Possible to change hubs?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 247
Bikes: Tyrell CSI, Dahon Mu LT11, Doppelganger Aurora 219
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Possible to change hubs?
So I know almost nothing about hubs, other than that my rear hub is stupidly loud and I hate it. Are there standards of freehubs? Like can i figure out what type of freehub I have and just buy a replacement?
Also is there much of a difference in weight between them?
These are the wheels BTW, with novatech hubs.
https://www.ternbicycles.com/jp/gear...ri-spoke-wheel
Also is there much of a difference in weight between them?
These are the wheels BTW, with novatech hubs.
https://www.ternbicycles.com/jp/gear...ri-spoke-wheel
Last edited by kidshibuya; 05-26-18 at 06:03 AM.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2025 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,089 Times
in
736 Posts
Freehub bodies are not interchangeable among hubs from different manufacturers so you either need a replacement body for your particular hub or another complete hub altogether. However, the wheels you show can't have the hub replaced so you are going to have to find a different body from Novatech or just live with the noise. BTW, many high class hubs (Campy, DT, Chris King, etc.) are known for being loud so perhaps that can be considered a plus.
Amazon lists a replacement Novatech freehub body but I have no idea if it will fit your particular wheel and if it will be any quieter: https://www.amazon.com/Novatec-Freeh...ds=novatec+hub
Amazon lists a replacement Novatech freehub body but I have no idea if it will fit your particular wheel and if it will be any quieter: https://www.amazon.com/Novatec-Freeh...ds=novatec+hub
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 247
Bikes: Tyrell CSI, Dahon Mu LT11, Doppelganger Aurora 219
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Freehub bodies are not interchangeable among hubs from different manufacturers so you either need a replacement body for your particular hub or another complete hub altogether. However, the wheels you show can't have the hub replaced so you are going to have to find a different body from Novatech or just live with the noise. BTW, many high class hubs (Campy, DT, Chris King, etc.) are known for being loud so perhaps that can be considered a plus.
Amazon lists a replacement Novatech freehub body but I have no idea if it will fit your particular wheel and if it will be any quieter: https://www.amazon.com/Novatec-Freeh...ds=novatec+hub
Amazon lists a replacement Novatech freehub body but I have no idea if it will fit your particular wheel and if it will be any quieter: https://www.amazon.com/Novatec-Freeh...ds=novatec+hub
https://livedoor.blogimg.jp/hasirin/i...b/8bf74fc6.jpg
Guess Ill live with it, but the sound really annoys me (the hollow carbon wheels amplify it, its easily louder than cars going by) as its wasted energy for fashion. Even Chris King himself said its fashion and he personally wanted to make his hubs quiet but didn't for marketing.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2025 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,089 Times
in
736 Posts
It's not really wasted energy. The hub only makes noise when you are coasting. It's silent when you are pedaling and so no energy is wasted then and that's when it counts.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,588
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18051 Post(s)
Liked 4,360 Times
in
3,257 Posts
You can add a drop of grease to the pawls, and it may make them quieter, but you also run the risk of gumming up the pawls.
Fortunately, those freehubs should be extremely easy to remove and service.
Several hubs use similar freehubs to those Novatec hubs, so with a little sleuthing, it may well be possible to find a replacement freehub from a different brand. However, the noise is likely the design, so putting another brand of freehub on it won't make it quieter.
Those hubs probably would support freehubs with 3 to 6 pawls, so that might make a slight difference, but probably not worth it unless you have other issues such as slipping.
Fortunately, those freehubs should be extremely easy to remove and service.
Several hubs use similar freehubs to those Novatec hubs, so with a little sleuthing, it may well be possible to find a replacement freehub from a different brand. However, the noise is likely the design, so putting another brand of freehub on it won't make it quieter.
Those hubs probably would support freehubs with 3 to 6 pawls, so that might make a slight difference, but probably not worth it unless you have other issues such as slipping.