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Questions and answers about sports

Should I upgrade the hub, cassette or wheel so my bike will make a sound when I don’t pedal?

5 min read

Asked by: Kevin Bonner

Why does my bike make noise when I don’t pedal?

The noise you are hearing is the pawls, which are spring loaded teeth. These teeth allow the hub to move forward when you stop pedaling, by moving out of the way.
Jul 2, 2011

Are bike hubs worth upgrading?

The quality of your hubs has a significant effect on the weight, rotational resistance and rigidity of your wheels. An upgrade hub is likely to have better bearings, that could potentially be cartridge bearings; these are likely to last longer and be more easily replaced when they have had their day.

Are noisy hubs better?

Because loud hubs have more engagement points and pawls, they engage faster which makes pedaling quick. The fast engagement that occurs when you start pedaling results in less energy being lost through your pedals.
Sep 13, 2021

Why do free hubs make noise?

Loudness in the freehub/freebody is usually due to the very light oil used to lubricate the inner parts. Thicker oil can be used to lessen the noise and even grease in some cases, but it’s high viscosity is pointed at for not being so efficient.

How can I reduce the sound of my hub?


Quote from video: Some plastic pipettes you get these for a couple of dollars from amazon a metallic measuring cup a lock ring removal tool and chain whip to remove the cassette.

Which bike sound is best?

Top ten best sounding motorcycles

  • Triumph Street Triple RS (2020) Few bikes sound as good on a stock exhaust system than the new Triumph Street Triple RS. …
  • Yamaha R1 M (2020) …
  • Kawasaki H2 Ninja. …
  • Norton Manx 500. …
  • Honda CRF1100 Africa Twin. …
  • Aprilia RSV 4. …
  • MV Agusta F4. …
  • Honda CBR1000RR-R SP.

Do wheel hubs make a difference?

Hubs that are “louder” usually have more engagement points. This means your drivetrain picks up faster, so less energy is lost. Hubs that have sealed cartridge bearings or needle bearings usually never need to be replaced, they’re far stronger and stay cleaner.
Aug 30, 2008

Are wheel upgrades worth it?

Lowering resistance and increasing comfort



And therefore, they offer the greatest lightweight gains. Saving wheelset weight will make a huge difference to your sense of acceleration and overall energy efficiency and endurance while out riding.
Feb 26, 2020

Which bicycle hub is best?

The best mountain bike hubs you can buy

  • Industry Nine Hydra. So many points of engagement. …
  • DT Swiss DT350. Hubs that will outlast your wheels, and won’t bankrupt you. …
  • Hope Pro 4. Ideal for mucky UK conditions. …
  • Chris King ISO. The buzzy bee gold standard. …
  • Shimano Saint M820. …
  • Onyx Racing. …
  • Project 321. …
  • White Industries XMR.

Dec 28, 2019

Why are expensive bike hubs loud?

The noise produced by a rear hub, cheap or luxurious model, comes from the so-called pawls – tiny, spring-loaded elements designed to bite to the ratchet of the hub when pedaling forward. When coasting or pedaling backward, the pawls disengage and slide over the engagement surface.
May 26, 2020

How can I make my road bike sound better?

Quote from video: Side the freewheel hear the loud noise is tends to come from free wheels that are lacking lubrication or have a very thin lubrication.

What hubs do pro cyclists use?

The distinctive green hubs are Chris King R45s. They use lightweight hub bodies and bearings that are made in-house. The rear hub features a RingDrive system with 45 teeth for fast engagement.
Jul 23, 2018

What is the loudest MTB hub?

The Torch is the loudest of the 3. Hope Pro4 are loud followed by the DT 350 with a 54t ratchet upgrade.
Feb 8, 2022

Which is louder ratchet or pawls?

Ratchet systems are generally spoken stronger, more reliable and need less maintenance compared to traditional pawl systems. Biggest reason for this is that the power transferred from the drivetrain to the wheel is spread of a larger surface. In general hubs that are “louder” usually have more engagement points.
Apr 15, 2022

How can I make my bike hub louder?

Quote from video: People also ask

Why are bike hubs so expensive?

Features of more expensive hubs are sealed cartridge bearings, serviceability, lighter materials, better machining tolerances, and innovative design. Reliability and durability do not necessarily depend on price, and for heavy touring loads a steel axle is often recommended.
Dec 12, 2020

What hubs do pro cyclists use?

The distinctive green hubs are Chris King R45s. They use lightweight hub bodies and bearings that are made in-house. The rear hub features a RingDrive system with 45 teeth for fast engagement.
Jul 23, 2018

Does bike hub weight matter?

Technically, added hub weight is increased weight the suspension has to move up and down; the wheel will not track fast changes as well. However, it’s not enough to matter unless you’re seriously nitpicky.
Feb 25, 2009

What makes a good bike hub?

Good-quality bearings, sealed and protected from dirt and water, are the key to long and healthy hubs. Older or less expensive hubs may use cup and cone bearings, which contain two rings of loose ball bearings that sit in ‘cups’ inside the hub body, and are secured in place by conical nuts known as ‘cones’.
Mar 31, 2022

How do I make my hub louder?

Quote from video: What you can do is either put a light thin layer of grease back in or what you can do which is what we're doing is put nothing in but if you do this your hub will wear out faster.

What is the loudest MTB hub?

The Torch is the loudest of the 3. Hope Pro4 are loud followed by the DT 350 with a 54t ratchet upgrade.
Feb 8, 2022