I just destroyed my third sun-ringle hub in 2017 so I'm looking for a strong and durable rear wheel. What have you all had good luck that will withstand some abuse and aren't too expensive?
Strong, Durable Wheels
Hope Pro 4 hubs on Stan's Flow rims? Not the most durable ever but pretty strong for the weight I've found.
Posted by: grambo
Hope Pro 4 hubs on Stan's Flow rims? Not the most durable ever but pretty strong for the weight I've found.
Hope hubs laced to a reputable rim (Flows are solid for the weight) with DT spokes & brass nipples will be about as good as you can do. Nice and affordable too.
Easton/Race Face ARC rims dent pretty easily, in my experience. My old Stans Flow EX was better. WTB Frequency i23 before that was strong as well.
I have had excellent service from DT-swiss hubs. I have 3 wheel sets with various models of these hubs, and have never had to replace a bearing. My oldest set is from 2011 and still running strong. The star-ratchet is simple, reliable, and very easy to service. The 350 hubs are great value IMHO.
If you can find a used set of Hadley hubs, I'd look into them.
I rebuilt mine 3 years ago. I disassembled it last month and the PTFE oil (for the ratchet/spring) was still clear. And the bearings were still butter.
I don't really have any rim recommendations; my hardtail friend and I dent rims on a regular basis. He's gone through Spank, Stans, etc. I've gone through I9, Mavic. The only rim I haven't dented were Easton Haven Carbons.
I guess if you're going through wheels quickly then perhaps invest in some nice bombproof hubs (Hope, as above), and then some relatively strong but inexpensive rims - you can then rebuild them relatively cheaply when you do mash them up.
I'd second Hope Pro 4 hubs but with DT Swiss Ex 471 32 spoke rims and DT Competition spokes. I'm a big guy that's normally a rear wheel killer and these have been rock solid for me as long as I keep up with routine maintenance (tighten spokes, inspect bearings, clean and lube the freewheel pawls)
I think the best bang for your buck here in Canada is to buy some Hopes from somewhere like CRC. They are generally pretty solid hubs and a good price point. Just dont order a complete wheelset from them or you will get hit with some duty charges.
Not many places have them, but the WTB ST i25s are pretty tough rims, but not exorbitant in term of weight (580g in widest 29er).
I ride like a fat oaf, but somewhat quickly (usually into rocks, or cacti). That run has lasted the longest for me, the wheel is actually on its second SLX hub rebuild with the same rim.
They'll still dent, but I was writing off tires due to sidewall immolation at the same time, and they bent back easily. Hadley hubs, Hope, or if you want to look at the hubs as as potential investment, DT350.
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