“In a world filled with chaos, division, and uncertainty, Stan’s would like you to know we’ve made a really nice set of hubs. Seriously, we went all in on this. Designed and refined over the past two years, the new M-pulse hubs combine quality materials and construction with a smarter engagement system. These new hubs won’t solve the world’s biggest problems, but they will offer years of reliable engagement and less resistance than conventional pawl and ratchet style hubs.” – Stan’s
What’s So Special About the New Hubs?
“In a word: magnets. Yes, we’re talking about the same things that power Iron Maiden’s amplifiers and let billionaires’ electric trucks tow around their rocket ships (which also use magnets).”
“The heart of the M-pulse hub is a bombproof locking engagement system with six pawls equipped with Neodymium rare earth magnets. With 216 points of engagement, M-pulse hubs need only 1.66° of rotation to start putting power to the rear wheel. When engaged, multiple teeth on each pawl lock into a hardened steel ratchet ring while each pawl’s magnet ensures perfect alignment. This not only lets M-pulse freehubs engage more reliably and consistently than traditional spring-based pawl designs, but also provides an even more important advantage: less friction and rotational resistance when not engaged. Less friction holding you back means more you going fast, and with less effort.”
“The M-pulse engagement system is based on the innovative Project321 magnetic pawl design, and all freehub body shells, magnetic pawls, ratchet rings, spacers, and axles are manufactured at Project321’s small-batch CNC shop in Bend, Oregon. Each M-pulse hub is then assembled entirely at Stan’s headquarters in Big Flats, New York. Machining the key M-pulse components in the U.S. and assembling the hubs ourselves in New York allows a higher degree of precision, attention to detail, and quality control.”
Why Are Magnets Better?
“All hubs suffer from momentum-robbing drag as you coast, but when it comes to creating the most efficient and reliable ratchet system, pulling is better than pushing. Conventional mechanical pawl springs are constantly attempting to push the pawls into the ratchet ring. Those push springs are weakest when fully extended, as the teeth of the pawl engage with the teeth of the ratchet ring, but as you coast and the teeth of the pawl disengage and move down out of the teeth of the ratchet ring, push springs compress and exert even more pushing force. This creates significant drag and friction.”
“Unlike these inefficient mechanical push spring systems, M-pulse hubs use the pull force of Neodymium magnets to reduce drag to the absolute minimum, while still being able to engage with reliable precision the instant you push on a pedal. Magnetic pull springs are at their strongest when the pawl is engaged and are weakest during coasting, the ideal scenario to reduce drag. Project321’s patent-pending placement of the powerful but small rare earth magnets let the pawls self-align quickly and consistently during engagement while creating a hub with almost no rotational resistance when coasting.”
“The M-pulse hub’s six magnetic pawls and hardened steel ratchet ring are also built to outlast conventional mechanical springs, which can fatigue, lose tension, and become misaligned over time. With better durability, stronger engagement, and less drag, the M-pulse design is a better way to build a hub.”
More Than Just Smart
“Because an innovative design is only as good as its materials and construction, each detail of the M-pulse hub has been engineered to systematically eliminate weaknesses found in traditional pawl and ratchet-style hubs. The new M-pulse hub starts with the most simple and durable version of Project321’s magnetic pawls, and features an all new freehub body and main seal design for outstanding protection from the elements. Every bearing on the M-pulse hub is shielded, meaning no bearing seal is directly exposed, for smooth rolling in all conditions and increased bearing life. The 17mm axles are made of 7075 aluminum and roll on long-lasting Enduro brand bearings that feature custom-tuned grease fills that reduce resistance. A double-row main freehub bearing was chosen after tests proved it to be more durable than two individual, separate bearings. Multiple teeth on each pawl provide a greater surface area to distribute the load to improve engagement, and the angle of the pawls was optimized to distribute stress away from the rotating bearings for added durability under high torque.”
“Beyond the strength and speed of engagement, M-pulse hubs feature adjustable preload that decreases drag and resistance for less effort and more speed. Adjustable preload also prolongs bearing life by allowing the hub’s bearing tension to be tuned with greater precision in contrast with most hubs that tension unevenly by relying solely on how much the bike’s axle has been tightened. A precision piece of equipment deserves the option of precise tuning, and the M-pulse hub’s adjustable preload, available on both the front and the rear hub, delivers that level of tuning precision.”
“With their quality materials and construction, M-pulse hubs are backed by a 5-year warranty.”
Stan’s Crest MK4 Wheelset
- 25mm rim width optimized for Gravel and XC tires up to 2.3”
- Light and durable 6069 aluminum with welded joint and reinforced spoke bed
- BST-Asymmetric design combines Stan’s legendary easy tubeless inflation with a stronger, more balanced wheel build
- M-pulse ultra-low drag magnetic pawl adjustable hubs with 1.66° engagement
- Enduro bearings with double-row freehub bearing
- Matched wheelsets use traditional J-bend lacing and share a single spoke length for easy serviceability
- Connection program includes 5-year hub warranty, 3-year rim warranty, 1-year crash replacement, and $10 donation to trail maintenance or advocacy group of your choice
“Crest is the name Stan gave one of his original rim designs, and today it belongs to one of the most advanced rims made. Built of 6069 alloy and featuring a reinforced spoke bed and welded seam, the 25mm wide Crest MK4 rim is made to handle both the higher pressures of 40mm gravel tires, as well as the lower pressures of 2.3″ mountain bike tires. The asymmetric design of the Crest MK4 rim improves spoke angle to create a stronger wheel, while still offering the easiest to inflate and most reliable airtight tubeless seal found only on Stan’s patented Bead Socket Technology rims. Built for people who ride, by people who ride, the Crest MK4 wheelset relies on the proven strength of traditional J-bend spokes. As part of Stan’s commitment to make easily serviceable wheels a rider can own for many years, all MK4 series wheels that are the same diameter share a single, very common, spoke length. Front and rear and both sides all use a single length, making replacing damaged spokes as easy as possible.”
“A legendary rim deserves a legendary hub, and the Crest MK4’s M-pulse hubs deliver. Designed in partnership with Project321, and CNC machined in their Bend, Oregon shop, M-pulse freehubs use an innovative Neodymium magnetic pawl design that offers an incredibly positive and reliable engagement with virtually no drag. Unlike traditional pawl and spring designs that create unnecessary friction when not engaged, the magnetic pawls of the M-pulse hub are at their strongest when engaged while minimizing drag when disengaged. Multiple teeth on the pawls distribute load to increase strength and durability even more, while a full set of Enduro bearings and 7075 alloy 17mm axle allow the M-pulse to handle more than twice as much force as Stan’s previous hub designs. The shielded design of the M-pulse hubs also protects the bearings from direct exposure to the elements for even longer bearing life. But the real beauty of the M-pulse hubs is their low rolling resistance and engagement speed. An easily adjustable bearing preload feature makes it fast and simple to fine-tune M-pulse hubs for reduced friction and less resistance. All this in a hub that engages with only1.66° of rotation for instant acceleration.”
“Available with Shimano Micro Spline, HG, or SRAM XDR freehub, and 6-bolt or Centerlock brake style, with options to fit all popular axle configurations. Tubeless-ready with rim tape installed.”
“With a lightweight asymmetric tubeless rim laced to one of the most reliable and fastest-rolling hubs made, the Crest MK4 sets the bar for Gravel and XC wheelsets.”