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Current state of Novatec hubs?

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#143 ·
fmendes said:
Dude, you're replying to a 2 year old post... Most people had already moved on.

And from their page is impossible to distinguish the cheap from good.
Click to expand...
Apparently the problems still exist.
(But yes, I moved on)
I replaced mine with Hope Pro2 (long time ago) and Pro4(2 years ago).
I build my own wheels, so it was an easy swap.
In my opinion Novatec is a cheap (and flimsy) Hope clone.
Cheap to buy, but the cost of maintenance is high.
Was tempted twice, but never again.

What broke ?
Novatec (don't recall the models) twice
Shimano XT 775 and 8000 5 times

What lasts?
DT350
DT240
Hope Pro2
Hope Pro4

A Novatec looks like a good deal, but replacement parts add up.
Just as the steel "upgrades" and they do add some seriuos weight.
 
#145 ·
My Novatec D712SB/711SB boost

now I found this thread, I have Novatec D712SB/711SB boost hubs, now getting them ready for their 3rd season. I have no probblems with them. I agree that their built quality is not top, but they do not break or anything. I ride XC/trail, so not too hard, but not that lite either, weigh 75kg. My freehub is steel, so no issues there with the pawls. Bearings are ok, they roll well. The hubs feel kind of cheep regarding that you have to screw on the non-drive side end cap of the rear hub just right not too tight as it would slow down the hub turning and not to lightly either as the hub will slide on its axle. Compared to DTs for example, when you put them together they hold firmly. It has advantages as well, cassette does not have to be dismounted in order to take off the freehub. I will continue riding my for this season.
 

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#149 ·
I will share one more thing regarding Novatec hubs. I have a wheel set that I got back in 2010 with Novatec hubs, they are either Novatec D042SB or D032SB. Back then I had those wheels as an extra set for road. Now I do not have that much time anymore (I do only MTB), few years ago I put them on my wife´s hibrid/city (or what ever it is) bike (the stock wheels on it were total crap). Now after several yaers I thought that some maintenance sould be done. Took off the free hub, cleaned and lubed everything etc. I noticed that the bearings spin incredibly smooth. Even after 10+ years. Compared to my wheels mentioned earlier with Novatec D712/711 hubs, and compared to my winter wheel set - Roval Traverse Fattie - DT370 hubs, these old Novatecs spin with a lot less rolling resistance. If I read correctly inside the hub, the bearings are NBK 6001-2RS. I do not know what or where they came from, simply they are great!!! The Novatec D712 have some other bearings, Japanese EZO 6902RU.
 

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#150 ·
WOW. Not good. I have a 2017 Ragley Bigwig with Novatech D-462SB hubs. FreeHub gave out without warning mid-ride. Best part is my wife towed me home with a bungee cord. My riding buddies got it on vid. I'm pretty certain Novatech doesn't want those photos posted on social media.

Factory had me send photos and serial numbers. I have a threaded ratchet ring. They STILL shipped me the wrong parts. Received a press-in ring.

I'm not sure why they don't know what they made EVEN WITH PHOTOS AND SERIAL NUMBERS.
If I could find replacement parts, I would just buy them. But they are not out there. Stay away from Nova Tech
 
#152 ·
I have to change my previous grumpy post. Since the last post, Novatech paid to ship my wheel back to their factory, they laced it up with a new FACTOR hub. (approx $300). Way better hub than OEM. And they shipped it back FREE. Even better, the wheel had a bout a 1/8" wiggle in it before the freewheel exploded. It's LASER straight now.

I'm kind of switching sides. I cant complain about any issues after this fantastic warranty support.
 
#153 ·
Funoutside said:
How are Novatec CX/Gravel hubs? Similar to their mtb line in terms of durability or better/worse?
Click to expand...
Novatec has a lot of parts, and they assemble them in different ways to hit various price points and features. It makes them a little hard to pin down as good/bad.

In general cx/gravel is less demanding of hubs than mtb use, so unless you're a remarkably strong/heavy rider i'd run with it. For sure if that's what a stock build you had included.

It's most likely a 135/142 hub shell that was designed for mtb use and is now repurposed.
 
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#155 ·
Glad I found this thread. I have an OEM hub that's from the same line as Novatec. I'm not sure what model would be closest, I got the bike new in late 2017. I broke the hub axle, looks like loosening is the culprit as mentioned earlier. How or who can I get a boost 12mm hub axle from?

Ray
 
#157 ·
Anybody know the exact part number for the Novatec rear hub on a Surly ICT?

Mine is shot, trying to find a replacement but Surly's site doesn't seem to have specs very detailed and having a difficult time figuring out my options.

Thanks.
 
#158 ·
TimoA said:
Hi,

Thinking about getting an affordable upgrade wheelset. I'm seeing some very compelling setups using Novatec (or obviously rebranded Novatec) hubs, especially the 711/712 Boost hubs. Novatecs have obviously been very popular hubs and correspondingly Google comes up with all kinds of horror stories with them - but how do they stack up now, ca. 2017?

I am perfectly aware that shelling out for DT 240, i9 and whatnot will get me better hubs but that is not the price point I'm after. The more relevant alternatives would be Shimano XT, DT 370 and maybe Bitex. Oh, and the wheels will be for not too aggressive XC/Trail riding and I am not particularly heavy or a strong rider.
Click to expand...
Check out Hadley hubs! I use them in the rear in combination with DT swiss 350 front or Stans hubs.
2 different 29er bikes 2007 Specialized Rockhopper and a 2014 Rocky Mountain vertex 990rsl both XC.
 
#159 ·
ronhextall said:
Anybody know the exact part number for the Novatec rear hub on a Surly ICT?

Mine is shot, trying to find a replacement but Surly's site doesn't seem to have specs very detailed and having a difficult time figuring out my options.

Thanks.
Click to expand...
ICT looks to have a 197 rear hub. That would mean you likely have the Novatec d202sb. Not sure what is wrong with it, but you can get parts from bdop cycling. Or pick up a Framed hub from The House which is a rebranded novatec.
 
#160 ·
The word “Novatec” to this day still gives me chills. My Tallboy 3 had them...broke three hubs in three months. The last one so bad that the hub wouldn’t free spin - try riding out like that - not a lot of fun when you’re 7 miles deep in the woods.

Ran into a bike mechanic recently and mentioned those Novatec hubs, he said, oh Novatec, they suck. Anything but those hubs. And honestly, I’ve had Walmart mountain bike hubs that were better than the junk that Santa Cruz allowed on their bikes that year.
 
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