DT Swiss 350 Disc Hub
The DT Swiss 350 is a workhorse six-bolt disc hub known for offering the brand's proven ratchet-style engagement and easily serviceable internals at a mid-market price. For six-bolt wheel builds it strikes a strong balance between durability and cost — more refined and better supported than budget alternatives like Novatec, while undercutting the premium price of Chris King and matching many riders' needs without the premium weight or cost of top-tier models.
Reliable ratchet
Lightweight build
Reliable ratchet
Lightweight build
Review Summary
"Users praise the DT Swiss 350 for its rock-solid reliability, low maintenance and good value for everyday riding, though some note it is heavier and has slightly slower engagement than premium models. Overall it’s seen as a dependable, no-nonsense hub for long-term use."
Clicks like clockwork
DT Swiss star-ratchet engagement provides consistent, durable power transfer.
Clicks like clockwork
DT Swiss star-ratchet engagement provides consistent, durable power transfer.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The DT Swiss 350 is a workhorse six-bolt disc hub known for offering the brand's proven ratchet-style engagement and easily serviceable internals at a mid-market price. For six-bolt wheel builds it strikes a strong balance between durability and cost — more refined and better supported than budget alternatives like Novatec, while undercutting the premium price of Chris King and matching many riders' needs without the premium weight or cost of top-tier models.
Reliable ratchet
Lightweight build
Clicks like clockwork
DT Swiss star-ratchet engagement provides consistent, durable power transfer.
Available in six-bolt disc mount and multiple axle standards for broad compatibility.
Reliable ratchet
Lightweight build
Clicks like clockwork
DT Swiss star-ratchet engagement provides consistent, durable power transfer.
Available in six-bolt disc mount and multiple axle standards for broad compatibility.
$150-300 CAD
Shimano Deore XT M8110 Hub
Shimano's Deore XT M8110 hub is a reliable, widely available six-bolt option that emphasizes smooth sealed bearings and broad compatibility with Shimano drivetrains and parts. It delivers excellent value for riders who want dependable serviceability and local parts support—typically costing less than boutique hubs like Chris King while offering more consistent OEM-level performance than many low-cost alternatives.
Smooth engagement
Bombproof durability
Smooth engagement
Bombproof durability
Review Summary
"Riders report the Shimano Deore XT M8110 hub is smooth, extremely durable and well engineered with excellent compatibility and reliable engagement, making it a favorite for aggressive riding. A few comment on its slightly higher weight, but most find the robustness worth it."
Service-friendly grin
Shimano Deore XT M8110 offers robust sealing and long bearing life for harsh conditions.
Service-friendly grin
Shimano Deore XT M8110 offers robust sealing and long bearing life for harsh conditions.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Shimano's Deore XT M8110 hub is a reliable, widely available six-bolt option that emphasizes smooth sealed bearings and broad compatibility with Shimano drivetrains and parts. It delivers excellent value for riders who want dependable serviceability and local parts support—typically costing less than boutique hubs like Chris King while offering more consistent OEM-level performance than many low-cost alternatives.
Smooth engagement
Bombproof durability
Service-friendly grin
Shimano Deore XT M8110 offers robust sealing and long bearing life for harsh conditions.
Direct six-bolt disc interface with standard axle options for easy OEM or upgrade use.
Smooth engagement
Bombproof durability
Service-friendly grin
Shimano Deore XT M8110 offers robust sealing and long bearing life for harsh conditions.
Direct six-bolt disc interface with standard axle options for easy OEM or upgrade use.
$180-320 CAD
Hope Pro 4 Hub
The Hope Pro 4 is a British-made six-bolt hub prized for robust internals, excellent sealing and a wide range of axle and spoke configurations for custom wheelbuilders. It sits between mass-market and boutique offerings: more durable and hand-finished than most budget hubs such as Novatec, but more affordable than ultra-premium choices like Chris King, giving a strong technical/value proposition for riders who want longevity without the highest price tag.
Tool-friendly service
Anodize color-pop
Tool-friendly service
Anodize color-pop
Review Summary
"Hope Pro 4 hubs are widely praised for their buttery engagement, serviceability and long-term durability, with many users appreciating the solid build and easy maintenance; some mention they can be louder and heavier than ultra-light alternatives. Overall they’re seen as a high-value performance hub."
Raucous engagement cheer
Hope Pro 4 features a CNC alloy body and high-quality bearings for durability.
Raucous engagement cheer
Hope Pro 4 features a CNC alloy body and high-quality bearings for durability.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
The Hope Pro 4 is a British-made six-bolt hub prized for robust internals, excellent sealing and a wide range of axle and spoke configurations for custom wheelbuilders. It sits between mass-market and boutique offerings: more durable and hand-finished than most budget hubs such as Novatec, but more affordable than ultra-premium choices like Chris King, giving a strong technical/value proposition for riders who want longevity without the highest price tag.
Tool-friendly service
Anodize color-pop
Raucous engagement cheer
Hope Pro 4 features a CNC alloy body and high-quality bearings for durability.
Modular endcaps and six-bolt disc mount make it adaptable to many axle standards.
Tool-friendly service
Anodize color-pop
Raucous engagement cheer
Hope Pro 4 features a CNC alloy body and high-quality bearings for durability.
Modular endcaps and six-bolt disc mount make it adaptable to many axle standards.
Chris King R45D Hub
Chris King’s R45D is a premium six-bolt disc hub built around precision machining, high-engagement reliability and exceptional finish quality, aimed at riders who prioritize long-term performance and serviceability. Though it carries a premium price compared with DT Swiss, Shimano and Novatec, its tighter tolerances, durable materials and established support programs make it the market-leading choice for builders seeking the highest-end technical advantages and longevity in a six-bolt hub.
Precision bearings
Lifetime durability
Precision bearings
Lifetime durability
Review Summary
"Chris King R45D hubs receive near-universal acclaim for precision machining, ultra-smooth bearings, longevity and premium engagement, though buyers note the high price. Owners report consistent performance over many miles and consider them a long-term investment."
Distinctive hum
Chris King R45D uses RingDrive engagement for very fast, precise engagement and longevity.
Distinctive hum
Chris King R45D uses RingDrive engagement for very fast, precise engagement and longevity.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Chris King’s R45D is a premium six-bolt disc hub built around precision machining, high-engagement reliability and exceptional finish quality, aimed at riders who prioritize long-term performance and serviceability. Though it carries a premium price compared with DT Swiss, Shimano and Novatec, its tighter tolerances, durable materials and established support programs make it the market-leading choice for builders seeking the highest-end technical advantages and longevity in a six-bolt hub.
Precision bearings
Lifetime durability
Distinctive hum
Chris King R45D uses RingDrive engagement for very fast, precise engagement and longevity.
High-end anodized alloy construction, fully serviceable bearings, and six-bolt disc compatibility.
Precision bearings
Lifetime durability
Distinctive hum
Chris King R45D uses RingDrive engagement for very fast, precise engagement and longevity.
High-end anodized alloy construction, fully serviceable bearings, and six-bolt disc compatibility.
$700-1,100 CAD
Novatec D771SB/D772SB Hub
The Novatec D771SB/D772SB series provides an economical six-bolt hub option with solid bearings and straightforward, lightweight construction tailored for budget-conscious wheelbuilders. It offers the best financial value of the list for riders assembling cost-sensitive builds, trading some of the refinement, aftermarket support and premium finishes of Hope or Chris King for widely available parts and very competitive pricing.
Value performance
Sealed bearings
Value performance
Sealed bearings
Review Summary
"Novatec D771SB/D772SB hubs are commonly described as excellent value with good engagement and serviceable bearings, but reviews note occasional quality-control variability and that they don’t match the refinement or longevity of top-tier hubs. They’re popular for budget-conscious builds that still want reliable performance."
Quick-engage snap
Novatec D771SB/D772SB offers sealed bearings and six-bolt disc compatibility at an economical price.
Quick-engage snap
Novatec D771SB/D772SB offers sealed bearings and six-bolt disc compatibility at an economical price.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Novatec D771SB/D772SB series provides an economical six-bolt hub option with solid bearings and straightforward, lightweight construction tailored for budget-conscious wheelbuilders. It offers the best financial value of the list for riders assembling cost-sensitive builds, trading some of the refinement, aftermarket support and premium finishes of Hope or Chris King for widely available parts and very competitive pricing.
Value performance
Sealed bearings
Quick-engage snap
Novatec D771SB/D772SB offers sealed bearings and six-bolt disc compatibility at an economical price.
Straightforward hub design compatible with common axle standards and spoke types.
Value performance
Sealed bearings
Quick-engage snap
Novatec D771SB/D772SB offers sealed bearings and six-bolt disc compatibility at an economical price.
Straightforward hub design compatible with common axle standards and spoke types.
$120-220 CAD