How Do I Determine The Correct Hub Width For My Bicycle Frame?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

If you are unsure of your frame spacing or have an older bicycle, measure the hub width to ensure a proper fit. To do this,

remove the rear wheel and use a pair of calipers or a ruler to measure the distance between the inner surfaces of the dropouts

.

What hub will fit my bike?

Hub Spacing Front Hub Spacing Rear Hub Spacing
Road Spacing


100mm


130mm
Regular MTB Spacing 100mm 142mm Boost MTB Spacing 110mm 148mm

How do you measure hub spacing on a bike?

Hubs need to match the frame or fork they are used in.

The spacing of a frame/fork is measured from the inside surfaces of the dropouts, where they come into contact with the locknuts of the wheel’s axle

.

How do you measure hub axle width?


For a front thru-axle, this is measured from the inside to inside of your fork

. For a rear thru-axle, this is measured from the inside to inside of your frame at the drop-outs.

How do I know if a wheel will fit my bike?

How do you measure a wheel hub?

Place a tape measure across the face of the exposed wheel hub, which it protrudes out from the center of the drum brake assembly. Take the measurement across the front of the hub, which is the diameter of the hub. Make sure your tape measure intersects the center of the hub.

How do I choose a hub?

  1. Rim compatibility – Pay attention to the number of spokes you select on your hub and rim to make sure they match!
  2. Strength and durability – it goes without saying that making sure your hubs last through wear and tear is vital, particularly with them being susceptible to water and grime.

Are bike hubs universal?


MTB hubs come in a wide variety of dimensions and types to fit multiple bike/fork/axle standards

and to suit different off-road disciplines.

What size are fat bike hubs?

Centered in the frame like traditional bikes symmetrical fat-bikes most often use a

170mm hub spacing

. Referring to a fat-bike as “symmetrical” means that the rear triangle is symmetrical, like most traditional bikes, with equal spacing of the right and left dropouts from the centerline of the frame.

How do I know what size axle I need for my bike?


Measure the straight length of your axle shaft

. Do not include the axle head or tapered spacer, if there is one. Axle length is not the same as hub length. A bike with a 12×142 hub standard will have a significantly longer axle since it will have to go through the frame on both sides of the 142mm wide hub.

How do I choose a rear hub?

What is hub size?


The outer diameter is the hub bore, while the inner diameter is the diameter of the vehicle hub itself

. For example: a hub-centric ring size of 73-67.1 would mean that the wheel center bore is 73 mm wide and the vehicle hub is 67.1 mm wide.

How do you measure a rear hub on a mountain bike?

What size axle do I have?

What is a 12mm thru axle?

From this specification we know 142mm is the hub width (or frame spacing) and 12mm is

the diameter of the axle

. We need to specify the following items to get the proper replacement Thru Axle.

Can you put any width tires on same rim bike?


Bicycle wheels can handle a range of different widths

, so it’s not absolutely necessary to replace your tires with one with the exact same width. In fact, there are often advantages to using a tire that is a little wider, as long as your bicycle has adequate clearance to handle the larger size.

Does bike tyre width matter?


The width can have a major impact on the way your bike rides

. Wider tyres offer increased grip and comfort as they have a larger air volume and lower tyre pressure can be run. If your wheels are 700c, look for a tyre width of between 28c and 35c. If your tyres are 26 or 27.5”, look for widths between 1.5” and 2.0”.

What width bike tires fit on what width rims?

Use Internal Width IDEAL TIRE RANGE*
Road-alloy


19-21


23-28mm
Road-carbon 17-23 25-28mm (or per manufacturers recommendation) Gravel 21-26 28-50mm Cross Country MTB + Bikepacking 26-32 1.9”-2.5” 48mm-63mm

Do bike hubs make a difference?


Hubs that are “louder” usually have more engagement points

. This means your drivetrain picks up faster, so less energy is lost. Hubs that have sealed cartridge bearings or needle bearings usually never need to be replaced, they’re far stronger and stay cleaner.

What are the different types of bike hubs?

There are four types of hubs available:

the track hub, the flip flop hub, the freewheel hub or the cassette hub

. The recommended way to go for a fixed gear setup is to construct a new rear wheel. You can use a track hub in such an activity.

How do I change the hubs on my bike?

How many bearings does a bike hub have?

Hub Assembly

Make sure balls are seated flat in cup.

For rear hubs, the common number is 9 balls of 1/4-inch diameter per side

. For front hubs, the common number is 10 balls of 3/16-inch diameter per side.

Can I use MTB hub on road bike?


A standard (non-boost) MTB rear hub can be installed on a road bike only when the frame is designed for disc brakes

. If the road bike uses rim brakes, the hub will be too wide. 3. Boosted MTB hubs would not fit on a road bike under any circumstances.

Can you change the hub on a bike wheel?

Simple answer:

yes, but it’s not worth doing

. Cost of hub, spokes, nipples and having wheel rebuilt will exceed the cost of a new wheel. Even if you re-use the spokes a new wheel will still be cheaper. Wheel building requires special equipment, expertise and time to do correctly.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.