Hubs, from private sellers and shops nationwide.
Bike hubs
The hub is the centre of the wheel: the bearings turn inside it, the brake rotor mounts to it and, at the rear, it carries the freehub body with the ratchet mechanism. A good hub rolls for ages without maintenance and engages instantly when you pedal, which you feel on technical climbs.
What to know before you buy
- the number of spoke holes (28, 32, 36), the same as the rim
- the axle: QR 100/135, Boost 110/148, 12 mm thru-axle or older standards
- the rotor mount: 6-bolt or Center Lock
- the freehub body: HG, Micro Spline, XD or Campagnolo
- cartridge bearings or adjustable cup-and-cone bearings
On a used hub, turn the axle with your fingers: it should run smoothly, without friction or play. Novatec and Shimano have the most ads on Biklo, along with DT Swiss, SRAM, Mavic and Campagnolo. Hubs are small and easy to ship, including to a parcel locker.