Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: trundle on 29 December, 2023, 10:24:17 pm

Title: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: trundle on 29 December, 2023, 10:24:17 pm: I'm shopping for hand built wheels for the audax bikes to replace entry level jobbies (rim and disk - 700x28 tyres).

One thing that vexes me is loud hubs: I really hate them.

Other than Shimano and Miche, are there other audax worthy hubs I should consider that are quiet?

I've ruled out DT Swiss, Hope (obviously!), and even Bitex.
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: quixoticgeek on 30 December, 2023, 12:45:13 am: Yay, someone else who values quiet hubs.

I can't help with recommendations tho. I have Shimano MTB hubs which are considerably quieter than many I have the misfortune to come across.

J
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: Duckfoot1606 on 30 December, 2023, 07:31:54 am: Perhaps give these folks a call and discuss your specific requirements?.

https://www.spacycles.co.uk

https://thecycleclinic.co.uk

Good luck

A
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: De Sisti on 30 December, 2023, 07:43:35 am: I would recommend Shimano 105 hubs and Ambrosio Excellence rims. Why?
Because that's what I use and I'm very happy with them. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: Deano on 30 December, 2023, 08:08:53 am: Fixed.
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: pley3r on 30 December, 2023, 08:35:44 am: Onyx hubs. As silent as it gets.
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: rogerzilla on 30 December, 2023, 08:59:25 am: Shimano hubs are all pretty quiet. Not blingy, but nor is audax ;D
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: trundle on 30 December, 2023, 09:13:11 am: Quote from: Deano on 30 December, 2023, 08:08:53 am
Fixed.

Already have this and love it - although I would say the hub noise moves to human noise as I huff and puff every minor incline ;D
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: trundle on 30 December, 2023, 09:18:20 am: Quote from: pley3r on 30 December, 2023, 08:35:44 am
Onyx hubs. As silent as it gets.

Oooh - those look smashing. I can't afford them - but that's an excellent rabbit hole to disappear into. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: vorsprung on 30 December, 2023, 01:16:55 pm: Alfine hub gears are quiet
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: pumpkin on 30 December, 2023, 07:09:54 pm: Mapdec over on YouTube had some spend Corima wheels recently. And those hubs were silent.
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: wooger on 03 January, 2024, 10:05:12 am: Hard to see beyond Miche with this requirement unless you want something expensive, flashy, lightweight and generally non-audax-like. The cycleclinic guy's discussion of their hubs is pretty glowing.

Worth mentioning though that the type and amount of grease packed in the freehub has a dramatic affect on the volume and quality of freehub noise. My hope hubs are reasonably quiet as they're packed with thickish grease for weatherproof longevity rather than the minimal spread of the thinnest stuff that'd be best for performance.
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: mike on 03 January, 2024, 05:15:31 pm: I had some made by https://dcrwheels.co.uk with their own hub and I love them, they've drifted into service on my gravel bike and have been bomb-proof, definitely worth an email to David to see what he suggests. Relatively quiet too, unlike my Hunt wheels which are awful.
Title: Re: Custom wheels - quiet hubs for audax
Post by: valkyrie on 03 January, 2024, 07:20:17 pm: My Canyon came with DT Swiss Endurance LN wheels. The rear hub is smooth and virtually silent. That wheelset is OEM only but the hub is apparently a 370LN Ratchet Drive. With DT Swiss ratchet hubs if you find them too noisy you just add a bit more grease.