Higher End Wheels Louder When Coasting? (Causes & Solutions)

Higher End Wheels Louder When Coasting

When coasting, the sound emanating from your higher-end wheels indicates its effectiveness and reliability.

Hence, it’s quite disturbing when this sound becomes louder than normal as it could be a sign of problems. On that note, what could cause this loud sound when coasting?  

Your higher-end wheels become louder when coasting due to the pawls on your freewheel. This happens when the pawls slam against the splines on your engagement surfaces. Plus, the loud sound occurs when you use low-quality oil/grease on your higher-end wheels. 

Why Do Expensive Bikes Make Noise When Coasting?

Higher End Wheels Louder When Coasting

Expensive bikes make noise when coasting due to the ratchets. When your bike coasts, the ratchets on your bike decline side by side, generating a loud noise.

The ratchets usually produce more noise when they contain more teeth. Furthermore, the noise might also come from the pawls and the engagement point.  

The engagement point, pawls, and ratchets are responsible for constant rotation when pedaling or coasting on your bike.

These components often generate a normal sound that indicates the effectiveness of your bike’s drivetrain.

Hence, you must differentiate between the normal sound and the loud sound. Unfortunately, many bike owners tend to ignore the noise when coasting.

Nevertheless, it’s best not to ignore this noise as it could signify something is wrong with your bike.

However, the sound emanating from your bike during coasting depends on the manufacturing process. Let me explain vividly! 

In most cases, bike manufacturers tend to produce bikes that don’t produce noise. This helps conserve the rider’s concentration during outdoor activities like racing.

On the other hand, some manufacturers produce bikes that generate a normal sound. The reason is to detect when there’s a problem with the bike. 

For instance, your bike might produce a loud noise to indicate a problem with the wheels or another component.

Nonetheless, you must always check your bike regularly to immediately detect and rectify these problems. 

Why Are Higher End Wheels Louder Than Cheaper Ones?

Higher-end wheels are louder than cheaper ones because they use robust springs. These strong springs usually possess a higher number of engagement points and pawls.

These costly models of wheels generate a louder and more intense noise. The carbon rims on higher-end wheels also act like sound soundboards. 

The rims amplify sounds from other bike parts, especially the wheels. Usually, on moving parts, one would expect silence to be a mark of quality.

But in the case of high-end wheels, the reverse is the case. Noisy hubs have slowly become associated with higher-end wheels, and manufacturers now gradually build them that way.

Additionally, the grease you use, whether light or thick, affects the noise from higher-end wheels.

Furthermore, the angle that the pawls and hub’s internal teeth rub against each other affects the noise coming from the wheels. 

Many wheel manufacturing companies have diverse pawl/spring combinations that cause the ratcheting effect.

On the other hand, low-end bikes usually contain a freewheel embedded into the cassette.

The noise from the free hub is often due to the light oil used to lubricate the inner/metal parts of the bike. 

Thicker grease can be a solution to reduce the noise if necessary. You must exercise caution when purchasing higher-end wheels for your bike.

Always settle for high-quality wheels that suit your bike. Notwithstanding, I’ll briefly highlight the types and prices of higher-end wheels you can purchase at your convenience.

The table below depicts some high-end wheels and their prices.

High-End Wheels Prices 
Zip 303 Firecrest Carbon Disc Brake Wheel$996
SUPERTEAM 700c Carbon Wheel$399
ICAN 38/50 Carbon Road Bike Wheelset$575

Why Do Expensive Wheels Make Clicking Sound When Coasting?

Your expensive wheels click when coasting due to the pawls in the freewheel. You can find the freewheel at the rear wheel, which resides under the gears.

This allows your bike to coast without pedaling, and this unique feature comes with expensive bikes.

Notwithstanding, other factors are responsible for the clicking sound coming from your wheels when coasting.

Below are some of them. 

#1. Using the Wrong Grease 

The grease you use for your wheels matters as it determines its functionality.

Your bike’s drivetrain consists of your engine, wheels, and other components, usually containing metal parts.

Therefore, you must always use the right lubricating oil. Purchase a specific brand of oil that has high quality to ensure maximum effectiveness.

It’s best to avoid purchasing different brands of oil for your wheels as it could harbor disastrous consequences. 

#2. High Tension On Pawl

The clicking noise might also occur when the tension on the pawls is high. This happens when the pawls slide against the engagement surfaces with a lot of force.  

#3. Worn Out Freewheel 

The freewheel of your bike is an essential component of your wheels, and it lasts for a couple of years.

When it wears out, it disrupts the rotation of the wheels. The reason is that it contains inner parts that enable proper rotation.

Hence, it’s best to check your freewheel regularly for repairs. Nonetheless, you must replace the freewheel when it’s worn out. 

#4. Using Low-Quality Wheels

Wheels are crucial to your bike as they ensure proper road rotation and movement.

Hence, using low-quality wheels for your bike can be disastrous. The wheels might begin to produce a clicking noise due to low-quality components.

Hence, it’s best to purchase the right wheels for your bike. If you’re perplexed about what wheels to get, you can consult a professional to help you. 

#5. Damaged Wheels

It’s weird when your wheels constantly produce a clicking sound, which might occur when they undergo severe damage. In this case, you must remove the wheels and replace them. 

How Do I Make My Freewheel Louder?

An ideal way to make your freewheel louder is to tighten the springs.  This way, your freewheel will become more effective.

On the other hand, you can utilize lubricants. Lubricants are vital when it comes to maintaining the effectiveness of the metal components of your bike. 

Use the right lubricant to make your freewheel louder. Always purchase one brand of oil for your freewheel.

The reason is that different oil brands use different ingredients for their lubricants. And these lubricants harbor different effects. 

Hence, it’s advisable to settle for one brand. Plus, you can purchase a similar one if you don’t find the oil you often use.

In addition, you must clean your freewheel to remove dirt as it could obstruct the rotation of internal components. 

Conclusion

The loud noise from bikes when coasting has now been attributed to its quality and effectiveness.

Plus, the noise and how loud it gets when coasting serves as a sign for different reasons and doesn’t impact your ride.

Nonetheless, you must inspect your wheels regularly to detect any problems.

Josh Matthews

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