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I'm about to build a pair of SS specific wheels or buy a new wheelset. What do You think about dedicated SS hubs, as Hope Pro Trials, Chris King, DT240, etc? Does it worth to buy them? Is there a whale of difference between SS and normal hubs? (I mean lateral stiffness, engagement, etc.)
I built some using Surly SS hubs. Main advantage is the ability to use a White Ind freewheel. I can't really tell any difference.
Part of it depends on your frame. If using track / horizontal dropouts then a proper ss hub with nutted or bolted axles is much more secure. If using slider dropouts or eccentric bb then it isn't such an issue (regular QR axle is ok).
The SS Hope hub has a steel freehub body so single sprockets don't dig in. The freehub is also long enough to fit 7 sprockets of a modified 9 spd cassette for occasional geared use (I do it once a year for holiday in the Alps etc). King and DT hubs also long enough to fit the extra sprockets I think. Avoid anything where you haven't got confidence in long term availability of freehub spares.
I've been a bit disappointed with the Hope ss hub - all pawl springs broken in about 9 months use (guess singlespeed must also involve more freewheeling....) but at least their warranty service is second to none (whole new freehub 3 days after I posted it). And past experience suggests you still get the same free service well after warranty has expired.
If going for screw on then look for a hub with large cartridge bearings. I've found the White Industry freewheels to be well sealed and reasonable value once you get over the rather steep initial price. Almost all other screw on freewheels are unsealed - but can at least be fully serviced with a hammer, nail, steady hand and £1 of new balls and grease 🙂
Don't forget that a regular LX / STX / XT hub is pretty cheap, reliable and can be rebuilt around a £5 nutted axle for SS use.
Surly hub works very well I've had mine ages and as above those white free wheels are the best thing ever.
The hope trails hub is different to a normal pro ii it has a needle bearing in it I think.
Stans now do light weight ss hub
Ii beleive most SS hubs allow 'better' angles for the spokes not having to fit a 8/9/10spd casette within the 135mm width
The pickup speed of the hope (48* point/revolution iirc) appeals to me, but the weight (450g ish?) less so
*twice standard pro II
Also, iirc from previous ss hub stuff on here, the superstar (rebranded something else) one is good for the money. I think the WTB SS hub got rated well on here (forum, not magazine) too.
Do on-one do one with micro-casette style freehub for about £40/300g?
This thread discussed this a few months ago [url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/singlespeed-hubs-worth-it-or-not ]Linky[/url]