The Radavist

The bike industry insists on making diametrically opposed standards, often conflating them with improving the user experience or solving non-existent problems. While it’s often the larger companies making these moves, it’s up to the smaller, quicker to pivot brands to create solutions. The all-new Project 321 G3 Hub looks to tackle one such problem. The G3 hubs use what Project 321 calls 6-Lock Technology, and the tech is illustrated above: they can run center lock or six bolt. Check out more at Project 321.

Asheville, North Carolina-based Industry Nine, manufacturer of hubs, wheel systems, and components, announced its SOLiX range of wheel systems, replacing the Torch hub system, today…

ENVE has recently redesigned its hubshell chassis from scratch and just announced its Innerdrive system, an all-new, 100% ENVE drive mechanism…

All you fixed fiends out there looking for a boost spaced fixed disc hub can rejoice! Paul Component Engineering just stocked a fixed gear, 148mm spaced, disc hub. Dubbed the Fixed Boost Disc Hub, these $173.00 – $188.50 hubs are selling like hot cakes though, so get on it if you’ve been waiting!

Today, with the launch of the ARD44 wheelset, Chris King adds an all-road offering to their FusionFiber wheelset lineup that previously catered to gravel cyclists with the GRD23 and mountain bikers with the MTN30. Laced to King’s R45D hubs, at 25mm internal width and 44mm deep, ARD44 wheels are designed for riders of all roads – from tarmac to dirt tracks. Josh got his hands on a set of these new aero wheels just a few days ago and shares a first look below…

If you’re going to manufacture carbon fiber rims in 2021, do it right. Chris King has developed its own made in the USA carbon hoops that are 100% recyclable thanks to FusionFiber tech, less harsh to ride (plush? supple? compliant? you pick), making it a winning choice for people looking for new gravel or mountain wheels. These wheelsets are built in-house at Chris King, with a plethora of anodizing colors, R45D Centerlock hubs for GRD23 gravel ($2650.00) and Boost Centerlock for the MTN30 mountain wheelset ($2550.00).

See more at Chris King.

DT Swiss took their 240 EXP hubs and coated them in a PVD – Physical Vapor Desposition – aka, oil slick finish as a special edition for their dealers and wheel builders.  These hubs are limited to 1000 pieces, utilize the Ratchet EXP freehub system, come in Shimano Micro Spline or SRAM XD, IS 6-bolt, and retail for:

Front: 159.90 € / 235.90 $
Rear:  323.90 € / 476.90 $

See more at DT Swiss.

It’s no secret that we love earth tone themes over here at the Radavist. Which is why we’ve taken a liking to Cerakote, the durable and thin coating – .5 mil thick! – that is baked on like a powder but at lower temperatures. John’s Sklar’s finish is Cerakote and we’re seeing more and more integration with frames but very few component applications. That’s why this Rodeo Labs project caught our eye. They went extra dirty with this one with the Elite Earth color on everything, including their Rodeo 2.0 rims. Check out more photos below!

Everyone’s favorite hub, the 240, just got a refresh from the engineers and designers at DT Swiss. The old 240 hubs were so iconic, I can’t wait to see what the next generation looks, feels, and sounds like. Check out this video showcasing the new design and see more at DT Swiss.

Probably the best April Fools product video we saw was from Industry Nine with their volume knob end caps. Well, the reception was so warm, they decided to make them for real and yes, they go to eleven. Today, April 17th, through next Friday, April 24th, you can order Frequency Adjusting Ratchet Technology – F.A.R.T. – volume knob endcaps. These will fit Hydra and Torch rear hubs with 12x axles only, excluding 12×135 or 12×150. Once the ordering window has closed on Friday, April 24th, at 12:00am Eastern, there will not be any more orders taken. I9 will only make as many as are pre-ordered!

Proceeds go to local musicians who lost money due to the Covid 19 lockdown. Head to Industry Nine to order one (they’re at the very bottom of the page).

If you have one of Race Face’s Vault hubs on a wheelset and have been eyeing Shimano’s 12-speed system, then today is your day. Race Face announced Microspline cassette bodies for their Vault hubs. You can either buy the body for $95 or choose it as an option on your new hubs. See more at Race Face.

I have a Chris King story. Do you? Well, I have a few Chris King stories and that’s because I own more than a couple of their products. In fact, most of my bikes have their headsets and hubs. My Retrotec is what I would consider the epitome of King’s reliability. This bike was built for NAHBS with the King 40th group: Hubs, headset, and even a stem faceplate. I still ride this bike as much as I can and still haven’t had to service anything, three years later. I really need to do an update gallery to the bike!

Knowing that now, King stands behind their products with a no-questions replacement warranty really sweetens the deal. King also now offers a lifetime warranty on their carbon wheels, including the Santa Cruz Reserve and ENVE wheels.

Head over to Chris King to see their Lifetime Warranty post!

It took a long time and there’s a long story behind the reason for the abnormal wait but at NAHBS this year, Chris King released the plug-n-play XD driver for their R45 road hubs. Now, there is a compatibility window for this replacement driver, so you should check with your local bike shop to see if your hubs can take the 11-speed driver, but if you have a Centerlock hub, then you’re good to go. Head to your local shop to inquire about the upgrade so you can use SRAM’s 10-42 cassette on your all-road bike.

With the new Hydra hubs on the market, customers are wondering just how different they sound when compared to Industry Nine’s Torch hubs. Well, here’s a video showcasing the difference.

Hubs are rarely cheap and light. In the cycling industry, if you want lightweight, you usually pay a premium. That’s where All-City saw an opportunity in the hub market. They made a set of lightweight hubs at a low cost. Available in disc or rim brake, in black or silver, and 28h or 32h drillings. Ok so how light are these hubs? The front rim brake hub ($70) weighs 60g, with the rear ($120) coming in at 227g. The front disc is 164g ($100) with the rear disc hub ($175) is 277g. These are 11-speed compatible, with XD drivers available and aluminum freehubs. See more information at All-City.

When a new standard enters the industry, smaller companies and makers scramble to update their products to this new standard but when the standard is under license, they have to jump through hoops to access that license. Shimano’s Micro Spline is part of the XTR M9100 group and requires a completely new driver. Luckily, Industry Nine is one of the few companies granted a license to make this driver, which they will do at their facility in Asheville, North Carolina.

When M9100 hits retailers, look to Industry Nine for your hub and driver needs.

If you have two bikes with different hub axle specs that would benefit from a SON hub dynamo setup but don’t want to invest in two new wheels, then SON has a nifty new component you might be interested in. This nifty axle slides into a thru-axle SON hub and allows you to run a 9mm QR. The new SON 12 mm Thru-Axle Adapter is $23 and in stock now at Compass’ Web Shop.