Surly Ultra New Fixed Free Rear Hub
The Surly Ultra New is the everyday single-speed hub: a forged aluminum shell, sealed cartridge bearings, a bolt-on axle, and a rear that comes fixed/free flip-flop for track and street or with a 6-bolt disc mount for single-speed mountain and commuter bikes, in 100, 120 and 135mm spacing and 32 and 36 hole. It is not fancy and it does not need to be; it is the hub we build when a customer wants a reliable fixed-gear or single-speed wheel that costs sensible money. This page covers the Surly Ultra New Fixed Free Rear Hub.
The Ultra New comes from us only as a finished wheel: pick the rim, spokes and nipples, and we lace, tension and true it by hand in Georgia before it ships.
Design and construction
The Ultra New shell is forged rather than machined from bar, which keeps the price down without giving up strength, and it rides on sealed cartridge bearings in common sizes. The rear has standard fixed and freewheel threading with a lockring on the fixed side of the flip-flop version, and the disc version adds a 6-bolt rotor mount and 135mm spacing for mountain frames. Axles are bolt-on with solid nuts, which is what a track dropout wants. Black, J-bend flanges. Surly makes the Ultra New in 32 and 36 hole and it takes any standard track cog, lockring and single-speed freewheel.
How it rides
An Ultra New wheel is simple and durable, and the Ultra New has been the default fixed-gear hub for a generation of city riders. The sealed bearings roll for years, the flip-flop lets you swap between fixed and free by turning the wheel around, and the bolt-on axle stays put under skidding. It is the hub for fixed-gear street bikes, single-speed commuters and single-speed mountain bikes on a budget; for a lifetime hub in a color the Paul or White Industries is the step up.
Specifications
| Position | Rear |
|---|---|
| Axle options | Bolt On or QR 10x120mm Rear, Bolt On or QR 10x130mm Rear |
| Driver bodies | Single Speed Fixed & Freewheel |
| Drillings | 32h |
| Spoke head | J-bend |
| Brake | rim-brake |
| Left flange diameter | 54 mm |
| Right flange diameter | 54 mm |
| Left center-to-flange | 37.5 mm |
| Right center-to-flange | 37.5 mm |
| Spoke hole diameter | 2.4 mm |
| Weight | 345g |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Finishes | black, silver |
About this listing
What sets this listing apart from the other Ultra New versions: rim-brake rotor mount, Bolt On or QR 10x120mm, Bolt On or QR 10x130mm, 32h drilling, about 345g, in black, silver. Pick the one that matches your frame and rotor and the rest of the hub is identical.
No rotor mount here: this is the rim-brake version of the Ultra New, which drops the disc flange and the weight that goes with it. It suits rim-brake road, touring and track frames and it is often the lightest hub in the family. Disc-brake frames need one of the disc versions listed separately.
Sizes, fit and compatibility
The Surly Ultra New Fixed Free Rear Hub comes in the drillings listed on this page with the spacing and brake options shown in the configurator: 100mm front, 120mm flip-flop or 135mm disc rear. J-bend spokes in any gauge; we build most Ultra New wheels with DT Champion or Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples.
It pairs naturally with the Velocity Deep V and Chukker, H Plus Son Archetype and TB14, Stan's Crest and any rim in the catalog that matches its drilling. Pick fixed-gear or single speed as your bike type in the configurator and it recommends a spoke count and lacing pattern.
Build it into a wheel
This hub is live in our Custom Wheel Program for track and road single-speed builds. Start a build with the Surly Ultra New Fixed Free Rear Hub and the configurator opens with this exact hub pinned at the top of the Surly list — you choose the rest of the parts and it validates every combination as you go.
Testing, standards and warranty at Surly
Surly's Ultra New hubs use shells of "6061-T6 forged and machined aluminum alloy with medium-height flanges", CroMoly steel axles and fixing bolts in "10.9 stainless steel (i.e. high grade) for corrosion resistance, high strength, and good looks"; bolt caps and cone nuts are also stainless and knurled. Surly states the hubs "spin on non-adjustable 6901 model bearings" with self-adjusting hardware that sets preload when the wheel is bolted in, and that the hollow axles convert easily to quick release. Fronts are 100mm; all are 32h or 36h. Surly's FAQ states "Most of our products (including all frames and forks) are manufactured in Taiwan", and the original 1x1 hub sheet is marked "Made in Taiwan".
Surly publishes no impact, fatigue or ISO test figures for hubs. Its component warranty states products "are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of retail purchase", for the original purchaser buying through an authorized dealer, with repair or replacement at Surly's option; improper assembly, modification, competition or commercial use, accidents and normal wear are excluded. The 1x1 hub sheet adds that "Broken flanges on hubs laced radially are not covered under warranty." No hub-specific rider weight limit is given.
Certifications
- Made in Taiwan — FAQ: "Most of our products (including all frames and forks) are manufactured in Taiwan"; 1x1 hub sheet: "Made in Taiwan" (source)
Sources on Surly's site:
- Ultra New Hubs
- Surly Component Warranty
- Surly FAQ
- Surly 1x1 Hubs instruction sheet (PDF)
- Surly Hubs collection
The figures, certificates and media above are Surly's own. ProWheelBuilder does not run these tests; our part is the wheel we build on the hub.
Building it at ProWheelBuilder
Surly makes the Ultra New; ProWheelBuilder is an independent custom wheel builder in Georgia and not the manufacturer. We measure the rim before we cut a spoke, bring the wheel up in three or four rounds with a gauge, stress-relieve it between rounds and true it last, then tape it and fit a valve if you want it tubeless.
Only compatible hubs and spokes appear in the configurator, impossible combinations are struck through rather than hidden, and the price is live.
Warranty
Manufacturer's warranty. Surly warrants this product against defects in materials and workmanship. The duration, conditions and claim process are set by Surly and can change without notice, so ask us and we will confirm the current terms before you buy.
ProWheelBuilder. Any wheel we build on this part carries ProWheelBuilder's one-year warranty in addition to the manufacturer's. Broken spokes are replaced for a year whatever the cause, and all wheel-side labor is included - truing, re-tensioning, rebuilding. Where the maker covers a failed rim or hub we handle that claim for you; where they decline, an eligible replacement comes at 25% off current retail. The customer covers shipping in both directions. Components supplied by the customer are not covered.
Full terms are on our Policies & Warranty page.
Ultra New Fixed Free Rear Hub questions
Can I use this hub with disc brakes?
No - this is the rim-brake version and it has no rotor mount at all, which is exactly why it is lighter and simpler. It is the one for a rim-brake road, track or classic frame. A disc frame needs one of the disc versions of this hub, which are listed separately.
What does flip-flop mean on the Ultra New?
The rear hub has fixed threading with a lockring on one side and freewheel threading on the other; turn the wheel around to switch.
Which spacing does the Ultra New come in?
100mm front, 120mm flip-flop rear for track frames, 135mm disc rear for mountain and commuter frames.
Is the Ultra New rebuildable?
The bearings are sealed cartridges in common sizes and replaceable anywhere.
Ultra New or White Industries ENO?
Ultra New for a reliable single-speed hub at a fair price; ENO for a lifetime American-made hub with the eccentric option and colors.
Which axle spacing does it fit?
Bolt On or QR 10x120mm Rear or Bolt On or QR 10x130mm Rear. Measure between the inside faces of your dropouts if you are unsure, or text us.
Does it need special spokes?
No. It takes standard J-bend spokes, which the configurator offers in every gauge and finish we stock.
Not sure? Text or leave a voicemail on 470-253-0929 or email info@prowheelbuilder.com — you will be talking to the people who build the wheels.
