H_Ratchet XL: The Heart of the Wheel.

A Small Machine in a Large Argument

We cyclists develop surprisingly strong feelings about hubs, particularly our rear hubs. Some of us want them as close to silent as possible, a fair few want a freehub that sounds like a pack of angry bees coming down the trail, warning hikers of our imminent arrival.

We condescendingly discuss engagement, drag and noise, then expect the hub to survive mud, dust, sideways landings, hard accelerations, eMTB torque and the occasional overly aggressive cleaning.

A rear hub is a small machine stuck in the middle of a fairly violent argument.

A larger place to put the load

H_Ratchet XL uses two 40-tooth ratchet rings. The inboard ring is oversized, creating a broader interface with the hub shell and giving the drive load more area through which to travel.

The complete system has been tested for compatibility with modern eMTB motors producing up to 120 Nm, and you don’t need a motor to benefit from it. Legs, traction and poor line choices are perfectly capable of producing sharp loads too.

Nine degrees. Deliberately.

Engagement numbers have become the bike industry’s megapixel count. The number matters, but it tells you very little about the finished picture.

Forty teeth provide nine degrees of engagement, giving quick, predictable pickup when you need half a pedal stroke before a drop or through an awkward section of trail. A extremely fast engagement doesn’t come entirely for free. As the rear suspension moves through its travel, chain growth can pull back through the drivetrain.

Depending on the bike, gear, speed and position of the ratchet, you may feel that through the pedals.Nine degrees doesn’t make pedal kickback disappear. The bike, gear, speed and ratchet position all get a vote. That balance, rather than the smallest number we could print on a specification sheet, led us to nine degrees.

The bits nobody notices

A ratchet mechanism isn’t much use if the axle flexes, the bearings lose alignment or half the trail finds its way inside.

The 7075-T6 aluminum axle steps from 15 to 17 mm through the hub, adding support where it is needed. Enduro-spec stainless cartridge bearings take care of the turning. Conical and labyrinth seals make water, dust and grit take the long way around.

One hub. Two wheelsets.

Enduro V3 uses alloy rims shaped around control at the front and strength at the rear. Proven Carbon Enduro uses tuned carbon rims with H_Core reinforcement.

Both use the H_Ratchet XL rear hub because the job at the center of the wheel doesn’t change just because the rim material does.If the hub does that job properly, the rest of the ride gets to be the interesting part.