High-end road bikes : very noisy freewheeling - why?
- Thread starter Mazz
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
My DT Swiss wheels don't clackety click any worse than my other wheels.
matticus
Guru
I'm not sure - but Shimano solved the "problem" of noisy freehubs about 40 years ago. Unless they have a tight patent leash on the solution, you have to assume that manufacturers are choosing to use other designs. Are they better than shimano's in some way? I don't know, I'm very happy with my Shimano hubs (and other quiet ones).
I do have one set of (fairly) noisy modern wheels, and after riding/racing them for several years I can honestly say I'd rather they were quieter!
Glad to hear it...or not, as the case may be...if you get my drift.
It just seems so weird that if you're buying a bike for like 3k+ , you also get to freewheel making a noise like a 1950s football rattle 😆
matticus
Guru
So you've only bought noisy wheels? Could we persuade you to try the Quiet Side ... you might like it!
EDIT: of course the other factor is that other design features amplify the noise: carbon frames and deep rims seem to be the main offenders (just based on my unscientific experience - they also amplify the sound of gear-changes). Aero-Disc rear wheels are probably the worst, but I haven't ridden much next to those!
matticus
Guru
Just out of interest:
- do you like the sound of other peoples'?
- when you're riding on a quiet hub, do/did you like the sound of other peoples'?
- if other noisy components become available, will you want those too?
figbat
Slippery scientist
- Location
- South Oxfordshire, UK
Noisy freehubs have become something of a status symbol, with owners regaling others in the volume of their hubs. My understanding of the technicalities of it are that higher-end hubs have more pawls and engagement points, which supposedly improves drive take-up and torque throughput. One of my MTBs is a bit loud but my gravel bike and road bike are near-silent.
TBH other’s peoples hubs have never bothered me. I do like the ticking sounds of all hubs. Some are nicer than others.
What other noisy components are you thinking? Clicking BB’s? I don’t like clicking BB’s.
When I ride on a quiet hub I hear others noisy hubs and wish I was on my noisy hub!
I have a good friend who has the noisiest freehub, ridiculously loud. He purposely looked for the loudest one he could find.
Its so loud that I do actually refuse to ride with him because of it.
I like quiet on my rides, not to be deafened by something akin to an angry swarm of bees.
Its so loud that I do actually refuse to ride with him because of it.
I like quiet on my rides, not to be deafened by something akin to an angry swarm of bees.
raleighnut
Legendary Member
- Location
- One of the 'Elite'
Much prefer quiet, but then I'm used to freewheels.
Similar threads
