XD Freehub Conversion

[Quantock Explorer]

Hi

Does anyone know if the standard hubs that the '19 Levo Comp came with are compatible with a XD Freehub?
Has anyone done the conversion?

Cheers Chris

 

[jsharpe]

I just purchased a lightly used xg-1199 cassette in order to get the slightly higher top gear (it's 10-42t) and the weight doesn't hurt either although not nearly as useful as on a clockwork bike. However, in preparation for installing it, I've also been looking into what xd driver conversion I'll need. I'm eager to hear what is actually needed but so far what I think I've found out is that there are a ton of driver bodies that will work but that the spacer needs to match the original axel of the bike. This is one that seems to 1) include both the driver body and spacer 2) the spacer seems to be the right one for the Levo, and 3) is reasonably inexpensive. Any recommendations for others would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Mikerb]

Think you would need to identify the hub used in the Levo. The wheels are Roval but the hub is described as being a Specialised hub...…..I think it is probably either a Novatec or Formula hub. If someone here knows exactly what it is you will be able to find out if it is convertible and get the right kit to do that.

 

[Mikerb]

ps....given the only real reason for the XD compared to the shimano style freehub is to enable a higher (smaller) gear to be fitted, it seems to me a backward step for an emtb given that most of the sprockets are only connected to the freehub body via the 2 or 3 largest sprockets. a emtb puts a lot more pressure on the sprockets/freehub. On the shimano style freehub every sprocket except the smallest one act directly on the freehub body.

 

[Quantock Explorer]

Hi Mike

thanks for your your comments.
I emailed Specialized a couple of days ago to enquire about the Hub, but haven’t heard from them yet.Your Backward Step comment is an interesting one, especially as it’s the high end backs that come specced with these hubs and cassettes.
Cheers Chris

 

[KennyB]

High end more likely to come with Eagle?

 

[Quantock Explorer]

High end more likely to come with Eagle?

Yes, which uses the XD freehub.

 

[Venlo]

SPECIALIZED FREILAUF FHB FORMULA XD DRIVE FREEHUB (SP-16481H)(FH-535HA + DWG-1000)

 

[Quantock Explorer]

Specialized have responded:

"Yes, you will have the option to change your free hub to an XD driver if you so wished.

The parts number for the free hub you need is S192100006, and the cost to you would be £64.90."

 

[Benson]

I asked the exact same question of SRC to swap out my NX 11-50 cassette (Shimano free hub) to a GX 10-50 via an XD conversion. However, when I saw the price difference between the cassettes, given how quickly ebikes chew them up, I quickly forgot about it!!

 

[Mikerb]

surely if the main purpose is to achieve higher gearing, it is both cheaper and simpler to change the chainwheel? I still maintain from a pure engineering point of view that in order to accommodate a 10 rather than 11 t high gear you sacrifice complete distribution of force on the freehub (ie shimano design freehub with all cogs acting on the freehub v XD design with only the 2/3 biggest cogs acting directly on the freehub). It also beats me why anyone would need 12 gears on a Emtb...11 is too many!

 

[Mikerb]

changing from pall to ratchet engagement is an upgrade...changing to XD hub is not in my book!!

 

[Benson]

surely if the main purpose is to achieve higher gearing, it is both cheaper and simpler to change the chainwheel? I still maintain from a pure engineering point of view that in order to accommodate a 10 rather than 11 t high gear you sacrifice complete distribution of force on the freehub (ie shimano design freehub with all cogs acting on the freehub v XD design with only the 2/3 biggest cogs acting directly on the freehub). It also beats me why anyone would need 12 gears on a Emtb...11 is too many!

Eh? It isn’t about 12 gears it’s about the 500% gear ratio from top to bottom. Only changing the front “chainwheel” (you mean chainring?) would still limit one end of the spectrum or the other.

 

[SL-ED]

changing from pall to ratchet engagement is an upgrade...changing to XD hub is not in my book!!

You seem to be stressing out over this.. lol

 

[thewrx]

just curious, would this require you to get different sized endcaps to go with the XD driver freehub, assuming your staying with 11 speed?

 

[p060064h]

I have a 29r rear wheel off my 2019 levo expert XD hub im selling if ya interested. Tubless butcher and a 11 speed cassette.
Location Exeter or Plymouth will also post.