Feeling inadequate

[stalagmike]

My freehub isn’t very clicky. When I am out on a ride and some guy comes the other way their freehubs are always super-clicky. Mine can only manage a pathetic spinny burring noise, barely clicking at all.

Is there a place I can go for support? Do Wellman sell something that might help?

 

[Moon bunny]

How about a lollipop stick tie wrapped to your forks or stays so that it rattles against your spokes

 

[wafter]

I think captain conspicuous-clicky-consumption is the one who needs support.. revel in the peace afforded by your understated hub

 

[Cycleops]

I wouldn't be seen dead drunk on a footpath with a bike that has a loud click hub. Thank yourself lucky.

 

[EltonFrog]

Embrace the Click. Everyone should have a Click in their life.

 

[DogmaStu]

Higher quality hubs are generally 'louder' than cheap ones. 'Louder' because the pitch is greater. This is because they have a greater number of spring-loaded pawls engaging the main hub. More pawls, more engagement points - this means quicker engagement from coasting to pedalling.

Campagnolo are 'noisy' - certainly the Super Record, C-Record of yore I used to have.

My current Dura Ace hubs are my 'quietest' pitch-wise, Hunt ceramic my 'loudest' and Zipp's somewhere in-between.

Cheaper hubs are fine, just slower to engage and generally lesser quality but, yes, also quieter if well-maintained due to their fewer pawls. Commuter bikes typically have hubs with fewer pawls; less of a need for fast engagement under intense load. My 'fixie' had super-quiet hubs; rubbish though, performance-wise.

Naturally, any hub not maintained properly will make a genuinely loud noise but this is somewhat different to the noise produced by good quality hubs where it is a matter of pitch rather than grating noise.

 

[All uphill]

I try to be non-judgemental, respecting differences and generally embracing a live-and-let-live philosophy.

Despite this I have an involuntary reaction to the sound of a clicky hub.
The word "Ar*e!" just pops out of my mouth.

 

[Specialeyes]

A few years ago you could have got support at your local branch of Freehub Hardly & Willies, but they shut down and went online-only.😂

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I was going to formulate an answer then I realised this is just click-bait.

 

[Punkawallah]

I was going to formulate an answer then I realised this is just click-bait.

Bravo. Bravo.

 

[Drago]

Fear not! Unlcle Drago, pil,ar of wisdom, is here!

Attach an empty biscuit tin to your handlebars, and within place a sex toy from Mrs Mike's special drawer. Set it to slow so the vibration is more of a low throbbing tick, and fit the lid.

You'll be amazed how even the skinniest roadies with the noisiest Hope and DTswiss hubs give a knowing and respectful nod as you trundle past on your Raleigh Wayfarer.

 

[markemark]

This forum is for proper cyclists so I suggest you find an amateur cycling forum where you can talk about bells, stabilisers and your quiet hub.

 

[a.twiddler]

Come to think of it, coming to the end of my last ride, almost silently approaching a T junction deep in the countryside, with my improper cyclist's SRAM Dual Drive ticking faintly I heard a raucous noise approaching from my right, and I wondered for a moment what it was before a sporty cyclist rasped past. I had a good look before pulling out on the basis that it's the one you don't hear that gets you, and they seldom travel alone.

 

[wafter]

How about a lollipop stick tie wrapped to your forks or stays so that it rattles against your spokes

Make it out of "carbon" and you'll have a guaranteed best seller


It surprises me that nobody has yet done any efficiency tests on overly loud hubs; the energy to create the noise in question has to come from somewhere of course.

I suspect there's a fair overlap between those prepared to spend silly money on loud hubs, and those prepared to pay silly money for *alleged* marginal gains. What happens when these things become diametrically opposed; mutually exclusive? Can the typical posh road helmet contain the result of its wearer's head exploding?

 

[SWMc]

cut up cornflakes box and a clothes peg on the seat stays