Mtb hub overthinking

[toast2266]

I've concluded that ~50-60 points of engagement is the sweet spot for hubs.

Lower engagement than that gets to be noticeably annoying on techy climbs. But higher engagement than that rapidly gets into the realm of diminishing returns (unless you're doing actual trials). And higher engagement hubs tend to be some combination of less durable, more expensive, obnoxiously loud, hard to work on, unnecessarily heavy, or all of the above. Plus high engagement hubs make your suspension feel worse.

So that all leads me to the DT Swiss hubs with a 54t ratchet (the stock DT internals, not the chinesium stuff) as the best option.

[HAB]

I've concluded that ~50-60 points of engagement is the sweet spot for hubs.

Lower engagement than that gets to be noticeably annoying on techy climbs. But higher engagement than that rapidly gets into the realm of diminishing returns (unless you're doing actual trials). And higher engagement hubs tend to be some combination of less durable, more expensive, obnoxiously loud, hard to work on, unnecessarily heavy, or all of the above. Plus high engagement hubs make your suspension feel worse.

So that all leads me to the DT Swiss hubs with a 54t ratchet (the stock DT internals, not the chinesium stuff) as the best option.

Basically agreed on POE, though I'm fine with more like 36-72. I might go for the 54t in my DT hubs if I was buying new ratchets but I don't care nearly enough to swap out the 36s I already have.

I do have a pair of Hydras for one of the wheelsets for my hardtail (where the pedal kickback concerns are obviously irrelevant) and don't have any major complaints with them, particularly, but they're not quite as smooth as DTs or Hadleys, make a bit more noise, and the 690 POE is so far down the path of diminishing returns that it just doesn't matter.

[jm2e]

I cared about engagement when I cared about flat technical xc stuff. Now that shit just annoys me. As long as the majority of my time is spent toiling uphill to find a spot to come back downhill, I'm not hung up on super high engagement.

[shirk]

Another happy P321 owner. Near silence with near instant engagement in a lightweight package.

[jqualls]

I have a set of Hydras that I have really liked. I dont care so much about the POE but I love the silent hub. My rear is silent for about 20 miles with some grease then slowly gets louder each ride. The XD freehub seemed to be quiet for more miles each time I re-greased. The Shimano wasnt lasting as long, but hopefully as I grease it a couple more times it will last longer. Onyx and 321 were on my list but just found a good deal on Hydras with WR1 agents. Now I am moving to 29 so I have to decide what to do with this 27.5 wheelset.

[grabtindy]

Maybe I'm lucky, but I have ~300 miles on a set of Hydras (xd) and they're pretty much silent. Warm weather and longer rides seem to loosen the pawls up a bit, but honestly unless I'm coasting next to a wall or in a tunnel I really have to strain to hear the hub over my tires. Maybe Colorado Cyclist packs them with some extra viscous grease, idk?

[carlh]

Leaning towards screwing the budget and getting the we are ones but I can only use the discount code on the stock i9. Is hydra worth $250 over the 1/1? Main bonus are bling and possibly quieter but not sure as I can’t find a direct comparison. I suspect the 1/1 will be plenty durable and has perfectly acceptable enagagement.

[ShoNuff]

RE: Hydra hub noise, if you want to quiet them, a very viscous oil is far superior to grease. Even the good Dumonde Tech stuff. I use a high mileage chain lube, a little on each pawl and a generous bead on the ring gear. I ride quite a bit and re-up monthly at best. It takes 5 minutes to reaplly.

Sent from my SM-G960U using TGR Forums mobile app

[Andeh]

I got Hydras specifically to be noisy. I used to run a trail bell but it irritates me even more than the bitchy NIMBY hikers, so figured blingy buzzy hubs can be my warning. Only 2 rides on them, and they've gotten noisier but wouldn't say they're "loud". The silver finish looks so sweet too.

[toast2266]

Leaning towards screwing the budget and getting the we are ones but I can only use the discount code on the stock i9. Is hydra worth $250 over the 1/1? Main bonus are bling and possibly quieter but not sure as I can’t find a direct comparison. I suspect the 1/1 will be plenty durable and has perfectly acceptable enagagement.

I have some 1/1's. They're fine - no complaints. Moderate loudness, plenty of engagement. Haven't had them long enough to comment on durability.

[grskier]

DT 350 and upgrade engagement?

I came here to post this.

[grskier]

I got Hydras specifically to be noisy. I used to run a trail bell but it irritates me even more than the bitchy NIMBY hikers, so figured blingy buzzy hubs can be my warning. Only 2 rides on them, and they've gotten noisier but wouldn't say they're "loud". The silver finish looks so sweet too.

That's what earbuds are for

/ducks from impending shit storm/

[Andeh]

That's what earbuds are for

/ducks from impending shit storm/

Haha. Worst is hikers with earbuds, who look super offended when you sneak around them, take a bud out to yell at you, then realize you had a bell / noisy hub and they were just oblivious, and the gaper mouth just clamps shut.

[carlh]

FYI fron Hunt:

There won't be too many riding circumstances where you will be ineligible for making a claim so long as using single crown forks - this is a crash replacement scheme - so long as you keep within the operating parameters of the wheel.

There is no problem using inserts again so long as they are approved for use for that type of wheel. In terms of rim replacement - this is a lifetime replacement scheme but it is limited to one rim replacement - please bear that in mind, this is the same for any wheel under the H_Care sheme.

My read is they are unlikely to deny a claim but you can only do it once. Not sure that is worth it over the other options on the market.

Now to decide if I want a hydra $200 more than a 1/1