Rick Warner writes:
> The magazine hype is based on functionality, not noise level. They are rock solid, easy to
> maintain, fast, etc. Just not for someone who likes quiet hubs. Then again, the sound is awesome
> as you blast past someone at 50MPH+ on a descent
The function of a freewheel is to give one way free rotation, it has nothing to do with making
noises. Noise is a gratuitous error in design, the silent, cheap, and durable ratchet having been
invented long ago. I guess Hugi was the first to come back with a noisy escapement for no advantage,
its mechanism being no stronger than a good ratchet while making loud noise and being heavier, not
to mention its high costs.
Sounding awesome seems to me more how mechanically silent one can descend, I can put playing cards
on clothes pins on my bicycle, as we used to do as children to make motorcycle noises. I don't want
to pay money for such trivia.
Jobst Brandt
[email protected] Palo Alto CA
