With the release of the Profile Elite Freewheel late last year, the writing was on the wall, it was only a matter of time before Profile would come up with a Freewheel hub. The thing I really like about this hub is you can build it into a wheel for a frame with 15mm dropout, and if you change frame to something with a 10mm dropout you just need to change the axle, not the whole wheel (and obviously you can also go the other way around, from 10mm to 15mm). There are few hubs around with that flexibility.

Since the Nomad hub can be purchased individually it can be matched up with your existing front hub with a large range of colours, or you can pair it up with a new Profile Elite front hub in 20, 15 or 10mm to match your bike set up.

There isn’t whole lot of information about the hub right now, so I assume the Nomad hub is made to only fit 16 tooth freewheels and larger, it’s a limitation that appears to be set by the 15mm axle option. This isn’t a show stopper though, you are likely to be pairing your Nomad hub with a Profile Elite Freewheel (although others can be used) which is currently only available in 16-18 tooth, being the most popular sizes. Generally 16 tooth being the more traditional size, 17 tooth being used more for larger hills and 18 tooth being used by cruiser racers.

The Profile Nomad Freewheel hub is set to be released any day now.

Features

• Available in either 3/8 or 15mm (like the Profile 15/20 Cassette Hubs, inserts are available to convert an existing 15mm to 3/8, however, in order to convert an existing 3/8 to 15mm, you would need a complete axle conversion kit).
• 36 hole only.
• Available in Polished, Black, Blue, Red, Gold, Green, Purple, and Aqua.
• Freewheel Not Included.
• Sold as a rear hub only.
• 3/8 comes standard with volcano cones, but upgrades (at no charge) are available for CrMo button head and 17mm hex bolts.

Check Profile Racing (www.profileracing.com) for more information on the Profile product range. Profile Racing products are distributed across Australia by Elite Cycle Imports (www.eciimports.com).