Today, Boyd Cycling introduces a new gravity hub platform, the Sixtus MTB hub. The Sixtus replaces the brand’s Tripel hub and is claimed to be better in every way, including faster engagement, lower drag, and enhanced durability. Designed to provide near-instant 0.5-degree engagement without the drag often associated with fast engagement hubs, Boyd says “the Sixtus was engineered to stay fast when you’re off the gas.” It’s also been designed to handle the abuse of gravity-oriented riding and is e-bike rated, too.
“The Sixtus Hub is built for Chaos. We made it for riders who smash into rock gardens, land sideways, pedal through compressions, and expect their equipment to respond instantly every single time. We wanted the fastest engagement possible, and simply refused to accept the drag and harshness that usually comes with it.”
-Boyd Johnson, Chief Innovation Officer and Founder at Boyd Cycling.
Sixtus MTB Hub Details
Like the Tripel hub that came before it, the Sixtus uses a 102-tooth driver ring paired with six pawls. Unlike the Tripel hub, where all of the pawls engage simultaneously, the Sixtus has a new steel phasing ring, which staggers the pawl engagement. This phased design creates a whopping 612 points of engagement and just 0.5 degrees between those points. Boyd says, “The result is engagement ‘now’ without the excessive drag common among high-engagement hubs.”
Additionally, this steel phasing ring is claimed to result in improved load distribution and increased durability to earn its e-bike rating. Adding to that, Boyd says the Sixtus also features wider pawls, which increase surface contact between the pawls and driver ring to boost strength and durability under heavy torque.
Knowing that not all riders want 0.5-degree engagement, Boyd says it also developed a lightweight aluminum freehub body without the steel phasing ring. This optional freehub allows all of the pawls to engage simultaneously for still-pretty-quick 3-degree engagement, while also reducing weight by ~35 grams.
And because 20mm thru axles are still a thing in gravity riding, Boyd Cycling designed the front hub with versatility in mind. The Sixtus front hub can convert from 15x110mm Boost to 20x110mm DH with a simple end cap swap. On that note, the Sixtus hubs are available in Boost spacing, a 6-bolt brake rotor interface, and for use with J-bend spokes only.
Sixtus MTB Hub Specs
- 102-tooth driver ring
- 6-pawl design
- 612 points of engagement
- 0.5-degree engagement
- Steel phased pawl ring
- eBike rated
- Wider pawls for increased contact surface
- Boost spacing only
- 6-bolt rotor interface
- Front hub weight: 178g
- Rear hub weight: 380g
- Optional lightweight freehub body saving 35g, changes from 0.5 to 3-degree engagement.
- 20mm thru axle compatibility
- Shimano HG, Shimano Microspline, and SRAM XD drivers
Availability
Boyd Cycling says its new Sixtus hubs will make their debut in the refreshed Kanuga FF Alloy ($800/set) and Ridgeline Carbon Enduro ($2,000/set) wheels, which are available starting today. They also plan to incorporate them across other wheel platforms, including the Bracken Trail Alloy, through the remainder of 2026. Check them out on the Boyd Cycling website.
