[Joemero]

So what's the low down on this? Some seem to cherish their loud fishing reel sounding rear hubs when coasting...some seem to even brag like the louder the better? Is there any advantage to louder rear hubs?

 

[Sebastionmerckx]

No, that's just the pawls that make that sound. Unless you are bothered by it, louder or quieter hubs are neither better or worse. If you want to have a near silent hub,check out Ligero Wheelworks....Troy can hook you up with a set that is damn near silent.

 

[Kerry Irons]

Noise factor

So what's the low down on this? Some seem to cherish their loud fishing reel sounding rear hubs when coasting...some seem to even brag like the louder the better? Is there any advantage to louder rear hubs?

Almost any freehub can be significantly quieted, and most can be made nearly silent, simply by using a higher viscosity lube. For some people, those loud freehubs are the equivalent of the "Hey! Look at me!" muffler option preferred by a lot of Harley folks and urban "pimp my ride" types.

 

[asad137]

For some people, those loud freehubs are the equivalent of the "Hey! Look at me!" muffler option preferred by a lot of Harley folks and urban "pimp my ride" types.

I've found they're useful for letting people know you're behind them.

Asad

 

[JimT]

I really dont like the clicking sound either, reminds me of when I was a kid putting cards in my spokes. You get used to the noise but I rather be stealthy!!!

 

[JimT]

Does anyone know if Alchemy, Zipp, Easton or Reynolds have silent hubs?
When I upgrade I want silence.... just me and the road...

 

[andulong]

My hub is pretty much silent but I will admit that on a fast descent with a group it is kind of a cool sound...like a swarm of bees.

 

[FatTireFred]

easy fix- don't coast

 

[JimT]

easy fix- don't coast

LOL, I am just starting to get serious about this and if I didn't coast once in a while I would die!!

" I will admit that on a fast descent with a group it is kind of a cool sound...like a swarm of bees."

Agreed!

 

[Drew Eckhardt]

So what's the low down on this? Some seem to cherish their loud fishing reel sounding rear hubs when coasting...some seem to even brag like the louder the better? Is there any advantage to louder rear hubs?

Loud hubs are saying "Dude! Pedal! Pedal! Faster! Faster! Faster! "

Without a loud hub to motivate you, you will generate into a worthless and weak girlie man with legs like match sticks

Grr.

 

[Marc]

"Low Effort Indicator"

 

[cyclust]

"Low Effort Indicator"

Yea but if you knew just how much effort it took to get my fat arse up a hill, you wouldn't say that!

 

[1natsfan]

I've found they're useful for letting people know you're behind them.

I was riding on a local MUT today and was given "audible warning before passing" by a cyclist who just coasted for a bit before he passed me. While this wouldn't work with people wearing the ear buds, I thought it was pretty cool.
I'm starting to embrace the sound.

 

[Marc]

I was riding on a local MUT today and was given "audible warning before passing" by a cyclist who just coasted for a bit before he passed me. While this wouldn't work with people wearing the ear buds, I thought it was pretty cool.
I'm starting to embrace the sound.

You'd be surprised. About the only thing that wakes Squirrels on the MUT from their earbud-induced-tabula-rasa-state is a Campy freehub.

 

[AlexRandall]

Reynolds use DT swiss hubs, and that can be a lottery, I'm not sure on the rest mentioned.

Shimano are usually pretty quiet, that and they should know a lot about fishing reels

 

[JimP]

The DT hubs use a "star ratchet" mechanism that will get loud when it needs to be lubed. Using too thick a lube on a DT hub will not allow the star ratchet to engage and too thin will be loud. Some people use Phil oil. I prefer SuperLube gel.
The Alchemy ORC seems as quiet as a DA to me.

 

[PeanutButterBreath]

Yea but if you knew just how much effort it took to get my fat arse up a hill, you wouldn't say that!

It can't be that fat if you can coast up a hill.

 

[ziscwg]

I have been riding a Chris King mtb hub for 3 yrs. It has that "angry bees" sound. When I ride on the road bike, I don't hear it and it seems odd to me.

There's no functional difference with a loud vs quiet hub. It's just the ratcheting of the free hub. Some louder hubs have more engagement points. However, that's not nearly as relevant on the road than mtb.

 

[dysfunction]

yes, I don't hear my road bike's hub either.. being used to the sound of the Hadley on my mtb might just have something to do with it.. given your comment :thumbsup:

 

[DaveG]

fishing reel sound

So what's the low down on this? Some seem to cherish their loud fishing reel sounding rear hubs when coasting...some seem to even brag like the louder the better? Is there any advantage to louder rear hubs?

If its a Shimano hub, maybe its the wrong part. There may be soneone spincasting a DA hub as we speak