The Hubub Is All About: White Industries H2/H3 Hubs

 

It's too bad they are a couple of the least visible parts on the bike because these White Industries H2 and H3 hubs sure are gorgeous. This kind of bling needs to be on display where it can be easily admired. To say the design and craftsmanship is beautiful would be understated, but then maybe understatement is most appropriate to reflect their simple beauty. A few weeks back I ordered two H2 hubs - one front, one rear. To my surprise what I received was one H2 front hub and one H3 rear hub. A little research revealed that the freehub body of the H3 is an updated design to accommodate the Campagnolo 11-speed systems. A nice convenience for me if I ever replace the 10-speed drive train with an 11. Holding one of these in the hand, they are light - the front is reportedly 97g and rear is 252g. The White Industries rear hub is one of a few brands known for a characteristic noise when it spins. The ratcheting sound of the spinning freehub is not as loud as a Chris King hornet's nest, but it is distinctly louder than most. I'm curious to hear it buzz when I have the Soma Smoothie out on the road.

Velo City, Here We Come

The Velocity Aerohead rims are in hand and they look pretty. They are quite simple looking, but it's a simple beauty. The outer side walls are machined to a shiny metal finish while the rest of the rim is a matte silver. I'm still getting used to the unusual appearance of the rear rim with its off-center design and am curious to see the final wheel build. The idea was this Soma Smoothie would be an American-Italian venture, though with the Shimano pedals and now these Aussie made rings it is a multi-nation union. The hubs are on order and I will be building the wheels myself, a project I'm excited to begin. I'll be documenting the process in this very blog. These wheels will be sweet.

Little Silver Rings: Velocity Aerohead & Aerohead OC

I've been going back and forth for months on rim selection between the Velocity Aerohead, DT Swiss RR 1.1, and Mavic Open Pro. All are quality rims for training and club racing applications. Mavic has years of proven performance with the Open Pro. Paris-Roubaix is raced with Open Pro's for example. DT Swiss has the reputation for precision manufacturing. The details of their rims (joints, eyelets, machining) are top class. Velocity is the little company that could, taking on the giants of the wheel industry. They have a reputation so far in quality and service. They also offer a unique feature on their rear rim the Aerohead OC.


I've read stories of all of three having issues with joints failing or cracks developing around the eyelets. With the number of these rims on the roads around the world, these cases are exceptions to the norm. In the end what became the pivitol decision making influence was price point. Coupled with it's OC option, the hard-to-beat price on the Velocity Aerohead pipped 'em all at the line by a wheel length. OC means "off center". The profile of the rim is asymmetrical in order to reduce the difference in spoke tension on the drive side making for a more stable wheel. The OC design has been on the market long enough to have proven itself and earned the recommendation of experienced and respected wheel builders. That's good enough for me. I have a 28-hole front and 32-hole rear on order, in shiny silver of course, and plan to lace 'em up to a pair of White Industries H2 hubs.