Silent freehub

[jimmy156]

Looking for a bit of advice…

Bike was serviced in the week, as part of that the rear hub bearings were overhauled.

I rode the bike for an hour today and by about half way through the free hub was so quiet that you can’t hear it at all at normal speeds (it’s just about audible when going walking pace (less wind/background noise), or when going really quick.

Firstly, is this actually a problem? And if so what could cause this? My guess is that perhaps it’s been packed with too much grease or something? I assume in the long run that would cause me some problems

[Jimbo.]

If it engages and disengages ok, it’s fine.

[thenorth]

Sounds like the bike shop packed it with grease. Nothing to worry about

[jimmy156]

Thanks both, assumed it would be grease related but didn’t know if there could be “too much.” Good to hear it’s nothing to worry about!

[techguyone]

I remember back in the 90's Shimano briefly did a silent rear hub, they stopped it after a few years but one of my MTB's had it, and it was pretty good, I never much liked the clickity, click, click on regular hubs when freewheeling.

[frisbee]

Hopefully they haven't used grease that goes hard in the cold.

[bmwmike]

Freehub doesn't need grease in it, maybe a little light oil. Shouldn't be silent but quiet is subjective.

[Harpoon]

bmwmike said:

Freehub doesn't need grease in it, maybe a little light oil. Shouldn't be silent but quiet is subjective.

Surely that depends on the hub make / model and the manufacturers service instructions?

DT Swiss offer their own "special" grease (made from Unicorn tears judging by the price) for use with their ratchet freehubs.

[bmwmike]

Harpoon said:

bmwmike said:

Freehub doesn't need grease in it, maybe a little light oil. Shouldn't be silent but quiet is subjective.

Surely that depends on the hub make / model and the manufacturers service instructions?

DT Swiss offer their own "special" grease (made from Unicorn tears judging by the price) for use with their ratchet freehubs.

Yes, you're probably right it does depend on the hub though I prefer them loud which means sans unicorn tears

They all work pretty much the same way

[TwistingMyMelon]

I wouldn't worry if its been serviced

Although I had a Fulcrum/campag freehub that went silent at the end of the ride ....took it to the LBS with the same question and it was on deaths door

[JayRidesBikes]

I'd say the bike shop have greased the freehub and the noise will come back over the next few weeks. My bora wheels were silent when I bought them new and sounded like an angry swarm of wasps after a month or so.

[Harpoon]

bmwmike said:

Yes, you're probably right it does depend on the hub though I prefer them loud which means sans unicorn tears

They all work pretty much the same way

I like quiet freehubs so you can stealth wheel-suck!

[Donbot]

I like my freehubs to be loud enough to part pedestrians like Moses parting the red sea.