Is the difference between hubs really noticeable ?

VTech
VTech Posts: 4,736
edited February 2013 in Road general
The reason I ask is the huge variety available and naturally I wondered if you can truly notice when cycling.
Living MY dream.

Comments

  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    Yes. My Aeolus hubs are beautifully smooth and spin for ages, whilst the R500 hub on my turbo trainer rear wheel doesn't.
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • Garry H
    Garry H Posts: 6,639
    MattC59 wrote:
    Yes. My Aeolus hubs are beautifully smooth and spin for ages, whilst the R500 hub on my turbo trainer rear wheel doesn't.

    Take it off the roller, it might spin easier :wink:
  • MountainMonster
    MountainMonster Posts: 7,423
    I think wheels are one of the few things where you will notice a large change to your riding when going from budget to higher end, but very few parts make much difference between ones. Most changes are comfort or perceived value.
    My London Road
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    Garry H wrote:
    MattC59 wrote:
    Yes. My Aeolus hubs are beautifully smooth and spin for ages, whilst the R500 hub on my turbo trainer rear wheel doesn't.

    Take it off the roller, it might spin easier :wink:

    :D

    You'd have thought ! It was somewhat 'rough' when I first got it, so I opened it up, cleaned, greased and properly adjusted it, and.......... its only marginally better. Plenty good enough for the turbo though.
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    i've had low end mavic and shimano. both fairly similar (i.e. low cost and not actually that bad). got dura ace 9000 now. completely different, and spin forever! :)
  • 16mm
    16mm Posts: 545
    There is a difference between a wheel spinning forever in the frame off the ground, and actually being able to tel when riding.
    I'd suggest that you'd need a really poor hub to be able to tell.

    Also note that hubs with sealed bearings can have the bearing changed. So put some SKFs in a formula hub, and it's pretty great. Put some no name bearings in a top of the range hub and after a while it's not so great.

    I have a dynamo hub that has increased resistance when the light is on. You may think you'd feel difference when turning the light on, as this would be a direct result of generating the 6W of electricity. I can't feel a thing.
  • Froomes Edgar
    Froomes Edgar Posts: 359
    VTech wrote:
    The reason I ask is the huge variety available and naturally I wondered if you can truly notice when cycling.

    Yes, expensive ones will make you go 0.00000034mph faster
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    When new, you're unlikely to notice much difference apart from weight. Ride throughout a winter and give them a spin and then you'll notice as the quality of machining, materials and bearings is what makes the difference.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • 16mm
    16mm Posts: 545
    Monty Dog wrote:
    When new, you're unlikely to notice much difference apart from weight. Ride throughout a winter and give them a spin and then you'll notice as the quality of machining, materials and bearings is what makes the difference.

    Quality cup and cone hubs can be disassembled and rebuilt, and due to the materials, machining and finishing are
    more likely to stay like new for years.
    Cartridge bearing hubs can have the bearings replaced with the same or better quality bearings.

    You're also stuck with the freehub, so cheap hubs = cheap feehub.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    Monty Dog wrote:
    When new, you're unlikely to notice much difference apart from weight. Ride throughout a winter and give them a spin and then you'll notice as the quality of machining, materials and bearings is what makes the difference.

    +1

    Some taiwanese budget hubs as new are as smooth as they can be, but they don't last long.
    Hubs resistance is overestimated... a tiny fraction of a Watt, that won't make any difference. Problem is when they wear out and start being wobbly... that's when you lose performance (and confidence)
    left the forum March 2023
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    I'm not convinced that the cost benefit is all that good but as others have said yes, a good hub is is noticable.

    My training wheels have Shimano hubs because they're known for their good seals and durability (plus they build easily), my cheap rebuild of a factory wheelset (built on Bitex hubs from BikeHubStore) have run very nicely for just over a year but have seen a lot of use this winter and as a result the bearings are shot in the front and two weeks ago the freehub ceased. Gritted roads, plenty of rain and cheap hubs aren't the best mix.
  • pride4ever
    pride4ever Posts: 510
    Only in sound, any one telling you different is having a laugh.
    the deeper the section the deeper the pleasure.
  • careful
    careful Posts: 720
    The only significant difference that I have found is the quality of bearing seals. Some are barely fit for purpose if you ride in the rain or dare to wash your bike with water.
  • doublem_1
    doublem_1 Posts: 266
    MattC59 wrote:
    Yes. My Aeolus hubs are beautifully smooth and spin for ages, whilst the R500 hub on my turbo trainer rear wheel doesn't.

    My vitus came with R500 wheels as standard. Is it easy to change the hubs?
  • iPete
    iPete Posts: 6,076
    I roll on Hope Pro III on the roadie, apparently they are good in the winter or something, I just got them because of the colour and the NOIIIISEEEE
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    iPete wrote:
    I roll on Hope Pro III on the roadie, apparently they are good in the winter or something, I just got them because of the colour and the NOIIIISEEEE

    :D - now I see why Paolo recommended them to me. It's not because they roll well - it's to warn everyone in the vicinity that I'll be nodding their way imminently(ish).
    FCN 3 / 4
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    The Fuggler wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    I roll on Hope Pro III on the roadie, apparently they are good in the winter or something, I just got them because of the colour and the NOIIIISEEEE

    :D - now I see why Paolo recommended them to me. It's not because they roll well - it's to warn everyone in the vicinity that I'll be nodding their way imminently(ish).

    I have not noticed any difference unless I stop pedalling....Oh I see, you guys just freewheel. :lol:
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • the_fuggler
    the_fuggler Posts: 1,228
    smidsy wrote:
    The Fuggler wrote:
    iPete wrote:
    I roll on Hope Pro III on the roadie, apparently they are good in the winter or something, I just got them because of the colour and the NOIIIISEEEE

    :D - now I see why Paolo recommended them to me. It's not because they roll well - it's to warn everyone in the vicinity that I'll be nodding their way imminently(ish).

    I have not noticed any difference unless I stop pedalling....Oh I see, you guys just freewheel. :lol:

    It's all downhill to me....!! :mrgreen:
    FCN 3 / 4

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