Hello,
I’m currently running Duke Baccara SLR 2 48 with Mad Max hubs and I wheigh around 85 kg. I ride weekly races.
I’m quite happy with the wheelset but I’m burning through my 3rd freehub body in about 3 years. The engagement teeth tend to wear…
The wheels are not really designed for heavier riders say the spec sheets. I did not know this at the time and the shop did not tell me.
Do you guys have any advice on a solid wheelset for my profile? 85kg with decent power output.
I was thinking elitewheels drive 2? 9velo?
Thanks!
Replace the hubs and keep the existing rims?
Most of the brands mentioned are going to sell you more of the same, as these hubs look better on the scales.
I have thought of this as well, but then again I do not know if the weightlimit is on the hub or on the rim.
I’m not a wheel builder but fairly certain it’ll be the rim dictating weight limit.
In order of things you can do..
If not already, use a torque wrench
Get a hub with a steel freehub, failing that an Anti-Bite guard
9velo do offer a Ti freehub upgrade which might be a middle ground.
Steel seems to be the preserve of nice hubs; Chris King, Hope, DT, etc and even then, is often an additional upgrade cost.
What’s your budget? DT Swiss hubs are pretty bulletproof, could ask a wheelbuilder to replace the hubs on your current wheels if the rims are still in good shape. I also find Shimano wheels and hubs to be great quality and can often be found at very good prices. They’re a bit narrow by modern trends but not really an issue if you’re racing and on decent tarmac.
My budget is around €1500 depending if I can get the duke wheels sold for a decent price.
Are you talking about the splines on the outside of a Shimano style freehub or the pawls and ratchet ring? Those hubs have Ti freehub body, no?
Yeah the freehub itself is titanium. I’m talking about the ratchet. At a certain point the teeth are worn and slip through. Costs me around €200 everytime…
Got it. Yeah. Working as a mechanic in a bike shop, I saw a fair number of failed pawl-ratchet freehubs. IDK if this applies in your case, but in most of those I chalked it up to the pawls not engaging fully when power was applied due to problems with the lube. Most often is was dried out and or contaminated. It’s also possible when the wrong lube (too viscous) or to much lube is used, sometime in an effort to quiet the freehub. The pawl action is slowed so just tips engage as power is applied and they can chip or otherwise get damaged or damage the ratchet.