Rear hub cracked on a gravel ride, check yours before race day

Two weeks ago I was out on the gravel path by the river, about 18 miles in, and the freehub body just grenaded. The cassette locked up solid, chain snapped, and I had to walk 4 miles back to the truck. Took the wheel apart that night and the aluminum splines on the hub shell were cracked clean through, not a worn cassette, that's what got me. Bike is a 2021 model with maybe 6,000 miles, so this wasn't some ancient part. I've seen this happen on cheap hubs, but this one was mid-range. Has anyone else had a hub shell crack like this on a newer wheelset, or did I just get a bad batch? Also, what's your go-to brand for replacement hubs that won't do this again?

2 comments

2 Comments

felixhenderson22d agoProlific Poster

That 2021 with 6,000 miles is what got me too. I used to think hub shells were basically bulletproof, like the last thing you'd ever need to worry about on a newer wheelset. Figured if the cassette splines were fine and the bearings spun smooth, the shell was solid. But seeing this, I get it now, the aluminum itself can just let go, especially if the heat treat was off. I've got a buddy who rides a similar hub and now I'm half tempted to pull his wheel apart this weekend just to check for cracks. You're right though, I'd be sending those photos to the brand first, that's not normal wear, that's a material flaw.

holly70922d ago

Wait, the hub shell cracked? Not the freehub splines? That's wild. 6,000 miles on a 2021 model is nothing. That's basically new. I've seen cheap wheels blow up but mid-range stuff should not do that. Sounds like a bad heat treat or something in the metal. That walk back must have been brutal. I'd honestly be sending those pictures to the brand before buying anything new.