Mountain Bike Reviews Forum banner

2009 Fuel 9.9 Rhythm Pro HUB question

2589 Views 8 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  mgsuarez
Anyone have a Fuel EX 9.9 with the Bonty Rhythm Pro wheels or know anything about the hubs?

I'm possibly looking to buy a new takeoff set of these wheels from an 09 Trek Fuel EX 9.9 but am wondering about the hubs that they come with.

It seems for 09 Trek is using a Formula hub on these bikes now instesd of the DT Swiss like previous years bikes. Anyone know anything about these hubs? Reliability issues, POI, sealed cartridge bearings or cup/cone, replacement pieces, etc...I like the nice wide Scandium TLR rims but the hubs leave me with a big question mark about pulling the trigger.

Thanks
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
The 2009 Race X Lite hubs were Formula and they were baaad. I'm not sure how different the Rhythms are, though.
From my experience in the shop I work at, the hubs on the RXL and Rhythm wheels have been mostly fine.
There was a small batch in early 2009 that were recalled due to a machining fault in the freewheel mechanism, which would lead to a loud 'pop' sound when putting the power down.
These were pretty limited cases, and since early 2009 we haven't seen any issues.

They are a pretty basic hubset, sealed bearings with a 3-pawl setup and an alloy cassette carrier. In terms of taking them apart, they are as easy to service as a Mavic.

Double check with your Trek dealer, but I believe the wheels come with a 2 year warranty and Trek Australia has dealt with our issues swiftly with very little delay.
Given the kind of support that we get with their products, I would have no issues about getting a set of these for myself. They may not be as bombproof or as blingy as King or Hadley, but they're light and simple
I see that the Rhythm Elites describe the hubs as "Bontrager optimized, DT made hubs", is this a better hub than previous years? The Rhythm Pros the OP asked about are not listed as DT made however.
Talked to Trek Tech support and this is what he told me.

The 09/10 Rhythm Pros are a Formula hub built to Bonty specs. Sealed cartridge bearings, 2 in the hub and 2 in the freelwheel. Simple 3 pawl engagement all at the same time. He said 28 POI. Service is super easy and they come apart with no special tools. The axle is shouldered to locate the bearings which are easy to remove with nothing in the way.

The change was made from DT Swiss to the Formula for the 09 model year as the DT stuff was getting crazy expensive I guess. Not sure about their top of the line race stuff being DT but the Rhythm Pros are their top of the line "All Mountain Wheel set" with the 28mm wide TLR Scandium rims and Formula hubs now. Some 08 wheel sets wil have the DT Swiss hubs. Not sure which ones but now I know the answer to my own question about the 09.
skidad said:
Talked to Trek Tech support and this is what he told me.

The 09/10 Rhythm Pros are a Formula hub built to Bonty specs. Sealed cartridge bearings, 2 in the hub and 2 in the freelwheel. Simple 3 pawl engagement all at the same time. He said 28 POI. Service is super easy and they come apart with no special tools. The axle is shouldered to locate the bearings which are easy to remove with nothing in the way.

The change was made from DT Swiss to the Formula for the 09 model year as the DT stuff was getting crazy expensive I guess. Not sure about their top of the line race stuff being DT but the Rhythm Pros are their top of the line "All Mountain Wheel set" with the 28mm wide TLR Scandium rims and Formula hubs now. Some 08 wheel sets wil have the DT Swiss hubs. Not sure which ones but now I know the answer to my own question about the 09.
Any word on the DT stuff in the Elites? Do they have sealed cartridge bearings in the hub and in the freewheel? How many POI on them?
Any word on the DT stuff in the Elites? Do they have sealed cartridge bearings in the hub and in the freewheel? How many POI on them?
No solid info as I didn't ask about that particular wheel set (call Trek @ 800 313-8735 and ask for tech support). Interesting that the lower level Elites are still a DT Swiss hub. Bontrager "optimized" whatever that means. I'm kind of excited now to get these Rhythm Pro wheels (@ about 1/2 MSRP) and they should be a huge upgrade over the low POI, free ride wheel boat anchors that came with the bike.

I would "assume" that those DT hubs would also be a sealed cartridge bearing hub. The DT hubs do have a low POI I have read but there is an available, easy to install upgrade kit that I believe does fit the Bonty/DT hubs and brings the POI to a decent 36
skidad said:
The DT hubs do have a low POI I have read but there is an available, easy to install upgrade kit that I believe does fit the Bonty/DT hubs and brings the POI to a decent 36
That was my next question, if the kit I've read about would fit the Bonty "optimized" DT hub. I'll give that number a call and make sure I ask that as well.
20mm conversion

Anyone know if there is a conversion kit from standard QR to 20mm. I have a 09 set of Rythmn Pros that I would love to run 20mm? Thanks
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top