Re: Rear Hub and Cassette Design Question...
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2012 3:39 am
Shimano hubs are definitely not virtually problem free.
XT hubs for example, like the M770, have had lots of problems with their freehub design that is well documented. They don't handle mud and water very well and can then wear out and fail quickly. With that model apparently they tried to make it lighter by going to an alloy axle, which meant they had to make it fatter in order for it to still be strong enough, but then they had to compromise with the freehub internals including by minimising dimensions of bearings and such.
The DT Swiss hubs don't exactly have the best flange dimensions for a strong wheel. This includes the 240.
For those cyclists who have to maintain their hub/cassette themselves regularly (eg cross, MTB, tourers) the Kappius could make a lot of sense. For tourers it would be awesome. No need to carry cassette removal tools just to remove the cassette to get to a drive side spoke. No need to carry cone spanners like with Shimano hubs. No need to carry a spare freehub in case of failure on long tours in remote places.
For most lightweight road cyclists who just cycle near home it is most probably overkill, and the money can be spent better elsewhere. I apologise as this is a road thread (but then some of us take "road" bikes where most people don't, and like the idea of parts that are potentially less throw-away).
XT hubs for example, like the M770, have had lots of problems with their freehub design that is well documented. They don't handle mud and water very well and can then wear out and fail quickly. With that model apparently they tried to make it lighter by going to an alloy axle, which meant they had to make it fatter in order for it to still be strong enough, but then they had to compromise with the freehub internals including by minimising dimensions of bearings and such.
The DT Swiss hubs don't exactly have the best flange dimensions for a strong wheel. This includes the 240.
For those cyclists who have to maintain their hub/cassette themselves regularly (eg cross, MTB, tourers) the Kappius could make a lot of sense. For tourers it would be awesome. No need to carry cassette removal tools just to remove the cassette to get to a drive side spoke. No need to carry cone spanners like with Shimano hubs. No need to carry a spare freehub in case of failure on long tours in remote places.
For most lightweight road cyclists who just cycle near home it is most probably overkill, and the money can be spent better elsewhere. I apologise as this is a road thread (but then some of us take "road" bikes where most people don't, and like the idea of parts that are potentially less throw-away).