You guys recently announced the details about your new Totem hub. What was the reason for bringing a new hub into the line?
For years we’ve gotten plenty of inquiries regarding a smooth, more stream lined Profile hub design. The Totem hub is our interpretation of that. And since the existing Profile Mini’s have become a staple in our catalogue of parts, the totem will be an additional line and not a substitute.
Just to clarify one more time… You won’t be replacing the Mini hub right?
Definitely not. The Totem hubs are an additional line.
Let’s get a brief history lesson. When was the Mini hub introduced? Have there been any changes to the hub since it’s conception? Approximately how many have been made?
The mini hub was introduced solely as a race hub for little kids in 2000. For years, you would only see it on younger kids bikes at the track. Then, one day when we were building hubs, we threw in 14mm axles in rear minis (3/8 and 14mm are the same length in this hub) and proceeded to give it a good testing over time. The freestyle version of the mini hub just kind of happened by accident really.
Changes? Over 10 years there have been a minimal amount: The shoulder on the axle has gotten a bit larger (to better support the hub bearing) and the drivers have been modified to become universal (rhd and lhd compatible).
How many? A lot.
When will the Totem hub be available? Is there still testing to be done?
We’re looking at the beginning of December. Considering the internals and flange heights of both the mini and the totem hubs are exactly the same, not much needs to be tested.
Alright, so lets compare the hubs. What is the weight on the Mini, and what will the weight be on the Totem?
This is what I’ve attained from our little shop scale:
Totem Rear: 3.0 oz/ 86g
Totem Front: 2.4 oz/ 66g
Mini Rear: 3.1 oz/ 88g
Mini Front: 2.9 oz/ 84g
Will there be a new driver system in the Totem hub at all? Care to explain the driver system at all and why it is different than lets say an Odyssey or Shadow hub?
No. All the internals will be universal for both hubs. Totem’s will have the exact same driver system.
I’m not sure what makes the Profile drive system different, but I do know that we use 4 cartridge bearings, S-7 tool steel pawls and Berrylium copper springs (which hold their shape and offer better tension so there is less ware).
Will the Totem hub be available in 36 and 28 spokes like the Mini? Why not 48 spokes?
The Totems, for now, will be available in 36 hole only. 28 could be an option down the road–possibly in black. Other than black, we plan on switching out the alternative colors pretty often so to do them in 28 might be difficult considering the niche is a small one. I’m surprised more riders have not switched to 28—I’ve been beating on one in the front for years now. Hell, I’m still riding a brown set—a color that we discontinued years ago.
48 is such a small niche. We still have high flange hubs available in 48. So, on the minis and totems, probably not.
I know the hubs are sealed but is there anything special about the bearings inside?
We use Enduro bearings with proprietary grease that extends bearing life–Nothing out of the ordinary. We have tested ceramic bearings in the past with minimal success. That was a bummer considering the bearings were really, really expensive.
The Totem hub will come with “Volcano Washers”. What’s that, and is that something you could use on a Mini hub also?
Volcano washers are the new standard washer that actually covers the mini 3/8 male bolt. Both Minis and Totem hubs have these as a nice aesthetic touch. The totem hubs (considering we’re only doing two colors at a time and can control the amounts anodized) will have matching colored volcano cones (black and gun metal silver respectively). We can’t do eleven different colored cones, so mini hubs will continue to come with polished cones.
The color options on the Totem are pretty limited compared to the endless color schemes for the Mini. Will that change over time or just the gun metal and black for life?
Black will remain a permanent option. Gun Metal Silver will more than likely get switched out in the future. We’ll just have to see what happens….We definitely have some ideas for alternative colors though.
Let’s say a rider is comparing the hubs. I’d imagine there will be a bit of a price difference due to the extra machining that goes into the Totem hub, but is there really a huge difference besides the shell, and volcano bolts from the Mini hub?
Believe it or not, the Totem hubs are more expensive to produce than the minis. Polishing and anodizing of parts adds up especially when you’ve got all those extra cones to do on the Totems. Once the Totems come back from the anodizer, they are thrown back into the machine to get engraved with the Profile logo. That takes plenty of time and man-power. So, overall, even though the mini hubs are more aesthetically detailed (and take longer to machine), the totem’s finish (polish, anodize, and engraving) makes them a little bit more expensive—but not much more.
What kind of warranty is offered for the Mini and Totem? Who should people contact if they have an issue with the hubs? What kind of turn around time can a rider expect?
All Profile hubs have a “crash replacement warranty.” This means that if your hub gets damaged, you can send it into Profile for a low cost rebuild. Prices will vary depending on what needs to be fixed/replaced.
You can contact info@profileracing.com for any inquiries regarding crash replacement.
And turn around time is usually a couple days on our end.
Let’s say somebody has a warranty issue with their Mini, could they upgrade to the Totem for the cost difference at all?
Unfortunately, we have to stick with what you had originally. Minis with Minis and Totems with Totems.
What are the retail prices for the Mini and Totem?
The Totem retail will be right around the same price as the Mini hubs. We will not know exact price until all Totem pieces come back from the anodizer. Hopefully we will have an exact price in about three weeks. Mini’s go for about $104 (front) and $189 (back) online.
What is next for Profile?
It seems like we’re belting out new stuff every month. We’ll have new aftermarket titanium “button head” bolts and rear hub guards (adaptable to Profile Mini and Totem hubs as well as Madera V-2) out within the next couple days. Please keep an eye on our website—new stuff seems to pop up pretty regularly.
Thanks for the Interview Kurt! And thanks to everyone for the support!
