After returning from the Trek Ultimate Ride: Moab where we introduced the Scratch and Remedy to the world, I'm reminded of how skeptical mountain bikers can be to new "standards" and ideas. Regarding the 142x12 system featured on the new Scratch platform, many riders ask, "Why?"

Here's why: It's Simpler.

142x12 is a system that allows easier and quicker rear wheel removal. It is not a stiffer design. It is currently being offered by Bontrager, DT Swiss and Syntace, and you'll most likely see it across many brands in the future.

Here's a simple video to help tell the story:

Now that you understand the system, you're probably asking, "why make a new hub? why not just use the shoulder from an existing 135 hub?" The answer is that you can't.

A 135mm hub uses its entire width for properly spacing out the cassette and disc rotor. If you took the required 7mm from the 135 system, there would be interference with the drivetrain and disc. So, that's how you end up with 142.