DT Swiss 350 Center Lock Hub
The DT Swiss 350 Center Lock hub is a workhorse that balances proven ratchet-style internals with an attractive price-to-performance ratio, making it the practical choice for riders who want a SRAM-compatible freehub without paying boutique premiums. It holds its position by offering reliable engagement, easy field serviceability and multiple freehub body options, trading the ultra-high engagement and finish of Industry Nine or Chris King for lower cost and widely available parts support compared with the Shimano and Hope offerings.
Reliable ratchet — hums uphill
Lightweight shell — eager climbs
Reliable ratchet — hums uphill
Lightweight shell — eager climbs
Review Summary
"Users praise the DT Swiss 350 for its dependable, low-maintenance performance and excellent value for regular riding, though it isn’t the lightest or the quickest-engaging hub compared with premium models. Long-term owners report consistent durability and straightforward serviceability."
Service-friendly — grins at wrenches
Proven DT Swiss ratchet engagement with reliable, predictable engagement feel.
Service-friendly — grins at wrenches
Proven DT Swiss ratchet engagement with reliable, predictable engagement feel.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The DT Swiss 350 Center Lock hub is a workhorse that balances proven ratchet-style internals with an attractive price-to-performance ratio, making it the practical choice for riders who want a SRAM-compatible freehub without paying boutique premiums. It holds its position by offering reliable engagement, easy field serviceability and multiple freehub body options, trading the ultra-high engagement and finish of Industry Nine or Chris King for lower cost and widely available parts support compared with the Shimano and Hope offerings.
Reliable ratchet — hums uphill
Lightweight shell — eager climbs
Service-friendly — grins at wrenches
Proven DT Swiss ratchet engagement with reliable, predictable engagement feel.
Offered with SRAM XD/XDR-compatible driver-body options as well as Shimano HG; centerlock rotor interface.
Reliable ratchet — hums uphill
Lightweight shell — eager climbs
Service-friendly — grins at wrenches
Proven DT Swiss ratchet engagement with reliable, predictable engagement feel.
Offered with SRAM XD/XDR-compatible driver-body options as well as Shimano HG; centerlock rotor interface.
$180-300 USD
Hope Pro 4 Center Lock Hub
The Hope Pro 4 Center Lock hub is a robust, machined-aluminium design known for durability and straightforward serviceability, and it is frequently supplied with optional SRAM-compatible freehub bodies for modern drivetrains. It undercuts boutique rivals on price while delivering better long-term toughness than many mass-market hubs, sitting between DT Swiss's value focus and the high-engagement, higher-cost Industry Nine and Chris King options in both weight and cost.
Bombproof hub — eats rocks
Wide flanges — builds straighter
Bombproof hub — eats rocks
Wide flanges — builds straighter
Review Summary
"Riders like the Hope Pro 4 for its robust build, solid engagement and strong braking interface, with many noting it holds up well to heavy use; some report occasional creaks or heavier weight compared with newer rivals. Overall it’s seen as a durable, serviceable choice with good customer support."
Sealed bearings — mudproof shrug
CNC-machined hub shell built for stiffness and long service life.
Sealed bearings — mudproof shrug
CNC-machined hub shell built for stiffness and long service life.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Hope Pro 4 Center Lock hub is a robust, machined-aluminium design known for durability and straightforward serviceability, and it is frequently supplied with optional SRAM-compatible freehub bodies for modern drivetrains. It undercuts boutique rivals on price while delivering better long-term toughness than many mass-market hubs, sitting between DT Swiss's value focus and the high-engagement, higher-cost Industry Nine and Chris King options in both weight and cost.
Bombproof hub — eats rocks
Wide flanges — builds straighter
Sealed bearings — mudproof shrug
CNC-machined hub shell built for stiffness and long service life.
Manufacturer-available driver bodies include SRAM XD/XDR options to support SRAM cassettes; centerlock standard.
Bombproof hub — eats rocks
Wide flanges — builds straighter
Sealed bearings — mudproof shrug
CNC-machined hub shell built for stiffness and long service life.
Manufacturer-available driver bodies include SRAM XD/XDR options to support SRAM cassettes; centerlock standard.
$200-350 USD
Industry Nine Hydra Classic Center Lock Hub
The Industry Nine Hydra Classic Center Lock hub is the performance-oriented pick thanks to industry-leading engagement rates and a lightweight, precision-machined build that maximizes snap and responsiveness with a SRAM-compatible freehub readily available. It commands a premium over DT Swiss, Hope and Shimano but offers the fastest engagement and liveliest ride feedback of the group, making it the technical leader for riders prioritizing on-trail performance over cost.
Instant engagement — snap response
Colorful anodize — wheel disco
Instant engagement — snap response
Colorful anodize — wheel disco
Review Summary
"Industry Nine Hydra Classic is highly regarded for its incredibly fast engagement, striking finish options and premium feel, with long-term users valuing the responsiveness and serviceability. The main drawbacks cited are the high price and louder engagement sound, but satisfaction among owners remains very high."
High durability — party-proof
Industry Nine's Hydra engagement system with very high engagement point counts for instant engagement.
High durability — party-proof
Industry Nine's Hydra engagement system with very high engagement point counts for instant engagement.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Industry Nine Hydra Classic Center Lock hub is the performance-oriented pick thanks to industry-leading engagement rates and a lightweight, precision-machined build that maximizes snap and responsiveness with a SRAM-compatible freehub readily available. It commands a premium over DT Swiss, Hope and Shimano but offers the fastest engagement and liveliest ride feedback of the group, making it the technical leader for riders prioritizing on-trail performance over cost.
Instant engagement — snap response
Colorful anodize — wheel disco
High durability — party-proof
Industry Nine's Hydra engagement system with very high engagement point counts for instant engagement.
Available with SRAM XD-compatible driver bodies and centerlock rotor mounting; hand-built, color-customizable shells.
Instant engagement — snap response
Colorful anodize — wheel disco
High durability — party-proof
Industry Nine's Hydra engagement system with very high engagement point counts for instant engagement.
Available with SRAM XD-compatible driver bodies and centerlock rotor mounting; hand-built, color-customizable shells.
$500-750 USD
Chris King R45D Center Lock Hub
The Chris King R45D Center Lock hub is the premium durability leader, with tightly engineered internals, exceptionally refined sealing and long-term rebuildability while offering SRAM-compatible driver options. It’s typically more expensive than the others but justifies that price with a reputation for decades-long service life and consistent performance, trading some of Industry Nine’s ultra-fast engagement for superior longevity and a conservative, high-quality finish compared with value-focused DT Swiss and Shimano parts.
Precision bearings — regal spin
Lifetime service — heirloom vibe
Precision bearings — regal spin
Lifetime service — heirloom vibe
Review Summary
"Chris King R45D owners consistently praise its legendary durability, silky engagement and precision machining, calling it a lifetime hub if maintained; the premium price is the only common complaint. Reviews from long-term users emphasize reliability, superb bearings and excellent resale value."
Polished finish — looks noble
Chris King RingDrive engagement system engineered for long-term durability and consistent performance.
Polished finish — looks noble
Chris King RingDrive engagement system engineered for long-term durability and consistent performance.
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Eco-Friendly Living
The Chris King R45D Center Lock hub is the premium durability leader, with tightly engineered internals, exceptionally refined sealing and long-term rebuildability while offering SRAM-compatible driver options. It’s typically more expensive than the others but justifies that price with a reputation for decades-long service life and consistent performance, trading some of Industry Nine’s ultra-fast engagement for superior longevity and a conservative, high-quality finish compared with value-focused DT Swiss and Shimano parts.
Precision bearings — regal spin
Lifetime service — heirloom vibe
Polished finish — looks noble
Chris King RingDrive engagement system engineered for long-term durability and consistent performance.
Centerlock configuration with manufacturer or aftermarket options to fit SRAM driver bodies (XD/XDR) where applicable.
Precision bearings — regal spin
Lifetime service — heirloom vibe
Polished finish — looks noble
Chris King RingDrive engagement system engineered for long-term durability and consistent performance.
Centerlock configuration with manufacturer or aftermarket options to fit SRAM driver bodies (XD/XDR) where applicable.
$600-900 USD
Shimano XT M8110 Center Lock Hub
The Shimano XT M8110 Center Lock hub is the practical, widely available choice that blends dependable performance, abundant dealer support and economical servicing, and can be configured to accept SRAM-compatible freehub bodies via alternative driver options. It doesn’t match the boutique-level engagement or bespoke finishing of Industry Nine or Chris King, but it offers the best overall networked value and parts availability for riders who want reliable center-lock hubs without boutique pricing.
Reliable engagement — workhorse ready
Value performance — climbs happily
Reliable engagement — workhorse ready
Value performance — climbs happily
Review Summary
"The Shimano XT M8110 is widely liked for its dependable performance, smooth engagement and great value for serious riders, though it’s a bit heavier than boutique options. Long-term users report few issues and praise Shimano’s widespread serviceability and compatibility."
Broad compatibility — swaps easy
Shimano XT-level reliability with sealed bearings and robust centerlock rotor mount.
Broad compatibility — swaps easy
Shimano XT-level reliability with sealed bearings and robust centerlock rotor mount.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Shimano XT M8110 Center Lock hub is the practical, widely available choice that blends dependable performance, abundant dealer support and economical servicing, and can be configured to accept SRAM-compatible freehub bodies via alternative driver options. It doesn’t match the boutique-level engagement or bespoke finishing of Industry Nine or Chris King, but it offers the best overall networked value and parts availability for riders who want reliable center-lock hubs without boutique pricing.
Reliable engagement — workhorse ready
Value performance — climbs happily
Broad compatibility — swaps easy
Shimano XT-level reliability with sealed bearings and robust centerlock rotor mount.
Primarily designed for Shimano freehub standards (MicroSpline/HG); not natively SRAM XD — a conversion/adapter or aftermarket driver is required for SRAM compatibility.
Reliable engagement — workhorse ready
Value performance — climbs happily
Broad compatibility — swaps easy
Shimano XT-level reliability with sealed bearings and robust centerlock rotor mount.
Primarily designed for Shimano freehub standards (MicroSpline/HG); not natively SRAM XD — a conversion/adapter or aftermarket driver is required for SRAM compatibility.
$120-220 USD