Chinertown
Other Resources => Component Deals & Selection => Topic started by: lidation on August 31, 2025, 01:33:05 AM
-
I have bought the XM Carbon Speed wheelset half a year ago, then I switched from Shimano drivetrain to SRAM so I bought the ZRace freehub off Aliexpress for $25. It works and sounds great. I have been riding with it for about 600 miles without issues. But then I am wondering, what are the differences between this cheapo ZRace freehub and the $100 original DT Swiss 350 freehub? What will I miss. Will the ZRace seize in the future?
-
The difference between the dtswiss and the chinese hubs: the cost of R&D, patents, marketing and Swiss manufacturing. 8)
Does DTSwiss use slightly higher grade materials and have more precise tolerances? Maybe.
If I see a difference between the more expensive hubs and the cheap ones, it's often the bearings they use. In that end that's a wearing part so that you can upgrade once it needs to be replaced.
-
The difference between the dtswiss and the chinese hubs: the cost of R&D, patents, marketing and Swiss manufacturing. 8)
lol!
DTSwiss used to be a sizeable employer here. I still know someone working for them.
They dont make anything locally anymore AT ALL. it's just some light assembly, r&d but mostly marketing. that's where the premium you pay for goes. hubs have been made in taiwan for probably 10 years. pretty sure they closed factories in poland too so it's all taiwan and vietnam now
-
I have bought the XM Carbon Speed wheelset half a year ago, then I switched from Shimano drivetrain to SRAM so I bought the ZRace freehub off Aliexpress for $25. It works and sounds great. I have been riding with it for about 600 miles without issues. But then I am wondering, what are the differences between this cheapo ZRace freehub and the $100 original DT Swiss 350 freehub? What will I miss. Will the ZRace seize in the future?
I asked myself the same question years ago when I purchase for less 15€ an XD body
Time passes, the kilometers increase, I can't give myself an answer
I just realize China is a part of the world does not respect any laws and because of this we can choose to pay 50€ or 15€ for the same piece of aluminum, based on our conscience and honesty.
But, Considering that every day I am robbed of taxes on my work and I pay 22% of VAT...I choose China and I'm willing to wait 10days shipping instead of 1 day from Europe.
The body are pretty identical
The bearing in DTSwiss parts are of better quality
-
I have bought the XM Carbon Speed wheelset half a year ago, then I switched from Shimano drivetrain to SRAM so I bought the ZRace freehub off Aliexpress for $25. It works and sounds great. I have been riding with it for about 600 miles without issues. But then I am wondering, what are the differences between this cheapo ZRace freehub and the $100 original DT Swiss 350 freehub? What will I miss. Will the ZRace seize in the future?
Your saying the zrace freehub is compatible with XMcarbonspeed hubs? Can you show what listing you bought? Also trying to get a XDR freehub for switching over to sram cassette from a shimano cassette
-
Well there won't be chinese callbacks after bad quality control / issues.
It's already a mess if there is stuff happening like this but atleast DT Swiss took responsibility and checked every single rim.
-
Your saying the zrace freehub is compatible with XMcarbonspeed hubs? Can you show what listing you bought? Also trying to get a XDR freehub for switching over to sram cassette from a shimano cassette
I ordered the Zrace freehub and will try to replace my XMCS freehub. I ordered the wrong one at XMCX.
I'll report back in a week or two.
-
Your saying the zrace freehub is compatible with XMcarbonspeed hubs? Can you show what listing you bought? Also trying to get a XDR freehub for switching over to sram cassette from a shimano cassette
I can confirm, I ordered them form AliExpress, from the official zrace store and they fit the XMCS hubs.