Bike wheel hubs

A bicycle hub consists of three parts:

• The axle, a threaded metal shaft on which the bearings or cones slide;
• The body, which is the structure that houses the axle.
• The flange, which is the perforated piece that houses the spokes. Depending on the type of spokes used, there are flat flanges (where the spokes are bent and inserted into the holes) and straight pull flanges (with directional holes into which already straight spokes fit).

Inside, we find bearing systems (sealed or cone and ball), which affect smoothness, maintenance, and overall efficiency, while the axle can be a through axle, quick release, or bolts, made from materials like steel or titanium.
There are various types of hubs available on the market, depending on the type of attachment to the frame and the rotation technology.
Choosing the correct hub, with compatible dimensions, attachment system, and bearings suitable for the use (road, MTB, gravel or urban), provides greater robustness, resistance to external agents, and quality to the overall ride of the bicycle.