[Closed] Hope freehubs - opinions?

I would be interested to hear about longevity of the evo hubs as the Pro II's for me are very good but I think they don't like copious mud and jet washing?

I've just bought a ProII Evo. First impression are that it's a) noisy and b) a lot like my ProII on the back of my other bike.

So far so good...the Bulb that my ProII Evo replaced has clocked up six years and thousands of miles before the worn out ratchet killed it. Hope don't produce replacement ratchets for Bulbs anymore.

I'm looking for a bullet-proof rear hub with cartridge bearings and a serviceable, ultra-reliable, free-rolling freehub [u]without going dafty expensive[/u]

I can only comment on the Pro2 (also Bulb & XC hubs), as I havent tried the Evo yet, but I wouldn't waste money on anything more expensive than Hope. Great bits of kits.

I'm looking for a bullet-proof rear hub with cartridge bearings and a serviceable, ultra-reliable, free-rolling freehub.

Apart from being noisy, can anyone comment on the Hope Evo Pro II in this regard?

Oh yes. IME Pro 2s are a very, very long way from being bulletproof.
So far, I've not had a set of bearings (Front or rear) last more than a year. Some only last a few months on the front. I've had freehub pawl springs break, a front hub flange(on my wife's bike) crack off, and the rim that holds the front hub adaptor circlips in place crack off..... Then there's the alloy freehub body that only takes certain cassettes (Expensivce ones, natch) without gouging.

So far I've not found a bulletproof hub. Shimano come closest for me. The only thing I've ever had go wrong with them is freehubs wearing out. Sure, the cheap ones get rough if the cones wear, but it doesn't stop them working....

Currently trying out some DT Swiss hubs, so we'll see how long they last..... But so far thye well used Onyx rear I got secondhand seems good.

[i]So far, I've not had a set of bearings (Front or rear) last more than a year. Some only last a few months on the front.[/i]

Are you sure that you (or whoever does it) are installing them correctly?

I've a number of Hope wheels and have only replaced one set front and rear in about 4 years.

Are you sure that you (or whoever does it) are installing them correctly?

I'm takling the OE ones from new here, so, yes.

And the ones I've put in myself have been the same. Fronts seem worse. I know why this is too: The bearings simply aren't fat enough. Go compare an XC bearing with a Pro 2 bearing and you'll see what I mean.

XCs are better hubs.

Hope XCs of which I have an old pair - pretty reliable, long lasting bearings, hard freehub bodies. Just got a pro 2 so dunno about longevity but the freehub bodies are indeed soft a shite, a fair bit softer than DT (which are also aluminium)

If the alu freehub body is a problem, buy a steel one, bit heavier, much harder. As for shimano, good if you re build the hubs with new bearings on a regular basis, but no-one does. XT would be my choice as the seals are much better. I'm still a big fan of hope hubs though.

No idea but mine was sound as a pound here in the Peaks.

No idea but mine [b]was[/b] sound as a pound here in the Peaks.

So it's not now then?

😉

Pro2s are easier to work on than DT Swiss hubs IMO, (no specialist tools for hope either) and the after market parts are WAY cheaper.

Then there's the alloy freehub body that only takes certain cassettes (Expensivce ones, natch) without gouging.

Even XT cassettes gouge IME. However, its cosmetic and IME in no way affects the function of the freehub body.

Fronts seem worse. I know why this is too: The bearings simply aren't fat enough.

They're the same bearings, at least in 20mm form, that the bulb had - I can't see much structural difference between the two at all TBH, but one doesn't see much dissing of bulbs going on.

There are plenty of hubs out there that use bearings the same size as pro2's - Ringles come to mind. Peter does seem to have a little bit of a thing going on for pro2s and everytime someone asks this question he can be heard jumping up and down shouting about pro2s, which really, is a bit out of character, since he's normally quite a reasoned chap.

Obviously he's had a bad experience as compared to his older XC's, but I've had good mileage from pro2's - my most recent bearing change was after 4 years, which is acceptable to me, given the fact that they're lighter than XCs and bulbs(the rear substantially so) are easy to work on, have relatively cheap replacement parts and bearings and have good backup.

That said, there are certainly lighter, cheaper and maybe easier to work on hubs around. The particular balance point for all these factors is going to be down to your preference and a bit of trial and error.

I have pro 2s and they seem fine - one main advantage is that the freehub can be rebuilt without tools if you do get issues out in the wilds. Having said that the pro 2s I have have been fine but I think preventative maintenance of the freehub is a good idea.

My experience with bearings is better than PPs. Years / thousands of miles of life

However going by the tandem boys who really put strain on hubs if you want bullet proof king or rohloff is the best you will get.

Now't wrong with pro 2s. I have used them for years .. On my DH /FR bikes I do use the SS freewheel upgrade though as its stronger but heavier..If you must jetwash you should be re-greasing regularly with decent grease. When I get new hubs or bearings i always remove bearing cover to check/add new grease. Lots of bearings come supplied with too little/no grease

Wouldn't use anything else

What PTR said.

Waaaaaaay too noisy.

I use hope XCs and DT 240s - both are capable and long lasting - DT spoilt by speacial ring tool BUT very very good - better than my xcs i reckon - I hear about lot of bearing fails in pro2s....

paul

I agree. You can't write that effing awful row off with an aside. Why not shove a bit of cornflake box in your wheels held on with a peg?
👿

I dislike the noise as well I must say.

My Pro IIs in use are great. My main issue has been the hub body. I have managed to crack two in the space of two years at the flange where the holes are for the spokes. Hope have replaced them without question (but I had to pay for the rebuild) but now the warranty is over so the next time it inevitably happens I'm going to need a new rear hub.