The Hubs are an essential part of the bike that you might be thinking to buy or replace. Before digging into details, let us first describe what hubs are actually. The hub is the focal piece of your bicycle’s wheels (front and rear), which associates with the wheel’s rim by means of the spokes and through which the axle is fitted, empowering the wheel to uninhibitedly turn on two arrangements of bearings. As we mentioned about two types, so what are those mainly. Front hubs are the ones that are responsible to make the wheel spin and the rear hub mainly deals with the bike’s transmission parts. Now, you must be wondering, what can be the use of it or why should you be spending money on the hubs. Well, we have researched the best road hub products and have got the best 10 products that will meet your taste and will help you to match the features with your bike specifications and will land the best product to your hand.
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To lessen your task and make you worry-free from reading the entire article, we have picked the Phil Wood Rear Track Hub as our Overall best choice, which will save your time and you can read the specifications directly from here and jump into the table and the description below to read in detail about the product. The best overall choice of road hub is written below, check the section to read about it.
Amazing stability, a wide range to choose from, and great for the money | Overall Best Choice
The Phil Wood Rear Track Hub is our overall best choice which integrated overall all the major qualities that you will be looking in your hub to possess. Being one of the oldest manufacturers they aim their product to be the best in the market. They tend for qualities like strong and longer durability. In consideration of the thought of making a lighter weight hub, they also produced that in thinking of their customers. The hubs are rear hubs and are provided with great stability which comes from the material stainless steel that they use for their bolts and washers. The stainless steel comes with great anti-corrosive and high heat features. The hubs also highlight some major features, like allowing you to have different driver options and that makes it stand different out in the market. Moreover, the product itself with the manufacturer’s claim proves to be a long-lasting product that will serve you for a long period of time. Below are some features to look at about the product. You may differ from us and look at the other products also described later in the article.
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Type: R8 (Standard), R8( Carbonyte)
- Spokes (Hole counts): 32, Available in 28 and 36
- Rear Hub width: 120mm
- Axle diameter: 12.68mm
- Axle length: 120mm
A quick view of our chosen best hubs for road bikes:
| Hub | Why we recommend this |
|---|---|
| DT Swiss Rear Hub | A lightweight rear hub for road bikes. |
| Phil Wood Rear Track Hub | Amazing stability. Great for the money | Our best choice for Road Bike Hub |
| DT Swiss 350 Road Rear Hub | Durable and affordable price for road riders |
| SHIMANO 105 Rear Freehub | Increased durability. Smooth-rolling. |
| SHIMANO Dura-Ace 9000 Rear Hub | Smooth running. Improved freehub design |
| SHIMANO Deore M525A Rear Hub | Great polished bearing races. |
| Hope RS4 Centre Lock Rear Hub | Stable and lightweight. |
| DT Swiss 180 Road Front Hubs | Reliable and lightweight. |
| SHIMANO Deore XT Front hub | Durable for all weather, and light-weighted |
| DT Swiss Front hub 350 | Durable. Great service and performance. |
10 best hubs you can buy today for your road bikes
Analyzing and researching through a number of products, we have selected the best hubs for your road bikes. Our choices will help you to get in detail of the products briefly and will save your time and lessen your struggle.
To ease your work more and save you from the trouble of reading the entire article we have made a comparison table that will help you analyze every aspect more visually. Look at the table below for more specific information and description are provided after the comparison of each product.
| Hubs | Preview | Type of hub | Material | Bearing Type | Axle fixing method | Spokes | Freehub System | Weight (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DT Swiss Rear Hub | Rear hub | Carbon/ aluminum | Cartridge bearings | Quick release | Spokes: 28H / 32H | Star ratchet system | 295 | |
| Phil Wood Rear Track Hub | Rear hub | Aluminum | R8 (Standard) , R8( Carbonyte) | --- | 32H, Available in 28H and 36H | --- | 379 | |
| DT Swiss 350 Road rear hub | Rear hub | Aluminum | -- | 5mm Quick release | 32H, 24H,28H | Ratchet System 18 | 265 | |
| SHIMANO 105 Rear Freehub | Rear hub | Aluminum | Cup and cone | Quick release | 32H,36H | Contact (seal_Freehub body), made of steel | 368 | |
| SHIMANO Dura Ace 9000 Rear Hub | Rear hub | Aluminum | Cup and cone | Quick release | 32H , Also 36H, 28H ,24H available. | contact (seal_Freehub body), made of steel | 247 | |
| SHIMANO Deore M525A Rear Hub | Rear hub | Aluminum | Cup and cone | Quick release | 32H , 36H available | Steel | 435 | |
| Hope RS4 Centre Lock Rear Hub | Rear hub | Forged T-6 Aluminium Billet (hub shell) | Cartridge bearings | Thru axle | 32H , also available in 28H,24H | Shimano, Campag and XD | 272 | |
| DT Swiss 180 Road Front Hubs | Front Hub | Forged aluminum(flanges), carbon fiber( body shell) | Ceramic cartridge bearing | Thru axle | 20, 24, 28,32 | Ratchet sytsem | 100 | |
| SHIMANO Deore XT Front hub | Front Hub | Anodised forged aluminium (Hub shell) | Cup and cone | 15 mm E-thru | 32H | --- | 158 | |
| DT Swiss Front hub 350 | Front Hub | Machined Aluminum (hub shell) | Cartridge bearings | 9 x 100 QR | 28H | Ratchet System | 149 |
1. DT Swiss Rear Hub: Lightweight, made of New carbon/ Aluminum
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: carbon/ aluminum
- Bearing Type: cartridge bearings
- Axle fixing method: Quick release
- Axle length: N/A
- Hub spacing: N/A
- Spokes: 28H / 32H
- Freehub System: Star ratchet system
- Weight: 295g
- Material: The material used for the hubs is made from either of new carbon or aluminum for the purpose of providing lighter weight. The aluminum flanges and the carbon fiber helps the weight to be consistently low which gives overall better performance.
- Cartridge bearings: The bearing type of the hub is ceramic cartridge bearings, and because of ceramic it is more corrosion-resistant, harder and it lasts for a longer period of time for everybody to use.
- Labyrinth Seal: The labyrinth seal system of the rear hub protects the bearings from waste and dampness making it usable for longer times.
- Star Ratchet Freehub: The freehub system used here is the star ratchet freehub system which gives the fast power move and instrument-free maintenance.
- Available Sizes: The available sizes for the rear hubs are 28x130x5 mm and 32x130x5mm
- Cassette body type: The rear hub is compatible with Shimano10/11-speed.
- Manufactured: The product is manufactured in the country of Switzerland, Poland, Taiwan.
- Color: The rear hub is available in the color of white.
- As the bearings are sealed, make sure to get the seal out without making sure that it does not bend, or else the sealing qualities will be impaired.
The DT Swiss rear hubs are of the choices that you will not regret picking and worth each penny. The overall structure done by the swiss engineers has made the product worthy of looking more attractive. The bearings of the hub, in any case, are the greatest addition to these features, significantly improving the solidness and longer ability to work, while likewise also lessening rotational resistance.
The outcome is a featherweight hub that moves with polished perfection and can be depended on to keep going for some, numerous miles. Further, because of the DT Swiss labyrinth seals that use an unbalanced way to oppose dampness, waste, and coarseness – your bearings will keep their enchanted perfection as time goes on, for all intents and purposes paying little mind to ride conditions. Notwithstanding the manner in which it sings on quick plummets, the 180’s Star Ratchet freehub system is unbelievable for its effortlessness, toughness, and instant power transfer. Overall, its great ratcheting freehub and the aluminum freehub body make it a lightweight package and make it a perfect choice for you to purchase.
DT Swiss Rear Hub
2. Phil Wood Rear Track Hub: Amazing stability, a wide range to choose from, and great for the money | Overall Best Choice
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Type: R8 (Standard), R8( Carbonyte)
- Spokes: 32, Available in 28 and 36
- Axle fixing method: N/A
- Rear Hub width: 120mm
- Axle diameter: 12.68mm
- Axle length: 120mm
- Weight: 379 grams
- Stability: The bolts and washers are made of stainless steel which makes them stable, increases its strength and has anti-corrosive and high heat properties. The combination of the strength of steel gives out a flexible, economic alloy.
- Driver Options offered: Thus hubs are designed for single fixed gear, double fixed gear, freewheel, fixed/freewheel configuration.
- Lock Ring Options offered: The hubs lock rings are made of stainless steel as well, giving it extreme stability. You can also find them, in Titanium, Pro Titanium bolt, and heavy-duty bolt chrome dome.
- Color: The hubs are available in the color of silver. It is also provided in many colors, such as red, Blue, Green, Purple, Pink, and Gun Metal Grey but it will take several months from PHIL WOOD to send the customized one.
- Manufactured: The hubs and its following components are made in the United States.
- Fastened properly or else it has a chance of metal on metal corrosion due to stainless steel.
The Phil Wood rear type hub is an excellent product as the company is known for building strong timeless parts that will stay longer with you, without much thinking of changing the product. Making your life easier and taking you to worry about buying things twice, we have chosen this product for longer guarantees.
The product comes with a wide range of options to pick from and lets you have an amazing customized hub as well. Well, you can trust their manufacturing, as it is one of the oldest companies and is widely known for its service. The high flange track hubs provide a 3” flange design that accompanies flanges canted closer to the rim for better spoke arrangement. Every penny that you have spent will be worthy and will give you an attractive piece of hubs in your hand so grab your one before it stocks out.
Phil Wood Rear Track Hub
3. DT Swiss 350 Road Rear Hub: Durable and affordable price
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Type: N/A
- Spokes: 32, 24,28
- Axle system: 5mm Quick release
- Axle diameter: 15 mm
- Rear hub spacing: 130mm
- Freehub System: Ratchet System 18
- Hub/Brake Compatibility: Rim Brake
- Weight: 265g
- Star Ratchet 18: The DT Swiss brand uses the star ratchet system for their hubs, as they found it to be longer-lasting compared to other freehub systems. It has a larger contact surface area which indicates a lower rate of failures. The star ratchet framework is 100% client functional, requiring no exceptional instruments for cleaning and re-oil.
- Rim Brakes: The brakes it uses are rim brakes, which are lighter and are easier to repair. The rim brakes have a cable system that is required to shut the caliper available on the rim and it is more aerodynamic. Hence, making it go the best with the hubs.
- Cassette Body Type: The hubs are fitted well with Shimano 9/10/11 SRAM or Campagnolo 11.
- Manufactured: The product is made in Switzerland by the DT Swiss.
- Color: The DT Swiss 350 rear road hubs are available in the color of black.
- The brakes perform poorly in wet weather.
The DT Swiss Road Rear Hub is an amazing addition to the cycling world and a wonderful addition to their 350 series. The DT Swiss has managed to bring such an edition to the market can be a fantastic decision for bikers who want something in their budget, who in any case want an excellent, hand-assembled wheelset. So as to keep costs low, DT Swiss has improved their assembling by making these hubs accessible in constrained spoke counts. While that may restrain rim alternatives to some degree, a 24/28 spoke wheelset will give superb toughness and long life for a wide scope of rider weights and riding conditions.
350 road rear hubs are outfitted with DT’s star ratchet freehub component. Additionally, the freehubs are effectively exchanged among Campagnolo and Shimano, with a 100% similarity between either makers’ 10 and 11-speed cassettes.
The hubs are handily adjusted and use regular bearing sizes, so the probability of your nearby shop having the essential instruments and information for appropriate updates are very high. Making it a product that you can easily grab and have the best out of it. So, without wasting time, you can have this on your bike, and go for a delightful ride.
DT Swiss 350 Road Rear Hub
4. SHIMANO 105 Rear Freehub: Increased durability, provides smooth rolling for an amazing performance
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: Aluminum (anodized)
- Bearing Type: Cup and cone
- Spokes: 32H,36H
- Axle Fixing method: Quick release
- Axle diameter: 10mm
- Hub Spacing(O.L.D): 130mm
- Freehub System: Contact (seal_Freehub body), made of steel
- Hub/Brake Compatibility: Rim Brake
- Weight: 368 grams
- Cup and cone: The hubs use cup and cone bearings which give them a major advantage as they are serviceable. They are durable, and if lubricated properly then they can be used for a very long time. The balls roll very easily and without having much friction and thus giving low rolling resistance Moreover the servicing of the balls is very cheap and therefore having them can act as an advantage to you.
- Cassette Body Type: The hubs are compatible with speeds 11. Additionally, it can also be used for speed 10, speed 9, and speed 8 if provided with additional spacers.
- Rim brake: The brakes it utilizes are rim brakes, which are lighter and are simpler to fix. The rim brakes have a cable framework that is required to close the caliper which is accessible on the rim and it is progressively streamlined. Henceforth, causing it to go the best with the hubs.
- Grease Sleeve: The hubs have grease in sleeves which makes the sleeve lubricating. Grease is stable and thus requires less maintenance and has leakage of oil.
- Color: The hubs are available in the color of silky black. You can also find this in the color of spark silver.
- The hub does not have similar gravitas as compared to Ultegra and Dura-Ace.
The SHIMANO 105 Rear Freehub is a product that gives you an amazing output while you ride, it has enhanced performance that will make your experience unforgettable.
The hubs also highlight interior o-rings and grease sleeves which blend with top-notch cup and cone bearings which guarantees outrageous solidness yet in addition, very low rolling resistance which also gives them the long-lasting riding experience. The products come with optional speed compatibility allowing users to choose from options to pick. The Shimano product is very tough and can be brought with an amazing value that is worthy of every penny. And as riders, we cannot disagree on terms that we look for things that are attractive and hence the product is very attractive and makes our bike look really good.
The consistency and the versatility it provides also attracts the buyers to come forward and grab one piece of it. Overall, if you are looking for something that will last longer, then go for this product and lessen your tension of replacing this product.
SHIMANO 105 Rear Freehub
5. SHIMANO Dura-Ace 9000 Rear Hub: Smooth running, reliable with an improved freehub design
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Type: Cup and cone
- Spokes: 32H , Also 36H, 28H ,24H available.
- Axle Fixing method: Quick release
- Axle diameter: 14 mm
- Axle length: 141 mm
- Hub Spacing: 130mm
- Freehub Body type: Contact (seal_Freehub body) made of titanium
- Hub/Brake Compatibility: Rim Brake
- Weight: 247 gram
- Digital bearing adjustment: The hub provides a digital cone bearing adjustment system, which makes it very easy for maintenance, allows very simple adjustable function, and enhances workableness. In view of a digital adjustment without a double lock, a 5 mm hex wrench is all that is required to make an exact bearing modification.
- Spoke: For the 28H spoke, the flange distance varies. The flange distance is 56.5 and the Dish is 9.95. The changes are applicable for 28H spoke holes. In addition, aero spoke holes are also available.
- Bike Compatibility: The hubs are a perfect use for custom made road builds. That happens because of the mighty weight of the hubs which is only 247 grams, allowing to support the custom made.
- Cassette Body type: The hubs are well fitted with Shimano/SRAM 11 speed. Additionally, it can be used for speed-10 with an additional spacer.
- Color: The hub is available in the color of the series color.
- Hard times arrive while adjusting perfectly the bearings as it becomes quite tricky while doing so.
The SHIMANO Dura-Ace Rear Hubs are the DURA-ACE 9000 series hubs, which come with extra added facilities in the overall package. The hubs are also enriched with Simple Adjust angular contact bearings which guarantee long life, precise alteration, and greatest productivity.
The hubs also include the Labyrinth seals are structured for expanded all-climate toughness which plays an important role, as you can have it for all seasons without the worry. The seal is very effective and removes out water, mud, and dirt without the effect in the rotational smoothness. The material used is light aluminum alloy which makes it lightweight and which in turn is handy for riders. The riders will also benefit from the quick engagement, the lightweight feature from the material used, and the erosion safe titanium freehub body. As you can see as riders you will be having the best in your hand and Dura-Ace components are set to prove that for you. Therefore, buy the product and have the ultimate best feeling and performance.
SHIMANO Dura-Ace 9000 Rear Hub
6. SHIMANO Deore M525A Rear Hub: Great polished bearing races, low friction rolling action
- Applicable bikes: Cross country and All-mountain
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Type: Cup and cone
- Spokes: 32H, 36 available
- Axle Fixing method: Quick release
- Axle diameter: 10 mm
- Axle length: 146 mm
- Hub Spacing: 135mm
- Freehub Body type: Steel
- Hub/Brake Compatibility: 6-bolt disc brake
- Weight: 435 gram
- Double contact sealing: The seal hub used here is Labyrinth and contact maintains a healthy rate of performance. The double contact sealing is specialized design for Shimano hubs, that is done inside the hub which shut out mud, residue, earth, and dampness and secures the bearing components, acknowledging low support just as longer help life. This keeps up the first execution for a longer period of time under troublesome natural conditions.
- 6-bolt disc: The 6 bolt rotors provide the riders with multiple rotor options. It is cheaper and is easily available so you do not have to worry if it’s servicing.
- Bike compatibility: The hubs are applicable to the cross -country and all-mountain bikes.
- Cassette Body type: The hub is well fitted for the Shimano/SRAM 8.
- Color: The hub is available in the color of black and silver.
- Be aware of the cones, as it gets loose as time passes and needs to tighten them with time.
The SHIMANO Deore M525A Rear Hub is one of the best editions that Shimano has offered the riders with. It has numerous features to look for and a wonderful outline the attracts the other riders while you ride.
The rear hub is compatible with the 6 disc rotors. It can be utilized on mountain bicycles with a rear over locknut measurement of 10 x 135 mm. The conical-shaped bearing persuades with super-cleaned bearing races and low-erosion function. The hub is made of anodized aluminum, the axle and freehub are made of steel. A QR with an aluminum lever is also incorporated. No doubt the best feature lies in the sealing, it uses a double contact sealing. Having counted the features, the hub is an incredible edition and without getting stock out the product you should hurry to grab your hub in your hand.
SHIMANO Deore M525A Rear Hub
7. Hope RS4 Centre Lock Rear Hub: Stable and lightweight. Bearing gives easy running and provides durability
- Type of hub: Rear hub
- Material: Forged T-6 Aluminium Billet (hub shell)
- Bearing Type: Cartridge bearings
- Spokes: 32H, also available in 28H,24H
- Axle Fixing method: Thru-axle
- Axle diameter: 12 mm
- Axle length:142mm
- Axle width: 130mm
- Freehub Body: Shimano, Campag, and XD
- Hub/Brake Compatibility: Center lock
