Pro tip: Is it worth rebuilding a hub or just buying a new wheel? I'm torn.

I was talking to an old timer at my local shop in Denver last Tuesday, and he swore rebuilding a Shimano hub with fresh bearings and cones is better than any cheap prebuilt wheel these days. But then my buddy who runs a moving crew with me says the labor cost and time ain't worth it when you can grab a solid wheelset for $150. For you guys who do this every day, what's the tipping point for you on rebuilds versus replacements?

2 comments

2 Comments

tessawebb3d ago

I rebuilt a Shimano 105 hub last spring after a bearing race cratered on a century ride. The labor cost me a six pack and an hour of swearing on my workbench, but the hub still spins like new. For me the tipping point is if the hub body or axle is toast, then I just buy a new wheel. If it's just cones and bearings, rebuilding is way cheaper and you keep a wheel you already trust.

logansullivan3d ago

That "hub still spins like new" part is exactly why I stick with rebuilding too. Once you've put the miles on a wheel and know it's true and reliable, swapping bearings is way smarter than gambling on a new factory build that might have uneven spoke tension. Plus you get that weird satisfaction of knowing you fixed it yourself instead of just throwing money at the problem.

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