I've been trying to understand wheels and hubs, and spent some time with Angler discussing some of the updates to the R2 hub. Here is my take on their hub portfolio:
R280/R290 hub: entry-level hub similar to H works or generic hubs that look similar, made primarily from 6061 aluminum, smaller bearings, uses the 36t, 54t generic, 2-piece, 2 spring ratchets. Preload is DT Swiss style: requires enough tension via the thru axle.
R240: An R280 they machined the heck out of to reduce weight. Same materials, same bearings. Preload is DT Swiss style: and requires enough tension via the thru axle.
R1: Entry-ish level hub, but larger flanges on differential between DS and NDS, larger bearings, and AL7075 with a unique 60t ratchet. The point of this change is to provide more equal spoke tension, which should result in a wheel that is both easier to true and more likely to stay true. I believe the current R1 dimensions are similar to those of the previous-gen R2. This is probably a hub similar in quality and build to what you would expect from a major brand's mid-range carbon wheelset. Similar price to the R240. Preload is DT Swiss style, and requires enough tension via the thru axle.
R2: Performance hub. Angler considers this to be DFS's highest-performance hub. These are apparently designed to offer near equal spoke tensions with symmetric rims, so much so that asymmetric rims shouldn't be used. Larger bearing size, different ratchet system, and manually adjustable preload. This is probably the hub to get if you do a lot of miles and want the most reliable hub. IMO these are probably as good as what you see on the flagship wheels raced in the WT. Yes the spoke counts are higher, but that's one of the tradeoffs for paying sub-DT Swiss 350 prices for a hub this nice.
My R3 hubs have been very reliable, and in retrospect, I recognize that I probably should have been less of a weight weenie and bought the R2 hubs. If you are using carbon spokes or another internal spoke arrangement, the geometry of the R2 hub should result in a more reliable wheel over time. Less time on the trueing stand. More time riding. If you can afford it, its probably worth paying up for the R2.
