Over my 40 + years in the bicycle industry, my goal has been to search for quality – not in just the product but in the company behind the product. Today it has become more difficult, as most companies no longer make their own stuff. Furthermore, they are often located thousands of miles away from the people who do. When I worked for Tom Ritchey, who is one of the most brilliant designers in the industry, I noticed that he had problems with accurate “quality control” regarding his manufacturers.
All the companies listed below make their own products. They are also small enough to allow me to be in contact directly with people in their manufacturing. We have built mutual trust, since I have been building wheels using their products for years.
For hubs, I build with Phil Wood, White Industries, and DT Swiss. For my wheel designs I find these hubs to be the best choice. Each brand has its advantages, depending on the design. Phil Wood is the best choice for conditions requiring first and foremost dependability, durability and ease of repair. All Phil Wood hubs can be taken apart and reassembled in minutes – which is important if you are touring in a third world country. Phil Wood also has top quality bearings for low rolling resistance and energy saving efficiency. Phil Wood has the best finish and the most color choices.
