That ratchet sound from the rear wheel
12-31-15, 09:14 AM
#1
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That ratchet sound from the rear wheel
What cauaes that sound when the rear wheel is spinning free? I thought it was bearings clicking inside the hub.
My Focus sounds like the Mad Hatter's watch, the Fuji is quiet as a door mouse. What accounts for the difference?
Thanks
My Focus sounds like the Mad Hatter's watch, the Fuji is quiet as a door mouse. What accounts for the difference?
Thanks
12-31-15, 09:17 AM
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Those are the pawls inside the cassette or freewheel. The type of oil/grease used, and the design of the pawls & springs, combined, result in either loud or quiet hubs.
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12-31-15, 09:42 AM
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Ahh, thanks HB. That helped me get a bit more info from Google.
12-31-15, 11:36 AM
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In general Shimano hubs run almost silently, Campy hubs make a noticeable ratcheting noise and Chris King and a few other boutique hubs make a loud ratcheting sound. As Homebrew01 described, differences in pawl and ratchet design and the type of lube all contribute to the noise level.
12-31-15, 11:39 AM
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here's a schematic illustration of a ratchet mechanism. The ticking is the sound of the Pawl ski jumping over the end of each ramp and landing on the next one.
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12-31-15, 01:53 PM
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Thanks guys.
Once I knew what to look for there is some pretty good info on hubs and cassettes out there.
Once I knew what to look for there is some pretty good info on hubs and cassettes out there.
12-31-15, 04:52 PM
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Stealth MTB Rear Hub | True Precision Components
12-31-15, 05:08 PM
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Well, it sure works. Clickless ratchets! must be right up there with silent Velcro :-)
12-31-15, 05:17 PM
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My understanding is that, aside from gear in poor condition, there is no correlation between freehub noise level and quality.
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12-31-15, 06:09 PM
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+Except for people like myself who consider quiet running important and assign it a value, you're right. Some of the most expensive hubs are also the noisiest.
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12-31-15, 07:20 PM
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Shimano has had a "silent clutch" rear hub for years. As you note, it is primarily intended for the police bike market where sneaking up on a perp noiselessly is a big advantage.
12-31-15, 09:58 PM
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12-31-15, 10:25 PM
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The variety of sound quality and loudness of these things is interesting. I've got an old Campy ti freehub that purrs sweetly. Then there's a Coda branded MTB hub that traumatizes wildlife whenever I coast.
I do think they shouldn't be needlessly noisy. Quiet is good.
The answer of course is in the OP's well phrased question, yep, it's a ratchet.
I do think they shouldn't be needlessly noisy. Quiet is good.
The answer of course is in the OP's well phrased question, yep, it's a ratchet.
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