SRAM 900 Front Hub - 15x110mm Boost - 28 Hole - 6-Bolt Disc - Black
Sealed Cartridge Bearings | Double Time 4-Pawl Engagement | Seeker Angled Flanges | Tool-Free End Cap Conversion | Boost Spacing | MTB Trail & XC Hub | Made in Taiwan
The SRAM 900 front hub delivers mid-range performance with high-end features at an accessible price point. Designed for modern mountain bikes with Boost spacing, this hub features SRAM's proven Double Time four-pawl engagement system for quick pedal response and the innovative Seeker flange design that optimises spoke geometry for improved wheel stiffness and durability. Sealed cartridge bearings provide smooth rolling and weather protection, while the tool-free end cap system allows quick conversion between different axle standards without needing a workshop. At just 160 grams for the 28-hole Boost version, this hub balances light weight with robust construction suitable for cross-country, trail, and all-mountain riding. The 15x110mm Boost spacing is standard on modern MTB forks and provides increased stiffness and improved spoke bracing angles compared to older 15x100mm standards. The black anodised aluminium construction looks sharp and resists corrosion, while the 6-bolt disc interface works with any standard disc rotor. SRAM designed the 900 series to bring premium hub technology down to a more affordable price bracket, making features like sealed bearings, four-pawl engagement, and angled flanges accessible to riders who don't need top-tier XO or XX1 hubs but still want excellent performance and reliability. Whether you're building custom wheels, replacing a damaged hub, or upgrading from a basic OEM hub, the SRAM 900 delivers genuine performance improvements without breaking the bank.
Perfect For These Riders
- Trail Riders: Reliable performance for technical terrain and aggressive riding
- XC Racers: Lightweight 160g design doesn't hold you back on climbs
- All-Mountain Riders: Tough enough for rough descents and big hits
- Wheel Builders: Quality hub at mid-range pricing for custom builds
- Upgrade Seekers: Significant improvement over basic OEM hubs
- Boost Fork Owners: Perfect match for modern 15x110mm Boost forks
Key Features
- Axle Standard: 15x110mm Boost (modern MTB standard)
- Spoke Holes: 28H (28 hole drilling)
- Brake Mount: 6-bolt disc (ISO standard)
- Spoke Interface: J-bend (traditional spoke heads)
- Bearings: Sealed cartridge SPEEDBALL bearings
- Flange Design: Seeker angled flanges for optimised spoke geometry
- Weight: 160 grams (28H Boost version)
- Material: Forged and machined aluminium alloy
- Finish: Anodised black
- End Caps: Tool-free swappable (conversion caps may be available separately)
- Included Caps: 21mm standard and 31mm RockShox Torque Caps
- Colour: Black
- Design: USA (SRAM)
- Manufacture: Taiwan
Specifications
- Brand: SRAM
- Model: 900 Front Hub
- Model Code: 00.2018.013.004
- Hub Type: Front disc brake hub
- Axle Type: 15mm thru-axle
- Over Locknut Dimension (OLD): 110mm (Boost spacing)
- Axle Standard: 15x110mm Boost
- Spoke Count: 28 holes
- Spoke Interface: J-bend (traditional 90-degree spoke elbows)
- Flange Diameter (Left): 60mm
- Flange Diameter (Right): 50mm
- Centre to Flange (Left): 27mm
- Centre to Flange (Right): 39mm
- Brake Mount: 6-bolt disc (ISO)
- Bearing Type: Sealed cartridge bearings (SPEEDBALL)
- Hub Body Material: Forged aluminium alloy (3D forged and CNC machined)
- Finish: Anodised black
- Weight: 160g (manufacturer specification for 28H Boost)
- Torque Caps Included: Yes (21mm standard + 31mm RockShox)
- Tool-Free End Cap Removal: Yes
- UPC: 710845784743
Understanding Boost Spacing - 15x110mm
What is Boost spacing and why does it matter?
- Boost = 110mm Front: Boost spacing increases the front hub width from 100mm to 110mm, spreading the dropouts wider by 5mm per side
- Wider Spoke Bracing Angle: The extra 10mm allows spokes to angle outward more, creating a stiffer, stronger wheel
- Modern MTB Standard: Boost (15x110mm front, 12x148mm rear) is now standard on most trail, enduro, and all-mountain bikes built since 2015
- Tyre Clearance: Boost spacing creates more frame clearance for wider tyres and mud (rear only benefit, but hubs are usually sold as pairs)
- Better Chainline: On 1x drivetrains, Boost spacing allows better chainring-to-cassette alignment (rear only)
- Not Backwards Compatible: You cannot use a Boost hub in a non-Boost fork without changing the fork (dropouts are wider)
Boost vs Standard comparison:
- Standard Front: 15x100mm (older MTB forks 2010-2015 era)
- Boost Front: 15x110mm (modern MTB forks 2015-present)
Check your fork dropouts before purchasing. If your fork has 110mm spacing between the inner faces of the dropouts, you need a Boost hub. If it's 100mm, you need a standard hub. The SRAM 900 series is available in both configurations (this listing is the Boost version).
SPEEDBALL Sealed Cartridge Bearings
Why SPEEDBALL bearings are special:
- Matched Components: SRAM sources every bearing component (balls, races, cages, seals) from the same manufacturer to ensure perfect dimensional accuracy
- Consistent Quality: By using a single supplier for all bearing parts, SRAM eliminates tolerance stack-up issues that cause binding or play
- Sealed Cartridge Design: Rubber seals keep water, mud, and dust out while retaining grease inside
- Low Friction: Precision-matched components mean smooth rotation with minimal resistance
- Long Service Life: Sealed bearings typically last 1-2 years of regular riding before needing replacement
- Serviceable: Bearings can be replaced when worn - hub shell lasts for decades
- Pre-Greased: Factory greased and ready to ride
Sealed vs Loose Ball bearings:
- Sealed Cartridge (SRAM 900): Weather-protected, low maintenance, consistent performance, easy to replace when worn
- Loose Ball (cheap hubs): Requires regular adjustment and regreasing, vulnerable to contamination, wears faster
SRAM's SPEEDBALL bearings represent a significant quality upgrade over budget hubs. You'll feel the difference in smoother coasting and better weather resistance.
Seeker Angled Flange Design
What makes Seeker flanges different:
- Angled Towards the Rim: Traditional hub flanges are perpendicular to the axle, but Seeker flanges angle outward to point at the rim
- Inline Spoke Alignment: When spokes are tensioned, they pull straight through the flange hole without bending at an angle
- Reduced Spoke Stress: By eliminating the bend at the flange, spokes experience less fatigue and last longer
- Improved Wheel Stiffness: Straighter spoke pull creates a more rigid connection between hub and rim
- Better Tension Distribution: Angled flanges help balance spoke tension across the wheel for improved strength
- Simplified Wheel Building: Spokes seat properly in the flange holes without extra manipulation during lacing
Real-world benefits:
- Longer Spoke Life: Spokes are less likely to break at the elbow where they exit the flange
- Stiffer Wheels: More efficient power transfer and better handling in corners
- Stays True Longer: Better spoke alignment means wheels maintain their true longer between truing sessions
Seeker is one of SRAM's clever innovations that delivers measurable performance improvements. It's a feature that trickled down from their XO and XX1 hubs to the more affordable 900 series.
Front Hub vs Rear Hub - Key Differences
Why front hubs are simpler (and this is a front hub):
- No Freehub Body: Front hubs are just rotating axles with bearings - no ratcheting mechanism needed
- Lighter Weight: Without a freehub, pawls, and ratchet ring, front hubs weigh 100-150g less than rear hubs
- Simpler Maintenance: Just bearings to maintain, nothing else
- Lower Cost: Fewer parts means front hubs cost less than rear hubs
- Symmetrical Spoke Pattern: Front wheels have equal spoke angles on both sides for balanced strength
This is a FRONT hub only. If you're building a complete wheelset, you'll also need a SRAM 900 rear hub (sold separately). Make sure the rear hub you choose matches your cassette type (Shimano HG, SRAM XD, or SRAM XDR) and has the same spoke count (28H).
28 Hole Spoke Count - Strength vs Weight
Why 28 holes is the sweet spot for many riders:
- Weight Savings: Fewer spokes = lighter wheels (28H saves ~30-40g vs 32H per wheelset)
- Sufficient Strength: 28 spokes provide plenty of strength for XC racing and trail riding under 90kg rider weight
- Better Aerodynamics: Fewer spokes = less wind resistance (marginal but measurable)
- Modern Standard: 28H front / 32H rear is common on mid-to-high-end MTB wheelsets
Common spoke counts and their applications:
- 24H: Lightweight race wheels, riders under 75kg, XC racing
- 28H: Balanced option, trail riding, riders up to 90kg, most modern MTBs
- 32H: Maximum strength, heavier riders, aggressive riding, DH/enduro, touring
- 36H: Tandem, cargo bikes, extreme duty
Important: Your rim and rear hub must also be drilled for 28 holes. You cannot mix spoke counts - if the front hub is 28H, the rim must be 28H as well.
J-Bend Spoke Interface
J-bend vs Straight Pull spokes:
- J-Bend (This Hub): Traditional spoke design with 90-degree bend at the hub end, universal spoke availability, easy to replace, proven reliability
- Straight Pull: Spokes are straight from end to end, require specific hubs and spokes, slightly lighter but harder to find replacement spokes
Advantages of J-bend:
- Universal Availability: Any bike shop can order J-bend spokes in any length
- Field Repairs: Break a spoke on a ride? You can likely find a replacement at the next town's bike shop
- Wheel Building: More wheel builders are familiar with J-bend lacing
- Spoke Options: Huge variety of brands, materials, and butting profiles available
- Cost: J-bend spokes typically cost less than straight-pull equivalents
For this 28H hub, you'll need 28 J-bend spokes in the correct length (calculate using spoke calculator based on your chosen rim's ERD).
Tool-Free End Cap System
Why tool-free end caps matter:
- Quick Wheel Removal: End caps pop off by hand so you can remove the wheel without tools
- Same Caps Both Sides: SRAM's Side Swap design means caps are identical left/right - put them back on either side
- Adaptability: Can potentially swap to different axle standards if you change forks (conversion caps sold separately)
- Simplified Maintenance: Easy bearing access for servicing without special tools
- Travel Friendly: No need to pack Allen keys just to remove wheels for transport
Included Torque Caps:
- 21mm Standard Cap: Fits most 15mm thru-axle forks with round dropout openings
- 31mm RockShox Torque Cap: Fits RockShox forks with Torque Cap compatible dropouts for improved stiffness and reduced axle flex
What are Torque Caps? RockShox Torque Caps are larger-diameter end caps that increase the contact area between the hub and fork dropout. This creates a stiffer connection, reducing axle flex and improving steering precision. They only work with forks that have compatible dropout recesses. If your fork doesn't have Torque Cap compatibility, use the standard 21mm caps included.
6-Bolt Disc Brake Interface
6-bolt vs Centrelock rotor mounting:
- 6-Bolt (This Hub): Six M5 bolts secure the rotor to the hub, universal standard, works with all disc rotors, proven reliability
- Centrelock: Shimano's splined interface with a lockring, faster rotor swaps but requires specific rotors
Advantages of 6-bolt:
- Universal Rotor Compatibility: Every brake rotor manufacturer offers 6-bolt versions
- No Adapters Needed: Direct mount, no compatibility adapters required
- Field Repairs: M5 bolts are standard hardware store items if you lose one on a ride
- Even Torque Distribution: Six bolts spread clamping force evenly around the rotor
- Secure: Properly torqued 6-bolt rotors don't work loose
Rotor bolt torque specification: Disc rotor bolts should be torqued to 6.2 Nm (55 in-lb). Use a torque wrench and Loctite 243 (blue) threadlocker to prevent loosening. Always use new bolts if possible - rotor bolts can stretch and lose clamping force when reused multiple times.
Flange Dimensions and Spoke Calculations
Hub flange measurements (for wheel builders):
- Left Flange Diameter: 60mm
- Right Flange Diameter: 50mm
- Centre to Left Flange: 27mm
- Centre to Right Flange: 39mm
- Total Hub Width (OLD): 110mm (Boost)
What these numbers mean:
- Asymmetrical Flanges: Front Boost hubs have slightly offset flanges (27mm left vs 39mm right) to accommodate the disc brake caliper mounting tabs
- Different Flange Diameters: Left flange is 60mm, right is 50mm - this asymmetry is intentional and creates balanced spoke angles
- Spoke Length Calculation: Use these dimensions with your rim's ERD (Effective Rim Diameter) in a spoke calculator to determine correct spoke length
Spoke length calculation resources:
- Spoke calculators: Use online tools like Sapim's spoke calculator, DT Swiss's calculator, or Edd's Spoke Calculator
- Cross pattern: Most MTB wheels use 3-cross lacing pattern for strength
- Professional building: If unsure, have a professional wheel builder calculate and lace your wheel
160 Grams - Lightweight MTB Hub
How 160g compares to other hubs:
- SRAM 900 (28H Boost): 160g - excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Budget Hubs: 180-220g - heavier, often with loose ball bearings
- DT Swiss 350: ~155g - premium competitor, costs significantly more
- Hope Pro 4: ~165g - UK-made premium hub, double the price
- Chris King: ~170-180g - luxury hub, triple the price
Why weight matters on wheels:
- Rotational Weight: Weight at the rim and hub affects acceleration more than weight on the frame
- Climbing Performance: Lighter wheels make climbs easier by reducing rotational inertia
- Handling: Lighter hubs improve bike handling by reducing gyroscopic effect
- Hub Weight vs Rim Weight: Hub weight is less critical than rim weight since it's closer to the axle
At 160 grams, the SRAM 900 hits the sweet spot between light weight and durability. You could go lighter with a carbon or titanium boutique hub, but you'd sacrifice reliability and pay significantly more for minimal weight savings.
Building Wheels with the SRAM 900 Hub
What else you'll need for a complete wheel:
- Rim: 28-hole MTB rim (27.5", 29", or 26" depending on your bike)
- Spokes: 28x J-bend spokes in correct length (calculate based on rim ERD)
- Nipples: 28x brass or aluminium spoke nipples
- Rim Tape: Tubeless rim tape if running tubeless setup
- Disc Rotor: 6-bolt disc rotor (160mm, 180mm, or 203mm depending on fork and preference)
- Rotor Bolts: 6x M5 rotor bolts (often included with rotors)
Spoke recommendations for MTB use:
- Trail/XC: DT Swiss Competition (2.0/1.8/2.0mm butted), Sapim Race, or Pillar PSR
- All-Mountain: DT Swiss Champion (2.0mm straight gauge) or Sapim Strong
- Budget: Generic 2.0mm stainless steel spokes work fine for most riders
Recommended spoke pattern:
- 3-Cross: Standard MTB pattern - spokes cross 3 times from hub to rim, provides excellent strength and impact resistance
- 2-Cross: Alternative for lighter weight, slightly less strong but adequate for XC racing
- Radial: Not recommended for MTB (spokes run straight from hub to rim) - insufficient strength for off-road use
Professional wheel building recommended: If you've never built a wheel before, have a professional wheel builder lace and tension your wheel. Properly tensioned spokes are critical