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I have a hope hub with the steel freehub to build up but I have seen on some sites that hopes freehub design isn't the strongest (bit of a serial freehub killer)
But some people say the steel freehub solves this problem but the pawls can still fail although unlikely.
I could sell the hub and buy a pre made wheel or another hub to build up like dt Swiss as their system is suppose to be strong and reliable.
Any other freehub killers used both and got advice?
Or anyone got any hub recommendations that have been good for them?
Thanks
Shimano XT
Have you had good results from them? I've heard Shimano hubs are terrible but never had any experience with them
Cup & Cone bearings on the Shimano hubs is a piece of toss, far better with cartridge bearings if you're slightly adverse to maintenance.
Hope are good, DT Swis 350 & 240 are better but much more expensive
If strength and durability is your priority, beware anything that proclaims super fast engagement as a key selling feature, this will mean a finer mechanism with smaller 'teeth' and this will always be more susceptible to failure under heavy loads and more susceptible to get jammed by stuff getting in past the seals.
This can of course be offset by keeping on top of maintenance but worth bearing in mind.
I've an XT hub on my fatbike that is now 7 years old and done thousands of miles - many in appalling conditions like peat bog and salt water. Ive an XTR hub on my tourer/criss/gravel bike that has done even higher mileage.
An annual "service" takes minutes and a couple squirts if grease.
I've just built up another set of gravel wheels with XT hubs.
I can understand why the mechanically inept don't approve of them though .
Hope alloy freehubs never lasted well for me. I think I cracked at least 2 of the 3 that I've had. To their credit, Hope replaced them without quibbling. I opted for steel ones for the replacements and these didn't crack.
Regardless of freehub strength, the main gripe I've had with Hope hubs has been the poor sealing. The ratchet seamed to fill with crappy water and muck within a couple of months' use, at which point the pawl springs would usually fail. And Yes, the seal was fitted correctly.
Been using Syntace hubs for a few years now and they have proved to be much better sealed.
@Ecky-thump that seems to be the main failing of pawl and spring freehubs , especially the ones that pull straight off , they get clogged with grit and water then fail. Didn't think of syntace never used them but if they work for you worth a look.
I don't mind the maintenance with Shimano hubs it's a 5 minute job but the main gripe people had with them was the freehub strength and them failing.
Dt Swiss hubs with the original 18t engagement seems like the best option for strength and reliability but not sure if it'll be enough engagement I do like technical climbs and moar engagement would help with that.
Hopes warranty sounds good though so leaning towards keeping them.
Syntace look a good option freehub design is great , grease ports and good sealing to keep the crap out.
They aren't cheap like 300 for pre built rear from Evans and 220 from their own website for rear , quality costs I suppose.
Are they worth it IYO ecky-thump?