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Why do some high end component sets make a clicking sound when coasting?

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Why do some high end component sets make a clicking sound when coasting?

Old 01-08-11, 11:04 PM
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Why do some high end component sets make a clicking sound when coasting?

Hi ya'll! I was out on a ride today and passed a specialized s-works Tarmac sl3 while it was coasting, and I noticed (as I have in the past) that when coasting, the hub makes a drastically louder and distinctive clicking sound than most bikes. I have heard this on a variety of other high end cycles and I've always wondered why they do this? Is this an engineering side effect? Or perhaps it just distinguishes itself from other comp sets like an exhaust note on a ferarri... Im just wondering and was hoping someone could alleviate my curiosity. Thanks!

WIR
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Old 01-08-11, 11:06 PM
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Loud hubs save lives.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:08 PM
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Just Specialized I think. My friend's Allez is loud as hell as well.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:11 PM
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If I could hazard a guess it's because the pawls in the freehub are attached to beefier springs for more reliable engagement, but I could be/probably am way off.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:21 PM
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Originally Posted by nosaj
Just Specialized I think. My friend's Allez is loud as hell as well.
what do you think is duh reason why Specialized bikes makes loud noises? Can you teach me?
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Old 01-08-11, 11:23 PM
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Has nothing to do with the bike being high end, its all in the wheels hubs that make this sound.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:23 PM
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Similar reasoning to Campy remaking record 11 click loudly I would guess. Mentally computing your equipment is working or did what you told it to.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:25 PM
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Someone used to make a near silent freehub (might actually have been back in yon freewheel days) Can't remember the name of it. Some kind of clutch mechanism, IIRC.

It was pretty fancy.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by WhyIRide
Or perhaps it just distinguishes itself from other comp sets like an exhaust note on a McLaren F1...WIR
fixed. saw one up close while in Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills today..and wow
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Old 01-08-11, 11:34 PM
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some of it is the number of pawls.

shimano = 2
campagnolo = 3
hugi = 4 (i think)

volume goes up in the same order. all things equal, more pawls=stronger


then you also have hubs like chris king that have a buzzing "ratchet style" mechanism.

so yes, it is a side effect of a particular design. as a result, it also gives brands a distinguishable tone. campagnolo and chris king are both loud, but completely different tones.


cars are the same way. porsche flat 6s, ferrari v-12s, and small block v8s all have a distinguishable noise due to design. ford and chevy v8s even have distinguishable sounds due to firing order. it was not designed for this, it is just a natural side effect.

Last edited by thirdgenbird; 01-08-11 at 11:39 PM.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:34 PM
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Originally Posted by nosaj
Just Specialized I think. My friend's Allez is loud as hell as well.
My 2010 Allez is dead silent.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted by StephenT
My 2010 Allez is dead silent.
All bikes are. Rear hubs are noisy.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by stien
All bikes are. Rear hubs are noisy.
To clarify, my Allez rear hub is silent. Whether thats good or bad I prefer a quiet rear hub.
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Old 01-08-11, 11:45 PM
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I few drops of 5w-30 will quiet down most freehubs.
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Old 01-09-11, 12:02 AM
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Loud hubs show other riders that you're a ******.
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Old 01-09-11, 12:27 AM
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Originally Posted by 531phile
Loud hubs show other riders that you're not pedaling and a weakling.
Fixed
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Old 01-09-11, 12:30 AM
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A nice side effect of my Chris King hub is mostly I don't have to yell "on your left" as I pass, they usually hear my hub first.
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Old 01-09-11, 12:35 AM
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My hub is extremely quiet...I want a louder one. But I really like that distinct sound, especially when in a Criterium or a large group of riders enters a corner.
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Old 01-09-11, 01:04 AM
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It's an alarm. It means you should be pedaling.
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Old 01-09-11, 01:57 AM
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Originally Posted by wrr1020
Has nothing to do with the bike being high end, its all in the wheels hubs that make this sound.
Actually, monocoque frames amplify any noise on the bike.
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Old 01-09-11, 02:06 AM
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My Phil Wood hub was quite loud until I put a bit more than the recommended load of grease in it the last time I serviced it. I doubt that will harm it and I kind of like silent coasting. I suppose that could mean I have introduced more drag into the system, but no more than my famine insurance system (gut) causes.
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Old 01-09-11, 02:17 AM
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My 2005 Allez Elite is quite (Shimano 105 hub).
The Deda hub on my Paramount is noisy.
I like it quite.
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Old 01-09-11, 02:24 AM
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Originally Posted by B. Carfree
My Phil Wood hub was quite loud until I put a bit more than the recommended load of grease in it the last time I serviced it. I doubt that will harm it and I kind of like silent coasting. I suppose that could mean I have introduced more drag into the system, but no more than my famine insurance system (gut) causes.
Ding, ding, ding! Winner.

You can quiet any hub this way.

Back in the day of 6 spd freewheels for my racing wheels I used sewing machine oil to get the lowest resistance possible. The freewheel was noticeable louder and the sound itself was different. In winter I'd load up my freewheels with grease (against road salt) and lo and behold, dead silent freewheels.

Rocket surgery it ain't.
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Old 01-09-11, 02:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Bob Dopolina
You can quiet any hub this way.
Not necessarily for long... I packed my cassette body chock-full of grease, and it was quiet for a while, but before long the noise mostly came back as the grease bedded in...

Maybe I just need to squeeze more in there...
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Old 01-09-11, 09:46 AM
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Because no one has yet.
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