Get one!! For a beginners hub right up to being pro, i think it's safe to say that everyone, at some point in their trials life, has had one...or 2....or 3 I've had mine for a year and a half now, and the only thing that needed fixing on it, was a spring, which i would recommend upgrading, later on in it's life. I love mine, despite it skipping a few times, it has been an all round perfect investment, and for only £75, it's a bargain And about the flanges, I've had absolutly no troubles with mine and the hub runs like it were new, super smooth If you do go for one, buy the steel hub one, yeah it's slightly heavier, but it'll last longer too.......and it's cheaper If you have that spare bit of cash, go ahead and buy the pro II trials hub, from what i've heard they are pretty amazing, despite a tiny few mishaps. The only difference i know of between the mono and the XC, is that the XC is disc compatible. All the insides are the same. Correct me if i'm wrong Hope this helps Ben