Hub Bub...

[themunt]

Allrighty then!

After finally re-arranging my parts and frame into a stockish trials set-up, I am once again in love with riding...
I am having to make do with standard Avid V-brakes for the moment.
Ive got a single 17 tooth ring from an old cluster with heaps of spacers running with a 22tooth ring up front. It seems pretty good as far as gearing goes... The hub however is an reconditioned XT hub from a few years back. Going on info from a few other threads, it won't last long at all as soon as I get the whole pedal kick thing happening..
I would like to invest in a hub that I can run single speed, as in a street set-up and by changing gearing run it for trials too. To clarify, I want a hub that has a very solid and consistent clutch mech. as to be durable for the trials side of things. A disc brake hub would be benficial for the street side of things... BUT are there any decent REAR disc brakes for trials?? I've seen a few bikes with a disc on the front but a Magura rim brake on the back...

SO! Single speed trials hubs WITH disc mounts?? 10mm axle, 32 holes...
Anyone got ideas of brands and pricing??
How about places to get them?

Much respect and thanks...

[tu plang]

realistically you have to look at Hope Pro II SS trials hub or an SS king for a decent quality SS hub. the hope is great value at about $280, ive owned one briefly but didnt end up using it, however the quality is your usual hope standard - excellent. King doesn't really need much to be said, pretty much the only hub that has a history of succesful trials use.

another option would be a screw on SS hub running a white industries freewheel but my trials mate informs me that they are known to blow up.

Finally, you could go either a hope (although their standard cassette hubs dont get the same good reviews that the SS has in terms of trials use) or king standard cassette hub and run a spacer kit. this would give you the choice to run gears etc if you changed your mind.

finally, with any cassette hub ensure you get a wide based cog. these are available from surly (i own one of these and they appear to be good stuff), and gusset (and probably a few others) locally. King cogs are available locally but as with most king gear they are like rocking horse shit, you cant buy them. endless wide base cogs look the goods too.

[themunt]

Sounds like the hope is the good gear... Or lack of...

I have a hugi hug laced to a 321 mavic which is sweet as for everything using gravity.. I'll be running this on my DH/SLUT bike..(does everything in sight)...
But yeah a SS hub would be good for a lighter rim.

Does the Hope SS hub come with disc mounts?
Or do you reckon rim brakes are the way to go?

[tu plang]

Sounds like the hope is the good gear... Or lack of...

I have a hugi hug laced to a 321 mavic which is sweet as for everything using gravity.. I'll be running this on my DH/SLUT bike..(does everything in sight)...
But yeah a SS hub would be good for a lighter rim.

Does the Hope SS hub come with disc mounts?
Or do you reckon rim brakes are the way to go?

both the king and hope SS hubs come with disc brake mounts (well the king also comes in a non disc mount version) but its definitely worth having them even if you dont use them right way as you may change your mind later. hope also make a good trials disc brake. www.chainreactioncycles.com will offer insight into hope parts.

[themunt]

Do you know what the difference is between a Hope mini disc brake and a Hope Mini TRIALS disc brake. Looks to me like the only difference is the disc type. One piece for the trials and two piece for the Other.
Anything else??
There is a few Hope mini's for sale here...

Thanks for all your input bro!

[tu plang]

the mini is a lightweight XC/all mountain brake. I've owned a set and liked them but they won't have the outright power for trials. The mono trials actually uses larger slave pistons than the mono mini, they are meant to be crazy powerful.

[themunt]

Have you ever had any problems with the rear wheel locking-up in a gravelly situation. Rather, would the trials brakes lock your wheels up when you don't want them too? I spose you would get used to them pretty quickly and accomodate for the extra power...

Yes the Hope Pro 2 SS is the holy rolling grail... mmm Black.

[tu plang]

the mono trials is not recommended for anything but trials use. if you want something that'll be a bit more versatile than vee brakes will probably offer the best of both worlds on the rear. something like an avid BB7 cable disc brake might go alright on the front too (i know guys who have run this set up for trials riding.)

the most important thing with vee brakes is to get good pads. spanish flies were my favourite (made by a company called plazmatic), not sure if you can still get them though. (i have a pair im not using though ;) ) as with any braking component that is trials specific, they wont like long braking (ie DH).

[themunt]

ohhh NOW we are getting into the crux of it!

I'm having problems with my back brake not locking up very well. Maybe my fingers need to get stronger but more power will help no doubt. As a result, when I am hopping or rocking back and forward, my pedals spin backwards because the rear wheel is rolling a little backwards too. No what I mean?? I am finding I am having to let the back brake off and crank a little to get my 9 o'clock, 3 o'clock positioning again. And then I loose balance and have to start again!!

I've got some bigger BMX pads on the back which helped a fair bit and are still bedding in so I think they will get even better.

What about chains?? Not too much to it here I imagine... Just the brands really..?

[gbowen444]

Rear hub recommendations would be King if you can afford it or Hope Pro II trials/SS. The hope is what I use and they seem to be pretty bullet proof. THey have more and stronger engagment points than the standard hope hubs, so make sure you get the trials/SS version. Also comes with spacers and can fit a 6 speed cassette on it.

If you want to use it single speed then get a surly cog or a king cog. I would also reccomend the KMC Kool chain for trials but this chain has some issues with the surly cog (skipping) so I would go the king cog. Yes they are expensive but they are worth it.

As for brake Magura's HS33 or good Vs are the way to go. If you must use disk make sure you frame's disk mount is designed for trials use (unlikely unless you have a very upto date trials specific frame). They have a tendancy to break off if they aren't due to the direction of the forces trials can put on them.

If you are using rim brakes and want more power then grind you rim and use trails specific pads.

Hope this helps.

[disappearin]

im running a hope pro II trials/ss hub, a king sprocket(18t) & avid v's with heatsink red pads and a RB booster on the rear. with the heatsink pads the brakes are awsome(i also ground the rim) and ive had no problems with the hope hub and it was brought 2nd hand.

www.expressivebikes.com should have the heatsink pads. they are well worth a try if wanna run v's.

as for chains ive just been running a sram chain but have heard good things about half link chains from bmxers. anyone used one for trials? they look the part.

[gbowen444]

as for chains ive just been running a sram chain but have heard good things about half link chains from bmxers. anyone used one for trials? they look the part.

I think the jury is still out on the halflink (shadow) chain. http://www.staff-bmx.com/store/chtens/tsc_interlock_n.html They look cool but from a physics point of view having an S shape in each plate is going to do nothing for strength. I am sticking with the tried and trusting KMC Kool Chain....

[themunt]

Thankyou very much everyone for your input!!

I have a birthday coming up that I might be able to cash in on!! :p

I'm gonna go blow out some candles....

[themunt]

I think the jury is still out on the halflink (shadow) chain. http://www.staff-bmx.com/store/chtens/tsc_interlock_n.html They look cool but from a physics point of view having an S shape in each plate is going to do nothing for strength. I am sticking with the tried and trusting KMC Kool Chain....

Good call! But which one?? Is it the lighter one with the holes puched in the outside plates and holes through the pins??
Or the heavier but perhaps more durable original Kool Chain??

VERY cheap compared to a MTB chain...
Infact, any part that can be used from a BMX seems to be much cheaper and definitely as strong. eg. Cranks running on "euro" BB's. Single chainrings for DH/street only of course!
I'll never give up on my primo tenderisers...

[gbowen444]

Original KMC Kool Chain K810 (K810 is narrower that the K710).

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AYFR3Q/ref=nosim/?tag=nextag-sg-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B000AYFR3Q&linkCode=asn

[kaotickelly]

I'm running the 9 spd King hub on the rear, with a hope M4 disk brake. The brakes could be stronger, but I have spilled fluid on it a couple time so that could have been the culprit.. I've used both for 3 years now, and not a single problem with either.. definitely more cost effective than getting three Xt hubs in 8 months. My frame is a 2003 model DMR sidekick, the brake tab is holding up quite well.

As for chain, I used the wipperman 808 (i think) they are 8 speed so slightly fatter than the 9 speed, but definitely lighter than the kool chain. The power link on that was made of steel .. it never broke on me in a year, until the steel plate stretched and caused uneven load on one side of the chain and broke the next plate.

Happy Bday :)