[Closed] Stans Neo hubs

Just get DT? Tried and tested!

Price and weight, plus availability.

I've dithering over many wheel choices and been concentrating on DT builds for a bit, but coming to the conclusion that for a lightweight wheel it's going to cost a lot as DT 240s aren't cheap. 350s are better priced, but add a fair bit to the weight.

It's just that the (knackered) wheels I'm trying to replace are very light, as is the bike, and I don't want to add too much to the weight. To do that is looking like £600 to £700 for a DT build with 240 hubs. £500 with 350s and a bit heavier. Nothing in stock I like except system wheels like EX/XM 1501s and they're not cheap. Wheel builders not sure I'd get anything before end of year now given busy period.

Then been looking at Arch rims. Got Arch EX on another bike and like those. Arch Mk3 seem nice too, so was pricing up builds with DT hubs, but then an Arch Mk3 wheelset is a fair bit cheaper and I can get them off the shelf next day. Just has Neo hubs instead of DT.

1501s aren't cheap, but are worth it. Noticeably lighter than the 240s/DT Comp/EX471s I've got on another bike. Same bombproof rims too.
Bear in mind they come with tape and valve stems, alternative end caps (unless Boost) and both Shimano and XD freehub bodies inc in the price.

Yeah, the 1501s work out lighter than I can build the equivalent and everything comes in the box that I'd need. Though straightpull, which is partly why it's lighter, but is that going to be an issue getting spare spokes?

Shouldn't be. DT sell them - readily available to any shop that wants them. Straight pull also becoming far more common, so more shops will tend to carry them I'd imagine.

Also heard mixed things about Neo hubs so I've just gone for a 28h Pro 4/arch MK3 build with Sapim DT Light spokes and they come in at 1735g inc stans tape, so not mega light but should be built to last. Going for DT 350 centre locks would have knocked another 75-100g off but I would have thought the centre lock rings negate a lot of that difference. Only just picked up the wheels this evening so can't comment on ride yet, but from what I've read they should be bang up to task. 1501's are nice but are pricey also light as they are I can't help but think the weight difference must be in hub/spokes as the DT rims they use in them are at least 20-50g heavier than the Arch MK3's and alloy nipples probably save a bit over the brass ones I've got on my build.

XM421 would be DT's alternative to the Mk3 Arch EX. With the PHR washers, the DT is 12g heavier in 29er size. They're also proven super durable rims.

Stan's hubs made in China by Chosen - they're a fairly durable design, but you're paying a premium for their name. Been running some Chosen hubs for 2 years and they've been fine - only the outer freehub bearing needing attention. Easy to service too - i.e. no fancy tools or special bearings.

I can get an XM421 build down to 1662g with DT240 hubs (650b wheels), but still comes in at £700. 1739g with DT350 and probably about £500.

1739 isn't too shabby though 144g heavier than the wheels I'm replacing.

XM1501 comes in at 1575 which is 20g lighter (than carbon wheels!). EX1501, 1695. But either set is £700ish. Discounts currently hard to find (yeah, some second hands but I'd rather new from a shop with warranty).

Stans Mk3 Arch set with Neo hubs I can get for £400ish.

dovebiker - Member 
Stan's hubs made in China by Chosen

That's the 3.30s isn't it? Not sure about Neo. Their design supposedly, but same people making them?

It's a convincing sales pitch 😀

Apart from the likes of Hope and DT, you'll find very few people making their own hubs as they benefit of the scale from a specialist manufacturer and not having to invest $$$ in specialist machinery to make them.

Apart from the likes of Hope and DT, you'll find very few people making their own hubs

Off the top of my head, I can think of CK, BETD/Goldtec, White, Phil Wood, Royce...

What he didn't mention that there video is that the Neo ultimate had a lighter casting hub shell that broke supposedly broke so often they no longer make it and it uses same hub shell as the Neo but with the 6 pawl free hub. I'm not convinced they'd go the distance so stuck with Hope though I'd also be happy enough with DT Swiss. My build worked out about £450 which isn't bad I don't think for a sub 1750g trail wheel set with bombproof hubs and overall build.

350 Sps aren't that much heavier than a 240 SP. Its 24g Fr & 47 Rr but if you swap out the ratchets for the faster ones that rear difference drops to 37g. So 61g the pair. Given the cost difference I would say thats a fair trade off.

The self build versions of any factory wheels are pretty close the DT ones. I find that DT understate their actual weights a touch on the XM and EX series,and its likely not the weight you'll be buying as you'd probably go IS, thru axle etc. When I weighed a set of EX1501s i found the front 16g heavier than claimed, and the back a few g. When calculating out the same wheel using the spoke calc you find that its actually > 15g off the calculated weight of the complete equivalent 240/EX471/Comp/PL Squorx alu combo - a variance I would bet is mostly in the rounding of weights for nipples and spokes when doing the calcs. Which is the long way of saying I don't think theres a major advantage in the factory vs custom build when it comes to real weights - Not to say the factory ones aren't lighter, but its the sort of weight difference that the amount of sealant you run could be taking up, so its not necessarily material in the grand scheme of things.

I should also say that the DT Swiss calculator goes both ways in terms of rounding. I have a set of 350 SP on 481 rims right next to me that are nearly 30g heavier than the calculated weight despite being built with the exact same parts as the calculator... it definitely has some rounding issues! Its still within their stated weight tolerance though so thats fair enough, just worth noting.

Thanks Ben.

Hmm, More choices! Main attraction of factory wheels is just they're in stock and can get them next day or thereabouts. A custom build would be fine except want something quick and online places are quoting times that could take until new year. Except Superstar. 2 to 5 days they say. But do they stick to that at busy times and would you trust Superstar with wheel builds? 😉

Or LBS. Certainly not going to get anything cheap that way, but maybe quick. Any recommended local wheel builders this way (your former southern residence 😀 ) ?