Thread: What do people think of the XT775 hub?

I am looking to replace the rear hub on my stock specialized DT X430 wheel set. Its a deore M525.

How does the XT compare to the hope pro2?

Why are you looking to just replace the hub?

The rear wheel in that stock wheel set is the weak link. Its the DT X430 rim, DT 1.8 straight spokes and the deore hub. The rim seems decent for XC, but I am thinking its only a matter of time before I start breaking spokes. I don't think its worth while re-lacing that hub with double butted spokes since it's so heavy and has really shitty engagement. When I upgrade the hub I will use something stronger like double butted spokes.

I may end up going with a better rim too, it will sort of depend on what shape its in.

Is the wheel causing issues? Like is it constantly out of true so that it's rubbing the brakes? If not I'd leave it alone until you crush it. The hub is just a place to attach spokes and a container for bearings and Shimano hubs are pretty bomber. That hub might not be the most bling thing out there but it should last a LONG time. It's pretty tough to destroy a hub with XC riding other than with water. The quality of the wheel build is probably weaker than any of the actual parts. I'd bet the rim is where you'll start having trouble first. Spokes will break when either the rim is badly out of true or the tensioning of the spokes is not balanced (or you smash them into something).

Thanks for the advice Truth, I had to retention the spokes about 2 weeks ago and I have only had the bike for about 200 miles so far. I destroyed the stock wheels on my hardtail which were much more stout than these ones. So I am guessing its just a matter of time. I was sort of thinking that when I do end up rebuilding the wheel I was planning to get a different hub, it seems to me more engagement and lighter weight make sense.

As far as water goes, there are definitely some places with stream crossings that I ride pretty regularly once the snow melts. From time to time the water levels have been high enough to get my feet wet and for the hubs and BB to be submerged. I guess that means going with sealed bearings would be smart?

Originally Posted by tromano

Thanks for the advice Truth, I had to retention the spokes about 2 weeks ago and I have only had the bike for about 200 miles so far.

Sadly, for most wheels that's normal. Really good hand built wheels stay true from the get go but there aren't many people that have the talent nor are there that many customers willing to pay for it. Just cuz a shop can build a wheel doesn't mean it's any good. Not many shops take the time or make the investment to use a high end tension meter such as those from Hozan and the wheels they build reflect that.

A good hand built wheel done by a true master will laster longer than you need or want it to. I have mavic rim thats laced to an LX hub that was built be an great builder back in 94 and it's still going strong and true after serious abuse. It's been raced two laps in seperate xc races on the rim because I never carried a pump or tubes when racing.

Unless you got money to burn and just want new wheels ride that one till it dies then build up a new set.

Originally Posted by shirk

A good hand built wheel done by a true master will laster longer than you need or want it to.

Exactly. I've been buying wheels from Joe Young and I have yet to need to touch a single spoke on either set. My DT 240s / DT 1.1 set has over 5000 miles on Chicago's pavement with my 200# ass on them. I'm trying to talk him into building me a set of 240s / Stans ZTR flow wheels right now.