I’m planning on building up some new wheels myself, I need some wider rims. I’m a bit confused about what hubs to get. My inner tight-fisted Scotsman is saying “Shimano XT” or “Superstar” but life experience is telling me buy cheap, buy twice.
So, the thrifty options are:
Shimano XT. Cheap (£60 a set of the Germans). These will be reliable, a bit heavy and no way to swap from QR is I ever want. Happy with CnC, always nice to be able to service something without a hammer.
Superstar – Look OK, about £110 a set for their new hubs. Swappable axles.
The justifiably expensive options are:
Hope ProII Evos. I have a few other sets, they work. Common spares. Seem pricey for what they are (~£200 a pair) and I have a few niggles with the durability.
DT Swiss 350s – they look alright, but not sure they’re an better than the hopes and would need different spares, cost about the same.
The bling options are:
Chris King (~£500 a pair) / Dt Swiss 240s (£~350 a pair)/ Some other exotic hub – I’m not totally against paying for them, but just can’t quite see where the benefit is.
Anyone using either the new Superstar hubs, DT Swiss or Chris King have any strong opinions on them?