Are Onyx Vesper hubs strong enough? Long-term beatdown and review.

[@christophrohland3800]

I migrated all three MTBs from Enduro down to "DownCountry" since 2020. No flaws so far. And I love the silence and the ability to hear the interaction of the bike with the trail.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing! 🤙 ride on!

[@markowsley4954]

Vespers are on my wish list. I hate noisy hubs and love the silence of the Vespers. As a heavier rider extra weight on components is a non issue to me. I can save weight for no cost just by laying off the donuts 😎

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I think you’re on to something with the donuts 😀 I’ve got a few lbs to shave that way as well!!!

[@miyui9269]

start now by not going to starbucks to save up for onyx hubs. two birds in one stone.

[@jamese8508]

I love Onyx! I'm a wheel building enthusiast too. I've built wheels for my touring bike, gravel bike and MTB with Onyx hubs. The bearings are more widely spaced than pawl driven hubs (especially on the Classic model) and the power transfer occurs deep within the hub body. It seems to me that these attributes would make them stronger than other hubs. Anyway, they have always been reliable in my experience. I'm glad you're enjoying them too. Thanks for the video.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelpearce6982]

I have a touring/road wheel set built around these hubs because at the time few hub manufactures were compatible with Ekar 13. I love the silence and engagement tho overkill for the application.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Sounds like a fun bike 🤩

[@Seebema]

Mechanic in Washington state here. I've seen multiple vespers rear hubs get absolutely destroyed in this climate, especially if you don't keep up on general maintenance. High performance comes with high maintenance. Still better than hydras If you do need to replace clutch internals, you basically have to send the hubs to Onyx as pressing in the new internals requires extremely high precision and you will void your warranty. For some that's totally fine, personally the performance is not worth the cost or headache. Would highly recommend the classic hub over the vesper as it has their Full Sprag internals vs the Vespers Half Sprag internals.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing your findings- what hubs do you use/recommend? Ride on 🤙

[@Seebema]

@@DirtyTeethMTB just laced up some pro5s personally but have build a handful of wheelsets for customers with no complaints 1yr + in. We build a lot of DT 350, also curious to see how the new OneUp hubs get on

[@ticklefritz5406]

Most excellent review! I love my Onyx hubs. After rolling with Onyx, there's no going back.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Great to hear!

[@pavelg4990]

Perfect timing. I am building a Pinion frame for a bikepacking rig, and deciding on which parts to spend and on which to save. Getting Onyx in the back. Particularly for bikes with Pinion, Oxyx' instant engagement is also a huge plus because it counteracts Pinions slight squash. With gates carbon belt drive, the system will be even quieter than with a chain and virtually maintenance free.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Sounds like a sweet build!! Ride on :)

[@AbMtnGuy]

The Onyx hub is fantastic on my Pinion-Carbon Drive fatbike. An excellent choice for your new-build.

[@xseal053]

Pavel - I'm building a Pinion frame for bikepacking too. Steve at Viral bikes (a super knowledgeable guy) has recommended against the Onyx because of some weirdness in the belt drive feel. What is your experience?

[@pavelg4990]

@@xseal053 I'm still waiting on the custom frame set to be made, but got the Onyx and Pinion already. Care to link this persons reasoning/ experience. From what I've researched most recommend this combination for Onyx' direct engagement.

[@xseal053]

My thinking is the same as yours. Here's what he said: ". I don’t like the Onyx hubs in conjunction with my bikes because of the sprag clutch engagement, which is instantaneous, but ’soft’. You can especially feel it in low gears and it feels like the belt is stretching, but it’s actually the hub engagement. It’s not really noticable in most situations, but starting off on a steep hill in a low gear you can definitely feel it and people blame the belt, not the hub. I have a set on my personal bike but I just don’t like this ’soft’ engagement that those have. "@@pavelg4990

[@jeffdavis6275]

Best review I've seen on this hub or any rear hub to be honest

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks!! Ride on :)

[@michelvanm7960]

Appreciate the information and the way you delivered this video.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching! Ride on :)

[@shawnbruns8730]

I had to rebuild my Vesper after only 2 seasons. I'm not overly heavy but I do ride aggressively (steep, rocky, super fast, lots of drops) and I don't think this hub is cut out for that. So if you're like me, maybe consider the Onyx Classic hub. My Vesper is getting put on a set of lighter carbon rims for a dedicated XC/light trail set up.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@ccbredeson]

I have Onyx Classic MTB hubs and Onyx Fat bike hubs. One great thing about their hubs is that they don't freeze up in the winter.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Yeah it’s nice they use kluber 🤙 ride on!

[@litwanlazerdimfan]

Other hubs freeze??!!!!

[@ccbredeson]

@@litwanlazerdimfan many greases get very think at low temperature and they do not want to work correctly. Onyx uses KLUBER ISOFLEX LDS 18 Special A. It works to -50 C.

[@litwanlazerdimfan]

@@ccbredeson makes sense.. wow, never thought about that lol

[@olddirt1965]

I love my Vespers! Silent hubs rule!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Yep they do 🤙💯

[@jamesb8467]

I just built some wheels with White Industries hubs and I love the sound. Laced some BERD spokes to them on Nobl TR35 hoops

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Yummy 😋

[@jamesb8467]

@ changed the feel of the bike…upgrading my Pike to the 3.1 damper helped too

[@hikojeep5254]

Onyx having silent hubs is a plus for me. I noticed between different bikes that I ride, for longer rides I prefer silent hubs. For shorter rides in Boise foothills, loud hubs is a plus. People can hear you approaching. Wilderness rides though, less noise is better.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

💯 agree 🤙

[@anotheryoutuber_]

just run a zip-tie the on frame that way you can turn the noise on or off by rotating the tie into the spokes. plus different size ties makes different tones.

[@JWard2]

What other silent hubs have you tried besides onyx?

[@wayner3182]

Greetings from McCall. My new used bike came with a set of Onyx hubs. I'd been curious about them for years, but the weight turned me away before. Turns out the weight is a non-issue. Make up those grams somewhere else. The instant engagement, silence, and less friction are better than anything else. Singletrack dirt surfing in silence is the best and i swear the reduction in friction is actually noticeable.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching and chiming in - glad you're enjoying the hubs! Ride on :)

[@ronlind1757]

Great video! Very thorough and detailed explanation and review of your Onyx hubs. Currently been riding Industry 9's... but would certainly try the Onyx hubs on a new wheelset sometime in the future...

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching, ride on!

[@TheDuke-n7o]

My kid has Stealth Hubs he used back in ‘09 and he still has them and they still run flawless. Just have to add AT fluid to them every 6 mos.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

That’s awesome, thanks for sharing 🤙

[@troyesch6203]

I live near Onyx hubs in Minnesota so I went there to match color of hubs for my bike. I discovered they build wheels too. So I had them build me up a set with we are one rims and berd spikes. They are AMAZING! Also met the owner Jim and got a tour of their operation. Jim’s a great guy and runs a top notch company!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Great to hear - I recently got a set of Berd/we are one/ hook flange vespers… looking forward to beating them up this year :) ride on!!

[@bethfreymiller8156]

I’ve got a berd wheel set with onyx hubs on my gravel bike and I love it. I also run onyx on 2 fat bike wheel sets that I own. I have a berd/i9 setup on my mtb but hope to swap that for onyx eventually.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing! Ride on :)

[@ericpmoss]

@DirtyTeethMTB I just purchased a K-O-M Xeno hub for my weirdo bike, as they have a trials version that has symmetric flanges. It also has a totally new arrangement of driver and multiple axles. Coolest thing I've ever seen, and supposedly they can get other kinds of drivers slotted in. I think they are very worth checking out on the noisy free hub side of things.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing! Ride on :)

[@BrawndoDrinker]

Have a couple Onyx hubs on bikes. They have been bombproof here in Norcal.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Great to hear 🤙

[@chadat23]

I've been thinking about these lately, I have a bike with a Pinion gearbox and really like it, but having quicker engagement in technical stuff would be nice.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

pinion + onyx = 🙌🙌

[@treimar]

Same

[@exceptionvideo]

Onyx recommends the Classic instead of the Vesper because of the torque a Pinion can put on the hub. I have one on the way for a new P1.18. With centerlock brakes their singlespeed model is nearly perfectly symmetrical. The 6 bolt isn't as centered, but a 2.5 asymmetrical rim make it almost perfect.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

@exceptionvideo awesome :) thanks for sharing 🤙

[@JRmntain]

Never realised I needed these in my life until now 🤫🤤

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

😂 me too-just got my second set!

[@ZenEndurance]

I've found for MTB racing or riding on trails with plenty of people, noisy hubs are better because it lets them know there's somebody behind them having to coast because they're too slow, without being rude about it. I had a bike with a really quiet hub and it was annoying how much I had to ask people to move, which some people find rude. BUT, it was truly a joy when bike commuting or just out for a Zen ride. My current mtb hub has terrible engagement and that sucks - having to spin the cranks a third of a rotation or something. Definitely makes riding more difficult and I won't be getting those hubs on my next wheels for sure.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing

[@Gojira_Wins]

Time for you to buy a kazoo lol.

[@sylv_ain]

Great video. I just rebuild my rear wheel with my old hope pro 4 hub and a full set of new spoke and rim from DT. Runs great but probably not as good as these !

[@jonathanblack3351]

You can never go wrong with a Hope pro 4! :)

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

hope hubs are great bang for the buck 🤙

[@boblatkey7160]

I absolutely love my Onyx Vesper hubs. It really is fun to ride with pride knowing that you hand built your own wheels. I also have a super long road that I have been coasting down ever since I was a kid and I honestly believe these are the fastest hubs I have ever had. When I coast down this long hill with my friends, here I come, and I coast by everybody! I also cannot understand why people like noisy hubs. Once you try a silent hub you will never go back.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Totally agree! thanks for sharing :)

[@mrvapor4791]

Steve from Hard Tail party had problems with the Vesper.. but loves the Classic. I have 35000 miles on my classis SS...

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing - ride on 🤙

[@AZRob.]

I consulted with Steve on my bike and wheel build and he told me the same. However, I called Onyx, and they said it was a bad batch that they were having problems with, and that it's been fixed. While I was on the phone with them, I told them that I am about 210 pounds, and was concerned.. They told me they have several employees over 200 pounds that are running the Vespers with no problems. I am happy to report that I've had mine for over a year now, and absolutely love them!

[@mrvapor4791]

@@AZRob. that's useful information thanks

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

@@AZRob. great to hear, thanks for sharing!

[@hardmtnbiker]

I’m a fan of ONYX and have the Classic SS specific hub on my SS mountain bike. I’m getting a set of Berd spokes Vespers next. Honestly the best thing going for XC and gravel bikes

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I agree 💯- ps, my next video is about the hawk 27’s - ride on 🤙

[@schlooonginator1227]

Got the classics which are a bit heavier. Ironic since I am old and grew up with a strong focus on weight with bikes that sticks with me. When looking for a fs bike I chose one of the lightest 120mm bikes out there, an Intense Sniper. Bought aftermarket N9bl carbon wheels yet chose Onyx despite knowing the weight penalty. It was the balance of properties that convinced me these were the hubs. Strength, these will never fail. The overall design has the clutch mechanism near the middle behind sealed bearings and multiple seals. Unlike pawl systems it will take a miracle for it to be contaminated. Plus, all the force is spread out. I read about the latest I9 that actually uses flex as part of its system which I didn't like. So, Onyx is heavier but they roll fast with little drag so you are getting an efficiency improvement. While a bitter pill to swallow, the extra weight, I justified it by admitting I saved weight just about everywhere else and it's the center of rotating mass. A scant 50 g of tire weight will have more significance. In the end I am happy.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing :) ride on!

[@fitnesshiker]

Have onyx hubs on trek factory aluminum fatbike wheels with 4.5 inch barbegazi tires. I love this setup in comparison to my wampa carbon wheels with i9 hydra hubs and 3.8 minion tires. The onyx hubs seems to be a faster setup for me on flats and hill climbs. And downshifting and uplifting engagement is definitely alot smoother than my i9 setup.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Awesome, thanks for sharing :)

[@meredithpinony6181]

Onyx are my fav’s…..my singlespeed with vesper rear in pine straw sounds like cross country skiing…..I’ve got six wheel sets with Onyx and will never go back to zzzzzzzz

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Right on, thanks for sharing!!

[@Alaski]

Check out the project 321 hubs, super nice too. I have some older silent ones that they stopped making but there new ones rock too.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing :) Ride on!

[@edm11nd]

I love my silent Vespers. That instant engagement is awesome. The weight penalty is worth it.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

💯 agree - thanks for watching :)

[@rodcosta2345]

Great video as always!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks :)

[@flyBri831]

Dude, this is an AWESOME VIDEO!!!!! GREAT JOB MAN!!!! I JUST SUBSCRIBED!!!! GONNA GET THESE HUBZ 2!!!! THANKS AGAIN DUDE!!! AWESOME STUFF!!!!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching and your kind words 🤙

[@outbackwack368]

Definitely on my wish list for my Reynolds carbons! Thanks!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Yummy!

[@jack-k6z7n]

IAM 6FT 199 POUNDS AND RIDE A SINGLE SPEED RIGID AND PUSH A BIG GEAR 48X20 SO I WENT WITH THE CLASSIC 30 PERCENT MORE SPRAGS. THOSE R 1/2 POUND LIGHTER AS A SET. I HAD MINE 3 YEARS NOT ONE PROBLEM

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

great to hear, thanks for sharing :)

[@bubbaluv500]

Another great , informative video. Thanks dude.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonl8816]

Well this answers my question about us larger riders when it comes to the Vesper. Is the Classic anywhere near as quiet?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Yes, the classic is equally as quiet 👍

[@Saccojoe]

Onyx hubs, if you know… you know!!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

😂😂

[@fredboudreaux9663]

awesome review. I need these

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Haha Yes you do :)

[@MikeSuding-]

Thanks for your informative video!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinc7632]

Saw you messing with freehub bearings… mine feel bad sometimes but i think its the clearance with the 2 bearing and sleeve. Most of the time pulling them apart resolves it. Only if gritty once out of freehub would i replace.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching and commenting… 🤙

[@berniekeene868]

Thank you for this thorough review! Do you have any thoughts of how to use an onyx hub with a carbon belt drive system? I am looking to buy a bicycle with the pinion smart shift gearbox. It would like to combine the belt drive system with the silent hubs. The belt drive would eliminate any chains slap noise as well. Thanks!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

All that silence sounds amazing to me (pun intended:) I'm pretty sure the Onyx hubs would be great with a gates belt drive / pinion, etc... I'd reach out to Onyx and get their opinion... they might recommend the "classic" hubs which are a little beefier... ride on :)

[@dustinwanstrath1037]

Where are the sagebrush filled rolling foothills that you’re sliding down in the video if you don’t mind me asking!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

That is near me, here in Idaho - the area is called Mars Ridge - ride on 🤙

[@JohnSmith-ox7xc]

Besides making them match, is there a reason to get the front hubs if you just want the quiet hub sound?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Nope 🤙 ride on!

[@JohnSmith-ox7xc]

Thanks @@DirtyTeethMTB

[@matthemason7918]

Well the vesper engagement is horrendous when in the big ring I can move the cranks at least an inch without the back wheel moving it’s an odd feeling. Instance engagement is not instant Power.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Definitely something wrong with your hub - should be instant engagement / power transfer… I’d contact Onyx or your lbs - sorry to hear, but thanks for sharing!

[@matthemason7918]

@ they sent me a replacement one and it does the same thing It does engage instantly but it’s like it’s on elastic

[@ericpmoss]

I saw an ad for Tairin hubs claiming to be an Onyx clone, but someone else needs to risk reviewing them. :)

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

hmmm... I'm curious - maybe I'll check into them and see if they'll send me a set? thanks for commenting!

[@ericpmoss]

@@DirtyTeethMTB Thanks for responding! BTW, do you notice any slowdown in the speed of suspension response with the Onyx? I have a Moulton XTB suspended bike I travel with, using 406 wheels. I want to lighten it up with a new wheel. It would be ok to sacrifice a bit of weight for silence and engagement, but don’t want to lose suspension responsiveness for chattery roads.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

@ericpmoss good question- no, I haven’t noticed any difference/slowdown in suspension response with Onyx - ride on!

[@chuckaeronut]

I have a silent Tairin hub on my gravel bike, and they are definitely *not* an Onyx clone. I like my Tairin hub overwhelmingly better than the Onyx Vesper on my MTB. Tairin makes silent hubs both in star ratchet design (called "S1") and with a traditional pawl design (called "Silent Shogun"). Each hub retracts its pawls and/or one of the star ratchet halves when the freehub is freewheeling. I won't make a comment on the apparently legendary reliability of the Onyx hubs, because I can't compare -- both my Tairin and my Onyx have been 100% awesome. I haven't had my Tairin hub (a Silent Shogun) for very long, but it's given me zero trouble, and I expect it to hold up as well as any other pawled hub does. If Onyx lovers want to claim a reliability/durability win for Onyx over Tairin's options, I'm not here to dispute (nor necessarily support) them on that. That said, as you may have heard elsewhere, the sprague clutch in the Onyx (especially in the Vesper) may engage instantly, but it winds up like a spring under additional torque. The more torque you put on the cassette, the further the freehub will "bite in" to the hub, momentarily outrunning the hub shell (and thus wheel) until the torque is removed. This creates a spongy engagement, which is the most apparent in the lowest gear while pedaling hard. On my MTB, which has an Onyx Vesper, I can hold the rear brake and step on a pedal and easily wind up my cranks nearly 90 degrees. Upon removing my torque, the cranks unwind back to their original position. Because pedaling torque is never constant around the whole revolution, the fluctuations in torque mean that with every single pedal stroke, the sprague clutch in the hub will be winding up as the torque peaks as the cranks go through horizontal, then unwinding as the torque drops off as the cranks go through vertical. While I don't know for sure what the losses are here, I do know that, thermodynamically, there's no way as the hub unwinds that you get back 100% of the energy you put into winding it up. The rubbery sensation of dumping torque into the hub up steep climbs in low gear, feeling the pedals give way beneath my legs, combines with this knowledge that I'm losing energy doing that. It drives me insane; maybe it's a peeve, but sacrificing *any* pedaling efficiency for appearance or silence just feels like a massive prioritization of form over function to me. It doesn't seem to slow me down much, but I really simply wish that effect weren't there. (Perhaps my MTB would have benefited from me having chosen Onyx's classic hub over the Vesper, because apparently the wind-up effect is smaller on the classic. I weigh about 210 pounds on a light day these days, and, while I've all but given up my aerobic fitness, I still at times momentarily exceed 1,000 watts without getting off the saddle.) With the Onyx hub on my MTB, it may "engage" instantly, but by the time I really have my muscles activated and mashing that crank down, the darn sprague clutch has already allowed the crank to wind most of its way through the power stroke around the horizontal at the front of the rotation. My power leg pushes through the front of the crank circle insanely quickly, in a burst of momentary 150+ RPM cadence instead of the 100 RPM I would prefer. Meanwhile, much of the acceleration/thrust at the rear wheel as a result of this effort occurs later as the cranks are already going through vertical again. Because the wheel is essentially driving itself at that point with the sprague clutch unwinding under the reduced pedaling torque, the cranks slow down a lot, and feel like they essentially stop at that vertical point. Pedaling HARD in first gear on the Onyx Vesper is thus a rubbery exercise in push-stop-push-stop-push-stop-push-stop, and while I can consciously try to spread the torque more evenly around the pedal revolution to somewhat mitigate the effect, the logical extreme of that pursuit (a perfectly even torque around the whole circle) is *really* not how human legs work. It's not efficient and should not be required. If I'd known that the hub would wind up like this, I'd never have bought it. Tairin's silent hubs, on the other hand, do not suffer from this issue at all. They use traditional star ratchets or pawls, which, while they do not engage instantly of course, still engage reasonably tightly with satisfyingly little freewheeling once beginning to pedal. Importantly though, when they engage, they engage SOLIDLY. Once you have applied ANY forward torque to the freehub, applying even MOUNTAINS of additional torque cannot cause the hub to wind up like the Onyx does. Instead, your mad hulk torque drives the whole bike forward exactly as it should, and exactly like every other single hub on the market does. With so much marketing about stiff frames improving power transfer in road bikes, people going for stiff cranks, building wheels three-cross for more torsional stiffness, etc, any efforts on the part of Onyx owners to pitch the sprague wind-up as a positive trait really come off to me as a massive cope. A rear hub's entire job is to transmit torque from the cassette to the spokes and rim. While the Onyx certainly has "instant" engagement in that it's the first out of all its competitors to transmit *some* torque once you start pedaling *a little bit*, it takes a BUNCH more rotation than all its competitors for it to be able to transfer the torque produced by a large rider in a hurry to get up something technical in first gear. Not only that, but it then gives back that rotation as you release the pedaling pressure, and, as if to punish you, it makes you go through that rotation again and again every time you re-add torque, every single time your cranks go around. I'd rather take even a 6° to 20° freewheeling period before engagement if it means that once I cross that dead zone, I can push as hard as I like and all the torque goes where it belongs. With the Tairin hub (as with every other hub besides Onyx), I have much better results jamming uphill through technical rooty or rocky sections when I can drop all the torque I want into the rear wheel right when needed. And the silence, of course, is spectacular. Like with a regular hub, when transitioning from coasting to pedaling, if I begin to pedal really quickly in order to slam up against the engagement, I'll sometimes hear a noise as the pawls extend and settle into place, but during pedaling, during coasting, and during every transition to coasting and every civilized transition to pedaling, it's every bit as silent as the Onyx. So refreshing that pedaling is as good as conventional hubs with it. Anyway, I wrote about ten times as much as I intended to considering that this is a nice, dead, year-old internet discussion. Hope it sees the light of day at least a little bit! Cheers guys! I can't recommend my Tairin hub enough, lol. Thanks for coming to my TED(...x) talk.

[@adampatterson]

Shimano forever ago used to make a silent clutch hub but I don't remember how their clutch worked. I know in the early 2000's people used them on trials bikes but they were not all that strong.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Interesting :) thanks for sharing!

[@adampatterson]

@@DirtyTeethMTB When I worked in a bike shop back then the Trek Police bikes came equipped with the... so they can sneak up on you 😂

[@boblatkey7160]

Yes, I still have one and it is occasionally silent and then sometimes it makes noise.

[@Slonie]

I know people who have been harvesting them from former police bikes to get them cheaper

[@ArmyofOneandaHalf]

Thanks for sharing

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching!

[@lynnschoenstedt5112]

Awesome video! Best hub is QUIET hub. 😊

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching - ride on!

[@TheCarouselCowboy]

Yo Alan, still stoked on your Vesper hub? I’m building up a new singletrack touring rig, and I’m on the fence of whether to go Classic or Vesper.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I’m still loving my vesper hubs… no issues at all 🤙

[@TheCarouselCowboy]

@@DirtyTeethMTB Thanks dude! Vesper it is then. Stealth ninja mode activate 🥷.

[@zap...]

Is the slight flex/movement of the freehub/cassette on the Onyx Vesper hub normal when first applying pressure to the pedals? I noticed on mine that if you apply the rear brake you can get the cassette to rotate slightly without the hub rotating. I just got these hubs a few days ago and I'm curious if this is normal. Thanks!

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Depends how much “flex” we’re talking… the hub has a soft engagement, but cassette/freehub “rotating slightly” independently of hub seems odd… and doesn’t seem like it’s related to bearing preload… I’d ask Onyx, they are very helpful… let me know what you find out - sorry I don’t know more:(

[@zap...]

@@DirtyTeethMTB I guess I wouldn't call it flex, but a rotation. With the rear brake locking the rear wheel and applying pressure to the pedals, you don't see the cassette rotatat slightly while the hub body remains stationary? Have you try doing this on your onyx vesper?

[@zap...]

@@DirtyTeethMTB Here is what I am seeing... kzbin.info4F_dn9jqGCw?si=beKqBsC6BbwaZrin

[@panhandlemtb4308]

@@zap...if you have cl rotors, it could be your lockring. If you pull the brake and the hub moves a bit, thats the cl. Sorry if I misread what you said or already know what im saying. Just trying to help

[@road2aline]

I’m a big dude I’m 230lbs I only ride trails and bike parks. 3yrs strong. Only hubs I would ever use.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing :) ride on!

[@MikeMountainBikes]

@road2aline You use the classic or the vesper?

[@road2aline]

@@MikeMountainBikes vespers

[@MikeMountainBikes]

@@road2aline no kidding! I'm starting to think seriously about upgrading my wheelset and really love the idea of a silent hub. I'm 170lbs and wasn't sure if I could do the vesper at a bike park but you are making me feel better about it.

[@panhandlemtb4308]

@@MikeMountainBikesive heard plenty of bigger ppl running vespers, even on full fat ebbssss. Go for it

[@jack-k6z7n]

HUB WEIGHT IS NOT A BIG DEAL. TAKE THE WEIGHT OFF THE RIM LIKE I DID WITH STANS CREST CARBON RIMS AND A LIGHT TIRE.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Great point - Ride on!

[@noahmoody2721]

Have you tried white industries hubs?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I’ve built wheels with white hubs for clients, but not for my own use. They are nice tho 🤙

[@stevenr5149]

I love White industry hubs. I have build them on custom wheels and now I have the titanium free-hub version on my Rolf wheels(the carbon hylight wheels)-which I love. The sound is mellow and nice. They roll great and are very light and durable. I will probably never ride them again now that I have Vesper wheels.

[@garthtohms5489]

At what point does one become a "larger" rider?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I’d reach out to Onyx for specific recommendations - they have great customer service 🤙

[@thedaflo]

I ordert one and i am not happy. The endcaps are extremly tight on the axle. The o-rings that hold the endcaps in place are to big. It was possible to remove them with high force and a pipe wrench. And my hub is not 100% silent. The sprag clutch makes a grinding sound. I hope that this "noise" will be better after a while. And there is also a relativly high resistans while freewheeling. To service and clean the sprag clutch you need to remove a bearing. This is only possible with a special tool. And the price is denetly to high for this quality. I shoult have buy a tairin shogun hub :-/

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Have you contacted Onyx? They have great customer service and I’m sure would help you remedy the issues. I haven’t personally had any of your issues… bummer :(

[@chrisashton1082]

I wonder if the instant engagement would put less stress on the drivetrain and eliminate the clunck effect I get going into a pedal with my TQ motor and boost hub setup 🤷🏻‍♂️. Regardless I would love to add these to my Fuel ex-e stealth quiver 🥷

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Great question :) I’d think the smooth engagement would reduce the “clunk” factor… but maybe Onyx recommends the classic hubs for e-bikes as they’re a little beefier… I’d check with them- ride on 🤙

[@chrisashton1082]

@@DirtyTeethMTB thanks I’ll def look into that 🚴

[@illinigrad]

Do they offer a single speed hub?

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

I know they have specific SS driver bodies for BMX, but for mtb... usually just HG driver body with ss spacer kit to dial in chainline - and wheels mfg now has kit for XD driver so yeah... pretty easy to go SS with pretty much any rear hub

[@mrvapor4791]

Yes

[@ssmtb]

Great review 👍 I heard the Vespers used to have slipping issues, it's good to hear you didn't experience that with you set Personally I prefer the look of the Classics, hoping to purchase them one day

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Yeah I think they got all their issues sorted a while ago, I actually just got another set… hope you get some classics - will be super sweet on the ss - ride on!

[@fixntoteachya]

Box stealth, cheaper, easier maintenance, lighter downside availability and color choices

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing🤙 last I heard there’s not an mtb version, just bmx- has that changed?

[@coolcycles]

Better: Ride XTs - Give Onyxs back - Pay 600 bucks forward, as you would do it... or not? A silent clutch is a feature, but paying 6 times as much for a set? 🤯 It's a no-brainer. Wait, weight...

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🤙

[@kellrockets101]

Literally the only features I want are pure, absolute silence, US made, and XDR freehub body . Im paying

[@stevenr5149]

I have been riding the Vespers for a month. WORTH IT!! 7 miles of downhill coasting silence in Tahoe national forest is like I am flying in a wing suite when riding with the Vespers. 😊😊😊😊😊

[@myvishan]

The 100g difference is not significant, it's marginal.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing

[@litwanlazerdimfan]

DAMN it’s expensive

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching and commenting :) ride on!

[@bikernaut1]

Aluminum nipples are not trustworthy...

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for sharing your opinion🤙

[@bikernaut1]

@@DirtyTeethMTB Always and without hessitation 👍🏻 I personaly ride DT Swiss 350 Hybrid because they are unmached with a price of 200€ but I always wanted onyx since I heard about them. But I can't justify the cost, maybe in the future if I get rich. Then I might even jutify buying trickstuff brakes 🙂

[@eXTreemator]

Try titanium

[@xophere]

Don't like to ride anything else.

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Me neither :)

[@noahblum2583]

Great review. Thank you 👍

[@DirtyTeethMTB]

Thanks for watching!