What is road buzz?

chrisaonabike

Is it simply the vibration you get from riding along a less than perfectly smooth road, that is transmitted to the rider via the contact points - seat, pedals and bars?

If so, then if carbon frames are stiffer than aluminium frames, why is it also the case that carbon frames are supposed to reduce road buzz?

tiredofwhiners

Harmonic absorption - even stiff structures absorb vibration but the frequency at which they do this varies by material.

Bustacapp

It is of my opinion that 'road buzz' is merely a fabricated expression used by over enthusiastic cyclists as leverage to justify purchasing a full carbon/carbon forked bike.

I have no carbon on my bike and have no idea what 'road buzz' actually is.

iPete

Bustacapp wrote:

It is of my opinion that 'road buzz' is merely a fabricated expression used by over enthusiastic cyclists as leverage to justify purchasing a full carbon/carbon forked bike.

I have no carbon on my bike and have no idea what 'road buzz' actually is.

Perhaps you have a well made allu/steel/ti frame?

The difference between my Allez with original Allu seatpost and Carbon post was incredible. I'd wager the difference was noticeable enough to pass a blindfold test, although I'd probably crash.

Bustacapp

iPete wrote:

Perhaps you have a well made allu/steel/ti frame?

The difference between my Allez with original Allu seatpost and Carbon post was incredible. I'd wager the difference was noticeable enough to pass a blindfold test, although I'd probably crash.

My bike is a Carrera Virtuoso. £330 from Halfords. Perhaps I'm just not that fussy.

t4tomo

iPete wrote:

Bustacapp wrote:

It is of my opinion that 'road buzz' is merely a fabricated expression used by over enthusiastic cyclists as leverage to justify purchasing a full carbon/carbon forked bike.

I have no carbon on my bike and have no idea what 'road buzz' actually is.

Perhaps you have a well made allu/steel/ti frame?

The difference between my Allez with original Allu seatpost and Carbon post was incredible. I'd wager the difference was noticeable enough to pass a blindfold test, although I'd probably crash.

Did you see that Richard hamond program last week with the blind mountain biker and his bike with "bat" sensors. he didn't crash.

cougie

Carbon does kill the road buzz a lot I find. (obviously it depends on how you use it though)

My Alu custom bike was a tad harsh - fine to ride - but it was noticeable. I swapped to a CF bike - same kit - just new frame - and it was definitely a lot smoother. Riding over grids was amazing - you barely noticed it.

thescouselander

Bustacapp wrote:

It is of my opinion that 'road buzz' is merely a fabricated expression used by over enthusiastic cyclists as leverage to justify purchasing a full carbon/carbon forked bike.

I have no carbon on my bike and have no idea what 'road buzz' actually is.

^^^^This^^^^^

I usually find if there is any "road buzz" coming through its because I've pumped my tyres up too hard.

iPete

Bustacapp wrote:

iPete wrote:

Perhaps you have a well made allu/steel/ti frame?

The difference between my Allez with original Allu seatpost and Carbon post was incredible. I'd wager the difference was noticeable enough to pass a blindfold test, although I'd probably crash.

My bike is a Carrera Virtuoso. £330 from Halfords. Perhaps I'm just not that fussy.

But how many miles a week do you do? Average ride duration?

These things become apparent as the miles ramp up. Certainly have for me anyway.

I'm also open to the bat sensor idea

nferrar

It's much easier to make carbon compliant in one directions and stiff in another compared with something like aluminium. You need to be careful with things like handlebars though, a lot of carbon bars out there are more uncomfortable than alu ones.

secretsam

I suffered really badly from this (hands), and found 1 cheap fix helped: I got a slightly better stem (nothing special, a Deda Zero 1 stem from Ribble, I think)

Made a huge difference

Next: change the sh177y saddle LOL

I was advised on here that fitting a carbon seat post is only worth it if you've a reasonable amount showing - my bike's quite 'square' so I've only 2-3 inches showing (it's not how big, it's how you use it, etc)