Freehub keeps getting louder and louder
07-31-21, 01:22 AM
#1
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Freehub keeps getting louder and louder
Got some high engagement Choosen hubs by accident when shopping for a new Raleigh Pro
Build wheelset. Since greasing the engagement ring with Lucas Red'n Tacky after every 30km was getting tiresome dicided to "evenly" weaken the springs by bending them inwards. Now it gets just as loud after 60km instead. Some said graphite can keep them reasonably loud for longer, but the only grease with graphite I have is Putoline chain wax which seems to be too sticky and draggy at low loads. Wasn't cycling all about enjoying nature in peace and quiet? Never had any problems with loud freehubs before.
These were advertised as road/cyclecross wheels so there is no need for such a high engagement compared to MTB.
Build wheelset. Since greasing the engagement ring with Lucas Red'n Tacky after every 30km was getting tiresome dicided to "evenly" weaken the springs by bending them inwards. Now it gets just as loud after 60km instead. Some said graphite can keep them reasonably loud for longer, but the only grease with graphite I have is Putoline chain wax which seems to be too sticky and draggy at low loads. Wasn't cycling all about enjoying nature in peace and quiet? Never had any problems with loud freehubs before.
These were advertised as road/cyclecross wheels so there is no need for such a high engagement compared to MTB.
Last edited by sysrq; 07-31-21 at 01:58 AM.
07-31-21, 05:49 AM
#2
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Keep pedaling?
Not all freehubs are the same.
I've generally used Shimano. Put a dollop of grease behind the freehub, and they get very quiet.
A few freehubs use a "sprag" or "roller clutch" which would be completely silent.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174845642716
Not all freehubs are the same.
I've generally used Shimano. Put a dollop of grease behind the freehub, and they get very quiet.
A few freehubs use a "sprag" or "roller clutch" which would be completely silent.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174845642716
07-31-21, 06:06 AM
#3
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Thread Starter
Keep pedaling?
Not all freehubs are the same.
I've generally used Shimano. Put a dollop of grease behind the freehub, and they get very quiet.
A few freehubs use a "sprag" or "roller clutch" which would be completely silent.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174845642716
Not all freehubs are the same.
I've generally used Shimano. Put a dollop of grease behind the freehub, and they get very quiet.
A few freehubs use a "sprag" or "roller clutch" which would be completely silent.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/174845642716
07-31-21, 06:23 AM
#4
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For an exterior pawl freehub, a little grease in the pawls should help dampen the sound a bit, but at risk of the pawls not engaging properly.
Interesting question about filling empty space in either the hub or freehub with something. It might help deaden the sound.
You don't necessarily want long axle shafts covered with grease all the time as it may increase friction. The foam should stay put, once it is put in. You could add a wax layer or something between the foam and bearings, and make sure it doesn't quite touch the axle. digging it out would be a pain if you ever had to do so.
There are a couple of different types of glue-on car sound deadening materials. Fairly thin rubbery stuff. Neoprene? Perhaps a car detail shop, car restoration shop, or sound shop would have some remnant scraps.
I'm not convinced the sound deadening would make a huge difference, but it might help just enough.
Interesting question about filling empty space in either the hub or freehub with something. It might help deaden the sound.
You don't necessarily want long axle shafts covered with grease all the time as it may increase friction. The foam should stay put, once it is put in. You could add a wax layer or something between the foam and bearings, and make sure it doesn't quite touch the axle. digging it out would be a pain if you ever had to do so.
There are a couple of different types of glue-on car sound deadening materials. Fairly thin rubbery stuff. Neoprene? Perhaps a car detail shop, car restoration shop, or sound shop would have some remnant scraps.
I'm not convinced the sound deadening would make a huge difference, but it might help just enough.
07-31-21, 10:07 AM
#5
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Thread Starter
For an exterior pawl freehub, a little grease in the pawls should help dampen the sound a bit, but at risk of the pawls not engaging properly.
Interesting question about filling empty space in either the hub or freehub with something. It might help deaden the sound.
You don't necessarily want long axle shafts covered with grease all the time as it may increase friction. The foam should stay put, once it is put in. You could add a wax layer or something between the foam and bearings, and make sure it doesn't quite touch the axle. digging it out would be a pain if you ever had to do so.
There are a couple of different types of glue-on car sound deadening materials. Fairly thin rubbery stuff. Neoprene? Perhaps a car detail shop, car restoration shop, or sound shop would have some remnant scraps.
I'm not convinced the sound deadening would make a huge difference, but it might help just enough.
Interesting question about filling empty space in either the hub or freehub with something. It might help deaden the sound.
You don't necessarily want long axle shafts covered with grease all the time as it may increase friction. The foam should stay put, once it is put in. You could add a wax layer or something between the foam and bearings, and make sure it doesn't quite touch the axle. digging it out would be a pain if you ever had to do so.
There are a couple of different types of glue-on car sound deadening materials. Fairly thin rubbery stuff. Neoprene? Perhaps a car detail shop, car restoration shop, or sound shop would have some remnant scraps.
I'm not convinced the sound deadening would make a huge difference, but it might help just enough.
07-31-21, 01:25 PM
#6
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Apparently coasting noise isn't a major concern with design. (other than the Sprag/roller clutch freehubs mentioned)
I've heard that drivetrain and pedaling noise also varies among brands.
I've heard that drivetrain and pedaling noise also varies among brands.
07-31-21, 04:36 PM
#7
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Thread Starter
For an exterior pawl freehub, a little grease in the pawls should help dampen the sound a bit, but at risk of the pawls not engaging properly.
Interesting question about filling empty space in either the hub or freehub with something. It might help deaden the sound.
You don't necessarily want long axle shafts covered with grease all the time as it may increase friction. The foam should stay put, once it is put in. You could add a wax layer or something between the foam and bearings, and make sure it doesn't quite touch the axle. digging it out would be a pain if you ever had to do so.
There are a couple of different types of glue-on car sound deadening materials. Fairly thin rubbery stuff. Neoprene? Perhaps a car detail shop, car restoration shop, or sound shop would have some remnant scraps.
I'm not convinced the sound deadening would make a huge difference, but it might help just enough.
Interesting question about filling empty space in either the hub or freehub with something. It might help deaden the sound.
You don't necessarily want long axle shafts covered with grease all the time as it may increase friction. The foam should stay put, once it is put in. You could add a wax layer or something between the foam and bearings, and make sure it doesn't quite touch the axle. digging it out would be a pain if you ever had to do so.
There are a couple of different types of glue-on car sound deadening materials. Fairly thin rubbery stuff. Neoprene? Perhaps a car detail shop, car restoration shop, or sound shop would have some remnant scraps.
I'm not convinced the sound deadening would make a huge difference, but it might help just enough.
08-01-21, 06:16 AM
#8
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Thread Starter
So the noise is close to 4kHz for which the ear is the most sensitive to.
Mass loaded vinyl is said to be used the most for sound deadening. I guess neoprene foam should be good enough for such a high frequency.
Mass loaded vinyl is said to be used the most for sound deadening. I guess neoprene foam should be good enough for such a high frequency.
08-01-21, 03:03 PM
#9
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After barrowing something which looks like a 30mm×100mm mass loaded vinyl judging by its weight from a kitchen sink, it has become apparent that it doesn't make any difference in terms of noise reduction on the hub, so probably will have to resort to using Putoline chain wax in a freehub or will have to hunt down a new budget wheel with a cartridge bearings.
