Are Onyx Vesper hubs strong enough? Long-term beatdown and review.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 17 ต.ค. 2024
- I've been bikepacking with Onyx Vesper hubs for well over a year. Are they worth the money? Are they worth the weight? Do they get the thumbs up? Join me for this long-term review and deep-dive into the company and inner workings of a silent sprag clutch hub system.
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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 😎
I think you’re on to something with the donuts 😀 I’ve got a few lbs to shave that way as well!!!
start now by not going to starbucks to save up for onyx hubs. two birds in one stone.
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.
Thanks for sharing! 🤙 ride on!
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.
Thanks for sharing your findings- what hubs do you use/recommend? Ride on 🤙
@@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
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.
Thanks for sharing!
I love my Vespers! Silent hubs rule!
Yep they do 🤙💯
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.
Thanks for sharing :)
Most excellent review! I love my Onyx hubs. After rolling with Onyx, there's no going back.
Great to hear!
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.
Sounds like a fun bike 🤩
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.
Sounds like a sweet build!! Ride on :)
The Onyx hub is fantastic on my Pinion-Carbon Drive fatbike. An excellent choice for your new-build.
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?
@@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.
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
Never realised I needed these in my life until now 🤫🤤
😂 me too-just got my second set!
Appreciate the information and the way you delivered this video.
Thanks for watching! Ride on :)
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.
Yeah it’s nice they use kluber 🤙 ride on!
Other hubs freeze??!!!!
@@randommtbridr 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.
@@ccbredeson makes sense.. wow, never thought about that lol
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!
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!!
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.
💯 agree 🤙
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.
What other silent hubs have you tried besides onyx?
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.
Thanks for sharing :) ride on!
@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.
Thanks for sharing! Ride on :)
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.
Thanks for sharing
Time for you to buy a kazoo lol.
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.
That’s awesome, thanks for sharing 🤙
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...
Thanks for watching, ride on!
Onyx hubs, if you know… you know!!
😂😂
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.
Totally agree! thanks for sharing :)
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
Right on, thanks for sharing!!
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!
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 :)
Have a couple Onyx hubs on bikes. They have been bombproof here in Norcal.
Great to hear 🤙
Dude, this is an AWESOME VIDEO!!!!! GREAT JOB MAN!!!!
I JUST SUBSCRIBED!!!!
GONNA GET THESE HUBZ 2!!!!
THANKS AGAIN DUDE!!!
AWESOME STUFF!!!!
Thanks for watching and your kind words 🤙
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 !
You can never go wrong with a Hope pro 4! :)
hope hubs are great bang for the buck 🤙
I love my silent Vespers. That instant engagement is awesome.
The weight penalty is worth it.
💯 agree - thanks for watching :)
Great video as always!
Thanks :)
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
I agree 💯- ps, my next video is about the hawk 27’s - ride on 🤙
Definitely on my wish list for my Reynolds carbons! Thanks!
Yummy!
Besides making them match, is there a reason to get the front hubs if you just want the quiet hub sound?
Nope 🤙 ride on!
Thanks @@DirtyTeethMTB
Another great , informative video. Thanks dude.
Thanks for watching!
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.
pinion + onyx = 🙌🙌
Same
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.
@exceptionvideo awesome :) thanks for sharing 🤙
Well this answers my question about us larger riders when it comes to the Vesper. Is the Classic anywhere near as quiet?
Yes, the classic is equally as quiet 👍
Steve from Hard Tail party had problems with the Vesper.. but loves the Classic. I have 35000 miles on my classis SS...
Thanks for sharing - ride on 🤙
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!
@@AZRob. that's useful information thanks
@@AZRob. great to hear, thanks for sharing!
Where are the sagebrush filled rolling foothills that you’re sliding down in the video if you don’t mind me asking!
That is near me, here in Idaho - the area is called Mars Ridge - ride on 🤙
Thanks for your informative video!
Thanks for watching!
awesome review. I need these
Haha Yes you do :)
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!
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:(
@@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?
@@DirtyTeethMTB Here is what I am seeing... th-cam.com/users/shorts4F_dn9jqGCw?si=beKqBsC6BbwaZrin
@@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
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
great to hear, thanks for sharing :)
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.
Thanks for watching and commenting… 🤙
I saw an ad for Tairin hubs claiming to be an Onyx clone, but someone else needs to risk reviewing them. :)
hmmm... I'm curious - maybe I'll check into them and see if they'll send me a set? thanks for commenting!
@@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.
@ericpmoss good question- no, I haven’t noticed any difference/slowdown in suspension response with Onyx - ride on!
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
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
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!
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.
Great point - Ride on!
I’m a big dude I’m 230lbs I only ride trails and bike parks. 3yrs strong. Only hubs I would ever use.
Thanks for sharing :) ride on!
@road2aline You use the classic or the vesper?
@@MikeMountainBikes vespers
@@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.
@@MikeMountainBikesive heard plenty of bigger ppl running vespers, even on full fat ebbssss. Go for it
At what point does one become a "larger" rider?
I’d reach out to Onyx for specific recommendations - they have great customer service 🤙
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.
Interesting :) thanks for sharing!
@@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 😂
Yes, I still have one and it is occasionally silent and then sometimes it makes noise.
I know people who have been harvesting them from former police bikes to get them cheaper
Do they offer a single speed hub?
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
Yes
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 :-/
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 :(
Have you tried white industries hubs?
I’ve built wheels with white hubs for clients, but not for my own use. They are nice tho 🤙
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.
Box stealth, cheaper, easier maintenance, lighter
downside availability and color choices
Thanks for sharing🤙 last I heard there’s not an mtb version, just bmx- has that changed?
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...
Thanks for sharing your thoughts 🤙
Literally the only features I want are pure, absolute silence, US made, and XDR freehub body . Im paying
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.
😊😊😊😊😊
The 100g difference is not significant, it's marginal.
Thanks for sharing
DAMN it’s expensive
Thanks for watching and commenting :) ride on!
Aluminum nipples are not trustworthy...
Thanks for sharing your opinion🤙
@@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 🙂
Try titanium
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 🥷
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 🤙
@@DirtyTeethMTB thanks I’ll def look into that 🚴
Great review. Thank you 👍
Thanks for watching!