The Ultimate MTB Hub Buyers Guide | With Hub Sounds!

We compare the differences between most of the major mountain bike hubs including recordings of how each hub sounds while coasting.

Special thanks to!

Time Stamps:
Spank Hex: (00:00)
DT 350: (1:44)
Hope Pro 4: (3:37)
Industry Nine 1/1: (4:55)
Hadley: (6:05)
White Industries CLD / XMR: (7:56)
Project 321: (10:05)
Industry Nine Hydra: (12:35)
Onyx Vesper: (13:50)
Chris King: (15:15)
DT 240s: (17:25)
DT 240 EXP: (18:49)

[allentanner]

Sometimes I sneak down to my bike in the middle of the night just to give my P321 hubs a good spin...

[olivector]

this is just the video I was looking for... Thank you so much!!

[joppek]

This was a _great_ overview of some high quality hubs! Excellent info and ofc bonus points for including the sound of each hub. :) Got a pair of Onyx (classic) hubs on my bike so I'm not bothered by any sound, but if I has to choose a pawl/ratchet based hub, I think I'd go with Hadley. Best sounding hub imho.

[techdeezout]

I was hoping you would spin the onyx hub…lol. This will be my reference segment for my next wheelset.

[amades]

Probably the best and the most exhaustive vid on hubs (miss Shimano but...). I love my Onyx Vesper but that's true the weight is heavy... not the fastest to accelerate for sure, but the silence when smoothly descending a road in freewheel... just listening to the wind and the tires on the tarmac.. nice !!!

[SamClarkschannel]

Colorado boi with hope pro 4's and their wheelsets are amazing. big fan

[tularjaggs]

Great video.
I'd have to disagree on a couple of points regarding King however. What you get for the cost is indestructability, which matters if you're a large powerful individual. Pawls will shatter, it's a fact. Also, in my long experience with King hubs, maintenance has never been an issue. I open mine once every two years? If that? They'll run just fine with water in them, everything is stainless. I'd still be on my first King hub if it wasn't for changing standards. If someone has maintenance problems, I guarantee it's "pilot error".
13 years/40k km/wet BC mountains. Literally the only thing less than perfect is that the anodizing had faded from pure black to a deep dark purple.

[jazza]

So much Bling... Thanks for the excellent rundown on these beautiful hubs Chris video editing was on point. I have been using the old faithful bombproof DT350 for many years riding in super hot, dry and dusty peagravel west aussie style. Down here our options buying locally are a lot more limited and due to availability people tend to choose between DT 350 for quiet ninja styles and Hope 4 for the loud swarm of killer bees coming down the trail. I have seen a few I9 Hydras in the wild and they look and sound super nice but unfortunately our Aussie pesos dont stretch very far towards purchasing these quality made US products.

[lucasbalyeat]

I've had I9s for the last 5 years. I love my I9s never had a problem and love the engagement. Sadly I'm over the noise I switched to onyx vesper I love the engagement and it's absolutely silent...
Honestly, I can't go back to the noise.

[bicyclist]

This is a very good video on hubs. I have a set of quick release Chris King disc hubs on my Titus Switchblade. I have a project bike that I plan on putting some purple anodized Hope hubs on. This was very helpful and informative. Thank you.

[normandgallant]

That sound, reminds me the time I had a three speed 40 years ago in the florida keys . I'm pretty sure it attracked the rattle snakes which I had to avoid on star lit nights cycling from key west to the saddlebunch keys . Spiced up they tasted good, ya my friend /co-worker ran one over and cooked it up

[mrvapor]

Thanks for being honest about Chris King products... And the people at Onyx are really great to deal with.

[justinwbohner]

One thing you skipped was White Industries has steel axles and preload control. Some of these brands only offer six bolt.

[GokkunGuru]

I’m glad my i9 101 made the high end hub list. It feels good. Love the sound.

[bertrandolf]

Thank you for all this effort. It seems though something's wrong with the hub sound recordings. If you still have the hubs maybe you can do a sound only one? More hubs to consider: Nonplus, Syntace, Newman ... :) Cheers!

[jacksondaniels]

White industry hubs made a wonderful sound back in the mid 90’s. I had a custom wheel set on my GT RTS2. 👍🏾

[robinmacandrew]

Absolutely the best overview I’ve found. Thank you

[baldomiglecz]

My favourire is still the halo mt supadrive single speed hub. at 300$, 120 P.O.E., 315grams and an amazing sound.

[asysn]

Yo CHRIS, you're a KING

No pun intended xD
Thanks for giving us ideas before buying hubs hehe

[koalee]

I believe there is more of a difference than milling on the onyx vesper vs classic. The sprag is a bit wider on the classic and it comes with ceramic bearings vs the steel bearings in the vespers. I think that they use different axles too.