Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Possible to change hubs?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Possible to change hubs?

Old 05-26-18, 05:58 AM
  #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

Last edited by kidshibuya; 05-26-18 at 06:03 AM.
kidshibuya is offline  
Old 05-26-18, 06:38 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
HillRider is offline  
Old 05-26-18, 08:42 AM
  #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
Originally Posted by HillRider
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
Hmm... looks like Ill have to scrap that idea. I managed to find a good close up of the hub with a parts number but its new to google:
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.
kidshibuya is offline  
Old 05-26-18, 08:56 AM
  #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.
HillRider is offline  
Old 05-26-18, 09:31 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
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.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 05-27-18, 06:03 AM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
dsbrantjr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Roswell, GA
Posts: 8,319

Bikes: '93 Trek 750, '92 Schwinn Crisscross, '93 Mongoose Alta

Mentioned: 30 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1438 Post(s)
Liked 1,090 Times in 722 Posts
Just keep pedaling and the hubs will stay silent. ;-)
dsbrantjr is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
phtomita
Bicycle Mechanics
33
02-28-22 08:54 PM
tinman143
Road Cycling
5
01-23-12 02:30 PM
Ohmannuel
Road Cycling
7
02-26-11 11:53 AM
kudude
Bicycle Mechanics
12
02-04-11 03:44 PM
Old Gammy Leg
Bicycle Mechanics
24
08-08-10 06:21 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -

Copyright © 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.