Onyx MTB Rear Hub
| Where To Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
||
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
||
There's ZERO noise, too. When you all you can hear is tires ripping into turns it's truly an awesome sensation. You start to pick up on things you wouldn't otherwise notice, like the sounds of your surroundings or that floppy cable you should probably address. Just be mindful when coming up on others and give a holler because you basically come a high-speed MTB trail ninja.
The sprag clutch mechanism inside provides instant engagement with a gently damped feel instead of the slop or clunk you may be accustomed to with a pawl-style hub. In our view, this makes for an altogether better ride experience across a variety of terrain.
Onyx Racing Classic MTB Hub Highlights
- Ceramic hybrid bearings
- Patented sprag clutch mechanism
- Instant engagement and disengagement
- Silent operation
- 7075 aluminum alloy hub shell
- Heat treat hardened stainless steel driver
- Labyrinth seal between driver and hub shell
- Adjustable preload for bearings
- Titanium bolts
- Multiple anodization/powder coat color options
- 5-year limited warranty
- Weight: 473g (16.7oz, claimed) for 12x148mm rear hub with XD driver
Aside from a single easy-to-do preload adjustment, our test set has required NO maintenance during three seasons of continued use when paired with an also-impressive set of NOBL Wheels carbon rims.
Onyx recently released their new Vesper hub in a variety of sizes. This uses similar tech inside but has been slimmed down about 60g (2.1oz) in the popular Boost 12x148mm variety. It has 1.5 sprag clutch rows inside, instead of two, and a common axle design for easier and cheaper driver swaps.
What's The Bottom Line?
Priced in the mid-$400s and up for a rear hub, Onyx makes what many would consider a luxury option. We're believers in the benefits and ride quality of their sprag clutch system, and in our experience things have proven truly worthy in the long run. Here's a big thumbs up from Vital MTB!
Visit www.onyxrp.com for more details.
About The Reviewer
Brandon Turman - Age: 33 // Years Riding: 18 // Height: 5'10" (1.78m) // Weight: 170-pounds (77.1kg)
"I like to have fun, pop off the bonus lines on the sides of the trail, get aggressive when I feel in tune with a bike, and really mash on the pedals and open it up when pointed downhill." Formerly a mechanical engineer and Pro downhill racer, Brandon brings a unique perspective to the testing game as Vital MTB's resident product guy. He has on-trail familiarity with nearly every innovation in our sport from the past several years and a really good feel for what’s what.
1 member reviews
This is a review for the NOBL branded Onyx hub.
I've never been a fan of super loud bee hive sounding hubs. I used to pack my old hubs with extra grease so they would stay quiet for as long as the grease lasted. When these hubs came to the mtb market I had to try them. NOBL offered them as an option for their wheelsets and I pulled the trigger.
First off these hubs are super quiet. There is virtually no noise except for the sound of the dirt crunching under your tires. It makes for a super peaceful outing in the mountains especially if you're riding solo or the trail systems are deserted. The silence allows me to focus on the trail Unfortunately, if you have anything creaky or poppy on your bike it will suddenly be amplified.
Onyx offers instant engagement with their sprag clutch. More knowledgeable people on the internet have explained how this works so I won't go into it here. Suffice to say it's not a metal on metal feel like perhaps what other instant engagement hubs users are perhaps used to. You lurch forward with every pedal stroke but it feels more like a very, very taut slingshot if I have to describe the sensation. Still, it's a solid feeling and I love the way it rides.
Another benefit is the super low drag of these hubs. I've spun these in the workstand (yea I know, very scientific) and the hubs take much longer than my regular hubs to stop and will often spin in the other direction. After 2 years riding in them in the PNW in mud/rain I haven't had a single issue with the bearings. They're still running strong. (knock on wood).
If they're something that could be improved I'd say it'd be the weight. Honestly the weight is in the center of the wheel and I really can't feel it. I think Onyx has addressed the weight with their new lighter Vesper hubs, but I see no reason to upgrade as this is a non-issue for me.
Conclusion: I love these silent sprag clutch hubs. They've spoiled me and I don't think I can ride anything else. Be prepared to sneak up on people though. You might want to purchase a timber bell as well.
11 comments
Post a reply to: Amazingly quiet with instant engagement
Specifications
Shell Colors: Polished Aluminum, Anodized Black, Anodized Matte Black, Anodized Blue, Anodized Gold, Anodized Green, Anodized Orange, Anodized Pink, Anodized Purple, Anodized Red, Powder Coat Black Aura, Powder Coat Black Chrome, Powder Coat Blue Baby, Powder Coat Blue Candy, Powder Coat Green Antifreeze, Powder Coat Green Fluorescent, Powder Coat Green Kawasaki, Powder Coat Orange Fluorescent, Powder Coat Pink Fluorescent, Powder Coat Purple Candy, Powder Coat Red Candy, Powder Coat White Frost, Powder Coat Yellow Cardinal, Powder Coat Yellow Fluorescent
Instant Clutch Engagement During Power Stroke and Instant Disengagement When Coasting
Silent Operation Before, During and After Clutch Engagement
Labyrinth Seal Interface Between Driver and Hub Shell
Adjustable Side Load
Grease Service Temperature Range of -58°F (-50°C) to 248°F (120°C)
Compatibility with Shimano Hyperglide Compatible Cogs
Driver Style: SRAM XD or Shimano
Attach Style: Thru-Bolt, QR, Bolt On
Titanium Bolt
Spoke Tension: 120 Max kgf
Made in the USA
5-Year Limited Warranty
| Where To Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
||
|
|
Free shipping on orders over $50 (continental U.S. only).
International shipping available. Some exclusions apply. |
||
7 comments
Post a reply to: SPIN FOREVER! Onyx Racing's Silent MTB Hub Review