Project321 has released a new Micro Spline freehub driver body that is compatible with its magnetically actuated six pawl ratchet drive system. It comes as an aftermarket kit, which we tested, as complete rear hubs, and as complete wheelsets. Their hubs are highly engineered, well made, and jeweled components and are now made in Bend, Oregon, and come with a 10-year warranty on hub shell and axle, and three years on pawls, drive ring, and driver body.
Their innovative magnetically actuated pawl system uses magnets as a pull spring, as opposed to mechanical or magnetic push springs, to move pawls into the drive ring, which offers simplicity, less drag, and less noise than other ratchet mechanisms. Their standard 6×2 driver (6 pawls with 2 pawl engagement) boasts an impressive 216 points of engagement (1.66°), while the 6×3 driver (6 pawls with 3 pawl engagement) offers a stronger 144 points of engagement (2.5°). They also have the choice of quiet or loud pawls so that you can fine-tune the sound of your hub.
For further information, refer to project321.com.
Project321 Micro Spline Driver Body Kit
The kits include the new Micro Spline driver body with its integrated bearings, an updated seal, updated pawls (if desired), and a replacement driveside end cap (axle dependent). Prices start at $135 for standard bearings (w/o pawls), and $244.75 for ceramic bearings (w/o pawls), with options for 216 POE or 144 POE, and 142, 148 or 157 axle widths. Add on another $60 for the quiet or loud pawls, meaning the full kit retails for $195 for standard bearings and $304.75 for ceramic bearings.
- Only compatible with P321 magnetically actuated, 6 pawls, ratchet drive system only, and 142, 148 and 157 axles.
- Includes: Driver Body with Bearings, Seal, Replacement Drive Side End Cap (for 142, 148, or 157 axles), and your option of pawls.
- Fully customizable Microspline drive system with multiple options:
- 6×2 (6 pawls with 2 pawl engagement) driver that yields 1.7° (216 POE) engagement or 6×3 (6 pawls with 3 pawl engagement) option that yields 2.5° (144 POE) engagement
- Quiet or loud pawl.
- Ceramic bearing upgrade available.
Updated Magnetic Pawls and Seals
The newly updated pawls now have the magnets encapsulated into them, instead of being epoxied in place, which not only holds the magnets in place mechanically but it increases durability and reliability. The new seals are machined in house out of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
I am running their Boost 148mm axle, with the snappy quick 6×2 (6 pawls with 2 pawl engagement) driver that yields 1.7° (216 POE) engagement, with the Quiet pawls, and standard bearings. The installation of the Micro Spline driver body, upgraded seal and pawls, and the replacement driveside end cap went in without a hitch, with the work being performed admirably by the master wheel builder Chirs Murray of Elevation Wheel Company in Colorado Springs.
Sliding the 12-speed XT cassette onto the driver took a few twists and turns to mesh and align the 23-splines of Micro Spline system.
Not many tests ride under the new Micro Spline system with the Shimano XT 12-peed drivetrain as yet, but it works like a charm. Smooth as silk shifting and a quiet and drag-free free wheel spin.
What is Micro Spline
The log winded HG freehub with its 13-spline interface standard has remained compatible as the number of cogs increased on cassettes, making it functional for current 10-speed and 11-speed systems. When it came time to jump to a 12-speed cassette with its necessitated tiny 10-tooth cog, it just wouldn’t fit onto an HG body.
The Micro Spline freehub standard uses a 23-spline interface for Shimano’s Micro Spline specific 11- and 12-speed cassettes. It not only integrates seamlessly with small 10-tooth gears but the smaller and more widely distributed splines limit cog damage on the lightweight, soft alloy freehub bodies.
{ 0 comments… add one now }