Which freehub - XD,...
 

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Which freehub - XD, HG or 12s?

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I'm about to buy some wheels (and a new groupset) and had thought an xd hub would be the most future proof. However I see that since I last bought any wheels, shimano have a 12speed hub. Also I note that SRAM NX fits on an HG spline as do some other 12s cassettes. So what hub will give me the most options for gears over the next 5 years? Thanks STW.


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 4:08 pm
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You can just change the freehub body on a hub, so you don't need to worry really.

Your choice will depend on SRAM vs Shimano, as only SRAM 12 sp uses the XD freehub.


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 4:12 pm
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Anything other than HG.


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 4:19 pm
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Yeah if you got Hope then you can just swap freehubs easily and fairly cheaply should the need arise.


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 4:26 pm
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XD and Microspline allow a 10t smallest cog, which HG (and the NX cassette) do not

Assuming you want 12 speed, I'd go XD, as SRAM cassettes are lighter, better made and more durable than the Shimano equivalent, unless you want to stick with the cheaper and much heavier stuff like NX (might be the way to go for an EBike)


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 4:28 pm
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weeksy

Yeah if you got Hope then you can just swap freehubs easily and fairly cheaply should the need arise.

Easily yes, but they charge about £70 for them


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 4:28 pm
allyharp and allyharp reacted
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I swapped my HG for XD for precisely that reason, 10t cassette and I wanted X0. 


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 6:09 pm
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Anyone else find the XD freehubs bodies eat their outer bearings at an alarming rate?

I've had to replace the races in two difference road hubs which is a completely new things for me (never had to change a freehub bearing before).


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 6:15 pm
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No but my Shimano Microspline 3 pawl freehub used to eat bearings.


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 6:55 pm
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Easily yes, but they charge about £70 for them

Still much cheaper than a new wheel, so a bargain 😀


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 7:07 pm
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Recently bought various wheels. Gone MS on both the rears for a 10t, but also sick of SRAM (exploding GX mechs), so going full Shimano drivetrain. A big range Shimano set up is considerably cheaper than any Eagle nonsense too


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 9:37 pm
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Edit- double post


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 10:17 pm
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At 12 speed, vastly oversimplified-

Hyperglide for cheaper, heavier cassettes.

Xd for SRAM GX cassettes that are fairly light and very hard wearing

Microspline for shimano shifting tech and ‘somewhere in between the other two’ on price and weight

If you’re not 12s you can just remove microspline from that list. Personally pretty happy with xd as GX Eagle cassettes just seem to last and last but honestly I wouldn’t be hassled using any of them.


 
Posted : 16/11/2023 10:18 pm

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