The Colony Wasp Cassette hub is one of those BMX parts you usually hear before you notice anything else.
That sound is wild.
Loud, sharp, and unmistakably cassette.
But the Wasp was never built just to make noise.
Colony originally developed it around fast rolling, immediate engagement, and a louder cassette mechanism.
That combo is a big reason the hub has stuck around for so long.
You get a proper setup with a female chromoly axle, RHD and LHD options, sealed internals, and support for replacement parts and upgrades if you want to keep the hub going for years.
Colony even offers things like pawl springs, bearings, drivers, axles, and a male axle conversion kit.
And yes, the sound matters!
I already included the Wasp in my BMX hub sound roundup for a reason.
Still, this review is about more than the BUZZ.
I want to look at how the Wasp actually performs, how quick the engagement feels, how well it works for pegs and grinding, and whether it is still worth buying if you care about more than just the epic sound.
This post covers:
- Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Review
- My Favorite Colony Wasp Hub Features
- Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Specs, Weight & Price
- How Does The Colony Wasp Engagement Work?
- What Does The Colony Wasp Hub Sound Like?
- Is The Colony Wasp Actually Fast-Rolling?
- Female Axle Vs Male Axle Upgrade
- Is The Colony Wasp Good For Pegs & Grinding?
- What Actual Riders Say About The Colony Wasp
- Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Pros
- Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Cons
- Conclusion: Is The Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Worth It?
- FAQs About The Colony Wasp Cassette Hub
Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Review
1. My Favorite Colony Wasp Hub Features
- 72 points of direct engagement: This is the big one. Colony gives the Wasp 72 engagement points, which helps deliver quick power when you get back on the pedals.
- 6-pawl driver system: 6-pawl setup, with three teeth on each pawl. That is what helps create the Wasp’s near-instant engagement and, yes, that angry cassette buzz.
- Fast-rolling sealed bearings: Colony specifically designed the Wasp to roll fast, and the hub uses high-performance sealed bearings throughout. That also keeps dirt and grime away from the internals.
- 14mm female chromoly axle: The special axle design protrudes 3mm into the dropouts, while hardened chromoly bolts hold everything together.
- RHD and LHD options: Whether you run right-hand or left-hand drive, Colony has you covered.
- Non-drive-side hub guard included: You get some protection for the shell and spokes without buying another part right away.
- Male axle conversion available: Prefer a traditional 14mm male axle? Colony sells a conversion kit separately.
- Replacement parts are available: Axles, bolts, drivers, pawls, springs, and other service parts are available separately.
If you want a matching setup, I also reviewed the Colony Wasp front hub in detail.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!2. Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Specs, Weight & Price
- Hub shell: 6061-T6 aluminum
- Axle: 14mm hollow chromoly female axle
- Axle bolts: Female 3/8″ x 24 TPI
- Axle bolt head: 17mm
- Driver: 9T one-piece chromoly
- Engagement: 72 points
- Pawl system: 6 pawls, with 3 teeth per pawl
- Driver bearings: 3 sealed bearings
- Hub shell bearings: Sealed cartridge bearings
- Drive side: RHD or LHD
- Spoke holes: 36H
- Spoke type: J-bend
- Drive-side flange diameter: 58mm
- Non-drive-side flange diameter: 49mm
- Hub guard: Non-drive-side guard included
- Male axle conversion: Available separately
- Weight: 16.5 oz (467.8 g)
- Price: $174.99
3. How Does The Colony Wasp Engagement Work?
The Colony Wasp uses 72 points of direct engagement.
That’s one of the main reasons this BMX cassette hub feels so sharp when you get back on the pedals.
In simple terms, engagement is the tiny amount of crank movement you get before the hub actually grabs and drives the rear wheel.
Less delay = quicker response.
That matters when you are pedaling out of a trick, correcting speed before a hop, or getting on the cranks hard after a manual or landing.
The Wasp is built to react fast, not give you that vague, lazy feeling some cassettes have. (But there’s nothing wrong with that – some riders actually prefer the “laziness.”)
Moreover, the 9T driver works with the hub’s pawl system to create that quick pickup, and because the engagement points are spread closely around the driver, you don’t have to rotate the cranks far before power transfers to the wheel.
And this is also part of what gives the hub its famous sound.
More frequent engagement points mean more pawl contact happening as the hub spins freely, which helps create that rapid buzzing note riders associate with the Wasp.
So the engagement is not just a cool spec on paper.
It gives the hub two of its biggest personality traits: Fast pickup and that unmistakable noise.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!4. What Does The Colony Wasp Hub Sound Like?
Loud.
The Colony Wasp cassette hub has one of those sounds you can pick out pretty quickly once you have heard it a few times.
It has a fast, sharp buzz rather than a slow click-click-click, which fits the hub’s high-engagement setup perfectly.
That sound comes from the cassette mechanism itself.
As the wheel spins and you are not pedaling, the pawls keep moving across the engagement points inside the hub, creating that rapid buzz the Wasp is known for.
It is not subtle.
And that is exactly why some riders love it.
Still, I would not buy the Wasp only because it is loud.
The sound is fun, sure.
But the real value is that noise paired with quick engagement, sealed bearings, a strong axle setup, and a hub built to be serviced instead of thrown away.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!5. Is The Colony Wasp Actually Fast-Rolling?
Yes, Colony has always pushed the Wasp as a fast-rolling cassette hub, and the hardware backs that up.
The hub runs on sealed cartridge bearings, including three sealed bearings in the 9T driver.
Colony specifically describes the Wasp as being designed for low drag and quick acceleration. And from what I saw firsthand, they’re totally right!
However, I would keep expectations realistic.
A rear BMX hub won’t magically make your bike fast on its own.
Other factors also affect your bike’s speed, like tire pressure.
What the Wasp does give you is a setup that feels smooth when coasting and very quick when you get back on the pedals.
And that combination is what makes it interesting.
Fast rolling.
Fast engagement.
No dead feeling between the two.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!6. Female Axle Vs Male Axle Upgrade
The Colony Wasp cassette hub comes standard with a female axle, and honestly, that is part of what makes the hub interesting.
And the female system works perfectly fine for riders with and without pegs.
So why would you ever switch to a male axle?
Mostly preference.
Some riders simply trust a traditional 14mm male axle more, especially if they are used to running pegs and grinding hard.
Colony knows that too, which is why it sells a 14mm male axle upgrade kit separately for the Wasp.
I’d break it down like this:
- Stick with the female axle if you want the stock setup, cleaner axle ends, and no reason to change what already works.
- Go male axle if you strongly prefer a traditional 14mm axle or just want that extra bit of familiarity under heavy peg use.
- Already happy with female hubs? Leave it alone. No need to “upgrade” just because the option exists.
The male axle kit isn’t a mandatory performance upgrade.
It is more of a setup preference.
And I like that Colony gives you the choice instead of locking you into one axle style forever.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!7. Is The Colony Wasp Good For Pegs & Grinding?
Yes, the Colony Wasp is a very street-friendly cassette hub.
You also get a non-drive-side hub guard included, which helps protect the hub shell and spokes when you start sliding ledges or rails.
Nice.
Sure, the drive-side one would be a sweet extra, but you can get it separately.
The Wasp gives grind-heavy riders a lot of flexibility:
- Female axle stock setup
- Peg-friendly design
- Non-drive-side hub guard included
- Male axle conversion available
- RHD and LHD options
That last point matters if you grind heavily on one side.
A rider who grinds mostly on the right may prefer an LHD setup to keep the driver and chain further away from the abuse, while left-side grinders may prefer RHD.
So yes, the Wasp is definitely a solid choice for pegs and grinding.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!8. What Actual Riders Say About The Colony Wasp
- The sound is a huge part of the appeal. Multiple riders describe the Wasp as very loud, distinctive, and one of the main reasons they like it. One Reddit owner summed it up pretty well: “Mine is solid! But does sound like a wasp! Very loud.”
- Long-term reliability gets a lot of praise. One rider said they bought theirs used and it was still going strong after a few years. Another reported running a female-axle Wasp for around four years on street with steel pegs without major issues. A separate owner said they had used theirs for six years or more without replacing bearings.
- Engagement feels quick and smooth. Owners specifically mention the hub feeling responsive when they get back on the pedals. One retailer reviewer called out both the smooth rolling and strong engagement, while another Reddit owner described it as smooth with quick pickup.
- Street riders seem to have good experiences with it, but setup matters. Some riders use the female axle with pegs successfully, but one discussion about bent bolts showed how important the correct peg adapters and wheel position are. That is more of a setup lesson than proof that the hub itself is weak.
- Replacement parts are a real strength. Australian riders especially mention that Wasp spares are easy to find and relatively affordable. (Hint: Colony is a brand from Australia.)
- Not everyone loves the noise. This is worth saying because the Wasp is not subtle. Some riders love the angry buzz; others find loud cassette hubs annoying over time. One Reddit rider even joked that a friend’s Wasp drove them crazy enough to want the chain removed just to shut it up.
- The hub has a strong reputation as a dependable cassette. In general cassette-hub discussions, riders repeatedly describe the Wasp as reliable, reasonably priced, and worth recommending. It also comes up as a solid alternative when people specifically want to move back from a freecoaster to a cassette.
9. Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Pros
- Fast 72-point engagement: The Wasp responds quickly.
- Distinctive loud cassette sound: This is one of the hub’s signature traits. If you like an aggressive buzz, the Wasp absolutely delivers.
- 6-pawl driver system: The multi-pawl setup helps create that sharp engagement and rapid sound.
- Good for pegs use: The hub fully supports peg use with the stock female axle setup, and the included non-drive-side hub guard adds useful protection.
- RHD and LHD options: Helpful for riders who want to keep the drivetrain away from their dominant grinding side.
- Male axle conversion available: Nice if you like the hub but prefer a traditional 14mm male axle.
- Excellent spare-parts support: Drivers, bearings, pawls, springs, axles, bolts, and other service parts are available separately.
10. Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Cons
- It is loud: That is a selling point for some riders, but definitely not everyone.
- Female axle may not suit everyone: The stock setup works well, but some riders simply prefer a traditional 14mm male axle.
- Non-drive-side guard only: The included hub guard is useful, but including the drive-side hub guard would be a solid extra!
- The sound can change with grease and maintenance: If you are buying it mainly for that aggressive buzz, keep in mind that lubrication and internal condition can affect how loud it sounds.
Conclusion: Is The Colony Wasp Cassette Hub Worth It?
Yes, if you want a fast-engaging cassette hub with plenty of personality.
The sound is obviously part of the appeal.
It is loud, sharp, and instantly recognizable.
But that is not the only reason to buy it.
The Wasp also gives you 72-point engagement, a 9T chromoly driver, sealed bearings, a 14mm chromoly female axle, RHD and LHD options, an included hub guard, and strong replacement-parts support.
I also like how street-friendly the whole setup is.
Pegs? No problem.
Want a male axle later? Colony gives you that option too.
If you know you want a cassette and you like quick engagement, long-term serviceability, and that signature Wasp buzz, then yes, it is worth the money.
More than just sound?
Definitely.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!FAQs About The Colony Wasp Cassette Hub
Is the Colony Wasp hub loud?
Yes. The Wasp is known for a very loud, sharp cassette buzz, and that sound is one of the main reasons riders notice it.
Why is the Colony Wasp so loud?
The sound comes from the hub’s high-engagement cassette mechanism. Its 72 engagement points and multi-pawl setup create that rapid buzzing noise while coasting.
How many engagement points does the Colony Wasp have?
The Wasp uses 72 points of engagement.
How many pawls does the Colony Wasp use?
The Wasp uses a 6-pawl system.
Is the Colony Wasp RHD or LHD?
Both. Colony offers the Wasp in right-hand drive and left-hand drive versions.
Does the Colony Wasp come with a hub guard?
Yes. A non-drive-side hub guard is included.
Is the Colony Wasp good for pegs?
Yes. The stock female axle setup works well with pegs.
Does the Colony Wasp hub use sealed bearings?
Yes. The hub uses sealed cartridge bearings, including three sealed bearings in the driver.
Can you convert the Colony Wasp to a male axle?
Yes. Colony sells a 14mm male axle conversion kit separately.
What driver does the Colony Wasp use?
It uses a 9T one-piece chromoly driver.
How much does the Colony Wasp weigh?
The Wasp weighs around 16.5 oz (467.8 g).
Is the Colony Wasp a freecoaster?
No. The Wasp is a traditional cassette hub, so you still need to backpedal when riding fakie.
GET YOUR COLONY WASP CASSETTE HUB NOW!
