one had few problems for two years until it began dying (bearings collapse, tighten hub, bearings collapse some more, tighten rear hub, etc...). This second one, however, is but 6 months old and has managed to drive me f#@king crazy with its coming loose, especially in the middle of rides. Frankly, not the sort of thing I'm used to from Shimano hubs. This, combined with the fact that it's heavy, means I'll be getting something else soon. Nonetheless, I really don't know of any better rear disc hubs for this price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kirk Lott
a Racer
from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | anything near Boulder, CO | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | multiple warranty replacements | | Strengths: | none | | Weaknesses: | breaks constantly - the worst mountain biking product ever made | | Similar Products Used: | None yet, but I will never use Shimano hubs again. I'll try out DT, Chris King, etc. | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant AC1, standard set up | | Bottom Line: | I am a strong, rather agressive technical rider.
I have broken other parts, but this is ridiculous. Between this and my other rig, I have sent back at least TWO DOZEN on warranty, sometimes at a rate of one every 2 weeks. Sure, free warranty replacement is nifty. But what's the cost of sitting in the car, while your friends ride, because your bike won't even pedal? What's the cost of being on a dream road trip, in the middle of nowhere, and having to spend a day on the phone finding a replacment, then driving a couple hours to get it? Shimano sucks. And I know other advanced riders who have had this experience.
And don't be fooled by thinking it's easy to replace. Once you build up a wheel, if I understand correctly, you're committed to that hub. So changing hubs costs $500 or more, not $25.
If you have any strength in your legs, or if you plan to do any riding other than at the local municipal park, avoid Shimano hubs. You have been warned.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl
a Cross Country Rider
from Minneapolis
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | DURABLE, easy to work on, cheap | | Weaknesses: | drive side cones loosen, heavier than i'd like | | Bike Setup: | xt mavic 517, dt spokes | | Bottom Line: | So if you can't afford Kings, or even XTRs, this is probably the route to go. These guys take a lickin and keep on tickin. I can't count the number of times I've done something (awkward drop, cones to loose/tight) and they keep goin like nothing happened. Another great thing is that they're really simple to work on. Only thing to keep in mind is to make sure the locknuts are extra tight, otherwise you run into the same problems that others have had. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zach
a Racer
from Bournemouth, United Kingdom
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | ChainReactionCycles.com | | Strengths: | runs smooth, easily convertable to a solid 10mm axle. | | Weaknesses: | Locknuts begidn to loosen causing the hub to become loose aswell. not the strongest freehub body | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore and LX, DMR Revolver etc. | | Bike Setup: | 24 bikes Le Toy III, Marzocchi DJ2, 24" DMR DV rims with front Revolver hub and rear Shimano XT. Profile Cranks, SS. | | Bottom Line: | a great hub for most things, i used it for DJ and track and it held it for a godo 4 months before the problems started to occour. After i converted it to a solid 10mm axle it stiffened up and was a great hub, better than before. if you use SS and are a powerful rider beware of the freehub not holding out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Fort Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Value. | | Weaknesses: | Loosening of the driveside outer nut. | | Bike Setup: | 03 KHS FR2000, Z1, Romic, Mavic 721 Rear, Rynolite front. Hayes brakes/rotors. | | Bottom Line: | I should point out that I've never invested in a high-quality hub. I got this set of 2003 XT hubs with one of the incredibly cheap RynoLite wheel sets you can buy online. I got the wheels tuned at my LBS to make sure all was well before riding. Nonetheless I flat-spotted the rear rim quickly, and replaced it with a Mavic 721 that has been flawless despite abuse. I doubt that any of this has much impact on the hub problem, but it's possible.
I've had a generally good experience over the last 15 years with LX and XT hubs. They cost so much less than the high-end hubs that I figured I could go through 3 or 4 before breaking even. That said, the 2003 XT rear hub has had a repeated problem, i.e. loosening on the drive-side 17mm nut (that's the outer nut, visible beyond the cassette). Tightening the nut by itself did not fix the problem.
I was apprehensive about taking it apart, but a helpful mechanic at Performance offered to demonstrate the correct procedure. After investing $2 in bearings (you also need 15mm and 17mm cone wrenches plus grease), the rebuild took me about 30 minutes. It took a few tries to get the correct tension, but with some patience it was a pretty foolproof job. None of the repeated loosening had caused any obvious wear to the parts, but I replaced the bearings just in case. Now I believe my hub is back to where it should have been when it was new.
I think the hardware itself is probably fine - rather I suspect the fault lies at the quality control of the build. Assuming they are machine-built at the factory (I could be wrong), it could be that they turn out a certain percentage of hubs that are not properly tightened. Looking at the internal parts they all seem to be well made, and, when they are set up, they fit tightly and the hub rolls smoothly with no axle rocking. There is an overabundance of thin washers - it looked like a mishmash of spare parts - but their purpose seems to be to keep the rotor-side rubber skirt from slipping.
I may try to find a set of Bullseyes if I can - they got good reviews and they're not much more expensive than the XT's. Apparently the company has spent many years building BMX hubs but they have an MTB set also. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Heat Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Mpls
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | with vertical | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$1.00 | | Strengths: | Strong hub rim combo at retail | | Weaknesses: | I've had three XT hubs and this is my second pair that comes loose in rear. The last I sold. Now less than 3 months in it's happening again! I'm going to use lock tight and glue the heck out of them, if no go than it;s the axel stretching! | | Similar Products Used: | various shimano and sun. | | Bike Setup: | scalpel, was f700 before. this hib only used on soft tail. | | Bottom Line: | love hate. lock nuts situation really piss'n me | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from OH
Date Reviewed: December 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | vultures knob | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Runs smoothly with zero maintenance | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | WTB, | | Bike Setup: | Titus switchblade, RF next cranks, Marz forks, Mavic 3.1rims on Sh XT hubs, RF stem, Thomson seatpost, candy pedals, WTB saddle, Cane creek headset, Hutch spyder ust tires, Avid discs, Rogue lock on grips and some other stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I've never had a problem with the XT disc hubs yet. I have the older ones which you bolt the discs on at the hub. I've washed my bike quite a bit with a pressure washer on occasions to and have had no problems with the bearings. Wheels spin smoothly so far. I would purchase them again.
I mounted a pair of wtb disc hubs once, but they didn't spin as freely as the XTs, or as smoothly so the WTBs sit in the closet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a
from NJ
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Been using XT hubs for years with good results, but the problems started when I switched to XT disc hubs... | | Weaknesses: | Free hub body seal between hub body and cassette body leaks water. I don't use strong water sprays. I have had free hub bodies seize so far, and other friends have had the same problem with the same product. | | Similar Products Used: | XT (non-disc), Bontrager, Rolf, Deore | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 98, Skareb, Mavic 317 wheels, XT components, Avid mechanical disc brakes. | | Bottom Line: | Good product, but the free hub body seals are not as resistant to leakage as the traditional (non-disc) XT hubs. And it isn't very easy finding replacement free hubs for a reasonable price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a
from Wash D.C.
Date Reviewed: November 24, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$26.00 | | Purchased At: | j usa | | Strengths: | /this review is for the xt m756 disk hubs!!!/cool looks, comes with a quality skewer,cheap as hell | | Weaknesses: | bit on the heavy side,need adjustment and initial set up,the factory grease is low quality,seals need to be lubricated with silicone lube before initial instalation to avoid wearing the contact surfaces | | Similar Products Used: | stx,lx,alivio...plenty of shimano stuff,some specialized,a pair of bontrager.uh, and joytec too/my favorite!!!not!/ | | Bike Setup: | a trek with some expensive stuff and some cheap stuff....but | | Bottom Line: | these hubs are an exellent value!i reccomend them to anyone who is not too picky about weigth but do care about quality performance.they are very durable and are very cheap/$27f,$36r/.so, stock up on a pair of these and ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Genital Apparatus
a
from Toronto, Canada
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Natural trials | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclepath Woodbridge | | Strengths: | Has lasted an amazing three months without showing any signs of blowing up. The pawls feel as solid as the day I bought them, it engages like it's new. | | Weaknesses: | It has very few engagement points, 16 I think. I'm waiting for it to blow up, which I'm almost positive it will, and when it does, that will be one of its weaknesses. | | Similar Products Used: | Acera and LX freehubs. | | Bike Setup: | Planet-X Tibo. Typical trials setup. | | Bottom Line: | I'll say, this freehub is the best I've used yet. The other lot died quickly, and showed signs of dying early in their use. This one is as good as new, and I expect it to last a good few months more before I need to replace it. Heck, I might end up buying a better hub before I need to replace this one, and then I can reuse it on another bike! Not bad for riding trials if you manage to make yours last, but the engagement could be way better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gabe Padilla
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Clara, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | still looking | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Cheap, comes with skewer, fairly durable, fairly light | | Weaknesses: | Not as light as they could be and a somewhat disposable hub | | Similar Products Used: | Nothing. | | Bike Setup: | XC bike | | Bottom Line: | The Shimano XT Disc hubs have become my go-to hub. They cost $65 for a set, they have proved durable for me (although I have not used them in a lot of wet conditions), and replacement parts are readily accessible. Whenever people say that they need a cheap durable hub I always send them toward XTs. That is saying a lot because I'm not a huge fan of Shimano. These hubs just work. The downside is that they are somewhat disposable, not something to cherish and keep around like a set of Chris King or Phil Wood hubs. Oh yes, and absolutely zero bling factor if that matters to you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Hill
a
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Trumbull, CT | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Just does what it should. Haven't had a preoblem in about 2 seasons and I've never so much as thought about them | | Weaknesses: | I'm sure I'll complain that they're junk when they break, but til then .... | | Similar Products Used: | Some crappy low end hubs that felt like the bearings were rolling on sandpaper by the time I replaced them. | | Bike Setup: | M4 Stumpy, King headset, Scareb Platinum fork, XTR deraillers and shifters, RF next LP cranks, Avid discs, some carbon, some Ti, Rhynolite wheels on XT disc hubs. I'm probably forgetting smoe stuff, but that's ok. | | Bottom Line: | They work, they roll great, they were cheap. I eBayed them brand new as part of a prebuilt wheelset and both have held up well. I may not be the hardest guy in the world on my bike, but I think I beat it up a bit and put it through its paces - grit, mud, water ... all that the Northeast has to offer. After two seasons, they just keep performing. When they die, I'll get King's, but till then, I will just keep riding them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Cheap, good roll | | Weaknesses: | Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | The stock shimno hubon my kona | | Bike Setup: | Kona Blast, Marzocchi X-fly, XT XTR drivetrain, XT-517 wheels | | Bottom Line: | For the price these hubs are great. Like I said, they are not the lightest but they are the cheapest "good" hub out there. Took a few rides to get them broken in and running smooth but after that, they roll amazing and you can't beat them for the price | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a
from Denver
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | bergen | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | cheap spin smooth | | Weaknesses: | not of the highest order of quality | | Similar Products Used: | King, White Industries, Campagnolo, | | Bike Setup: | Titus, Jamis, Trek. | | Bottom Line: | I don't understand. The locknuts come loose according to many users of this product. I have Not Once Ever Never had
a hub come loose. Ever. Excpet that darned weird direct-pull
Deore hub, but AFTER I TIGHTENED IT, IT NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. And I don't count that one anyhow. It's on the unicog now. Go figure.
So locknuts come loose after being properly tightened?
That's a new one on me. I rode the set of bog standard XT/517 wheels that came with a Racer X for THREE YEARS and never once had any problem whatsoever. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
sean k
a Weekend Warrior
from livingston nj
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | porcupine rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | hmmmm.... rim is still true? price | | Weaknesses: | loose (rear disk hub) | | Similar Products Used: | deore, WTB speed disk hub | | Bike Setup: | banshee chaparral w/ Z1, romic, XT/XT, xm321's, hellbents, azonic shorty, etc | | Bottom Line: | the hub came loose twice already and i've only been on it for a month. I've used 2 other hubs in my day- the deore disk with a rhino lyte, and wtb speed disk wheelset. they came loose about twice in a 2 year period. this hub came loose the day I got it. I know how to tighten hubs... so its the hub, not the wrench ;-) Good price though, and when it's not falling out it feels pretty solid. go for the cheaper Deore, much better. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Cochise
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rocky | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | I have no idea what some people are doing to these things or if they're using a hammer and pliers to take them apart or what but this is about the least expensive quality hub money can buy. I have used a lot of different hubs and for the price, you cannot beat these things. | | Weaknesses: | Not the best out there but for $40-$50 bucks, they rock. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, Deore, Hope, Onyx | | Bike Setup: | Turner Burner XT everywhere, avid, Sram 9.0 rear der, blah blah blah | | Bottom Line: | Performance per dollar, these things are great. They roll smooth, are relatively well sealed, are not heavy and they're inexpensive. The rear hub engagement play if your back pedalling is slack, but I'm not in that situation often. For the $$$, they're great. You can't compare these to Chris King's or Phil Woods, but they cost a tiny fraction of what those do. For value you can't beat them, but they are not the state of the art in hubs thats for sure | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Parrotheadnw
a Weekend Warrior
from Sammamish, WA
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Inexpensive and easy to get parts | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, rear axel comes loose, rear bearings a junk, hard to maintain | | Similar Products Used: | WTB | | Bottom Line: | These came on a set of Sun Singletrack's from Jenson.
Rear:
Become loose far too easily. No matter what you do, the axels/bearings become loose in the middle of your ride. The freehub is not so free anymore. Expect to do a lot of service.
Front:
Appears to be bulletproof. I have checked the front every time I service the rear and it has required no adjusting. It's hard to believe that front and rear hubs are supposed to be the same quality.
My score is an average of the two hubs, 0 for the rear and 5 for the front. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nathan
a Weekend Warrior
from Rowlett, TX
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Womble | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA | | Strengths: | Reliable, smooth bearings, good seals, easy to maintain, skewer is included, reasonable price. | | Weaknesses: | Heavy, Normal(Slow)engagement. | | Similar Products Used: | LX, WTB Speed XC, WTB Momentum, Chris King, Nashbar, Alivio, STX-RC, Acera, Deore, Sovos, Real Design | | Bike Setup: | '98 Jamis Dakota XC, '99 Marzocchi Z2 Atom Bomb, 9sp XT drivetrain, Chris King/Synchros Lil' Snapper/Marwi Ti-Dye wheels. | | Bottom Line: | They are an inexpensive reliable set of hubs. They don't have the quick engagement or light weight of my Chris Kings. The bearings seem to roll much more smoothly than the lower end shimano hubs I have had in the past. Not sure if it is better bearings, better grease, or just what the difference is. It is very noticeable though. My Ultegra road hubs also roll much more smoothly than the lower grade shimano road hubs so I am inclined to think there is a design or component improvement in the XT and Ultegra hubs over their lower end counterparts. I would say the XT's roll as smooth as most hubs with sealed cartridge bearings. They are great for general riding, but the instant engagement of the rear Chris King makes the Kings my choice when I hit the trail for any serious riding. If you have the money, get a set of Chris Kings. If you don't, the XT's offer decent performance for the cost and deserve consideration. They offer a definite perfomance advantage over Shimano's LX or Deore. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pimpbot
a Cross Country Rider
from oakland, CA
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | universalcycles.com | | Strengths: | Cheap, silky bearings, durable, reliable | | Weaknesses: | easy to mess up seals, not easy to service freewheel, heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Stock boring stuff. Worked okay... | | Bike Setup: | K2 Razorback, XT everyting, Avid Discs, These hubs laced with DT Swiss DB spokes to Bontrager Mustang rims and alloy nipples. | | Bottom Line: | Cheap, but not terribly easy to service. the seals are kinda sketchy to pop out without damaging them. Luckily, they don't need much service. Kinda heavy too, but weight is not a big deal at the center of the wheel. Bearings still silky smooth after one service and 1200 miles.
I don' t know why so many others have adjustment issues. They have the same cup and cone bearing setup that's been used for nearly a hunderd years. They do coat the hub races with some monster tough plating. No, they're not Chris Kings, but they don't cost $300 a set either.
I heard that they ship from Shimano without grease, and they expect the shop to take care of this, which is kinda lame IMO. I'll bet that so many shops out there do a half-assed job on the initial setup and hence the problems. Loose bearings such as these take some patience to get dead on balls just right. A nice bonus is that new bearings and cones are readily available at any shop for about $15 a wheel for the whole works.
I paid $215 for these hubs laced to Mustangs with DT DB spokes and alloy nipples. Cheap for a schweet budget wheelset. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pave
a Weekend Warrior
from Turku, Finland, EU
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | not been there yet ;o) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | came with wheels | | Strengths: | Cheap (?) | | Weaknesses: | heavy, bearings hang/get loose, maintenance | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX/XT/XTR, Magura, Mavic, Coda... | | Bike Setup: | CyclePro Octagon, Fox Vanilla R, Boxxer 151, 521/DT/no-name 20mm, 521/DT/XTdisc (or 321/DT/Magura Louise disc or SingleTrack24/DT/XTdisc), Magura Louise 192mm/XT 160mm, LX/XT/XTR/DMR/SRAM/FSA/Titec/Tomac/Flite/Nokian... | | Bottom Line: | Some wise men have said, that all Shimano hubs should be taken into pieces, greased properly and built up to correct bearing tightness (usually too tight factory setting) before taking them in use! And if possible, some threatlocking at least for the rear hub drive-side nuts!!
Hubmodel FH-M755 (disc): The drive side nuts should be tighten 'with the rage of the monkey' to prevent that uncomfortable feeling, when you are somewhere in the woods and your rear hub hangs up, and you know that the whole hub should be taken into pieces (with those tools in your garage) to fix the problem... After that third bearing problem I decided to put my faith on Loctite. Until now looks good...
Similar front hubs have been quite ok. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joel M
a Weekend Warrior
from St Cloud
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Bill Larson's List | | Strengths: | Looks, if you can call that a strength. Smooth if you can keep it together. | | Weaknesses: | Bearings are complete junk. The axle nuts come loose every couple of rides now, bearings fall out, and have to bring into shop and have them tighten. | | Bike Setup: | 40 lb. Dually | | Bottom Line: | If you want a good maintenance-free hub, look elsewhere. Never buy a rear hub that does not use sealed bearings. Learn from my mistake. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blair Brown
a Weekend Warrior
from Mission Viejo
Date Reviewed: November 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | san jaun | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | cheap | | Weaknesses: | axles came loose twice. the lock nut on the cone backed out on the drive side. to tighten it i had to take the axle out since the free hub gets in the way of the cone wrench. i've had it for only a few months | | Bike Setup: | santa cruz bullit, marzocchi z1, rhyno lites | | Bottom Line: | cheap but not reliable. came loose twice on the drive side after only a few months of riding. pretty heavy too.
no more shi+mano for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
milan
a
from exeter
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | erm erm ahh........... sorry what was the question ? | | Weaknesses: | where to start....
very week, axle is more then a tad pethetic
bloody heavy for such flimsy sh*te
wont like disk brakes, move around so you have to align brake every week!
cr*p cr*p cr*p bearings
shimano
most unreliable hub ever
bigest failear of a hub ever
well done shimano! | | Similar Products Used: | hope hope hope the best | | Bike Setup: | jump, street, downhill. yes its a missile | | Bottom Line: | shimano are cr*p, dont bother, just have to many issues. Be safe, buy british, get hope! xc hubs used for all the above the standard. strong, light, smooth, good value for such money, awesum backup. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Yee
a Racer
from New Zealand
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Craigeburn ski area | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Internet shop | | Strengths: | Cheap, easy to maintain, cheap | | Weaknesses: | Freehub body bearings sieze on a regular basis probably because they are unsupported. Freehub not serviceable. | | Similar Products Used: | Hope XC Ti, Hope Bulb, XT disc and non disc | | Bike Setup: | Giant MCM carbon, everything I can lay my hands on thats good and 8-speed | | Bottom Line: | Hope you are a good mechanic, and have an endless supply of freehub bodies......... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Some what cheap | | Weaknesses: | Some what cheap | | Similar Products Used: | Hope, CK, sun | | Bottom Line: | Had good luck with the NON-disc version but this review is for the DISC version.
I got about 4 months out of mine befor the freehub locked up and then I had a fixed gear bike. Very disappointing. Not worth the money or hte work it takes to lace up a wheel. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Cisek
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake Forest, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$103.00 | | Strengths: | everything, no flex,the looks, colors, stiff, holds spokes well, etc. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Kona Stinky | | Bottom Line: | Great hubs!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Came new on Bike | | Strengths: | Solid hub | | Weaknesses: | Poor engagement and heavy | | Similar Products Used: | Hope, Woodman, XTR, and Chris King | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyll, Lefty, Race Face Next LP ISIS, XTR, Hayes, Easton | | Bottom Line: | This is a review for the XT rear disc hub.
This hub came new on the bike. I had just moved from a bike with non-disc XTR hubs and was shocked at how poor the engagement was on this hub. I would literally have about 1/10 of a rotation before crank engagement. The dealer and myself checked the hub and this apparently is normal behavior.
I couldn't stand the beating my drivetrain was taking, so I had a new wheel built with a King hub. The engagement on the is almost instant (but I had to pay through the nose to get it). I had good luck with King products in the past, and since Shimano wants you to basically buy the entire drivetrain and braking system to get an XTR disc hub, I thought I would give King a shot.
Overall, if it comes free on a bike, then I guess you can't complain. However, if you are going to buy one to build up a wheel, you're better off spending your money elsewhere. I use my old wheel for winter riding when weight and drivetrain engagement isn't as much of an issue. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Macon, GA
Date Reviewed: April 5, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | dauset trails | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Bike Tech of Macon | | Strengths: | Good seals. | | Weaknesses: | Don't spin as freely as sealed bearing hubs. | | Similar Products Used: | Formula hubs (crud), Bontrager hubs (ditto) and regular Deore stuff. | | Bike Setup: | Hubas are laced to Mavic 618 rims. | | Bottom Line: | A friend of mine said it right when he called these the Colt 45 of hubs. They work every time. The seals on these things have held up to a lot of water (we've had drought ending rain here the past couple of months) and a lot of sand, i.e. conditions which killed a Bontrager hub three rides after it was serviced at the shop. I really can't ask for more in that department.
Now, true, they don't spin as fast or as free as sealed bearing hubs, but they don't cost as much either. Amd really, this is a nitpicky point. They do spin well and long. In no way have they slowed me down. Some folks, though, want as much chi chi as they can get, right?
Plus, they have to have the most common freehub body design around. That's why other manuafactuers make a big deal out of Shimano freehub compatibilty. Shimano is the standard.When something does die on me with an xt hub, I'm assured of it being replaceable and fixable one way or another.
I wish I had bought these hubs, laced to these rims, a loooong time ago. I would suggest them to anyone. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Al
a Cross Country Rider
from Ogden, UT
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Came on my GT rear wheel | | Strengths: | Durability and reliability. Bang for the buck. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | None. I'm going to get XT Disk replacement. Big Bang for the buck as well!!! | | Bike Setup: | GT I-drive 1.0, 5-inch travel. Full XT, Zoke Z1 fork, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Great bang for the buck. Lasted for four seasons of hard cross mountain riding and a few shuttle downhills days/year. Exploded a rim, built a new wheel with that same hub; it kept going for another season and a half.
Excellent performance for the money.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Rems
a Cross Country Rider
from Willow Grove Pa 19090
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | These are great hubs! The better ones are also twice as much as these. | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Bike Setup: | Trek Fuel 80 | | Bottom Line: | The best for the price. Does not weigh much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from Sweden
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | strong, durable, looks nice, good price | | Weaknesses: | There are stronger hubs on the market but they cost twice as much as these. Cant find anything bad really...well they weight pretty much..but hey cmon | | Similar Products Used: | Pulstar, LX, Alivio | | Bottom Line: | THESE ARE THE 2001 DISCHUBS, not the old sh*t on the picture above. For me, they have worked great and I will get these again and again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | OEM | | Strengths: | Cheap | | Weaknesses: | Freehub not sealed
Freehub internals rust | | Similar Products Used: | LX | | Bike Setup: | Stock Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | The vintage '99-'00 XT freehubs on two of our bikes seized up after about two years of use. This seemed odd since I had a much old and more abused vintage ‘97 LX hub that was still running fine. I got a freehub buddy and got the XT freehubs moving again, but noticed a lot of rusty crud came out when I serviced the freehub. However, when the LX freehub finally cracked from years of abuse, I got a chance to look inside, and unlike the XT freehub, the LX freehub was totally clean. It would appear that Shimano changed some of the materials inside, and not for the better. As well, when I serviced the XT hub, I was equally surprised to find that not only is the freehub not sealed – it’s totally open on the hub side, but the slots in the bearing-race/freehub-locknut allow any water and grit to find its way into the driveside bearings. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jim
a
from Vancouer, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This review is for Deore 525 disc hub.
Strengths: it spins. | | Weaknesses: | Comes loose every day, sometimes twice or 3 times in a day. A major headache, constantly. | | Similar Products Used: | XT, formula | | Bike Setup: | meh | | Bottom Line: | Worst hub ever. Never buy one, it will make your life hell. Not worth more than $5. Even then, the only reason it's worth more than the 3 cents worth of material it's made from, is because it does spin when it's not being worked on (90% of the time), and it has a place for a disc brake rotor.
-10 for value. -10 for overall
(review is for deore disc hub) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Hundtoft
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: August 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Shimano name. | | Weaknesses: | Shimano name. The freehub body has gone out on me for the 7th time. Front hub is ok, rear hubbody is where they lack. | | Similar Products Used: | No others | | Bike Setup: | All XT | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Benge
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Goes round and round. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't seem to last very long. | | Similar Products Used: | WTb hubs | | Bike Setup: | sub22 | | Bottom Line: | I've only had this rear hub for like 6 months and it's started to make grinding sounds! Already! And I didn't even jet wash it once!
Still, it's been a perfectly good hub, just a rather short interval between buying and first grinding sound.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Downhiller
from Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Est. $90 CDN for both | | Strengths: | Strong, smooth action, problem free so far. | | Weaknesses: | None really... maybe weight if you're an xc weener. | | Similar Products Used: | most. | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail bike set up for the Shore. | | Bottom Line: | Good hubs, this is a review for XT Disc front, and Deore disc rear (M525). As they're generally the same hub, I decided I'd put both in here.
So far no problems, the front hub is great and has held up through a lot of abuse. Only time will tell about the rear. I'm sure I'll have to replace the freehub once in a while though... otherwise a damn good hub for what you pay. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BOB
a Cross Country Rider
from CA MARYSVILLE
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | South Yuba (all 16 miles) | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Cambria & Price Point | | Strengths: | Cheap Works as advertised. Front hub is the deal it held up well. | | Weaknesses: | Free hub shelled in one month on my XT non disc. | | Similar Products Used: | LX , STX RC , Alivio , White industries and XTR | | Bike Setup: | S/C Superlight XT & XTR drivetrain w/ Psylo R. Specialized Hardrock set up for urban abuse LX and XT some new and old w/ Psylo XC. | | Bottom Line: | This review is for both disc and non disc. I snapped two freehubs on my LX hub and the wheel set was shot. I needed a new wheelset so I bought a new wheelset on XT hubs non disc thinking it would hold up. The freehub shelled in one month. Replaced hub(not shimano). The front hub held up to 3000 miles of abusive riding with minor maintenace (repacked w/ grease). Gave the rim and hub to a friend and still is holding up. The shimano freehubs have not held up for me very well. I have had a very good experience with my front hub and would buy another. The XT disc hubset I bought because it came as a wheelset. I bought a set of Sun Rhyno lights with XT hubs for a good price for my hard tail hardrock. I like the stiffness of the front hub it is stiffer than my XTR hub and the non disc XT hub. At least I think so. The rear has held up I have not shelled the freehub yet.I have abused the disc shimano hubs for about 3 months with numerous 3 ft drops and alot of stairs up and down. Also some very abusive trail riding. I figure if the rear freehub shells I will replace it. But as of now I am impresed that it has held up. I like both the XT non disc and disc front hubs but I am not impressed with the freehub on the rear hubs. I have a XTR hubset currently on my S/C and I am very pleased to the pounding they have handled why cant the XT freehub hold up a least half as well. The front hub I would reccomend and the rear only as buying a wheel set if you plan on upgrading. My experince is I will shell on snap the rear freehub almost guranteed on shimano hubs. The exception seems to be the XTR hubs which I realy like . | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Macau, China
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any but learning some | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$500.00 | | Strengths: | Light, 8-9 speed compitable, light, $$$, haven't suck! | | Weaknesses: | Polished color, look like Alivio, Still works! | | Similar Products Used: | 2000 Shimano XT disc, LX, WH-M 575 | | Bike Setup: | Parkpre Team 925, 2000 Judy race, 1998/2000 XT 9-spd groupset, XT/Araya TM 810/DT, Azonic kits, SPD 959 | | Bottom Line: | I've used the XT hubs for nearly 4 years, over 10000 KM. I haven't found any problems of them.....I have reset of only 3 times......very good hubs! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nikita Zen
a Cross Country Rider
from Beverly Hills, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$89.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | They don't break. They take a beatin' and keep on rollin' | | Weaknesses: | They work tooo whell! :) | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King ISO | | Bike Setup: | Merlin XLM w/ full XTR | | Bottom Line: | These hubs rock! They stay intact and need no adjustments like Chris King ISO. I have them for more than a year, they're absolutely problem free. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Herby
a Cross Country Rider
from Mayaguez, PR
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$94.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Run Smoothe, Great Bearings, Indestructable | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Steel Joy hubs that came with the bike. | | Bike Setup: | Pacific Beta 7005 aluminum, Shimano XT Front Hub, Shimano XT Rear Disc Hub, Full Suspention, MTN Tires, Rhino Sun Lite Rim, Mavic Rim, Shimano Deore Front Derralure, Shimano Sora Rear Derralure, Shimano Deore Cassette, 53-42-30 Chain Rings, Shimano HG 9 Speed Chain. | | Bottom Line: | These hubs are heavier that XTR but just as good, a few grams never hurt anyone. I really recomend these hubs to begginners up to Expert bikers. THEIR GRR-REAT!!!
Hubs Cost were:
$38 Front
$56 Rear Disc Hub | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Herby
a Cross Country Rider
from Mayaguez, PR
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Everywhere | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$94.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint.com | | Strengths: | Run smoothe on the road and off road, I have taken the hubs up to 46mph several times on and off road with 26inch wheels and they still run like if they were new. Rear cost $56 and the front cost $38, cheap price, Great quality. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Steel Joy hubs that came with the bike. | | Bike Setup: | Pacific Beta 7005 aluminum, Shimano XT Front Hub, Shimano XT Rear Disc Hub, Full Suspention, MTN Tires, Rhino Sun Lite Rim, Mavic Rim, Shimano Deore Front Derralure, Shimano Sora Rear Derralure, Shimano Deore Cassette, 53-42-30 Chain Rings, Shimano HG 9 Speed Chain. | | Bottom Line: | These hubs are heavier that XTR but just as good, a few grams never hurt anyone. I really recomend these hubs to begginners up to Expert bikers. THEIR GRR-REAT!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Weekend Warrior
from Concord, MA, USA!
Date Reviewed: June 4, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | www.jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | Strong, price | | Weaknesses: | weight...No biggies. It's only 100g more then those expensive-as-hell Hubs. | | Similar Products Used: | Chris King ISO disc | | Bike Setup: | full xtr | | Bottom Line: | These Hubs work great! I never had to fix or maintain them. Just a little WD-40 once every several months or so. I also own Chris King hubs. I like the XT much better because I won't cry when they break. If my Chris King breaks....there's another $450.00.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from Suisun, CA 94585
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Northstar | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | strong, takes a licking, looks cool | | Weaknesses: | umm, mine has a bent axle. I'm not sure if I did it when I taco-ed my rim or if the guy on ebay screwed me. | | Similar Products Used: | crap shimano stock stuff | | Bike Setup: | raleigh m50 w/shimano XT/XTR, bontrager race lite, mavic, and avid stuff | | Bottom Line: | I got this hub off ebay w/ some mavic 221's laced to it. Don't get those rims, I tacoed the rear one in 1 week. I'm not sure if that's when the hub got bent, but now when it's coasting, you can see the cog set tilt to the turning of the wheel. I guess thats a bent axle? Well, whatever it is, the hub has since mastered the arts of rockville, northstar and any other hardcore xc/freeride I can throw at it. I weigh 150.
I'm totally freaked out that one day the hub will finish bending and ruin my day, but for the time being, I'm rather impressed that it has held up this long, being bent and all. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott j
a Cross Country Rider
from Melb. Australia
Date Reviewed: February 27, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Purchased At: | Cycle Superstore | | Strengths: | Weight,Reliability,Strenght...these things just keep going &going & going!! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | LX, | | Bike Setup: | Giant ATX890, JUdy SL,XT Drive,flight....... | | Bottom Line: | I love these hubs....
Paired them with Velocity rims over a year ago & that was it....
I haven't had to so much as look at them!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BH
a Cross Country Rider
from SO CAL
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$185.00 | | Purchased At: | JENSON | | Strengths: | This review is for the XT disk hubs and the price was for the complete wheelset (XT/223). Very durable, good stout design. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe a little too stout, I'm not sure why they have to weigh this much. | | Similar Products Used: | XT & LX non disk | | Bike Setup: | Titus QuasiMoto | | Bottom Line: | These things are boat anchors but they have been durable. I did have a problem with the freehub from day one. It had excessive play which caused a lot of drivetrain noise. The play caused the chain to rub on the cassette which caused more of an annoyance than anything. Still, after spending the better part of $3000 putting this bike together it should be perfect. It has taken me this long to find the cause of the problem. I ordered a new freehub body from my LBS and will be sending this one back to Shimano for warranty replacement. I haven't had a Shimano part fail while under warranty before so this will be my first experience with their warranty department. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Martin
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Universal Cycles | | Strengths: | None | | Weaknesses: | The rear hub lasted 30 miles of fairly tame trails before it gave up. | | Similar Products Used: | Generic cheap stuff on my old Giant | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | The rear hubs are a piece of c*&p. The hub lasted 30 miles before eminating grinding sounds and becoming very rough. I weigh 160 lbs and the hub is on a FS bike - what gives Shimano? Of course the wheels were bought mail order so here's to a couple of weeks without the bike. (Luckily the hub failed so quickly that I can go back to my old Giant that I haven't sold yet!). If this product coudl get negative ratings it would, DON'T BUY ONE!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary Gao
a Weekend Warrior
from Shanghai China
Date Reviewed: September 28, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | local Diamondback shop | | Strengths: | durable, smooth, maintenance free, good seal | | Weaknesses: | one ball of the bearing is in the rear hub body, i can hear it when swaying the wheel | | Similar Products Used: | Acera-x | | Bike Setup: | bridgestone hardtail, xt-xtr, indy-c | | Bottom Line: | i bought the hubset when it was during the most expensive period. but they really are worth the money. so durable and smooth, no play at all after 3 years abuse. especially the rear hub,just like a new one. the new version of the xt hubs are lighter, but some guys who use them say they are not as good as the old version like mine. as to the ball in the hub body, i think it may have jumped into the body when in factory and doesn't affect spinning at all. i even freewheel faster than a guy who rides a titanium with xtr hubs! so i just let it be. if one day i broke one ball inside(possible?),i can use this one as a spare one. the xt hubs make me confident both up and down. recommand them to everybody. if they are available, buy them and u won't regret. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Portal Trail, Moab | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | Decent Seals for Desert, low friction, builds a strong wheel. | | Weaknesses: | The Shimano disc hubs are heavy; Weak freehub design | | Similar Products Used: | LX, XT | | Bike Setup: | 99 Diamondback XR4, front disk, rear V, 14G, 3Cross Mavic F519 rims | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the XT Disc Hub. On the Front they are great, very stiff and compatible with most disk brakes.
The bearings and axles are pretty bomber; however, the achilles heel for this hub is the rear freehub. I've stripped 3 freehubs (broken pawls, stripped ratchets, etc) in the last three years (2 LX and 1 XT, the freehubs are all the same strength AFAIK). If you are a heavy or strong rider that rides uphill, Shimano hubs will not last.
A very annoying thing is that the Disc hub freehub body is not compatible with the rest of the Shimano freehub line. This means that my broken XT Disc hub will be replaced by a Chris King Discotech in the near future. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Harhar har
a Weekend Warrior
from zwolle
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | their good, mine does not need service i've run them now for 2,5 years, and do a lot of jumps and drop-offs with them and their still running like the first day and think of it that I weight 180 pounds, never serviced them, never opened them, just cleaned the outside of the hub, nothing more.... | | Weaknesses: | well, it's shimano (I'm not a shimano lover) | | Similar Products Used: | no | | Bike Setup: | freeride and downhill, will go for complete downhill and end op with no shimano at all. | | Bottom Line: | they work good, and can hold up 6 a 7" feet drop-offs if you'r 180 pounds, and maybe more... the value rating will be five chillies because of the low cost, and for the overall rating will also be five, because it upholds my abuse. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WES WATERS
a Downhiller
from EDMONTON,AB,CANADA
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | ANYWHERE | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | kLONDIK | | Strengths: | Great hub, stands up to my fat ass. | | Weaknesses: | Freewheel such big time i em on the 4th one.
it is bilt to light, for XC not free styl | | Similar Products Used: | Hugi | | Bike Setup: | GT ricocet with lx drive train xt hubs and phsylos on the front. XT disk | | Bottom Line: | The hub is great but the free wheel is a pain. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Racer
from Portland, Oregon
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | dirt ones | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | many places | | Strengths: | This is a Shimano product. With that said serviceability seems to me to be the number one strength. | | Weaknesses: | Sealing problems, freehub dies quickly | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, LX, XT and XT disc | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail set-up for winter abuse in the rainy Northwest | | Bottom Line: | These hubs are great for serviceability, but they require a ton of service. If you ride in sloppy conditions, these hubs may not be your best choice. I've had great trouble with the freehubs and have had to replace them often. The seals aren't that great and the hubs require constant vigilace from repacking and replacing bearings and cones. I also had a horrible time adjusting the hub when replacing the freehubs. I don't know if it was a compatibility issue or not, but it certainly stumped many local bike shop mechanics as well as myself. Finally, I don't know if this can be attributed to the hub or not, but this is the first hub I have broken spokes on--and only on the non-drive side rear hub. It could merely be the pressure put on the spokes from the disk brakes but they consistantly break at the hub flange at the head of the spoke. In the end, for the price and the spare parts availability, they aren't too bad a deal. I guess you get what you paid for. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gaoo
a
from Quebec
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Bromont | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | smooth rolling, seals, look | | Weaknesses: | haven't find any | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano Deore, Acera X (front/rear), Bontrager Comp I,II | | Bike Setup: | 99 Trek 6500 ZX, Psylo SL, Hayes front full hydraulic disc/XT hub/Mavic 321 rims/DT alpine spokes, XT rear dérailleur, Bontrager parts, THE front fender, Hutchinson Squale tire 2.2 front, Panaracer fireXC pro 2.1,... | | Bottom Line: | I'm reviewing XT DISC front hub. I went to Bromont last week, and it was very muddy (there was some snow), The seals holds up just perfectly. It works like a hub must work, but all of them need to be cleaned some times. It's built with quality parts inside, and the all rolls smooth.
I don't understand people who say XT hub stop to roll after some months! Did you know that you can clean it? And adjust it? My Bontrager Comp II rear hub is rolling as new, even after 2 years of hard wet conditions riding. I just changed once the body, and a cone! Keep them clean, and they will have a long life | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Cross Country Rider
from San Mateo, Ca
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Waterdog Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point (the 221/XT Set) | | Strengths: | Strong, reasonably lightweight, cool looking | | Weaknesses: | no problems | | Similar Products Used: | none really | | Bike Setup: | '00 Schwinn Homegrown, SRAM, Race Face | | Bottom Line: | These are good hubs. I've never had any problems with them, i got them as a deal with the 221 rims, and bent the rear, which i intend to replace soon. But, as for the hubs, they're holding up nicely, and unless the stop rolling i don't intend to replace them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MikeO
a
from San Francisco
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Ones without joggers on them | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Ocean Cycles | | Strengths: | 6030 miles, over 2 years of riding. Durablility. | | Weaknesses: | Eventually, the hub will wear out. It doesn't engage like it used to, but rolls fine. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano LX (Old bike) | | Bike Setup: | Aluminium Hardtail, 80mm travel front fork. Mavic 517 rims, 14 gauge DB spokes (3 X lacing pattern) | | Bottom Line: | I have been trying to find a reason to replace my rear hub and I still don't have one. I haven't even taken the hub apart to service anything. I DON'T spray my bike down with pressurized water-hoses, which helps. After 4500 miles or so I started to notice that the hub doesn't engage as quickly (or smooth) as it used too. Now I have over 6000 miles and it is still working (watch it break now...). A great hub for a good price. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
FLIP Z BIRD
a Weekend Warrior
from Tempe, AZ.
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | TOO MANY TO LIST. | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | Adverture Bike Shop | | Strengths: | For the price what else could you ask for? They work for me just fine! | | Weaknesses: | I see that "many people" have had problems with the seals in water and muddy stuff. I have never had ANY PROBLEMS with them! I live in the DESERT. I just bought another set of '01 BLACK "XT" DISK hubs. I am no super fan of the SHIMANO name, but it does work better than most. Except for the 8 seed ATTACK Grip Shifters! My 9 speed stuff, two full sets of them, hangs out in the garage wall, off of all my other bikes, too much trouble to use them. Kept breaking Chains and walking back home, stick with the "OLDER" 8 speed set ups. MUCH BETTER! | | Similar Products Used: | To many to remember,one was a stock Gary Fisher Bontrager hubs, I gave those away! I have a set of '99 "XT" standard hubs laced up to Bontrager Mustang rims and I have never touched "THE HUBS" since! The rim is too weak to stay true for very long, I ride too hard on them. So I just upgraded to the new "XT Disk" wheel set! | | Bike Setup: | I custom ordered My Bright YELLOW 'oo "Conejo, AP-5/AT" with a drop top tube, SWEET BIKE FRAME! w/v-brakes and Disk mounts on the rear swing arm. A '00 Marzocchi 5" "STIFFER SPRING kit" in a Z1-CR, Race Face Crack&Rings, System Stem, Seat post and Bar. "XT" V-brakes hubs and derailers. "NEW" set of Rhyno lights laced "3X" up to a NEW set of "XT" disk hubs. I still use 8 speed "ATTACK" GRIP SHIFTERS and 9.0 SL brake lever's with "XT" Shimano brakes and derailers. IRC 2.1 Back-country front tire, IRC 2.1 Mythos-xc rear tire. Great set up for hard pack and rocky desert riding...try it on South Mountain or Desert Classic, You will love them! Much better then my old CONTIENTAL's. ever were. A full set of Night Rider Digital pro-12-E and the Digital Head trip lights. I love to Night ride with our big group of "Adventure" riding Friends. Summer is just too hot not to right at night down here! | | Bottom Line: | I could have bought the CK's, Hope or Hugi hubs, but for the extrs "$", I would rather put on a set of Grimeca Disk brakes on my new set of hoops. I know many people in the Bike bizz "Jeff @ Dirt King, a reaaly nice guy. The staff at Conejo Bikes "God sends in this BIG DOG eats LITTLE CUSTOMER world." I still get good deals at my LOCAL BIKE SHOP! "THANKS BILL @ Adventure Bikes." I spend TON$ of money on new bike stuff and "so far" I have never had any problems with My "XT" hubs. You do the math many people will SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY, TRING TO LOOK COOLER THEN THEY RIDE! "LIKE THE THE CK HUB, AND FULL XTR COWBOYS that only ride the light XC trails and sidewalks once a month!" Just get out and ride the damn Bike on the HARD trails and have FUN! See you out on the trail? I would rather replace an "XT" part every four years then to spend too much on a CK hub and XTR parts only to replace them "just as often?" Try getting parts for a CK HUB and you will see what "FRUSTRATION REALLY IS!" Down time SUCKS even more, the more you spend on the part that fails!
Flip Z Bird! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ian ezzi
a Downhiller
from benderloch, in scotland
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the new ft william course | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | local bke shop | | Strengths: | looked tough... | | Weaknesses: | large flanges restrict choice of brake calliper, no hope 4 pots for a start...
seals are lousy, two/three months use and my axle had stopped turning...
Freehub is running rough already, doesn't freewheel so great
for the price would cartridge bearings not be expected? | | Similar Products Used: | no disc hubs other than a front hope | | Bike Setup: | long travel patriot with hope/shimano discs (avoid if you're a downhiller) usual downhill stuff | | Bottom Line: | I'm very disappointed in this hub, i spent a fair bit on it, i think £60 or more, i can't remember, but the sealing is pants, it was only when i took it off i realised how rough it was after two months riding. The flanges are quite large, which pushes the spokes out, which prevents you from using such callipers as the hope 4 pots (don't know about the enduros right enough...)
Also, the freehub is running kinda pants also, not spinning back very freely.
I realise that the hub has put up with some crap, at a race in innerliethen it ended up in the river to get cleaned, but this hasn't affected my front hub, and river dousings have never in the past affected my rear hub (a cheaper cup and cone lx)
I haven't bought many hubs, but i thought for this price you would expect cartridge bearings, no? my front hub has those and it runs so smoothly that the weight of the valve on my tire causes it to spin round.
overall pretty disappointing, and i wish i hadn't been seduced by the old "they are a big company so they can't make a bad product" argument | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john
a
from peabody
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Bike Setup: | Merlin XLM with Race Face and XT/XTR components | | Bottom Line: | The only hubs I've ever owned are XT. I've had great luck with them in the past and felt no need to try another hub when I built up a new bike this summer. In fact I've got an old wheel set from 1992 with XT hubs that my brother is still using for road riding. Well to get to the point my brand new rear hub broke completely free while climbing a hill last week. Shimano will warranty it but it's a pain sending the wheel out. I'm not totally turned off with shimano but will probably try type of rear hub next time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Weekend Warrior
from Pekin
Date Reviewed: September 29, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | The Friendly Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$270.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | The only strengths this product has is that it stimulates the Japanese economy. This product is complete and utter garbage. | | Weaknesses: | I had the wheel hand built in October of 1999. Since then I have replaced SEVEN FREE WHEEL BODIES!!!?!?!?! The last one ripped/rounded the metal flanges from the hub itself and rendered the entire set up unsalvage-able. | | Similar Products Used: | Ringle, GT/Hadley, XTR, LX, Chris King | | Bike Setup: | Aeon Joker, XTR drive train on Race Face cranks, Thompson Seat post, and the usual stuff. | | Bottom Line: | If you ride alot or are powerfull enough, DON'T buy these. I have seen sixth graders break these hubs. In fact I think one of those anorexic Romanian gymysts broke a Shimano rear hub. Shimano might have set the standard for drive trains in the 90's, but they are the Monica Lewinsky's of the wheel/hub market--they SUCK.
Instead of chilies, I'd like to give every Shimano employee a courtesy prostate exam using a rear hub. I don't really give a care about cost at this point. The rear hub alone sells for say $130. Each freehub is say $30. I've gone through SEVEN. You do the math and add in $10/hour for labor to reinstall and $100/hour for each time that you couldn't ride and $175/hour for everytime you had to hike home and $ 2500/hour for the hub blowing out on your vacation to WinterPark with your wife.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a Racer
from wales
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I have had a pair of these hubs for ages, ok they aren't the best but they are priced as they perform .. ok.
i have a 1992 front hub which is still going strong and has the grease ports in the side ( yes its that old ) and i have a 95 xt rear which has just about had it.
the major problem is the cost of xt free hub bodies about £30 which is way to expensive for the length of time that they last. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Milwaukee, WI USA
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | John Muir-Kettle Moraine | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weight, price, durability, low mainteance | | Weaknesses: | None so Far | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4300, avid arch 50 brakes, bontrager wheelsets, with these hubs, shimano 747 pedals, koobi saddle, Flylight Z4 suspension | | Bottom Line: | These are high quality hubs for a low proce. I will reiterate: it one doesnt wnat to spend tons on CK's or XTR, these are just the ticket. They are a crucial part of my upgrading machine of my Trek 4300. I dont buy everything shimano, but I will always go with their hubs. ROCK ON!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Weekend Warrior
from Maidenhead, England
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | South Downs | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Durability. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't look that great. | | Similar Products Used: | LX Hubs | | Bike Setup: | Specilized Works M2, Manitou SX Ti forks, Middleburn, Kore, Azonics, WTB, XT etc. | | Bottom Line: | Have had an pair of XT hubs for over 2 years now without any need for maintenance. The hubs have been ridden through 2 winters and are surviving fine. The rear has outlasted 2 bent rims and two cassettes.
The bearings are admittedly not as smooth as they could be after two years use but they haven't been touched since new, and I'm sure that after a clean up they'd be as good as ever.
No real complaints, they could look a bit nicer and I've previously had trouble with Shimano freehub bodies but not on this hub. Anyone who wants a quality trouble free hub and doesn't want to spend Hope/CK prices should definately look at these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from Nottingham
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Clipstone Forest | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Fairly inexpensive
Good quality (good brand too) | | Weaknesses: | Nothing major, but I guess they don't look liek anything special | | Similar Products Used: | LX/STX, GT own-brand | | Bike Setup: | GT i-drive, Mavic X517 rims, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires, full XT drivetrain and breaks. | | Bottom Line: | I've had no problems using these hubs in the nasty British mud. My only problem with them is they look a little cheap.
I've not had to service them yet or anything.
If you can't afford Chris King components (or XTR) then these are an excellent alternative. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Kemp
a Cross Country Rider
from London
Date Reviewed: June 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything in the Peaks | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Cheap readily available spares | | Weaknesses: | 2000 Disc - has a very poor free wheel hub | | Similar Products Used: | 98 XT very reliable | | Bike Setup: | Mount Vision std, Pace RC36's | | Bottom Line: | Good all round hub but the 2000 free wheel hubs seam to loss its lubrication far to easily. This hub has only been fitted for 4 months and already needs replacing. They simply cant put up with British mud and rain. I wish I had bought those Hope's instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
runforestrun
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmington NC
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | An economical, smooth running hub. Maintenance free under most conditioins | | Weaknesses: | They are unlikely to get you a hot date. | | Similar Products Used: | No name OEM Shimano | | Bike Setup: | Olde Trek, LX-XT drivetrain, Sun SubIV rims, Panaracer smoke and dart, and these wonderful hubs | | Bottom Line: | I have used two sets of XT hubs on Sun rims (Rhyno Lites and Sub IV). One set was from Nashbar, the other thebikeco. Both sets were very well built. These are strong, smooth running hubs. I have never bothered to break mine down because they are just too well put together. I am sure that some water and sand has gotten in there, but I can't tell it from their performance or finger tip feel when off the bike. I think the new hubs are even better running that the 98's. These are serious hubs for serious XC. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Evans
a Cross Country Rider
from Alabama
Date Reviewed: April 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Laurel Mtn, NC | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Common parts, easy to service, inexpensive | | Weaknesses: | you get what you pay for | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | Stumpy pro loaded w/xtr, except for the rear hub | | Bottom Line: | Well, I race occasionally, & to keep the weight down I'd like to get a King, but for the money these have really served me well. Everyone on this post who says that these are the best hubs out there, sealed perfectly and maintenence free, has not really used them. Don't get me wrong, they are good hubs, but they aren't the top of the line. Don't expect to get King quality for XT price. If you ride often in sloppy stuff, do yourself a favor and get some cartridge bearing hubs, but if you ride on dry trails mostly, like me, then these will last you for a long time. Mine is a 97 model, and it is still working like new... I just have to replace the bearings & repack it occasionally. Good value, not the best overall quality, however. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Denny
a Cross Country Rider
from Oak Harbor WA
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fort Ebey | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Affordable, easily maintained, long lasting through all kinds of mud. bearings never became contaminated. always ran smooth. I just had to change the freehub because it was ceasing, very easy to do and it runs like new again. | | Weaknesses: | free hub wore out before the bearings became contaminated. | | Similar Products Used: | shimano LX STX-RC | | Bike Setup: | 99 Specialized Stumpjumper comp custom | | Bottom Line: | I love it for the price. I have had this hub on three wheels now, always smooth. With the new free hub it will make three more. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
allen macaulay
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, ON
Date Reviewed: February 22, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Reliable, Strong
Easy to work on
Well sealed | | Weaknesses: | Hmm, you do have to repack the bearings every once in a while. | | Similar Products Used: | Shimano STX & LX hubs | | Bike Setup: | Oryx 4000s, full XT, Manitou SXR | | Bottom Line: | Considering that it's a hub with "norma bearings" it is incredibly well sealed. I bike in rain, snow, mud, and dust and so far nothing's gotten past the seals. Even a 1 mile ride DOWN a stream failed to do any damage. I think that as long as the bearings are well packed with grease, they'll be impervious to the elements.
Also, since they use normal bearings, parts replacement is cheap if you ever need it. So far, I've cleaned and repacked the hubs twice, and everything is still good. What else, they spin well, are relatively cheap and can take any jump, drop or whatever you can throw at them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jay
a Cross Country Rider
from rockford,il usa
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | It sells because of the Shimano name | | Weaknesses: | VERY unreliable. More time in the shop than on my bike. | | Similar Products Used: | all Shimano groups. | | Bike Setup: | Trek Y-22, C'Dale F-3000, Trek 7000 | | Bottom Line: | Ive used every Shimano product and this is by far the worst. I would rather have an LX hub than the crappy XT's that I have. Cant tell you how much crap gets into the hub. Even when rebuilt, it was very slow. You cant win a race on dragging hubs thats for sure.
i will give the Kings a try, since ive given up on shimano. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam Hanley
a Racer
from Tilburg
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | citycenterisallthatsleft | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | I remember a time when I wish I had xt
I have the 98 8sp front and rear with 32 holes
perfomance has been flawless from both front and rear
| | Weaknesses: | It's only XT? I know thats not a reason, but sorry thats all I can think as they spin smooth and quiet
I ride street and flatland on my MTB and am very ham fisted and heavy with my bikes
| | Similar Products Used: | my muddy fox HA!)
I don't know man Loads of rear mechs!? | | Bike Setup: | Pace RC200 F8 Pace RC 30 rigid fork 0 reach stem wide high azonics bar WTB saddle USE XCR post 2.3in slick tyres magura hs33's to ceramic | | Bottom Line: | A fantastic piece of bike kit, but king are bike art
They have performed well beyond the the great price
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George F
a Cross-Country Rider
from Canada
Date Reviewed: December 24, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Sunview | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Rolls like a dream
Hardly have to pedal
Big differancce from LX | | Weaknesses: |
none so far | | Similar Products Used: |
DX and LX | | Bike Setup: |
Bontrager Revolt Super X Tires, Mavic X222 Rims & DT spokes. | | Bottom Line: | I have been trying to find the perfect all-around tire, rim & hub set up because I go both off & on road alot and was looking for a good climbing tire yet fast on the road. It may be the tires, or even the lighter Mavic rims than the Araya 17's I had, but one thing for sure these hubs mad a BIG difference. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
derek
a Cross-Country Rider
from delaware
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
any singletrack | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Bike Setup: |
rear hub only | | Bottom Line: | The wheels on the bike go round and round - round and round, etc.
What more do you want? They're easy to maintain. Don't make much noise. And last longer than anything else. Maybe a little heavy, but for the price your doing alright. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jimbo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
tapeworm | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
durable, smooth rolling, not expensive | | Weaknesses: |
none that I can think of | | Similar Products Used: |
Shimano LX | | Bike Setup: |
GT Zaskar, LX/XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | I've been riding these hubs in all conditions for more than a year now and although they did feel like they needed it I thought it would be a good idea to repack the bearings. I opened them up to do this today and the inside was incredibly clean considering I live and ride in the rain condemned city of Seattle. I repacked them and look forward to another maintenance free term (knock wood). They're no Chris King but they're still an impressive product and not to expensive or heavy at all. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew T
a Racer
from morr, NJ
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
chimney rock | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Works fine if you get a good wheel builder to make it w/the wheel. Uh its silver like my bike. i never had any probs with it | | Weaknesses: |
it looks weak...just a little homo; its shimano :/ | | Similar Products Used: |
just this and my current chris king, wouldn't call it similar.. | | Bike Setup: |
ibis w/ a lot of expensive stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I used these for nearly a year before I went for the Christ king hubs (incredible!). They worked fine for the time i had them, got me a couple medals in sport races. I had x517 rims which might have helped along with a killer wheel maker. Don't see why everyone here is complaining, you get what you payd for. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Don
a Weekend Warrior
from Houghton, Mi.
Date Reviewed: November 19, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
None that I've discovered | | Weaknesses: |
Poor seals resulting in frequent maintenance. | | Similar Products Used: |
LX rear hubs that I've used in the past were much more reliable. | | Bike Setup: |
K2 Razorback with Noleen fork, XT componentry and Avid brakes. | | Bottom Line: | The XT rear hub has required frequent maintenance compared to the LX that I've used for several years in the same riding conditions. This is the LAST XT hub I'll buy. I guess I'll save my pennies for a Chris King hub set for next summer. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jm
a Downhiller
from Ok
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
anything singletrack, or DH | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Reletively inexpensive, at least if you get it mail order, otherwise it can cost upwards of 80 bucks in a rip-off LBS. Good smooth bearings, makes a bit of noise, but not much, especially when comparedd with some trick hubs. | | Weaknesses: |
I have had two wheels with XT hubs, the only weakness so far is that they are a bit heavy for XC if you are trying to make an light bike, not much of an issue for me though. And even though they are better than most shimano hubs, the seals are still pretty weak. | | Similar Products Used: |
STX, Alivio, LX, GT, AceraX. | | Bike Setup: |
XT rear hub, on a Mammoth DH rim, strait guage 14 spokes, and brass nipples. Cassette is also XT. It is all on a Rocky Mtn DH race that I speced/built. | | Bottom Line: | These hubs are well worth the money. I had a LX rear hub for a long time, it worked pretty well, but I had to replace a rim because I folded part of it in, in the end it was easier just to buy a whole new complete wheel. One of the first things I noticed whas how the XT was a good bit smoother than the LX, there arent any huge differences between the two hubs, but supposedly XT specs are tighter, and they use steel in place of softer aluminum in places. After aprox 6 months I folded that rim too, the hub was, and is still fine to this day. Because of how many rims I go through, I bought Mammoth DH wheels for a sweet price off a friend, the rear had a brand new XT hub/cassette on it as well. I've been using that combo now for an additional 6 months with absolutely no problems, which is rare for me. These hubs are a lot stronger than the rims I'm using for sure, they are still smoth and can take some beatings(I know how to lay down the hurt on components). For the money they are well worth it. You can spend a lot more money, but that doesnt mean it will be a lot more durable, if at all, the only other hubs I would consider are White Industries and Chris King, which are all fine if you got the money, but most people dont, so the bottom line is that the XTs are a great MTB hub. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ajanii
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: November 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
various | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Not sure, looks? | | Weaknesses: |
Front is fine, rear is weak | | Bike Setup: |
Rockshox Judy XC front | | Bottom Line: | In less than 50 miles, the rear hub developed later play in the free wheel. Also, it now has a knock as I pedal up and downhill. THis product is for those who cannot afford to spend money on bike products already overpriced. This is a poor product but does the job with noise. | | Overall Rating: |
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