Ever since SRAM’s XX1 groupset was launched and we found out about the need for a unique freehub body we were wondering how long it would take for other hub manufacturers to start offering a compatible freehub on their own hubs. DT were in there right at the start, but then it all kind of went quiet. Was it simply because the massive cost of the groupset meant that demand was always going to be very limited? Whatever the case, Kore have now joined in the XX1 game by offering a compatible freehub body option on their 2013 Durox and Torsion hubs.
With the new freehub body weighing 11g less than the standard freehub body the 142x12mm Durox hub shown above weighs in at a competitive 240g. That weight is for an aluminium freehub body, but a Cr-Mo one is also available. The hubs can also be found as part of Kore’s XCD-SL, Durox and Mega complete wheelsets.
Kore reckon they’re “100% confident we have one of the best compatible XX1 freehubs on the market”, and looking at the design they could well be right. With no fewer that five pawls, all of which have three teeth, there should never be any slipping issues, plus the 50 point engagement strikes a good blend of fast pick-up and reliability. All the bearings are high quality and well sealed stainless steel ones from Japan, and you can easily swap the axles around to run any of the current standards.
So if you want to run XX1 but fancy running some alternative wheels then Kore have just opened up another option for you. That news is good in itself, but this has left us wondering if Kore know something that we don’t. Are they going to be happy with just selling a handful of these hubs and wheels? Or, do they know that a cheaper version of XX1 is just around the corner and they want to be there ready to help satisfy the obvious flood in demand which that would cause for just this sort of product? Only time will tell, but we for one definitely hope it’s not too long before SRAM do release a cheaper XX1.
www.decade-europe.com
www.kore-usa.com
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