Fat Camp Podcast #2 with Ken and Andy – Hub Standards

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS

Show Notes for Podcast #2:

• Goal of Podcast – Explain why you may want to consider a wider hub than “normal” in the future
• Introductory info:
  • Q-Factor Diagram
  • Boost Hubs – 148mm spacing rear, 110mm front
  • 150/157mm rear spacing – Long time standard for downhill bikes
• Chain line basics
  • Sheldon Brown on chainline
  • Chainrings are 7.5-8mm apart
  • Boost 148 – moves cassette out by 3mm
  • 150/157 – moves cassette out by 7.5mm
  • Raceface Cinch bottom bracket compatibility chart (including 83mm BBs)
• Wider hubs – wheel stuff
  • Wider hubs = stronger wheels
  • A wider hub increases the “bracing angle” of the spokes giving side forces on the rim less leverage to decrease the spoke tension.
  • The Bicycle Wheel by Jobst Brandt
• Tire/drivetrain clearance
  • Two primary issues with 3” or bigger tires
    • Chain rub on tire
    • Keeping chainstays thick enough to be strong/stiff without compromising tire or chainring clearance
    • Both of the above are solved by moving the chain line outward (getting chainrings out of way)
  • Wider hubs allow shorter chainstays with fewer drivetrain constrictions.
    • Niner ROS 9 – “chain and derailleur cage clearance with the fatter 3.0 tires is not ideal, and complete bikes will only get single chainring builds” – Niner product manager Barrett James – http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/08/14/new-niner-ros9-plus-29er-fat-bike-crushes-trails-special-imba-edition-helps-build-them/
    • Surly Krampus – recommend 1x on any crank or 2x with Surly’s OD crank – http://surlybikes.com/bikes/krampus
  • Bottom line:
    • Boost is the bare minimum to allow + sized wheels and 2x drivetrains plus lots of other benefits
    • 150/157 is boost-ier and offers bigger benefits but you start to get some negatives that may or may not affect you specifically
    • Why wouldn’t riders want to have the option to run + tires as well as all the “normal” tire sizes?
    • You don’t need Boost to go + if you are fat – Listen to our last show for more info