Ultimate front hub

whojanicanackerov
whojanicanackerov Posts: 383
edited March 2013 in Road buying advice
I`m having a new front wheel built.and I`m looking at hubs with ceramics
So far I`m considering.. in no particular order.

Chris king R45 ceramic bearings
DT Swiss 190 ceramic bearing

So what else should be on my list?.

Comments

  • Wrath Rob
    Wrath Rob Posts: 2,918
    Out of interest, what benefit are you looking to get from ceramic bearings?
    FCN3: Titanium Qoroz.
  • I have Chris King on my race wheels. Absolutely love them so I say look no further, especially if you're using the rear hub (the freehub engagement is so much better than a 3 pawl set up). Also come with a 5 year warranty in case you wondered how confident Chris King are with them.

    Another great alternative if you wanted something slightly different woud be the Alchemy Elf (Orc rear). http://fairwheelbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=65&t=6940

    Wrath - Good ceramics should last longer, be rounder and very slightly faster than standard bearings. Whether it's worth it is another matter.
  • Thanks for that i won`t be using rear hub as i use a Powertap rear wheel system
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    A front hub is a front hub really. Some bearings and an exle an thats it. I'd go with a Hope, just cos you know if it breaks you can send it back to them and they'll sort if free of charge within a couple of days.
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    styxd wrote:
    A front hub is a front hub really. Some bearings and an exle an thats it. I'd go with a Hope, just cos you know if it breaks you can send it back to them and they'll sort if free of charge within a couple of days.
    and it could break because its not forged. :wink:
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    I have Chris King on my race wheels. Absolutely love them so I say look no further, especially if you're using the rear hub (the freehub engagement is so much better than a 3 pawl set up).

    Resurrecting this just for the benefits of those who still wonder if the glossy magazines hype on fast engagement hubs is something to consider for your next upgrade...
    I wrote a piece on my blog about fast engaging pawls

    http://paolocoppo.drupalgardens.com/blog
    left the forum March 2023
  • mercia_man
    mercia_man Posts: 1,431
    Excellent piece in your blog, ugo. I quite agree with you. I can see the point of fast engagement hubs for mountain bikes but it's never been an issue with me for road riding. Just like with ceramic bearings, I think a lot of this is down to fashion - Cycling Plus suddenly starts writing about the need for fast engagement hubs and open-mouthed readers decide they need them.
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    ...but you can get the CK hub buzz as a ringtone. Whats not to like ;)
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Mercia Man wrote:
    Excellent piece in your blog, ugo. I quite agree with you. I can see the point of fast engagement hubs for mountain bikes but it's never been an issue with me for road riding. Just like with ceramic bearings, I think a lot of this is down to fashion - Cycling Plus suddenly starts writing about the need for fast engagement hubs and open-mouthed readers decide they need them.

    Interestingly no glossy magazine ever mentions the need for components that survive one winter.
    It is appalling to see that a modern derailleur, based on a design patented around 1950 and without significant changes is worse than the original.

    While cars have gone better and better, bicycles components have gone worse and worse... I can't think of another industry with such a pointless, slack and ineffective research and development
    left the forum March 2023
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    Tune Mig and Alchemy should be on your list.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • mercia_man
    mercia_man Posts: 1,431
    Interestingly no glossy magazine ever mentions the need for components that survive one winter.
    It is appalling to see that a modern derailleur, based on a design patented around 1950 and without significant changes is worse than the original.

    While cars have gone better and better, bicycles components have gone worse and worse... I can't think of another industry with such a pointless, slack and ineffective research and development

    Reviews in Cycling Plus are often uselessly shallow nowadays. I've read the mag since issue number one and its technical writing was authoritative in the past. But now, its modern reviews of wheels will fail to tell the reader whether the hubs are cup and cone or cartridge bearings. They fail to tell you what the freehub body is made of. They fail to tell you how easy it is to take the hubs apart and replace bits. Although they will tell you stuff like they look cool all in black.

    I want components that work well, look good, can be easily serviced and are well sealed from the elements to last for several years. There's a lot of stuff around that doesn't meet those criteria.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Mercia Man wrote:
    Interestingly no glossy magazine ever mentions the need for components that survive one winter.
    It is appalling to see that a modern derailleur, based on a design patented around 1950 and without significant changes is worse than the original.

    While cars have gone better and better, bicycles components have gone worse and worse... I can't think of another industry with such a pointless, slack and ineffective research and development

    Reviews in Cycling Plus are often uselessly shallow nowadays. I've read the mag since issue number one and its technical writing was authoritative in the past. But now, its modern reviews of wheels will fail to tell the reader whether the hubs are cup and cone or cartridge bearings. They fail to tell you what the freehub body is made of. They fail to tell you how easy it is to take the hubs apart and replace bits. Although they will tell you stuff like they look cool all in black.

    I want components that work well, look good, can be easily serviced and are well sealed from the elements to last for several years. There's a lot of stuff around that doesn't meet those criteria.

    The data on my blog suggest there is a gap in the market for a different truth... I get about 400 views every week, pretty much effortlessly, just posting a few links here every now and again... someone could make money with a different type of magazine
    left the forum March 2023
  • EKIMIKE
    EKIMIKE Posts: 2,232
    Amen to this. CyclingPlus is dreadful.
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    The data on my blog suggest there is a gap in the market for a different truth... I get about 400 views every week, pretty much effortlessly, just posting a few links here every now and again... someone could make money with a different type of magazine

    I think you're right. With the mamil generation embracing cycling there is more money about than ever, and while some of that is looking for the latest bling carbon lightweight creation, I think there is certainly a segment that want classic bikes built with classically designed and built components. The growth of the steel frame market must be testament to that and why wouldnt they want a groupset, wheels and finishing kit with the same emphasis on well engineered and designed kit...
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,337
    Bigpikle wrote:
    The data on my blog suggest there is a gap in the market for a different truth... I get about 400 views every week, pretty much effortlessly, just posting a few links here every now and again... someone could make money with a different type of magazine

    I think you're right. With the mamil generation embracing cycling there is more money about than ever, and while some of that is looking for the latest bling carbon lightweight creation, I think there is certainly a segment that want classic bikes built with classically designed and built components. The growth of the steel frame market must be testament to that and why wouldnt they want a groupset, wheels and finishing kit with the same emphasis on well engineered and designed kit...

    Indeed... bring back Super Record 1979!
    left the forum March 2023
  • EKIMIKE
    EKIMIKE Posts: 2,232
    Bigpikle wrote:
    I think you're right. With the mamil generation embracing cycling there is more money about than ever, and while some of that is looking for the latest bling carbon lightweight creation, I think there is certainly a segment that want classic bikes built with classically designed and built components. The growth of the steel frame market must be testament to that and why wouldnt they want a groupset, wheels and finishing kit with the same emphasis on well engineered and designed kit...

    LOL. Ironically, the MAMIL generation boom is practically the same kind of 'lifestyle' fashion boom as the Retro/Hipster crowd boom. :lol:
  • rrsodl
    rrsodl Posts: 486
    Mercia Man wrote:
    Excellent piece in your blog, ugo. I quite agree with you. I can see the point of fast engagement hubs for mountain bikes but it's never been an issue with me for road riding. Just like with ceramic bearings, I think a lot of this is down to fashion - Cycling Plus suddenly starts writing about the need for fast engagement hubs and open-mouthed readers decide they need them.

    Interestingly no glossy magazine ever mentions the need for components that survive one winter.
    It is appalling to see that a modern derailleur, based on a design patented around 1950 and without significant changes is worse than the original.

    While cars have gone better and better, bicycles components have gone worse and worse... I can't think of another industry with such a pointless, slack and ineffective research and development

    While the engineering and reliability aspects of new components are better now, the durability is worse. The reason behind is not accident, it's simply profits for the manufacturers.

    This is a concept that I believe was invented or at least used by the motor vehicle industry in the USA. Making parts that last long is bad for business.