On Nov 9, 11:45 am, John Speare <[email protected]> wrote: > I'm also partial to shimano - easy to service and good enough. But be wary > of the latest XT hubs... they use an aluminum axel that likes to strip out. > And since it's aluminum, they increased the diameter to make up strength. > And since they increased the axel diameter, the bearings shrunk a bit.
Agree in part. On the ibob list, Alex Wetmore warned about the aluminum axle threads stripping on the "new XT" hubs : "A friend has broken 3 of them. The axle itself doesn't break. The threads on the axle strip where the axle end threads on. The threads are tiny, it looks like they are 1mm pitch. Here is a photo showing the damage: http://alexandchristine.smugmug.com/Bicycles/Shimano-XT-Aluminum-Axle/10997988_eTAGA#768940509_7GQHt It looks like the end cap only had a couple threads of engagement with the oversized axle. This hub wasn't adjusted, it is how it came from the Shimano factory. It was the stock wheel on a Surly LHT. In the background is a standard steel axle for comparison." > And with smaller bearings, there are numerous reports of bearing failure (in > addition to axel stripping) online with the new XT hubs. > LX have alway suited me anyway. They are a few grams heavier than XT and > don't always have the nicest finish, but they work well for the riding I do. > If I was a one-bike owner, I'd consider white, or king, or phil hubs, but > I'd rather go with better bottom brackets than hubs... Alex also recommended the LX/SLX hubs stating: "The new design also means that Shimano is using 3/16" (4.5mm) balls in the hub races instead of 1/4" (6.25mm) ones on the new XT hub. I've been recommending modern LX/SLX hubs to friends instead of XT for this reason." On the other hand, Campy has used an oversized aluminum axle in its hubs since around 1999 and you just don't have about its thread stripping or any problem with the ball bearings (5/32"). Of course, there's a lot less Campy hubs out there than Shimano, so that may not mean much.....Good Luck! -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
