http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3414
😀

Hope Pro2s here for the last 4 years. Pretty light, easy to service, easy to get parts, highly adaptable axles. 4 pawls instead of two like shimano. No specialist tools required like CK or DT, not outrageously expensive either.

In your situation I’d get another hub and steal the parts you need from it to go in the new one.

TAR: no difference in use, other than the lack of noise when using the XC. As pointed out elsewhere the bearing are more likely to wear in the Pro II as there smaller. Though personally I’ve only worn out the front bearings & a couple of outer freehub bearing (small outside one) in the couple of years of owned the Pro II’s. Though the ability to run numerous axles is brilliant, I’ve had a normal QR, 9mm Bolt QR on the front (already had the bulb 20mm front hub so haven’t had call for that adapter) . A normal QR & now 10mm bolt up on the rear. My maintenance is unfortunately limited to waiting for a problem to appear, as I have other stuff to do in life & normally everyone elses bike to repair. Hopes hubs suit my purpose & I happily pay more them. 😀

z!ppy – I’ve not had any issues with the Ringle hubs at all. I had issues with the rims I laced them too (ie: I smashed them to bits – I’m a fat clumsy sod!), but not the hubs. After 18 months use I can’t recommend them highly enough. Bombproof! Especially after Shimano’s. I had a Shimano hub literally disintegrate on me. I wouldn’t touch ’em with a barge-pole

A couple more of the lads are running them too. They really are an outstanding bit of kit for the money

And I’ve run Hopes before. Can’t fault them either. But you’re paying twice the price of the Disc Jockey’s

Just I’m not that bothered about all that interchangeability.

Until recently I would have been of the same view. I tend to buy slight 2nd hand, It’s not that long ago when buying a frame was a simple swap of parts incl. QR wheels. There are so many different front and rear standards now. If you buy frames to swap parts from existing bikes, I think it’s now worth thinking ahead when buying wheels.