What hubset to use with SRAM Red?

[laura*]

I am contemplating building a bike with a SRAM Red groupset. With a Shimano build, I'd build up wheels on hubs from the same group as the rest of the build. But alas, SRAM doesn't sell any road group hubs! What hubs should I use?

* I'm a bit old school and believe in using complete groupsets. No mixing of group levels, and certainly no mixing of manufacturers. This means no Shimano nor Campagnolo hubs.

* I'm leery of aluminum freehub bodies. Were I considering a cassette made with stacked/sandwiched cogs, I absolutely would not accept an aluminum freehub body. This may not be an issue with the "one piece" Red cassette.

* I don't want a hub design that compromises spoke angles to offer a Campagnolo freehub option. This eliminates DT Swiss and probably several other brands.

* I haven't drunk the Chris Koolaid, so Chris King is out.

* I'd like hubs that are high end enough to go with Red. I think this eliminates Formula and American Classic.

* I'm leery of mystery hubs - "Trust us! Our hubs are so good you don't need any service instructions."

* I'd like hubs that sell in large numbers so that the manufacturer was able to invest significant R&D in them.

Hubs by White Industries might have gotten through this gauntlet, though they might not meet the last point. Also, while I really like polished components, their cosmetics don't really go with SRAM Red.

Up above I said SRAM doesn't sell any road hubs - but they do make them! They sell them only as parts of complete wheels. Thus, by process of elimination, my choice seems to be down to either of the SRAM S30 wheelsets. I like how, because they designed the whole system, they're able to move the drive side spokes out a little bit. But I'm frustrated in not having more choices!

Is there a brand I've overlooked?

[Becky]

White Industries would be my vote, having very similar criteria to you.

[nscrbug]

Sorry...can't really help you out here, just throwing out my thoughts. I'm currently in the process of having a custom Ti Seven bike built for me and I went with Chris King (guess I drank the koolaid ...because I was looking specifically for a colored hub. However, I've heard that the White Industries hubs are excellent as well. Hubs are designed to run both Shimano/SRAM, so I don't see what the hang-up is using a Shimano hub (other than your no brand-mixing criteria). But a good place to see the topic of hubs hashed around a lot, is on the "Wheels & Tires" forum at the Roadbikereview forums. Perhaps go have a look there, and see what some of the boys are running.

Linda

[smittykitty]

Really...... I need to put my glasses on before trying to read ANYTHING. I thought this post said "Husband" not Hubset! Got my attention though. And, I have NO idea!

Thanks for the smile

[tzvia]

White Industries. Their freehub shell is TI, from what I understand, and I use it with the fabulous lightweight Red cassette and it works great. Aluminum freehub shells can be problematic, as the way the RED locks into place (at the ends) can gall aluminum.

I had a wheelset built up with their chrome hubs, Sapim CX-Rays in chrome, black alu nipples and Velocity Aeroheads and find the combination works great and has remained quite true over the last two years. I don't care for the all black look; I like the chrome. But they also make black stuff if you prefer it. And I don't think it looks 'dated', I think it is classy.

Don't worry about 'mixing brands', you are going to have to, as you said, no RED hubs exist. And don't count out Dura-Ace because of that-it is another reliable well made hub. I have 7700 on my backup wheelset, and have had it since the late 90s and they are absolutely reliable. I would not hesitate to use Dura-Ace again.

[laura*]

Really...... I need to put my glasses on before trying to read ANYTHING. I thought this post said "Husband" not Hubset!

Hmmm...

"What husband to use with SRAM Red?"

Sounds like polyandry would be involved.

Aluminum freehub shells can be problematic, as the way the RED locks into place (at the ends) can gall aluminum.

Looks like I have to research this (i.e. read forum messages) some more.

I had a wheelset built up with ... Velocity Aeroheads

That would be my choice if I was building wheels.

I don't care for the all black look; I like the chrome. But they also make black stuff if you prefer it. And I don't think it looks 'dated', I think it is classy.

Once upon a time, if you bought a bike with a Shimano (or Campy) drivetrain, it would come with a full set of perhaps Shimano 600 or Deore XT all around. And the components would all be polished silver color. Part of me is still stuck in that era of design rules.

My issue with the White Industries hubs isn't the color, but the shape: It is a series of rounded forms, whereas SRAM is much more angular and flat.

Don't worry about 'mixing brands', you are going to have to, as you said, no RED hubs exist.

SRAM made hubs do exist now - as part of their S27, S30, S40, S60 and S80 wheelsets. These are all essentially SRAMified Zipp products that have resulted from SRAM's purchase of Zipp.

[Wahine]

So I read this post out to my BF who does a lot of custom wheelbuilding. It's a main source of income for him. Here are his comments:

* I don't want a hub design that compromises spoke angles to offer a Campagnolo freehub option. This eliminates DT Swiss and probably several other brands.

As far as he knows, this criteria alone pretty much eliminates all hubsets except Shimano, including White Industries.

* I haven't drunk the Chris Koolaid, so Chris King is out.

He agrees %100. He thinks the hubs aren't worth what you pay for them.

He said that if you called him to order a custom build he would try to steer you towards the Shimano Dura Ace hubs. In his opinion, they are your best option. If you're willing to give on the spoke angle factor, he would suggest White Industries and says that it comes in black, which might be more visually compatible with the SRAM Red but he thinks the chrome looks great too.

[SpeedyChix]

White ind hubs with the ti body or Shimano DAhubs. Velocity A23 would be another rim to consider. Slightly wider profile rim, nice ride. Hole count / spoke weight based on rider weight and type of riding.