Noisy carbon bikes

[Alan O]

An organized ride last weekend was the first time I've come into contact with modern carbon road bikes in any number, actually out on the road - and I was amazed by how noisy some of them are.

Whereas my old steel bikes are practically silent, some of these were making really loud sort of whirring noises, whooshing noises, ratchety noises... can't think how best to describe them.

So I'm wondering is it the freehubs, bottom brackets, wheel bearings, or what? And why are they making them so noisy when the art of making them quiet was cracked decades ago?

 

[mark st1]

It's a noise fit for the gods. Love it

 

[Welsh wheels]

Probably the freehubs

 

[derrick]

Deep section heels.

 

[jarlrmai]

Freehub and also carbon deep sections make a lovely road noise. Other wise my carbon bike is very quiet.

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I'm interested too. Can't say I like the noise. For now I'll tolerate it as I'd prefer people to be out on bikes. Steel is real.

That said I rode for 155 kms with a guy who had a Eddy merckx which was beautifully quiet. Lovely bike.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Carbon is a very stiff material and will transmit noise whereas steel will absorb it.

 

[AndyRM]

Campag freehubs click when you're not pedalling.

 

[Drago]

Carbon is a very stiff material and will transmit noise whereas steel will absorb it.

But carbon can't be stiff - its compliant and absorbs road buzz. Que confusing!

 

[Markymark]

If you listen carefully you can hear the sound of my smugness on mine.

 

[Dec66]

If you listen carefully you can hear the sound of my smugness on mine.

Until you reach a slight hill, when it's replaced by asthmatic wheezing, and more puffing and panting than The Mallard.

 

[Spiderweb]

My carbon bike is silent but I do hear the noise you describe with many aero type carbon bikes i.e. Giant Propel.
It is not the noise from a freehub the rider will be pedalling and usually overtaking me.

 

[Bollo]

Mine makes a slight fizzing sound in rain. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[Bryony]

My partner has just been given some carbon wheels that he has now put on his ally road bike and the wheels are quite noisy especially the clicking while he's not pedaling.

 

[Alan O]

Interesting, thanks. I hadn't thought about stiff carbon tubes acting like sound boxes, but I can see that.

Good point about freehubs too - the noisy bikes I heard were overtaking me and not coasting.