Freehub Noise, Loud or Silent?
03-28-18, 08:48 AM
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Freehub Noise, Loud or Silent?
Which hub sound do you prefer while freewheeling? Stealth silent, air raid siren whine or something in between?
03-28-18, 08:55 AM
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Like the angry swarm of bees sound of my Chris King hubs. Not really loud. Certainly not obnoxiously so, which I don't like. Perfect happy medium.
03-28-18, 08:57 AM
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I have a wheelset waiting to be built (one of these days) around a Hope Pro 4 rear hub. While it's not the loudest, most annoying hub on the planet (hello DT Swiss!) it's not silent either. I may regret my decision... not sure. I like a silent hub, but I also like the idea that when I stop pedaling behind a cluster of absent minded path blockers, they'll hear the hub buzz and respond accordingly. Wishful thinking, yes?
-Kedosto
-Kedosto
03-28-18, 09:20 AM
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03-28-18, 10:55 AM
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Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Shimano CB-E110. 100% silent. Full stealth mode.
03-28-18, 11:20 AM
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Three 'Velocity' rear hubs on the bikes I ride. The tandem hub is made by Chosen and can be heard. Not sure who made the other two hubs but one is a little bit noisy (which I like) and the other is pretty much silent.
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03-28-18, 11:26 AM
#8
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Reminds me when I was on a t shirt ride with my wife. We were at a rest stop when I complimented a guys bike. He said thanks and then spun the rear wheel and it was loud. He said that's how you know when you have a good wheel. He said the hubs were chris king and very expensive. I rode off on my 30 year old bike with 30 year old Dura Ace freewheel and hubs, smooth and quiet. Meanwhile at home I had a 50 dollar set of wheels that tick loudly, they're fun too.
03-28-18, 11:33 AM
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Clark W. Griswold
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My touring bike has a Paul Hub with a I9 Freehub with a nice loud sound...I like it because it does bring some attention to my sweet ride and frequently has gotten people to ask if my bike is ok. Though in all seriousness I actually like it for the engagement, it is quick and just feels nice. Also my two White Industries freewheels (like on a single speed) make a nice noise so I guess I would prefer a little noise.
However my White Industries hub on my ti road bike is pretty quiet but so far haven't felt a need to swap it out for something else that is louder.
However my White Industries hub on my ti road bike is pretty quiet but so far haven't felt a need to swap it out for something else that is louder.
03-28-18, 11:42 AM
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I'm sorry, to me, loud hubs just sound cheap. Completely old-school here. I loved my SunTour freewheels. Quiet new. Almost completely silent later. (You could hold it in you hand and spin it and barely hear it.)
Ben
Ben
03-28-18, 11:53 AM
#11
Banned
Freehubs for police bikes have been built with silent freewheel drivers, to sneak up on suspect-citizens from behind..
03-28-18, 12:37 PM
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When I was racing, I loved my Shimano freehubs for their silence. Made it easier to steal a draft from another rider.
I once borrowed a bike with Phil Wood hubs. God, they were gorgeous, but it sounded like I was being chased by a swarm of angry bees.
I once borrowed a bike with Phil Wood hubs. God, they were gorgeous, but it sounded like I was being chased by a swarm of angry bees.
03-28-18, 01:14 PM
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Silent, or light ticking. My 1997 Nishiki Blazer mountin bike used to click loudly until I repacked the bearings....Now it's silent. (Don;t know what I did) My 2015 Charge Plug commuter is silent. My 1984 Nishiki International clicks lightly...I kinda like it.
03-28-18, 02:03 PM
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I can always tell when a Cervelo is about to pass me at charity rides, that is for sure, so I guess loud?
03-28-18, 02:38 PM
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Louder than hell, quite a buzzzzy sound. I like 'em loud simply because the aspergery rear view mirror helmet guy is so vocal in his dislike of them.
Last edited by aplcr0331; 03-28-18 at 02:46 PM.
03-28-18, 05:46 PM
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My Campagnolo Vento freehub is pretty loud, but not obnoxiously so. I like it. Kind of an audible reminder to quit being lazy and keep pedaling.
My other wheels are generally pretty quiet. I like them, too.
My other wheels are generally pretty quiet. I like them, too.
03-28-18, 06:46 PM
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Clark W. Griswold
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No, works like a charm! I have some DT Swiss 350 hubs and I upgraded the ratchet to the 54 tooth ones and people hear me from well behind when on the MUP. All the joggers with headphones blasting Destiny's Child "I'm a Survivor" or Britney Spears "Work *****" don't hear me, but they wouldn't hear "On Your Left" either. Give 'em (and yourself) lots of room.
Louder than hell, quite a buzzzzy sound. I like 'em loud simply because the aspergery rear view mirror helmet guy is so vocal in his dislike of them.
Louder than hell, quite a buzzzzy sound. I like 'em loud simply because the aspergery rear view mirror helmet guy is so vocal in his dislike of them.
Secret that I have told nobody and keep it between you and me but I do love Destiny's Child "I'm a Survivor"!
03-28-18, 06:49 PM
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All my bikes are silent. I passed a guy on a newish Colnago today..nice looking bike, but it sounded like a threshing machine. I wouldn't own a loud bike..drives me batty. Though I realize other folks mileage varies..
03-28-18, 07:26 PM
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I ride an IGH. The only sounds my bike makes are with its tires on the road and the little clicks when I change gears.
03-28-18, 07:39 PM
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Two of my fixed gear bikes have the White Industries SS FW on the flip side of the hub. Moderately loud, clean buzzing sound that I enjoy. But I seldom use them since I prefer riding the fixed side.
My road bike has a Novatec D712SB hub and it's even louder than the White Industries FW. I like the sound but find I don't spend much time coasting on my rides.
My mountain bike is dead silent, and I like that when I'm out in nature. I also find there's much more coasting while riding tight, twisty, hilly trails than there is on the road. I'd probably get tired of the noise.
My road bike has a Novatec D712SB hub and it's even louder than the White Industries FW. I like the sound but find I don't spend much time coasting on my rides.
My mountain bike is dead silent, and I like that when I'm out in nature. I also find there's much more coasting while riding tight, twisty, hilly trails than there is on the road. I'd probably get tired of the noise.
03-28-18, 07:45 PM
#22
TeeOhPea 2tha DeeOhGee
I like a little noise. Suggests to fellow riders up front I'm stalling and chomping at bit. Same for pedestrians or anyone in the way. A little tic is a good think to me.
03-28-18, 08:00 PM
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03-28-18, 11:18 PM
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