Failed hub (Bontrager)

dochabanero

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2019
193
187
Sweden
Why is it that you are as far away from your car as humanly possible every time something breaks on your bike? 12 km walk back to the car.

Suggestions on hubs fit for enduro-riding? Would like to swap out the Bontrager rather than repairing it..

 

Leo76dragon

New Member
May 2, 2020
11
8
95133
that has happened to quite a few people... I have the same ones on the line carbon 30 wheels ... even with the pawl upgrade, it slips once in awhile... Im just thinking of switching to I9s before I get caught in this situation...
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
@dochabanero if this is what I think it is, I had the same thing happen on my accoustic, running line 30 pro Bontys. The centre piece that houses the ratchet for the freehub pawls is bonded into the hub, and this had let go. Trek replaced the wheel in it's entirety but I never used it, felt I could no longer trust Bonty wheels. Replaced with alloy Spanks which seemed really good. On my Rail though, currently running DT Swiss hubs; I reckon their star ratchet system is stronger than any pawl & ratchet design. You can also specify steel freehub body. This is the same hub DT Swiss use on their e-MTB wheelset so must be pretty reliable
 

dochabanero

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2019
193
187
Sweden
@dochabanero if this is what I think it is, I had the same thing happen on my accoustic, running line 30 pro Bontys. The centre piece that houses the ratchet for the freehub pawls is bonded into the hub, and this had let go. Trek replaced the wheel in it's entirety but I never used it, felt I could no longer trust Bonty wheels. Replaced with alloy Spanks which seemed really good. On my Rail though, currently running DT Swiss hubs; I reckon their star ratchet system is stronger than any pawl & ratchet design. You can also specify steel freehub body. This is the same hub DT Swiss use on their e-MTB wheelset so must be pretty reliable

I actually have a set of DT-Swiss HX-1501 on order. Still waiting for those. Guess a DT-Swiss hub on this particular wheel would be a good option as well.
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
I actually have a set of DT-Swiss HX-1501 on order. Still waiting for those. Guess a DT-Swiss hub on this particular wheel would be a good option as well.
For sure it would! Although Trek should warranty your wheel for you, if you just want something to keep you going while you're waiting for your DT wheelset. Almost a waste to lace a nice DT hub to a Bonty rim ;)
 

dochabanero

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2019
193
187
Sweden
For sure it would! Although Trek should warranty your wheel for you, if you just want something to keep you going while you're waiting for your DT wheelset. Almost a waste to lace a nice DT hub to a Bonty rim ;)

Problem is I’m booked for a weekend at a bike-park a week from now. Don’t think a warranty claim will be handled that fast. Agree that it would be the best solution if time wasn’t an issue.
 

Hamina

E*POWAH Master
Mar 22, 2020
500
396
FIN
I posted some pics of my Rail 5 hub here:

Different problem but the end result is same: The hub is "shite"
 

dochabanero

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2019
193
187
Sweden
I posted some pics of my Rail 5 hub here:

Different problem but the end result is same: The hub is "shite"

Yup, people seem to have a lot of issues with these hubs. Hoped I’d get my new wheels before I got stranded. Now I’m hunting for for a new hub...
 

Jumbleross

Member
Aug 26, 2020
40
12
UK
Yep, I had this issue, had to get the wife to pick me up! I got the wheel warranty replaced and put my Hope Pro4/RF ARC30 on my ebike and stuck the bonty’s on my regular bike and to be fair they have been no probs, I just don’t think they are up to the torque produced by an ebike
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
Yep, I had this issue, had to get the wife to pick me up! I got the wheel warranty replaced and put my Hope Pro4/RF ARC30 on my ebike and stuck the bonty’s on my regular bike and to be fair they have been no probs, I just don’t think they are up to the torque produced by an ebike
They're not fit for mountain biking at all. Mine failed on my accoustic bike.
 

BasicDude

New Member
Sep 15, 2020
6
9
Bay Area, CA
Definetly worth a solid upgrade to a better performing and reliable hub. Just my .02 cents worth of an internet opinion!

I went to DT's as parts are easy to find and failure is few and far between.
 
Last edited:

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
Wow proper crap! I don’t rate Bonty gear but like Trek frames and after sales service so I just replace it all once it’s worn
My hub that failed wasn't worn. In fact I had just serviced it and replaced some broken pawl springs. The centre piece where the ratchet part is, is bonded (glued) into the hub. This bond let go. So, like the OP in the video, I could spin the pedals with the wheel on the ground , but no drive. It's a design flaw, and I figured if it wasn't good enough for my accoustic, no way would it stand up to the extra torque and weight of the eeb. Especially since I do lots of climbing. The Bontys that came with my Rail are sitting in a box, never used.
 

Jumbleross

Member
Aug 26, 2020
40
12
UK
My hub that failed wasn't worn. In fact I had just serviced it and replaced some broken pawl springs. The centre piece where the ratchet part is, is bonded (glued) into the hub. This bond let go. So, like the OP in the video, I could spin the pedals with the wheel on the ground , but no drive. It's a design flaw, and I figured if it wasn't good enough for my accoustic, no way would it stand up to the extra torque and weight of the eeb. Especially since I do lots of climbing. The Bontys that came with my Rail are sitting in a box, never used.
Yep exactly the same thing that happened to mine after 1000 miles
 

MLX John

Active member
Jun 20, 2020
88
111
albuquerque, nm
I got a dt Swiss 350 laced up in mine after 3 failed hubs. Only 16 points of engagement, but on an emtb is of no concern
Same thing happened on my regular mtn bike w/ Line Pro 30 rear wheel. In the middle of Mag 7 Moab no less. Long walk. Worked as a mechanic at a Trek Superstore for a couple of years. Fairly common problem. Rebuilt the wheel with a DT 350. DT-Swiss engineering is superior, the ratchet mechanism threads into the hub shell, not glued. The Bonty rims themselves have been solid at least.
 

dochabanero

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2019
193
187
Sweden
Got my 1501s just in time for my park visit!

IMG_5995.jpg

Weekend saved
 

Philly G

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2020
692
517
New Zealand
May I ask which Powerfly model you have?
It is not any particular model of Trek bike that is at fault, it is the Bontrager wheels in general. I do like Treks, this is my 2nd, all bikes no doubt have their faults, and Treks tend to deliver good bang for buck. But the Bonty wheels are not fit for purpose in my experience. The cheap alloy ones are soft and tend to break spokes. The more expensive alloys are still not that strong. Generally the freehubs on all Bontys are not very well sealed and require frequent servicing. The carbon rims are pretty tough, but still suffer from the same poor hub design - i.e. the centre is bonded in place. Seems like it can let go at any time - On my accoustic, I had 2 years and lots of kms out of my Line 30 Pro wheels before it failed. Seems like it is happening earlier on the e-MTBs, probably due to the extra torque/weight
 

Im in two minds - The Trek has been fantastic !
Would change some components - forks - upgrade to 36 ( i have had these rebuilt and can't really fault them to be fair )
i don't need more than 130-140mm of travel - but always nice to have .
Brakes maybe go to 4 piston - but again cannot fault the set on bike .
So , its really just the hubs .......

Any hoo - i have been eyeing off a Levo - but there is a bit of sticker shock - when i bought my bike in 2018 the comparable trek / specialised was around $7000 ( AUD ) now the price has risen to around $10,000 AUD .

Similar specced bikes , midrange equipment - still all brand name .

So, i m happy to stick with mine at present - i always vowed , ride 5000km and then see if you really want - not need a new bike .
Im not quite there , but prob just after Xmas - and its coming into 'our' riding season in Australia .

See how I go - with the riding , the economy etc , pricing may adjust after Xmas too - stock is very sparse i
at present .
All Good , I have a bike to ride !
 

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