Workshop: Boost hub conversion

Words: Joe Dodd                                                                                            Images: Chris Herron

Chances are, if you are going to buy a new bike/frame today, it will be Boost. Boost is here to stay thanks to the advantages in wheel strength and stiffness and how designers can adapt frame geometry. Boost hub spacing in the front has gone from 100x15mm to 110x15mm, and rear has gone from 142x12mm to 148x12mm. Manufacturers have done this to open up more options for tyre, and chain ring clearance as well as advantages when deciding on geometry. Boost hubs also build up a stiffer and stronger wheel due to being wider.

This is all well and good, but you probably have a perfectly fine set of wheels or hubs in your current bike. Luckily there are a few options to convert your non-Boost hubs to Boost. In this example we are going to use a Problem Solvers and Wolf Tooth kit. The Problem Solvers kit is a simple washer and rotor spacer that will work with any hub. 

There are a few options for front hubs as well. Some you won’t have to dish the wheel, so you don’t. If you do need to re-dish the wheel, just follow the steps for this rear wheel article. Again, Problem Solvers and Wolf Tooth make kits for front hubs as well.

Click through the gallery above for the step-by-step guide.