Hub Question: White vs. King vs. Am. Classic?

[nvpacchi]

Hi guys,

I'm in the market to build up a set of alloy tubulars to use for racing, and isolated rides here and there.

Price is not necessarily a concern, but -- as most would -- prefer to err on the side of economy.

I have narrowed my hub selection down to the White Industries (H2, H3) Chris King (R45), and the American Classic (Micro 58, 205).

Does anyone have any experience with any of these (good or bad) that they could pass along to me. I think I am leaning towards the White Industries at the moment, but would be curious to hear what all of you have to say.

Thanks in advance!

 

[veganrob]

DT 240's are my favorite Why not those?
Say no to American Classic.

 

[El Oso]

DT 240's are my favorite Why not those?
Say no to American Classic.

+1 NO ON AMERICAN CLASSICS!!! I had a set of their wheels and the bearings wore out after about 9 months, after the second time the went out in less than 2 years I gave up on them.

I've heard good things about DT 240s

 

[42x16ss]

White and Chris King both make fine hubs - as good as DT 240's. If price is a concern then I'd go for the Whites.

Avoid American Classic hubs like the plague.

 

[steelciocc]

Just like Record...

If you're fortunate enough to be riding Campy you can't beat these:

http://www.totalcycling.com/index.p...oad/HB_CENTAUR_07.html?action=currency&id=USD


Edit: Sorry. Just checked and they're only available in 36h now. I stocked up when they still had 32's.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

White Industries are the better of the 3, I've built up a few H series hubs, all the customers love the Whites. King hubs are fine, a little more money, but you have to buy specialty tools from King to service them. For the money of King, DT 240's would be a better choice, and almost no tools necessary to service. American Classic is totally out of the question, not even in the same league as these, they roll on garbage bearings.

 

[Bustedknuckle]

Hi guys,

I'm in the market to build up a set of alloy tubulars to use for racing, and isolated rides here and there.

Price is not necessarily a concern, but -- as most would -- prefer to err on the side of economy.

I have narrowed my hub selection down to the White Industries (H2, H3) Chris King (R45), and the American Classic (Micro 58, 205).

Does anyone have any experience with any of these (good or bad) that they could pass along to me. I think I am leaning towards the White Industries at the moment, but would be curious to hear what all of you have to say.

Thanks in advance!

If shimano/sram-DA

If Campagnolo-Record

Kings are incredibly complicated for a bicycle hub, Whites aren't bad but the set screw-adjustment thing puts me off. American Classic are crappola. DA and Record-cup and ball, smooth, light, simple, easy to work on.

Only other alternative is DT 240 or DT 350.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Phil Wood?

What! No Phil Wood recommendations? I'll be old an gray and the Phil Woods will still roll like the day I bought them.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

What! No Phil Wood recommendations? I'll be old an gray and the Phil Woods will still roll like the day I bought them.

To be fair we all know Phil makes some of the best hubs on the market, but they're not all that popular amongst the road crowd simply due to that sticky subject and key marketing term, 'weight'. Phil Wood has always been more popular with heavier duty apps like touring, mtb, and tandems, but I do believe they are finally releasing a Campy compatible hub this year after a 10-15 year hiatus.

For more unmentioned awesome hubs, I have a 10+ year old set of EDCO Super G hubs that have required zero servicing in that time. This is the hub I use in 99% of my builds.

 

[chasbo]

Honestly, I have yet to see a better hub than the DT 240. They are reliable, reasonably light and build up very nice. Of the ones you are asking about, I like both the White and the Kings, you shouldn't have problems with either. Not thrilled about American Classic. They need to fix their bearing problems.

 

[nvpacchi]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Performance wise 240s sound great, but IMO the appearance is too overstated. I like the subtlety of the White and Chris King hubs and the only reason I would have considered the American Classic (which looks too similar to the 240) was the price.

But now that I've heard the garbage about the Am Classic, I've got it narrowed down to White and Chris.

I'll update after my ultimate decision.

 

[ElChingon]

I just hope you realize that especially the Chris King for all its coolness (so I think) are the loudest rear hubs on the planet, not sure about the others so much. But if you plan on using them for races don't ever expect to surprise attack anyone with the King hubs, they'll hear you coming or if you flinch they'll know you're soft pedaling. Then there's the general noise you'll hear, some people sell them as fast as they get them because they can't stand the noise, nothing like being out on a ride and everyone turns to see what the racket is. Then the questions, is your bike ok?

Just so you're forewarned.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

I just hope you realize that especially the Chris King for all its coolness (so I think) are the loudest rear hubs on the planet, not sure about the others so much. But if you plan on using them for races don't ever expect to surprise attack anyone with the King hubs, they'll hear you coming or if you flinch they'll know you're soft pedaling. Then there's the general noise you'll hear, some people sell them as fast as they get them because they can't stand the noise, nothing like being out on a ride and everyone turns to see what the racket is. Then the questions, is your bike ok?

I wouldn't say they're louder, just different than what most people are used to. 72 points of engagement makes a whirring noise instead of the fast clicking that most hubs generate. I'll go so far as to say my Campy hubs are louder than Kings. And since when has an attack been spoiled by somebody riding a hub that freewheels loudly? You race in Bizarro World Chingy? Everybody pedals backwards?

 

[richwagmn]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

Performance wise 240s sound great, but IMO the appearance is too overstated. I like the subtlety of the White and Chris King hubs and the only reason I would have considered the American Classic (which looks too similar to the 240) was the price.

But now that I've heard the garbage about the Am Classic, I've got it narrowed down to White and Chris.

I'll update after my ultimate decision.

I think the DT240s might by one of the more understated hubs appearance wise out there. To me they're very industrial looking. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying though.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

It doesn't get any more understated than Alchemy. Probably one of the best designed hubs on the market right now, and in the DT 240 price range.

 

[ElChingon]

I wouldn't say they're louder, just different than what most people are used to. 72 points of engagement makes a whirring noise instead of the fast clicking that most hubs generate. I'll go so far as to say my Campy hubs are louder than Kings. And since when has an attack been spoiled by somebody riding a hub that freewheels loudly? You race in Bizarro World Chingy? Everybody pedals backwards?

Well if you find yourself riding alone I think the Bizarro world is in your domain

My Campy (and Mavic) hubs are stealthy quiet I can coast down any hill/mountain and there is no noise, the way it should be. I've ridden with guys with your so called quiet King hubs which basically scare anyone within 50 feet thinking a buzz saw is coming up on them. If you're Campy hubs are noisier than the Kings its time to re-lube man, don't be lazy and then complain they wore out fast.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Well if you find yourself riding alone I think the Bizarro world is in your domain

No it just means that my attack worked.

My Campy (and Mavic) hubs are stealthy quiet I can coast down any hill/mountain and there is no noise, the way it should be. I've ridden with guys with your so called quiet King hubs which basically scare anyone within 50 feet thinking a buzz saw is coming up on them. If you're Campy hubs are noisier than the Kings its time to re-lube man, don't be lazy and then complain they wore out fast.

Never said they were quiet Chingy, just different. I train and race with people on King hubs all over the place, thing is we're pedaling, not freewheeling and listening for noises. Maybe I'm just used to them, or maybe when you're sitting in a pack of 30 you can't tell anyway. BTW, my Campy hubs are Circa 2001 Record and 1998 Chorus sets, both still going strong.

 

[PCutter]

I just hope you realize that especially the Chris King for all its coolness (so I think) are the loudest rear hubs on the planet,

I see your Chris King's and raise you my Hope Pro3s for the title of loudest hub in the world. I can ride beside Zipp owners and they can't even remotely hear their previously loud hub. And Im seriously considering ditching them for something a little more quiet as they are just too annoying - especially when I start my rides in the quiet of 4.30am.

 

[Boeing]

White Industries are some of the finest machined products in the industry IMHO

Profile Racing, while noted for their BMX, SS/Track and MTB hubs, now make a road hubset that rivals them all, although spendy

 

[ElChingon]

No it just means that my attack worked.



Never said they were quiet Chingy, just different. I train and race with people on King hubs all over the place, thing is we're pedaling, not freewheeling and listening for noises. Maybe I'm just used to them, or maybe when you're sitting in a pack of 30 you can't tell anyway. BTW, my Campy hubs are Circa 2001 Record and 1998 Chorus sets, both still going strong.

Never took you for a Tri-Geek

For the OP, just be forewarned about the noise as quiet as some say they are and how they always pedal, they added the paws for a reason. Too bad some manufactures never ride their own stuff as they'd know its as irritating as can be.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Profile Racing, while noted for their BMX, SS/Track and MTB hubs, now make a road hubset that rivals them all, although spendy

Taken from Prolly is not Probably. When Christian first told me about the new Profile Racing Road hubs, he described their sound to be that of "a thousand pi$$ed off hornets, that drink the blood of fallen roadies" Chingy won't like the sound of that, he has super sensitive hearing, and when he hears loud hubs he foams at the mouth and goes into fits of rage.

Nice hub set though, more than likely will build up a set or two of these this season.

 

[Boeing]

Taken from Prolly is not Probably. When Christian first told me about the new Profile Racing Road hubs, he described their sound to be that of "a thousand pi$$ed off hornets, that drink the blood of fallen roadies" Chingy won't like the sound of that, he has super sensitive hearing, and when he hears loud hubs he foams at the mouth and goes into fits of rage.

Nice hub set though, more than likely will build up a set or two of these this season.

I like loud

they are on my list . note: 32 max drilling and not to be confused with Profile Design

sick engagement on their other hubs so I assume the same here

BTW I had the White SS Eccentric hub for some time. It is still on my top 10 best bike products ever owned and used.

 

[TexPat]

As someone else said, who care if it's loud when you're coasting? I've had a set of r45s on Velocity A23s for a few months now, and they're brilliant. My King mtb hubs are now eight 10 years old and faultless. The rear started life in TX on a DH bike, then rebuilt to XC on 26 in wheels, then 29in 5 years ago. Two overhauls in all that time and no parts replaced. That's what I call quality in two extreme environments (TX and NZ) that eat stuff up quickly and brutally.
I know nothing of the Alchemy, but wouldn't touch American Classics or White Ind from prior experience.
DT makes a damn good hub which have served me well over the years, but I prefer the Kings.

 

[User Guide]

It doesn't get any more understated than Alchemy. Probably one of the best designed hubs on the market right now, and in the DT 240 price range.

+1 good design, easy too build , american made.Although a little pricey(dt240 money) would work especially well for racing on an alloy rim.The placement of the flanges/bearings makes for a stiff wheel.The large quality bearings should last a long time too(although not built ridden enough for long enough too personnaly confirm/refute this)

 

[nvpacchi]

I think the DT240s might by one of the more understated hubs appearance wise out there. To me they're very industrial looking. Maybe I misunderstood what you were saying though.

Its more of the large white lettering bordered by the red rectangle that bothers me. I'd rather have a hub where the lettering almost blends in with the body of the hub