Why are higher-end freewheels (cassettes) so much louder when coasting?
#51
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not necessarily - an old friend who used to race told me that he would listen for gear changes when the terrain or pace didn’t warrant one, since it usually signaled that the guy behind was either tiring (maybe time to attack) or preparing to make a move (time to watch for an attack). Any time you can avoid giving your opponents free information is good
This modern stuff. Tell the whole world! I don't get it.
Ben
Last edited by 79pmooney; 07-31-20 at 10:56 AM. Reason: typo
#52
#53
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On one of my first brevets, which would have been ten years ago, a guy in the group had a loud hub combined with a tendency to pedal/coast, pedal/coast. Either of those alone is no biggie, but combined... I didn't know what the story was, didn't care, just had no interest in hearing that for the next 20 hours..
#54
Senior Member
On one of my first brevets, which would have been ten years ago, a guy in the group had a loud hub combined with a tendency to pedal/coast, pedal/coast. Either of those alone is no biggie, but combined... I didn't know what the story was, didn't care, just had no interest in hearing that for the next 20 hours.
That would be the bicycling equivalent of the neighbor who mows his grass by shutting off the lawnmower and then re-starting it every 45 seconds. By the time he eventually finishes, I'm exhausted by the tedious noise!
#55
Senior Member
I guess it boils down to what's your definition of "high end". I'm surprised how quiet the Campy rear hub laced to the Hyperons compared to the 8 sp hubs that were laced to Shimals 15 years or so, ago.
#56
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Lots of hubs used to be quiet, especially Shimano. That's a thing of the past though. I still have a set of Open Pros laced to Dura-Ace 7800 era hubs with a 10 sp freehub, and I'd have to put my ear to it to hear a thing. A bit of a clunker by today's standards though.
#57
I just did a super non-scientific test using a dB meter on my phone. Spun up the pedals and let it spin and saw the max dB on the app. This was inside my garage so louder than outside.
Chris King R45CLD -$$$
78 dB (around the same volume as an alarm clock) It only got this loud for a very brief moment while it was spinning. Kind of like a reverberating frequency.
Hope Pro4 disc- $$
88 dB (about the same as a power tool)
Stock Giant el cheapo hubs- $:
76 dB
I don’t think it’s a price thing, it’s an engineering/design thing.
Chris King R45CLD -$$$
78 dB (around the same volume as an alarm clock) It only got this loud for a very brief moment while it was spinning. Kind of like a reverberating frequency.
Hope Pro4 disc- $$
88 dB (about the same as a power tool)
Stock Giant el cheapo hubs- $:
76 dB
I don’t think it’s a price thing, it’s an engineering/design thing.
#58
Member
Onyx hubs plus an a bell by Osaka for the win.
Bikes should be quiet. No electric car can sneak up on you with this combo.
Here’s a decent video demonstrating the silence, low rolling resistance and instant engagement of Onyx’s sprag clutch design:
Bikes should be quiet. No electric car can sneak up on you with this combo.
Here’s a decent video demonstrating the silence, low rolling resistance and instant engagement of Onyx’s sprag clutch design:
#60
padawan
Some high end hubs like White Industries and Chris King are loud and some aren't.It's personal preference. I like the loud because it lets people know I'm behind them and I just like the sound of it.
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#62
Member
This is the more modern equivalent of what we used to do to our old Regina Oro freewheels in the 70's, we used Sturmey Archer 3 spd. oil and just dripped it in around the edges. Quieted right up.
#63
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I am not seeing it.
Back in the FW days, my Suntour Winners were pretty quiet. Much more so than the Maeda 888 versions or the golden colored ones. My Malliard FW were pretty quiet and also had dust seals, so maybe that helped.
All of my Shimano cassette hubs are quiet. My Tiagra is relative quiet, and the 105 and Ultegra are each incrementally quieter.
Back in the FW days, my Suntour Winners were pretty quiet. Much more so than the Maeda 888 versions or the golden colored ones. My Malliard FW were pretty quiet and also had dust seals, so maybe that helped.
All of my Shimano cassette hubs are quiet. My Tiagra is relative quiet, and the 105 and Ultegra are each incrementally quieter.
#64
Really, people want a noisy freewheel to warn pedestrians? Why not just stick a playing card on the frame to ping against the spokes full time!
freewheel on my ride, helicomatic, when I flushed it through with kerosene for a clean could hear it, but after soaking in 5w/30 motor oil it’s absolutely silent from the riding position.
for the wanna be racers aren’t you concerned that the noise doesn’t come for free and you have a power leak in your freewheel?. How much, I’m guessing not much, what are the lab test numbers on drag for different free wheels in coast mode?
freewheel on my ride, helicomatic, when I flushed it through with kerosene for a clean could hear it, but after soaking in 5w/30 motor oil it’s absolutely silent from the riding position.
for the wanna be racers aren’t you concerned that the noise doesn’t come for free and you have a power leak in your freewheel?. How much, I’m guessing not much, what are the lab test numbers on drag for different free wheels in coast mode?
#65
The difference in freehub drag is noticeable, but only at lower speeds(coasting before a stoplight or stop sign). When descending at 40mph+ the difference in drag is unnoticeable.
#66
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Noticeable in what way? I don't notice any drag when I'm coasting, and my hubs are kinda loud (White Industries). I tried to google any data on this, but I couldn't find any.
#67
On a White Industries hub you can't change the POE total, so you can't actually test it
#68
I just did a super non-scientific test using a dB meter on my phone. Spun up the pedals and let it spin and saw the max dB on the app. This was inside my garage so louder than outside.
Chris King R45CLD -$$$
78 dB (around the same volume as an alarm clock) It only got this loud for a very brief moment while it was spinning. Kind of like a reverberating frequency.
Hope Pro4 disc- $$
88 dB (about the same as a power tool)
Stock Giant el cheapo hubs- $:
76 dB
I don’t think it’s a price thing, it’s an engineering/design thing.
Chris King R45CLD -$$$
78 dB (around the same volume as an alarm clock) It only got this loud for a very brief moment while it was spinning. Kind of like a reverberating frequency.
Hope Pro4 disc- $$
88 dB (about the same as a power tool)
Stock Giant el cheapo hubs- $:
76 dB
I don’t think it’s a price thing, it’s an engineering/design thing.
#69
#70
#71
I didn't ask for it but my freehub also makes a beautiful noise. Its not angry Bee, its more like Crickets or Japanese Cicadas chorusing (but not so high pitched shrill) and I love it. I also like the freehub sound from fellow cyclists.
On the road, there are lot more worrisome and noisy adversaries like trucks, cars, dangerous suvs, tractors constantly buzzing past (in both directions!) than a fellow cyclist coasting and creating music via freehub. Can't believe people get annoyed by such silly things.
C'mon guys, road cycling is not an exclusive activity for only watt worshipers.
On the road, there are lot more worrisome and noisy adversaries like trucks, cars, dangerous suvs, tractors constantly buzzing past (in both directions!) than a fellow cyclist coasting and creating music via freehub. Can't believe people get annoyed by such silly things.
C'mon guys, road cycling is not an exclusive activity for only watt worshipers.
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