Strongest Hubs?

http://www.philwood.com/Price%20List/TouringHubs.pdf

http://www.chrisking.com/hubs/hbs_index.html

http://www.mtbr.com/reviews/hub/index_byrating.shtml

http://roadbikereview.com/wheels/hubs/PLS_2500_913crx.aspx

2wheelwill said:

My girlfriend and I will be leaving for a year long bike tour in Jan. Our bikes (Surly Long Haul Truckers) will be fully loaded (60-70 pounds total bike + gear) and we expect some rough roads but mostly will stay on pavement.

Here's my question: It will cost me $160 for Mavic A719 w/ Shimano 105 hubs or $300 for the same rims but with Shimano XT hubs (the frame accepts either road or mountain hubs). Are mountain bike hubs really any stronger than road hubs??? Don't they use the same axle??? Any other suggestions for good value hubs?

Thanks.

Will-

Better seals on XT and better spoke support angle with XT for the rear wheel results in a more durable rear wheel.
Have a good mechanic check the lubrication, cone adjustments, lube the seal contacts, and make sure the wheels are tension balanced and stress relieved. Also make sure the lock nuts are really well torqued.

I would much rather see you use something cartridge bearing such as SunRace Jujus. They last far longer between overhauls and handle day-in day-out abuse of stunt riders. More than enough for touring.
www.gaerlan.com/bikeparts/parts/disk/disk.html

Well can't say I have ever seen an axel break on a road bike not that it is impossible just never saw it happen. Have heard legend of such on mountain bikes. I think you would be fine with either of your choices provided the wheel was built up correctly. Sealed bearing would be more desirable but not essential. I would not go for anything that you couldn't find a replacement part for easily. Higher spoke counts would be good as well. I was in contact with some people who organized tours all over the world and often provided bikes. You might try to google search and contact them and see what they use. The one I spoke to had custom built 40 spoke wheels with shimano hubs I forget which one. They said they were pretty much bullet proof wheels.

Agreed, ultimate strength is not much of a concern. Sealed cartridge would however offer greater reliability against the inevitable rain and grit. Peace of mind item. For field servicability, actually a JuJu hubset is by far my favorite. A wood block and an allen key are all you need to work on them. (For details on the procedure PM me)

Conniebiker said:

Agreed, ultimate strength is not much of a concern. Sealed cartridge would however offer greater reliability against the inevitable rain and grit. Peace of mind item. For field servicability, actually a JuJu hubset is by far my favorite. A wood block and an allen key are all you need to work on them. (For details on the procedure PM me)

How do you know that "sealed" cartridge bearings offer greater reliability than XT M760 Model hubs?
When you remove the cartridge and find it is worn out what bicycle shop carries the appropriate sized bearing(s)... compared to the ball bearings in Shimano hubs?
I have bicycles with both Shimano and cartridge bearing hubs and have done over 250,000 miles of loaded touring. I have found Shimano XT to be as reliable and serviceable ...or more so than any other hubs I have used. However, I have never used JuJu hubs.

Conniebiker said:

Agreed, ultimate strength is not much of a concern. Sealed cartridge would however offer greater reliability against the inevitable rain and grit. Peace of mind item. For field servicability, actually a JuJu hubset is by far my favorite. A wood block and an allen key are all you need to work on them. (For details on the procedure PM me)

My experience with a "sealed" cartridge bearing hub has been quite the opposite. They seem to be very sensitive to grit and rain versus my older Ultegra hubs which have held up with no problem for many years and rain rides.

One good rainy ride caused water intrusion into the front "sealed" bearings, and of course quick rust. When I called the company tech support, they advised that after
a rain ride, I should pull off the end caps and dry out any moisture and grit that's gotten in carefully, before it has time to cause rust. Good advice, but not something I'd want to worry about at the end of the day on a long tour.

This set up may be easy to produce for a boutique wheel builder, and great for low-friction, but I would prefer hubs with real axle seals for on a long tour.