Loud Bikes
07-20-23, 12:06 PM
#26
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I have no problem with loud hubs. One of the sounds of cycling (to me) is the buzz of a high-quality freehub operating properly. I have a silent hub on my MTB. It's weird to coast in silence. I was riding with a buddy, and he kept looking back to see if I was still following him because he couldn't hear me.
The noise of a worn or poorly-adjusted drivetrain is different. It's a sign of malfunction.
The noise of a worn or poorly-adjusted drivetrain is different. It's a sign of malfunction.
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07-20-23, 12:41 PM
#27
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Sup guys, do any of you feel self conscious riding a loud bicycle around other people? My road bike’s drivechain is very loud, and has gotten louder since a bikestore related mishap resulted in it having a 9 speed cassette with 8 speed shifters. I just got it evaluated by another bike store, which said the chain is stretched well beyond when it should have been replaced, and both the cassette and chainrings show enough wear that they should be replaced with the chain. Pretty much I’m looking at replacing tons of stuff on the bike if I want to fix the noise (it shifts and runs beautifully otherwise, doesn’t take many watts to make a loud noise.)
My main problem is on group rides I feel like people judge a loud bike. Last week I went on one, and someone mentioned how loud my bike was and it didn’t feel great. Part of me thinks this is classist, not everyone can afford a silent bike that doesn’t click and crunch. The chain won’t drop so I don’t think it’s a safety concern. Separately, some fancy bikes have super loud hubs, and people don’t seem embarrassed to ride those. Is the purpose of the loud hubs so you don’t coast? My bike makes more noise when I’m pedaling than when I’m coasting. I like to wear headphones when riding alone so I don’t have to listen to it, loud bikes are mildly triggering.
My main problem is on group rides I feel like people judge a loud bike. Last week I went on one, and someone mentioned how loud my bike was and it didn’t feel great. Part of me thinks this is classist, not everyone can afford a silent bike that doesn’t click and crunch. The chain won’t drop so I don’t think it’s a safety concern. Separately, some fancy bikes have super loud hubs, and people don’t seem embarrassed to ride those. Is the purpose of the loud hubs so you don’t coast? My bike makes more noise when I’m pedaling than when I’m coasting. I like to wear headphones when riding alone so I don’t have to listen to it, loud bikes are mildly triggering.
It's not a matter of being able or not to afford a quiet bicycle, it's a matter of giving your bicycle TLC every once in a while. Anyone can learn to do its own maintenance at no or very low cost. The internets are full of useful information.
07-20-23, 01:07 PM
#28
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I showed up to a group ride once with my valve stem rattling a little bit. The guy leading the ride rode up to me on the warmup and said, "Don't ever show up to my ride with a noisy bike again, put some tape on that valve stem." Since then, I've always paid way more attention
How does he manage to ride with the aero issue?
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07-20-23, 01:28 PM
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A lady in our club has a top tube mounted bag and whatever is in there slaps down hard on the top tube when she crosses a bump. Like startlingly loud, like a frame breaking might sound. I tried to warn her that it could be bad but it's her bike.
07-20-23, 01:35 PM
#31
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It turned out the flange on the handle of the Zefal frame pump was striking the top tube, and Titanium rings like a bell. I now have a bit of foam I stick between the pump and the top tube.
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07-20-23, 01:47 PM
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When I got the Litespeed, every so often when I hit a sharp bump, there'd be a sound like a bell. Then I rode over some really badly patched pavement, and it sounded like a pinball machine. That's why I named that bike "Wizard" as in Pinball Wizard.
It turned out the flange on the handle of the Zefal frame pump was striking the top tube, and Titanium rings like a bell. I now have a bit of foam I stick between the pump and the top tube.
It turned out the flange on the handle of the Zefal frame pump was striking the top tube, and Titanium rings like a bell. I now have a bit of foam I stick between the pump and the top tube.
07-20-23, 01:50 PM
#33
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Now I'm going to cruise through the rest of this thread, but don't be surprised if I close it, because as it stands now, this thread is ridiculous and does not meet Bike Forums quality standards. Capiche?
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07-20-23, 02:17 PM
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07-20-23, 02:26 PM
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I dislike loud bikes. I have a bike with a loud (to me) hub, except for 500-1000 miles after lubrication. It definitely lessens the peaceful feeling of a swoopy descent on a smooth road through the forest. BZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZ ZZZ
07-20-23, 04:21 PM
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I went to the bike shop and was told I needed a new drivechain (big rings, cassette, chain, and maybe even shifters) if I wanted to get rid of the sound. Replacing just the chain and cassette might even make it worse, according to the bike shop. The bike was bought used for $350 and I’m sure a brand new drivechain would cost at least that.
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
07-20-23, 04:52 PM
#39
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I went to the bike shop and was told I needed a new drivechain (big rings, cassette, chain, and maybe even shifters) if I wanted to get rid of the sound. Replacing just the chain and cassette might even make it worse, according to the bike shop. The bike was bought used for $350 and I’m sure a brand new drivechain would cost at least that.
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
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07-20-23, 04:52 PM
#40
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I went to the bike shop and was told I needed a new drivechain (big rings, cassette, chain, and maybe even shifters) if I wanted to get rid of the sound. Replacing just the chain and cassette might even make it worse, according to the bike shop. The bike was bought used for $350 and I’m sure a brand new drivechain would cost at least that.
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
07-20-23, 05:09 PM
#41
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07-20-23, 05:25 PM
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You are the guy who thinks it's reasonable to grub innertubes off other people. You are the guy who think it's no problem riding a wonky wheel and bad brakes.
You are calling it "classist" because people refuse to accommodate your being a snowflake.
There's a pattern here.
You spent $400 (?) on stupid wheels that are doing nothing hanging in your garage. It's not clear you couldn't have bought a $1000 bike and avoided all this silliness.
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07-20-23, 05:27 PM
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did you read my post earlier in the thread? You need probably $50 worth of parts or less. Possibly much less if you go the eBay or Alibaba route. Also, I'm not sure where you live, but some places have bicycle clinics where you can pay a few bucks to use their professional tools and workstand. In West LA, there is a place called "Bikerowave" that rents out shop use for $11/hour or $150/year. They also will help advise you on your repairs. And, because they accept donated parts, they often have very inexpensive or free replacement parts.
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07-20-23, 05:27 PM
#44
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Yeah i'm skeptical that I could buy new parts, put it together, and have it run better than it is now. Its a large job, and the labor for a shop to do it would be hundreds. The bike shifts beautifully compared to how it normally shifts, it doesn't skip teeth. Probably put like 20k miles on this thing with various casettes and its shifting better now than ever, even though its obnoxiously loud. There is a big chance that I pay a bunch of money and spend a bunch of time, and end up with a bike that is worse than it was, and take my method of transport out when im in the middle of the repair. Its very much classist to say im negligent for NOT going down this route. I would have to carry the parts to work, then take time off work, ride to a bike repair store (I think there is a stanford clinic), and worst case scenario I have to walk 8 miles home and am out a main bike. So yes, classist, and frankly more roadies should be more self aware of this reputation and seek to dismantle it thought their own thoughts and actions /sips tea
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07-20-23, 05:37 PM
#45
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Yeah i'm skeptical that I could buy new parts, put it together, and have it run better than it is now. Its a large job, and the labor for a shop to do it would be hundreds. The bike shifts beautifully compared to how it normally shifts, it doesn't skip teeth. Probably put like 20k miles on this thing with various casettes and its shifting better now than ever, even though its obnoxiously loud. There is a big chance that I pay a bunch of money and spend a bunch of time, and end up with a bike that is worse than it was, and take my method of transport out when im in the middle of the repair. Its very much classist to say im negligent for NOT going down this route.
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07-20-23, 05:38 PM
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Creaky bottom brackets due to poor design or creaking aero seatposts (also often due to poor design) do not bother me because there is no safety issue there.
I judge others by their tires. If they are worn to the wear indicator or if there are cuts, you should not be in a paceline. Creaks? Big deal. I don't care.
I judge others by their tires. If they are worn to the wear indicator or if there are cuts, you should not be in a paceline. Creaks? Big deal. I don't care.
07-20-23, 05:39 PM
#47
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I went to the bike shop and was told I needed a new drivechain (big rings, cassette, chain, and maybe even shifters) if I wanted to get rid of the sound. Replacing just the chain and cassette might even make it worse, according to the bike shop. The bike was bought used for $350 and I’m sure a brand new drivechain would cost at least that.
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
its classist for you to suggest that I am in the wrong for continueing to ride my bike in this state. There is a reason I posted this in Road Cycling by the way... this behavior is almost exclusive to road bikers. Myself, as a roadie, also fall victim to this internalized classism, and I’m trying to recognize this and fight it. It’s a gen Z thing most of you wouldn’t understand
If you don't want to do it, fine, that's your choice. But don't expect people to want to ride next to you if your bike sounds like you don't give a crap about it, because it doesn't inspire confidence. If you're that lackadaisical about your bike, maybe you're also lackadaisical about holding your line.
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07-20-23, 05:42 PM
#48
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Yeah i'm skeptical that I could buy new parts, put it together, and have it run better than it is now. Its a large job, and the labor for a shop to do it would be hundreds. The bike shifts beautifully compared to how it normally shifts, it doesn't skip teeth. Probably put like 20k miles on this thing with various casettes and its shifting better now than ever, even though its obnoxiously loud. There is a big chance that I pay a bunch of money and spend a bunch of time, and end up with a bike that is worse than it was, and take my method of transport out when im in the middle of the repair. Its very much classist to say im negligent for NOT going down this route. I would have to carry the parts to work, then take time off work, ride to a bike repair store (I think there is a stanford clinic), and worst case scenario I have to walk 8 miles home and am out a main bike.
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07-20-23, 05:47 PM
#49
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Yeah i'm skeptical that I could buy new parts, put it together, and have it run better than it is now. Its a large job, and the labor for a shop to do it would be hundreds. The bike shifts beautifully compared to how it normally shifts, it doesn't skip teeth. Probably put like 20k miles on this thing with various casettes and its shifting better now than ever, even though its obnoxiously loud. There is a big chance that I pay a bunch of money and spend a bunch of time, and end up with a bike that is worse than it was, and take my method of transport out when im in the middle of the repair. Its very much classist to say im negligent for NOT going down this route. I would have to carry the parts to work, then take time off work, ride to a bike repair store (I think there is a stanford clinic), and worst case scenario I have to walk 8 miles home and am out a main bike. So yes, classist, and frankly more roadies should be more self aware of this reputation and seek to dismantle it thought their own thoughts and actions /sips tea
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07-20-23, 06:01 PM
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I might have been inclined to come back with a really squeaky bike and spoke beads...
https://www.amazon.com/Lawdiey-Bicyc...23247411&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Lawdiey-Bicyc...23247411&psc=1
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