DT Swiss 350 Rear Hub SRAM XD
The DT Swiss 350 Rear Hub with SRAM XD freehub body is a cost-conscious workhorse that delivers reliable performance and straightforward serviceability for mountain riders. It holds its place as the best-in-class value option by combining proven DT Swiss engagement architecture and widespread parts availability, making it a more affordable alternative to premium rivals like Industry Nine and Chris King while offering better durability and lower maintenance cost than many budget hubs. For riders who need an XD-compatible rear hub that balances long-term reliability and price, the 350 is the practical choice.
Lightweight reliability
Tool-free upkeep
Lightweight reliability
Tool-free upkeep
Review Summary
"Long-term users praise the DT Swiss 350 for dependable, low-maintenance durability and very good value, though it is heavier and offers fewer engagement points than top-tier hubs."
Swiss ratchet charm
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies for 11/12-speed mountain cassettes.
Swiss ratchet charm
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies for 11/12-speed mountain cassettes.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The DT Swiss 350 Rear Hub with SRAM XD freehub body is a cost-conscious workhorse that delivers reliable performance and straightforward serviceability for mountain riders. It holds its place as the best-in-class value option by combining proven DT Swiss engagement architecture and widespread parts availability, making it a more affordable alternative to premium rivals like Industry Nine and Chris King while offering better durability and lower maintenance cost than many budget hubs. For riders who need an XD-compatible rear hub that balances long-term reliability and price, the 350 is the practical choice.
Lightweight reliability
Tool-free upkeep
Swiss ratchet charm
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies for 11/12-speed mountain cassettes.
Lightweight aluminum shell with sealed bearings for low-maintenance trail use.
Lightweight reliability
Tool-free upkeep
Swiss ratchet charm
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies for 11/12-speed mountain cassettes.
Lightweight aluminum shell with sealed bearings for low-maintenance trail use.
$180-260 CAD
Hope Pro 4 Rear Hub SRAM XD
The Hope Pro 4 Rear Hub (SRAM XD) is a British-made, serviceable hub known for its robust construction and straightforward rebuildability, offering a middle ground between the DT Swiss 350's affordability and the boutique performance of Industry Nine. Its design emphasizes long-term serviceability and value for money — it typically costs less than top-tier engagement systems but delivers stiffer axle and shell strength useful for aggressive mountain use. Compared with Chris King and Onyx, Hope prioritizes practical durability and ease of maintenance rather than maximum engagement speed or unique clutch technology.
Bombproof durability
Sealed for muddiness
Bombproof durability
Sealed for muddiness
Review Summary
"Riders report the Hope Pro 4 is rock-solid, serviceable, and reliable over years of use, with common notes about its slightly greater weight and a less refined finish than premium competitors."
Anodized color pop
SRAM XD-compatible freehub option to accept modern mountain drivetrains.
Anodized color pop
SRAM XD-compatible freehub option to accept modern mountain drivetrains.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Hope Pro 4 Rear Hub (SRAM XD) is a British-made, serviceable hub known for its robust construction and straightforward rebuildability, offering a middle ground between the DT Swiss 350's affordability and the boutique performance of Industry Nine. Its design emphasizes long-term serviceability and value for money — it typically costs less than top-tier engagement systems but delivers stiffer axle and shell strength useful for aggressive mountain use. Compared with Chris King and Onyx, Hope prioritizes practical durability and ease of maintenance rather than maximum engagement speed or unique clutch technology.
Bombproof durability
Sealed for muddiness
Anodized color pop
SRAM XD-compatible freehub option to accept modern mountain drivetrains.
CNC-machined hub body and multiple axle standards built for rugged trail durability.
Bombproof durability
Sealed for muddiness
Anodized color pop
SRAM XD-compatible freehub option to accept modern mountain drivetrains.
CNC-machined hub body and multiple axle standards built for rugged trail durability.
$230-320 CAD
Industry Nine Hydra Classic Rear Hub XD
The Industry Nine Hydra Classic Rear Hub with XD freehub body is the market leader for engagement speed and precision machining, offering some of the quickest take-up and the lightest build among premium mountain hubs. It earns its status by delivering near-instant engagement and wide customization options (anodized colors and axle standards) that justify a higher price relative to DT Swiss and Hope for riders who prioritize immediate power transfer and weight savings. While more expensive, Hydra stands out against Chris King and Onyx by maximizing engagement density and ride responsiveness for technical trail and racing applications.
Lightning engagement
Featherweight feel
Lightning engagement
Featherweight feel
Review Summary
"Owners love the Industry Nine Hydra Classic for its lightning-fast engagement, stiffness, and precise machining; complaints mostly center on the high price and occasional maintenance complexity."
Eye-catching finish
SRAM XD freehub compatibility combined with a very high engagement count for instant power transfer.
Eye-catching finish
SRAM XD freehub compatibility combined with a very high engagement count for instant power transfer.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Industry Nine Hydra Classic Rear Hub with XD freehub body is the market leader for engagement speed and precision machining, offering some of the quickest take-up and the lightest build among premium mountain hubs. It earns its status by delivering near-instant engagement and wide customization options (anodized colors and axle standards) that justify a higher price relative to DT Swiss and Hope for riders who prioritize immediate power transfer and weight savings. While more expensive, Hydra stands out against Chris King and Onyx by maximizing engagement density and ride responsiveness for technical trail and racing applications.
Lightning engagement
Featherweight feel
Eye-catching finish
SRAM XD freehub compatibility combined with a very high engagement count for instant power transfer.
Hand-machined alloy body with premium anodizing and tool-free maintenance design.
Lightning engagement
Featherweight feel
Eye-catching finish
SRAM XD freehub compatibility combined with a very high engagement count for instant power transfer.
Hand-machined alloy body with premium anodizing and tool-free maintenance design.
$550-750 CAD
Chris King ISO Rear Hub SRAM XD
The Chris King ISO Rear Hub with SRAM XD freehub body is prized for its legendary durability, precision bearings, and premium fit-and-finish, positioning it as the best choice for riders seeking long-term reliability and service support. It competes with Industry Nine on quality but leans toward longevity and smoothness rather than absolute engagement speed, offering strong resale value and robust warranty/support that can offset its higher upfront cost. Compared with Hope and DT Swiss, Chris King commands a premium for proven materials and tolerances that reduce maintenance frequency over the hub's life.
Iconic longevity
Service-friendly design
Iconic longevity
Service-friendly design
Review Summary
"Chris King ISO hubs are repeatedly praised for legendary build quality, ultra-smooth long-term performance, and excellent support, with the steep price being the primary drawback."
Distinctive thunk
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies while leveraging Chris King’s precision drive technologies.
Distinctive thunk
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies while leveraging Chris King’s precision drive technologies.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Chris King ISO Rear Hub with SRAM XD freehub body is prized for its legendary durability, precision bearings, and premium fit-and-finish, positioning it as the best choice for riders seeking long-term reliability and service support. It competes with Industry Nine on quality but leans toward longevity and smoothness rather than absolute engagement speed, offering strong resale value and robust warranty/support that can offset its higher upfront cost. Compared with Hope and DT Swiss, Chris King commands a premium for proven materials and tolerances that reduce maintenance frequency over the hub's life.
Iconic longevity
Service-friendly design
Distinctive thunk
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies while leveraging Chris King’s precision drive technologies.
Exceptional sealed-bearing architecture and long-term serviceability with lifetime support.
Iconic longevity
Service-friendly design
Distinctive thunk
Compatible with SRAM XD freehub bodies while leveraging Chris King’s precision drive technologies.
Exceptional sealed-bearing architecture and long-term serviceability with lifetime support.
$650-850 CAD
Onyx Racing Products Vesper Rear Hub XD
The Onyx Vesper Rear Hub with XD freehub body uses Onyx's sprag-style clutch to deliver essentially instantaneous engagement and rock-solid power transfer, making it the top pick for riders who demand zero-lag propulsion in technical riding. Its unique sprag mechanism differentiates it from pawl- or ring-drive systems found in DT Swiss, Hope, and Chris King, offering elite engagement performance at a premium price and with specific maintenance considerations; compared with Industry Nine, Onyx trades customizable aesthetics for a distinct mechanical advantage in engagement immediacy. For riders prioritizing immediate driveability and a durable clutch design, the Vesper is a specialized, high-performance option.
Instant engagement
Sprag clutch magic
Instant engagement
Sprag clutch magic
Review Summary
"Long-term reviewers rave about the Onyx Vesper's near-instant sprag-clutch engagement and durability, while noting the high cost and occasional initial drag or noise as downsides."
Near-zero drag
SRAM XD-compatible option that uses Onyx’s direct-drive sprag clutch for near-zero freehub play.
Near-zero drag
SRAM XD-compatible option that uses Onyx’s direct-drive sprag clutch for near-zero freehub play.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Onyx Vesper Rear Hub with XD freehub body uses Onyx's sprag-style clutch to deliver essentially instantaneous engagement and rock-solid power transfer, making it the top pick for riders who demand zero-lag propulsion in technical riding. Its unique sprag mechanism differentiates it from pawl- or ring-drive systems found in DT Swiss, Hope, and Chris King, offering elite engagement performance at a premium price and with specific maintenance considerations; compared with Industry Nine, Onyx trades customizable aesthetics for a distinct mechanical advantage in engagement immediacy. For riders prioritizing immediate driveability and a durable clutch design, the Vesper is a specialized, high-performance option.
Instant engagement
Sprag clutch magic
Near-zero drag
SRAM XD-compatible option that uses Onyx’s direct-drive sprag clutch for near-zero freehub play.
Engineered for minimal drag and exceptional durability under high-torque riding conditions.
Instant engagement
Sprag clutch magic
Near-zero drag
SRAM XD-compatible option that uses Onyx’s direct-drive sprag clutch for near-zero freehub play.
Engineered for minimal drag and exceptional durability under high-torque riding conditions.
$900-1200 CAD