Noisy Freehubs - Definitive Answer

Lochy

I've recently had a pair of open pro's built on hope III hubs and i'm slowly getting used to the 'clacking' noise - find it strangley reassuring! (Previously i had a pair of 'quiet' factory built shimano's)

Anyways, my riding partner had always commented about 'noisy' free hubs, even prior to me getting my new wheels and had always said, quote, "you'd think that the more expensive the hub, the quieter it would be!"

Now he can be a bit of a ludite and very opinionated, so i need a definitive answer to shut him up, ha!

So my question is, why are some noisy and some not? Are there benefits? Is it just down to the construction of certain manufacturers?

CarleyB

I have no answer (but you knew that )but don't mind your noisy hubs

woodywmb

There is no definitive answer. Some really cheap hubs are noisy and some really expensive ones are equally as noisy. The middle of the road range tends to be in between.

Lochy

No no no! I NEED a definitive answer. This guy would argue that black was white, so i need to make him see sense. Plus i'm curious myself.

White Line

Noiser = more pawls = longer life. 8)

Anybody who says otherwise is a lair.

nferrar

Except Hope hubs don't have many pawls. It basically comes down the design of the pawl mechanism though, CK buzz due to the ring drive design. Apparently you can quiet Hope hubs down by packing them with grease but will probably cause more drag. IMO no one should use Hope hubs on a road bike if they cycle with other people

drthomp

Hope = noise = good.

Used hope for years and would choose them over shimano or mavic every day of the week. Although I would have a pair of Chris Kings but money will only go so far.

So yes a defo good thing for a noisey hub

soveda

Lochy wrote:

I've recently had a pair of open pro's built on hope III hubs and i'm slowly getting used to the 'clacking' noise - find it strangley reassuring! (Previously i had a pair of 'quiet' factory built shimano's)

Anyways, my riding partner had always commented about 'noisy' free hubs, even prior to me getting my new wheels and had always said, quote, "you'd think that the more expensive the hub, the quieter it would be!"

Now he can be a bit of a ludite and very opinionated, so i need a definitive answer to shut him up, ha!

So my question is, why are some noisy and some not? Are there benefits? Is it just down to the construction of certain manufacturers?

Are Hope road hubs noisier than their MTB hubs? I only ask because I've got Hope on the Cindercone and Fulcrum on the Defy and the Fulcrum is considerably noisier when freewheeling. (I like the noise BTW).

Lochy

soveda wrote:

Lochy wrote:

I've recently had a pair of open pro's built on hope III hubs and i'm slowly getting used to the 'clacking' noise - find it strangley reassuring! (Previously i had a pair of 'quiet' factory built shimano's)

Anyways, my riding partner had always commented about 'noisy' free hubs, even prior to me getting my new wheels and had always said, quote, "you'd think that the more expensive the hub, the quieter it would be!"

Now he can be a bit of a ludite and very opinionated, so i need a definitive answer to shut him up, ha!

So my question is, why are some noisy and some not? Are there benefits? Is it just down to the construction of certain manufacturers?

Are Hope road hubs noisier than their MTB hubs? I only ask because I've got Hope on the Cindercone and Fulcrum on the Defy and the Fulcrum is considerably noisier when freewheeling. (I like the noise BTW).

No idea, as i've no experience of their MTB hubs. I opted for them as they're cartridge bearings and i like the fact that they're a Lancashire firm - plus my funds dictated what i could afford.

They have changed my riding style though. I'm now finding that i have to cycle up to any junction on country lanes etc, just so i can hear if there'is any traffic - whereas previously i could freewheel up, ha!

cougie

You're taking it far too easy if you keep freewheeling.

The sound of the ticking is the noise of shame.....

daviesee

The sound of ticking saves having to buy a bell

sampurnell

cougie wrote:

You're taking it far too easy if you keep freewheeling.

The sound of the ticking is the noise of shame.....

+1, i always tell my group that its noisy so they would be able to tell if i was freewheeling/slacking off.

STEFANOS4784

cougie wrote:

You're taking it far too easy if you keep freewheeling.

The sound of the ticking is the noise of shame.....

Haha, nice 8)

I have clicky ones and they do me nut in, hope this helps :P

MichaelW

Standard shimano freehubs have very small pawls and comensurately short lifespan.

The Shimano Freehub patent prevents other manufacturers putting the wheel bearings outboard the freehub so all the gubbins has to be inside the hub shell.
The large clickety-clackety pawls engage directly with the hub body and the are practically immune to wear.
DT Swiss/Huji hubs use a silent freewheel mechanism that is highly rated.

Basically its a tradeoff between good wheel-bearing placement and strong freehub mechanism.